Important Dates:
Friday, March 16:
Last Day of Trimester 2
(*Extended due to snow days*)
Monday, March 19:
First Day of Trimester 3
(*Extended due to snow days*)
Wildcat Basketball Game (Students vs. Staff) 3:00 pm
Tuesday, March 20:
Student-Led Walk-Out (10:00 am)
Wednesday, March 21:
Rock Your Socks Day
Wednesday, March 21:
Grade 5 Field Trip to Commonwealth Museum (Langan/Sokol Team)
Thursday, March 22:
Grade 5 Field Trip to Commonwealth Museum (Folan/Marchione Team)
Friday, March 23:
Grade 5 Field Trip to Commonwealth Museum (Carr/Sullivan Team)
Friday, March 23:
Grade 5 ROSP and Grades 6-8 Report Cards for Trimester 2
Posted in iPass
(*Extended Due to snow days*)
Tuesday, March 27:
Grade 5 Field Trip to Commonwealth Museum (Haskell/Mitchell Team)
Wednesday, March 28:
Grade 5 Field Trip to Commonwealth Museum (Dubbs/O'Brien Team)
Thursday, March 29:
Grade 5 Field Trip to Commonwealth Museum (Anderson/McDonough Team)
Friday, March 30:
No School-Good Friday
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Natick Arts Extravaganza:
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8th Grade Students Visit State House to Lobby
For METCO Funding:
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Project 351:
“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve…”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
"Project 351
was inspired by an unwavering belief that young people lead in powerful and transformative ways in every community in Massachusetts. And, when united, they are an unstoppable force for kindness, community strength, and a more united and engaged Commonwealth.
Each January, we unite a new Class of diverse 8
th
graders who lead with kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude for a year of unique service and leadership development opportunities. We celebrate selfless and courageous acts of service to a cause greater than self. We honor quiet heroes and unsung world changers. We illuminate moments of transformation and celebrate unity and inclusion. We give back, reach out, step up, stand together, build hope."
This year, Wilson Middle School selected Jake Reinach, an 8th grade student for Project 351. Project 351 is collecting donations at Wilson Middle School for Cradles-to-Crayons, and organization that helps children in need throughout Massachusetts to lead better lives. Donation bins will be set up in the main lobby looking for new and like-new clothes and shoes for people aged toddlers to teenagers. The collection will start Monday, March 26 and ends Thursday, April 5, so please remember to bring in any new or gently-used articles of clothing.
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Junior Districts:
Mixed Chorus:
- Elora Barros - Soprano
- D'Anthony Boutwell - Bass
- Ellie Petit - Soprano
Treble Chorus:
- Marin Grundig - Soprano
- Jessica Harriss - Soprano
- Anna Huynh - Soprano
- Anna Loughran - Alto
Band:
- Samantha Bean - Horn
- Margot Brady - Principal Horn
- Nicole Bring - Clarinet
- Noah Hamer - Euphonium
- Joel Hinrichs - Baritone Saxophone
- Jacob Reinach - Clarinet
- Miriam Siegel - French Horn
- Jacob Simon - Trumpet
- Drew Yanovitch - Principal Tuba
Orchestra:
- Preston Burt - Trombone
- Mark Strand - Principal Mallets
Jazz:
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March 20-Student Walk-Out Information:
Hello Natick Schools Families and Community Members:
As you know, since the tragic events in Broward County, a National School Walkout Day, organized by EMPOWER—the youth branch of the Women’s March—has been rescheduled for March 14, for 17 minutes during the school day, both to honor the victims and to advocate for school safety. We write to update you on how we will handle this in our schools.
We have heard from our secondary principals that many of our students have reached out to them to collaborate on how best to address the student desire to walk out and express their opinions but do so in a safe manner that supports the diversity of opinion that exists within the student body and maintains the respectful atmosphere of the schools. We are proud of our student leaders at all levels for the collaborative, thoughtful advocacy they have demonstrated.
Several months ago, we wrote to you about the manner in which we directly teach our students about social justice and civic engagement and shared an
overview
of how we approach this core value in our curriculum and teaching. We also recently wrote to you about how our system approaches
school safety
with adult and student relationship building at the core of our work, further strengthened by trained adult emergency response to contend with a variety of possible safety challenges.
This planned walkout, as we see it, is the “lab” experience for the teaching and curriculum we bring to our students. Teaching our students how to lead, think, propose ideas, disagree and take respectful and forceful action on issues is what we do; our students are indicating to us that they have learned and want to take action.
This walkout is led by students, for students. It was our initial intention to provide indoor gym space for this protest, but our students strongly advocated for the right to walk out and make a forceful statement in support of students in Parkland. Thus to support our students with maximum safety, our staff and the Natick police have identified on-campus locations for students to march and police and school staff will be on site at the designated locations to ensure safety for students. Below are details for what will occur at each level once students are at these locations.
At all levels, this peaceful, non-violent walk out and discussions in the school setting will be guided by our school handbook in terms of keeping the educational environment disruption and violence-free. Instruction and the work of the building will continue throughout the walkout; however, students will not be penalized for participating or not. Expectations for student behavior and decorum expected in our schools will be in play.
Our staff has been instructed that the first priority is supervising and educating students. If the majority of the students assigned to them at this time are walking out, they are to support with supervision. If the majority stay in class, they will continue to teach, and we will work with students to ensure no new material is missed.
The walk-out is not a forum for teachers to express their personal political views and as public educators, we have reminded our staff that they cannot use their teacher, coach or leadership role and influence while discussing these matters. Our role is to support student voice and choice in civil action, rights, and responsibilities in this national activity.
