Whittier Wire

• February 7: Androscoggin County Spelling Bee at Whittier

• February 9: Middle School Dance
• February 12: Whittier History Day Open House
• February 13: Whittier History Day
• February 19-23: Winter Vacation

Whittier History Day is Tuesday, February 13th. Many students have moved from their research to working on their final products. If you have questions about your child's progress, please reach out to their social studies teacher.

Great news! We reached our goal of 90 judges. However, if you still want in, please contact Sean Galipeau-Eldridge (sgalipeau@rsu16.org). You do not need to be a history expert to fill this role. Thank you to all who have registered.

We will have our first evening History Day Open House on Monday, February 12th, 6:00pm-7:00pm. We would love to have all of our students available to discuss their research and share their work. Mark your calendars and join us for this new experience.

Whittier History Day is a great day for students to shine. Ask your child to share their project with you.

There will be a dance this Friday from 6:30-8:30 tickets are $5.00 all week, and will be sold at the door for $5.00. Snacks will be available for purchase.

On Saturday, January 27th, RSU 16 musicians from WMS and PRHS gathered with other select students from around the region to participate in the MMEA District II Honors Vocal Festival. Due to Friday's inclement weather and hazardous road conditions, the would-be two-day festival was shortened to just Saturday. The RSU 16 students who participated showed up and demonstrated great leadership and preparedness amidst their ensembles and represented our district well! Our students continued the RSU 16 reputation of being humble, hardworking, kind, respectful, prepared, and classy. Students who participated sang songs from different eras and various parts of the world, and the day culminated in a successful concert before a full audience at the Windham Performing Arts Center.

The Whittier students who were selected to the Middle School Chorus were Bella Hartman (8), Scarlett Quimi (8), Wyatt Scribner (8), and Liam Whitney (7). The PRHS students selected to the Treble Chorus (grades 9 & 11 upper voices) were Ayla Dyer (11), Irelyn Smith (9), Olivia Snowman (9), and Aurora Holden (11). Students from PRHS selected to the Mixed Chorus (grades 9-12 lower voices and grades 10 & 12 upper voices) were Emma Daigneault (12), Faith Bustamante (10), Audrey Fryda (12), Cheyenne Toth (12), Max Benton (10), Jack Desrosiers (11), Jason Garneau (11), Andrew Mitchell (9), and Cayden Michaud (10).

Mrs. Edwards, who was managing the Treble Choir, was able to sneak away to snap a few pictures. For more photos and some brief sound clips, find @rsu16music on Instagram or RSU 16 Music on Facebook. Thanks to all of the parents who support these students and encourage their participation and preparation!

We have officially made it through January! There is a buzz in the air as middle school students finalize their NHD projects. As some have shared their worries with me about this, I have reminded them of the power of positive self-talk. Phrases like, "I've got this." "I have worked hard." "This is challenging, but I can ask for help." "The judges have been in my shoes before, and know I am nervous." "When I have worked through my fears in the past, I always felt (insert feeling: proud, more confident, accomplished, hopeful etc. when I got through it." "Challenges help me grow." "I am learning a lot!" Please ask your kids about their project, and what they have left to complete. Being prepared and giving it your all is the best confidence builder out there!

On another note, 7th grade students will be participating in a Career Fair on March 14. It will take place at Central Maine Community College. We would greatly appreciate it if you would be willing to talk about your career: The skills that are needed, what drew you to your profession, and any requirements needed to enter into your profession. It is so impactful for our students to have the opportunity to ask questions and hear about various careers from people actively working in their field of interest. Here are some of the areas we need presenters in. We want to hear from you even if your particular career is not listed below.

Farming, Aviation, CDL, Cosmetology, Dental, Fire Science, Forestry, Legal, Arts, OT, Veterinary/Vet techs. Please be in touch with Denise Lafountain at 755-5256. Thank you.

February 5th-9th is National School Counselor Week, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Whittier Middle School's counselors Julie Martin and Martha Stone and social workers Kathryn Jones and Michelle Pittman. We are very fortunate to have such a talented and collaborative group to support our students.

As we are experiencing an uptick in community illnesses, here is a reminder of our school guidelines

Please notify the school office if your child is ill and will not be attending school. When you call the school office please state the child's symptoms and whether or not there is a fever over 100.4 degrees. The school nurse, prior to dismissal, should see all students who are ill at school. Students who notify parents they are ill via text or cell phone during school hours will not be dismissed by the school Principal. The phone call home to notify parents of dismissal will be made from the main office or nurse's office. Following this procedure allows us to track common illnesses. Students who have a fever and/or a sore throat or cough should stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of anti-fever medicine). Students with diarrhea or vomiting should also stay home for 24 hours after diarrhea or vomiting has stopped, before returning to school.

