Spry Newsletter
October 23rd. 2020
Principal Note
Dear Spry Families:
I’m seeing and hearing more kids talking and laughing. The halls and cafeteria are a little louder. The kids are feeling more comfortable in their classes and in the building. As well as, on virtual classes. Students are asking and answering more questions. It is nice to see and hear.
School is definitely different then in the past, but we are all trying our best to make it the best it can be for our students. We continue to look for ways to support your children on their synchronous and asynchronous days. Thank you for working together to help make these first 7 weeks or school the best it could be under the restraints we have to adhere to. Together, we will continue to make more positive changes to make it even better. Please continue to communicate with your child’s teacher, counselor or administrator if you need support.
At Spry, we are continuing to make changes and improvements to support students’ learning. We are also celebrating all the positive things, there are so many. It is important to continue to find positivity. Some practices we are doing, that you can do with your family at home include:
Practice gratitude on a daily basis, naming, writing, discussing 1-3 three things you are grateful for each day.
Write a positive note, text or email once a week to thank someone.
Look to do some form of exercise, self care, mindfulness, hobby at least 15 minutes each day.
A note of positivity, thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us.
Sincerely,
Jackie Saunders
Interim Principal
SUPERINTENDENT NEWS
2:00 p.m.
Dear Webster CSD Parents/Guardians,
I continue to be grateful to all of you for submitting your child(ren)’s daily health screening and working with your child(ren) on the importance of masking, hand-washing, and staying physically distant from each other to help ALL of us stay safe and healthy. I want to stress this point: because of these safety protocols, we have been able to remain in school, despite having cases of students and staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 -- cases that the Monroe County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) reassures us are being contracted outside of the school environment.
Equally important to remember is that if you answer “yes” to any of those daily health screening questions for your child(ren) or if they are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, please keep your child(ren) home! You will get a call from your school nurse or attendance secretary, and they will provide information on next steps for you. The district follows guidelines from the MCDPH that must be achieved before your child may return to school. It is of critical importance for your child to see your healthcare provider within 48 hours of experiencing new, unusual, or worsening symptoms. The healthcare provider will determine if the symptoms require COVID-19 testing OR if they are due to an alternate diagnosis and therefore, COVID-19 testing is not required. Simply put, a student may not return to school until they are cleared by their building’s school nurse, and a district staff member may not return to work until they receive approval from our human resources department.
Please know that our district is in constant communication with our county health department so that cases are reported in a timely fashion. This constant, two-way communication ensures that no student or staff member returns to school or work until they meet the MCDPH’s guidelines for doing so. On a daily basis, our district receives MCDPH notifications regarding students or staff members who are placed under isolation or quarantine orders due to testing positive or being exposed to an individual who tested positive. This information is powerful and, working with our outstanding nursing staff and human resources department, we are able to closely track the health status of our school communities.
Above all, please know how much we care about the health and safety of your children, your family, and our staff members. I understand how complex and scary a COVID diagnosis can be. That’s why I want you to know that the district is taking every precaution to make sure our schools remain a safe place for everyone and that no students or staff return to our campuses after being sick until it is completely safe for them to do so!
Thank you for your continued diligence when it comes to the health and safety of your child(ren). Please visit our WEBSITE LINK for more detailed information (scroll to the bottom of the document for additional informative links). You may also reach out to me if you have further questions.
Sincerely,
Carmen Gumina
important dates
Nov. 11 Veterans Day NO School K-12
Nov. 25-27 Thanksgiving Recess NO School K-12
Halloween
Halloween is quickly approaching and the staff at Spry would like to continue our tradition and allow students to dress up, if they would like to. It is not expected or required that all students dress in costume.
1) It is expected that Thursday, October 29, 2020 (group 1) and Friday, October 30, 2020 (group 2), will be regular days of instruction.
2) All costumes must be appropriate for the school day.
3) All students must continue to wear a required mask over their nose and mouth.
Students:
Your costume must allow you to be able to read, write, type, and see the board.
Costumes must meet the guidelines of the Webster Central School District dress code. For example, undergarments may not be worn as outerwear just because it is Halloween. Look in the mirror. A general rule, if you have any questions about your outfit, don’t wear it!
Shoes or sneakers must be worn at all times. Slippers or socks are not appropriate for the school building due to safety issues.
Masks over the whole head are not to be worn on the school bus or in the hallways except during the lunch competition. Each lunch period, students who wish to be part of a contest will have a chance to win a gift card.
A costume is something that is worn, anything that is carried is not acceptable.
Please use common sense and good judgment.
REMEMBER, IF YOUR OUTFIT IS DEEMED INAPPROPRIATE YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CHANGE.
During each lunch period, we will have a costume contest, sponsored by Spry’s Student Council.
After School Clubs/Activities/Support
WCSD Equity and Diversity Webpage
WCSD Equity and Diversity Webpage -
https://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1874
Hispanic Heritage Committee site -
https://sites.google.com/webstercsd.org/hhc/home?authuser=0
Includes a calendar with live links for community events (virtual, asynchronous)
Link directly to the calendar - https://sites.google.com/webstercsd.org/hhc/events/calendar?authuser=0
Spry Library
Washington DC Trip-7th Grade Students
Attention 7th Grade Students and Families:
We are in the initial stages of planning the 8th grade Washington DC trip for the Class of 2026. Please be on the lookout for an email next week with fundraising information.
