WMS Community Bulletin 11-15-20
EXCELLENCE*EQUITY*COMMUNITY
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Se você estiver em um computador, abra uma nova página. Em seguida, para traduzir esta newsletter, clique no link à direita. Se você estiver em um telefone, toque na pessoa no círculo preto para obter o botão de tradução.
(Portuguese)
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(Spanish)
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إذا كنت تستخدم جهاز كمبيوتر ، فافتح هذا في صفحة جديدة. بعد ذلك ، لترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية ، انقر فوق الارتباط الموجود على اليمين.
إذا كنت تستخدم الهاتف ، فالمس الشخص الموجود في الدائرة السوداء للحصول على زر الترجمة. (Arabic)
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Եթե համակարգիչ եք, բացեք սա նոր էջում: Ապա, այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք աջ հղմանը: Եթե հեռախոսով եք, դիպչեք սև շրջանի անձին ՝ թարգմանության կոճակը ստանալու համար: (Armenian)
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Bilgisayar kullanıyorsanız, bunu yeni bir sayfada açın. Ardından, bu bülteni çevirmek için sağdaki bağlantıya tıklayın. Telefonda iseniz, çevir düğmesini almak için siyah daire içindeki kişiye dokunun. (Turkish)
Watertown Middle School 2020-2021
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and took some time to relax and rejuvenate. This upcoming week is our only full week of school this month!
Here are some important upcoming dates:
Thursday, November 19 - WHS Open House for Grade 7 and 8 students and families 6:00 pm (see info below)
Tuesday, November 24 - Anti-Bias Coalition 6:00-7:30 pm
Zoom meeting:
https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/97911397347
Wednesday, November 25 - Early Release Day - Regular Classes and Dismissal at 12:30 pm
No classes at all after 12:30 pm
Wednesday, November 25 - Last Day of Term 1
Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 30 - First Day of Term 2
Wednesday, December 2 - School Site Council meeting 6:30-8:00 pm
Thursday, December 3 - Virtual Parent/Guardian Conferences - 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm
Thursday, December 3 - Community Forum with Dr. Galdston at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Tuesday, December 8 - Virtual Parent/Guardian Conferences - 1-3 pm and 5-7 pm
Wednesday, December 9 - PTO meeting 7:00 pm
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Hybrid Learning - We were so thrilled to welcome Hybrid In-Person students last Thursday and Friday! Their smiling faces were a joy to see and we are looking forward to seeing them two times each at school this week! They are happy to see their friends at home still in their classes as well, and it is so nice that they are able to still all work together. I so appreciate all of the hard work the teachers, IAs, and technology department have done to be sure this can happen!
Cohort A - Tuesday/Thursday at school
Cohort B - Wednesday/Friday at school
We will try to go outside whenever possible for mask breaks, and it is going to be very chilly this week. Please be sure your child(ren) have jackets, hats, gloves, etc. so they are able to go outside and get some fresh air. If you need help with this, please contact your child's guidance counselor, Mr. Del Porto, or me.
As a reminder, here is the WMS Hybrid Family Guide 2020-2021. In it, you and your child(ren) will find a lot of helpful information to be ready for in-person learning. Teachers will went over much of it during Community Meeting time. Please email me any questions you may have regarding the guide.
Flu Shots Needed! As per state mandates, in-person students will need proof of the influenza vaccine by December 31, 2020. Please email (michelle.laracy@watertown.k12.ma.us) or fax (617 924-4125) paperwork to Nurse Michelle at WMS.
Parent/Guardian/Teacher/Student Conferences are coming in early December. The cluster teachers will send out more information regarding how to sign up soon.
Please email me with any questions, concerns, or input you may have. As always, we will work together as a community! #wmsstrong
Take good care of each other,
All my best,
Donna
COMMUNITY SERVICE!
Community service is up and running at WMS! Please see the attached document to view information on safety, tracking hours, and opportunities. Just as a reminder, it is recommended that 6th-grade students complete 10 hours of community service, 7th-grade students 15, and 8th-grade students 20.
PTO Update!
Please help us as we embark on new ways of fundraising for the WMS PTO for what will definitely be a new and challenging year! Click the campaign below to see our fundraising goals this year and what we are hoping to support.
Stop and Shop Program:
Our school, Watertown Middle School, ID#: 10628 has the opportunity to participate in and earn CASH from A+ School Rewards, a great fundraising program run through your local Stop & Shop! See the letter attached below for more information. It's an easy way to earn money for the students of the school!