• Coronavirus (SARS COV-2) Covid 19 - Student must isolate from others/stay home from school from the day of the onset of their symptoms (Day 0) through Day 5. If symptoms have improved, they may return to school wearing a snug fitting mask on Days 6-10 of their illness.
• Chicken Pox- until all lesions have crusted over or are dry, usually 5-7 days, or longer.
• Conjunctivitis- 24 hours after medication started or a note from a healthcare provider.
• Impetigo- 24 hours after medication started or a note from a healthcare provider.
• Pertussis- healthcare provider note needed.
• Measles- healthcare provider note needed.
• Scabies- may return after treatment started with a note from a healthcare provider.
• Strep- 24 hours after medication started.
• Ringworm-24 hours after medication started.
• Fifth Disease-No exclusion necessary, but notify the nurse's office of the illness.
• Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (Coxsackievirus A16 or A 6)- The student should be excluded from school during the acute phase when they have: Draining lesions from the hand and feet, lesions in the mouth, or if the student is abnormally drooling.
• Head Lice- In Accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the National Association of School Nurses regarding head lice infestations, the following guidelines will direct our actions:
• Children who are symptomatic (scratching persistently) will be referred to the school nurse.
• The nurse will evaluate the case and take appropriate action, maintaining confidentiality for the child and minimizing lost class time.
  
  

Please reach out to us if you have any questions or to report illness.

Thank you for helping to keep our community healthy.

Progress Reports went home on Friday. If you didn't receive your child's report, please email Maureen Mooney (mmooney@rsu16.org) or call 998-3462. We can email you a copy of put a hard copy in the mail. The report should have included a slip for you to sign and return indicating you received the progress report. Please send that back to school or email your child's Roundtable advisor by Friday to let them know you received it. Thank you!

Wellness students had their first snowshoeing experience at school! It was great to get outside and enjoy winter in Maine. Please remind your child on Wednesdays to dress appropriately to be outside. This means: pants, coats, hats and mittens, and boots/sneakers, and extra socks in case feet get wet. Thank you for your support in getting our kids outside for activity!

Mrs. Gagnon's math classes should wear WHITE OR NEON if they have it, on Tuesday. I'm not telling why... but it will be worth it! Trust me!

Students in Mrs. Shanning's class are taking on a different kind of reading challenge. There has been a new trend on several social media platforms which involve people crocheting granny squares after they read a book. People typically choose yarn colors that look similar to the book cover. At the end of the year, they sew the squares together to create a blanket.

Students learned that this tradition began in Europe in the 19th century and has been adapted and evolved over the years. Traditionally scrap fabric or yarn is used to create these individual patterns. Granny squares themselves tell a "story" or represent projects that were created at different times.

In keeping with this trend/tradition, after students read either a group text or personal choice book, they select colors for their square. A granny square is then created to represent the book that was read. At the end of the year the squares will be stitched together and raffled off to a lucky student in the class. Students have calculated that approximately 25 squares are needed. As a class and individually we have 9 squares created. This has motivated all of us to read more! We are so excited to see the finished blanket and celebrate all the stories we have read and shared! Stay tuned!

Student Council will meet Thursday 2/8 after school.

Basketball Season has one final event!

Our boys will gather in the gym on Monday for some pickup and fun games from 2:30-3:45. Parents please join us in the cafe at that time for the presentation of certificates. We will provide pizza for the boys. Kids are encouraged to bring drinks or snacks to share.

Our girls will gather in the gym on Tuesday for some pickup and fun games from 2:30-3:45. Parents please join us in the cafe at that time for the presentation of certificates. We will provide pizza for the girls. Kids are encouraged to bring drinks or snacks to share.

Indoor Track begins the week of February 12. You must be signed up on FamilyID/arbiter registration. Also, you must have a current physical on file.

Check out our Sideline Fan store on the athletics scheduling page. Scroll down to the Quicklinks!

Coming off the sidelines is BSN SPORTS Fleece Collection! From hoodies and quarter zips to the crew necks, shorts and joggers, this soft and comfortable collection has it all—so head over to your MidKnights Sideline Store now and get after it.

Email: svincent@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/bwms
Location: 1457 Maine Street, Poland, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 998-3462
Facebook: facebook.com/WhittierMidknights