School Pictures - Retakes Nov. 5th and 6th during lunches.
Attendance
PTSA
WebsterPTSA.org/Join (join/renew),
WebsterPTSA.org/eNews (newsletter sub)
WebsterPTSA.org/Social (social media links by building)
Reminder PTSA is a very important group please consider joining!
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
HOMEWORK HELP
Math Lab
Math Lab is OPEN virtually
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11:00 to 2:00
Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00
Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00
You can visit for one question, get your homework checked or we can work on your classwork or homework together.
Mrs. Hunt
Math Lab google classroom for students who want to use the math lab.
The code is: s7czkn3.
Jostens' Yearbooks
Here is the link: https://images.jostens.com/415603996
Good Afternoon Partner in Positive Youth Development!
As the autumn leaves continue to fall, our programming starts to ratchet up available events for our youth. The next available event is the annual Intergenerational Fall Clean-up on Saturday, November 14th. In an effort to practice safe social distancing we will be welcoming groups of volunteers in different time slots beginning at 9am.
The annual Intergenerational Fall Clean-up is coming November 14th!
This is a great opportunity for youth to serve our community and gain needed service hours as we help housebound seniors rake leaves and clear their yards of fall debris. Groups are welcome to join and serve together, or meet new youth from around the community and work together helping those in need. We will meet at Monroe Community Hospital at 9 am and then go into the community to help our registered seniors. We will also provide a FREE shirt, refreshments, and the necessary tools for the job.
Have your youth register to volunteer at: tinyurl.com/MonroeCountyFallCleanUp
Please contact me if you have any questions by email at haliradecker@monroecounty.gov, or by phone at 753-6953. Thank you for your time and cooperation!
Hali R. Radecker | YAR & Special Events Coordinator | RMCYB
435 East Henrietta Road, 3rd Floor-Faith Wing
Rochester, New York 14620
585-753-6953
Make sure your Chromebook is working and ready!
The Chromebook Repair Center will reopen at Webster Schroeder High School in the main entrance vestibule on:
Tuesday, September 8th
Hours will be
Monday 7:30-3:30
Tuesday 7:30-3:30
Wednesday 11:00-7:00
Thursday 7:30-3:30
Friday 8:00- 2:00
Families may also call 265-6400, extension 2 for device support
Spry Chromebook Assistance
Students may come down Periods 1,4,5,6 to Sam Bell in Tech room 120.
Chromebook policy prohibits loaners being given to students who forget their Chromebooks at home or do not charge the battery. Loaners are provided for students whose Chromebook is physically damaged, lost or not functioning properly. For those students with dead batteries, there are several chargers on site for their use, but they have to leave their Chromebook for at least two class periods to charge.
Medication/Nurse
Dispensing Medications
The District strongly recommends that all medication be administered to students under the supervision of the nurse. If you must take any prescription or over-the-counter medication during school hours and/or at school-related events, State Law requires the following:
1. A written request from your health care provider
2. A written request from your parent/guardian
3. Medication in a pharmacy- labeled container for prescription medications and original manufacturer’s container for over-the counter medications
4. Medication delivered to the nurse by an adult, unless required documentation for Independent Use and Carry of Medication is on file and approved by the nurse
*You may not store medication in your locker nor carry and/or take medication in school or at school-sponsored events unless the required documentation is submitted to the Health Office. This includes prescription and over-the counter medication, dietary pills, supplements and vitamins. If you carry or use unauthorized medication or share medication with other students, you will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the District’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy, including suspension from school and referral to the CAP program.
F.I.R.E.
Equity and diversity are catching F.I.R.E. in the Webster community!
Families Igniting Racial Equity (F.I.R.E.) is a vibrant, parent-led organization whose mission is to build a racially- and economically-just community. Spearheaded by the school district, the group includes members from throughout our community -- parents, concerned family members, and allies passionate about One Webster!
Watch district social media for upcoming meeting notices. For further information on being a part of this growing organization, please contact Terry McCarthy, Webster CSD Director of Humanities, at terrance_mccarthy@webstercsd.org or (585) 216-0080.
Together we can help Webster blaze a trail in creating a more equitable and inclusive community!
F.I.R.E. meetings for 2020-21. These will occur virtually.
Here is the schedule -
9/15, 10/20, 11/17, 12/15, 1/19, 2/23, 3/16, 4/20, 5/11, 6/15
All meetings will run from 6:30-8:00.
You can email Terry McCarthy if you would like info about FIRE and/or would like to be on our distribution list.
Early Dismissal
• If you need to leave school early, an email (Preferably) from your parent or guardian must be sent to your house office prior to first period. Notes are still allowed, but discouraged to avoid crowding in the House Offices to start the day. You will be given a formal "school excuse" to leave, and your parent must sign you out at the front entrance.
• If you return to school, you must report back to the front entrance and get a pass to class.
• Only the School Nurse can excuse a student early from school due to illness. Students leaving school because of illness must be picked up from the Main Entrance by a parent or guardian.
• No one is allowed to leave during the school day without signing “out”. Any pupil leaving without permission will be considered truant. Parents and Police will be notified.
• Transportation to and from school is provided by school bus, parent, or guardian listed in Infinite Campus ONLY.
Safe Schools Helpline
Safe Schools Helpline Link
Follow Spry Links
Twitter: Webster Spry MS (@SpryMS Warriors)
Webpage: http://www.websterschools.org/spry
Morning Show: http://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1321