Weekly Learning Plans
Grade 6 Website and e-Learning Plans - click here
Grade 7 Website and e-Learning Plans - click here
Grade 8 Website and e-Learning Plans - click here
If you have any questions, please email (or have your student email) the teacher.
Thank you!
WHS OPEN HOUSE for 7th and 8th grade students and families
Hello,
Watertown High School will host an Open House for 7th and 8th-grade students and families on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 6:00 PM. This virtual event will provide attendees with an overview of the curriculum and programs available at Watertown High School.
Here is a link to the brochure for the evening. The Zoom link should open from the flyer, but can also be accessed directly here.
We look forward to seeing you!
Be well,
Joel Giacobozzi
Principal
Watertown High School
LUNCH/MEALS PROGRAM UPDATES
School meals are free for ALL students for the entire school year.
Students can order a lunch in Community Meeting each morning and will be given out at the end of the day.
Lunches should be eaten after you leave school at 12:30
The meals will be packaged in easy to carry bags and will contain multiple breakfasts and lunches.
If a student requests meals on both of their in-person days they will receive breakfast and lunch for 7 days.
SEE SCHOOL NUTRITION WEBSITE FOR MENU.
GRAB & GO MEAL SITE WILL BE OPEN:
EVERY MONDAY
12 - 1:30PM
&
4:30 - 6PM
Technology Information for WPS Families
We look forward to supporting you with your educational technology questions.
Please visit the WPS Family Ed-Tech for ALL websites for updated resources.
Here is a link to the weekly 11/15 Family Ed-Tech for All Newsletter, LIVE Ed-Tech Family Support Sessions, Resources, Tutorials & tips that are curated and created, just for you.
Need support! Please complete the WPS Ed-Tech Support Request Form if you need support with Ed-Tech. A member of the WPS Ed-Tech team will reach out to you asap.
Additional Resources: Link to WPS BrainPOP Resources Hub Link to WPS SeeSaw Resources Hub
Below is a curated collection from the extensive PBS LearningMedia and Early Childhood education Libraries hosted on WGBH’s Distance Learning Center. You can use these resources in school or at home as needed.
Thank you and have a terrific day,
Rashmi Pimprikar (District Ed-Tech Coordinator), Digital Learning Team and IT Team
WMS Attendance Policy and Procedures
From the Handbook (with some Remote Learning updates):
Attendance is the most important aspect of educating our students. When students are not here, they do not have access to instruction.
At Watertown Middle School, we pride ourselves in maintaining a very high attendance rate throughout the year. Understandably, there will be times when our students will need to take time away from school for a variety of excused reasons. The following procedure is in place to ensure good attendance, support our families, and follow state and federal laws.
Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes. All students must be in Homeroom/Community Meeting (in-person or Zoom) by 8:30 a.m.
If you are having trouble with your Chromebook or have any Tech Difficulties (computer, camera, charging cord, hot spot)...
Call 617-926-7783 and let Ms. Cardillo or Ms. Brackett know.
“My name is (your name) and I have (teacher name) right now and I am having Tech Trouble. Can you please let my teacher know?”
Tardiness
A student is considered tardy if he or she is not in homeroom by 8:30 a.m. Teachers will mark students tardy when they are late to homeroom and/or late to class.
Absences
In the event that a student is tardy or absent, a parent or guardian must call the absence hotline at 617-926-7783 before 8:30 a.m. Please state the name, grade, and homeroom of the student. In the event that the absence is not reported, the school will call the student’s home or the place of employment of the parent or guardian to verify the absence.
Please see the Handbook for further details describing Excused Absences versus Unexcused Absences.
Resulting Actions:
● After 3 days of unexcused absences with no contact to the school from the parent, the Assistant Principal will be notified.
● After 5 days of absences (both excused & unexcused) per quarter, a letter of concern will be sent to parents/guardians. At ten absences, a support meeting will be scheduled with parents/guardians, guidance, and administration to create an Attendance Plan, which clearly outlines the school, parent, and student obligations to improve the problem. If absenteeism continues, further action will be taken, up to and including petitioning the Juvenile Courts with a Child Requiring Assistance, (C.R.A.).
**EMERGENCY ALERTS**
Watertown Middle School
While we are out of school, please email with any questions, or text/call my work cell (617-631-6807)
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Thank you,
Donna Martin, Principal
Email: donna.martin@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://wms.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 68 Waverley Avenue, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7783
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watertownms/