At Natick High School
Student leaders and organizers will march to the designated location and have prepared a tribute to the Parkland victims and student speakers will speak about the events and their student opinions and messages related to these events.
At the Middle Schools
Our assumption, based on developmental readiness and on the age of the students who have come forward to talk to principals, that grade 7 and 8 students are most likely to want to participate. Should younger students voice this desire, we will support them; however, tributes to victims through a moment of silence and discussions about walkouts and civic action will occur with teacher support throughout the grade levels. We see educating students about their rights and responsibilities as citizens as part of our core mission. It is critical, however, that you have discussions with your child(ren) about how you would like them to participate or not and what your family values are around these issues and the walkout itself. Students should act in accordance with your family expectations. Middle school students need your direction or they will be subject to peer pressure, confusion, and worry that you and your family values structure can best alleviate.
Marching locations have been identified for participating students on campus in keeping with that described above in the high school events, with police and school support. A moment of silence and tribute will be held in homeroom. Instruction will continue while these activities occur and discussion of civic engagement and what walkouts are, what they can mean and have meant in history will also occur where they make sense and will be presented in an age-appropriate manner.
Elementary Schools
As leaders of our youngest learners, we do not believe that direct involvement in the walk-out is appropriate for the elementary population. We have not and do not actively discuss current events that involve this level of violence with this age level of students. We feel this is a family decision to navigate with their children. Our goal is to help our students feel safe at school so they can learn. We answer questions and support students as issues and ideas emerge. As part of our civic education across the district, however, we can encourage student voice and participation in an age-appropriate way, one way to do this is through celebrations and spirit days. So, instead of a walkout, elementary schools will be hosting SPIRIT days at each of our elementary schools on Friday, March 16th. Each elementary school will detail their spirit ideas to families in upcoming blast messaging this week. Teaching and learning will carry on as usual at the PK-4 levels on the 14th.
How Families Can Partner with Us
This letter comes to you by design before the weekend so that you can discuss it with your children in advance of the event next week. Please discuss your family expectations with your student(s). Given Natick’s place in the education landscape and this event’s national ties, media may be present around the school campuses; your family will need to discuss if media attention influences the decision to walk out or not.
As a school system, we prioritize your children’s safety and seek to nourish and enrich their academic, civic and social development. It is our core social justice mission to create citizens who possess the reading, writing, thinking, listening and speaking skills to lead and change their world. We see you as our partners in this work. To that end, please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Anna Nolin, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation
Tim Luff
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
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Spring Athletic Information:
Please
click here
for a letter from Adam Shute, our middle school athletic director regarding our offerings for track and field and boys volleyball.
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Student Absences:
If you know your child is going to be absent, please contact the main office via phone or email. Many parents notify the teachers, but the main office staff must also be notified. Thank you.
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Wilson Wildcat Game:
It is time for our annual Wilson Wildcat Game, which will be held on Monday, March 19, 2018.
The Wildcat Game is an amazing event where the Wilson staff plays a basketball game against the 7th and 8th grade Wilson basketball teams. The game is played at Wilson Middle School from 3-4:30 pm; doors will open at 2:45 pm.
Tickets will be sold in school for $3 each and we encourage students to invite their family to the event. Tickets will go on sale starting Monday, March 5-until sold out. Tickets will be sold in the gym during homeroom ONLY. No tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the game. It is a great community event and we are looking forward to a successful and fun afternoon.
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MCAS schedule:
Click here
for the MCAS schedule this spring. Please make every effort to ensure the students are in school for their scheduled testing days.
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Panorama Family Connectivity Survey:
On February 26, a survey was sent in an email to middle school families from the Panorama Education Team. We want your feedback about your child’s school experiences and your own experiences interacting with your child's school. To ensure that Natick Public Schools continues providing high-quality, rigorous learning experiences to its students, and make sure that they are being prepared for their lives in college and beyond, your feedback on what Natick Public Schools is doing well and what could improve is essential. Please note that the survey is from the Natick Public Schools but may find its way into your spam folder. Thank you in advance for completing this survey and for partnering with us to provide the best education possible for students.
Sincerely,
Andy Zitoli & Teresa Carney
Middle School Principals
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REacHigh Volleyball:
ReacHigh Volleyball, a Natick community organization, will offer a Youth Volleyball Program this Spring for middle school aged boys and girls. Only 12 spots open. Contact
reachighvball@gmail.com
for more information or register at
www.reachighvolleyball.com
.
10 Week Skill and Drills Program - STARTS on Wed, April 4
WHEN: Every Wed, April 4 - June 13 from 5:15 - 6:15
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Wilson Staff Appreciation Luncheon:
What's Happening?
On Wednesday, April 11, 2018 please help the PTO show our incredible Wilson staff how much we appreciation their efforts during the Staff Appreciation Luncheon.
How You Can Help?
1. Make a main dish, salad, or a yummy dessert. Please send or bring all cold food items in by 9:30 am and hot items ready to serve by 10:30am on Wednesday April 11, 2018.
2. Make a financial donation. We will use the contribution to purchase items for the event such as, gifts for all staff, paper goods and any needed food items.
Please send your donation to the office in an envelope labeled Staff Appreciation, make checks out to the Wilson PTO or use our PayPal donate button
http://www.wilsonmspto.org.
3. Volunteer your time. We will need help setting up, serving and cleaning up after the luncheon.
Schedule:
Set-up: 9:00 -11:30 am
Serving: 11:30 -12:30 pm
Clean-up 12:30 -1:30 pm
4. Donate a gift basket, gift cards, gift items or even some sports tickets you may have. We will raffle off items to the teachers during the event. The raffle is the teachers favorite part! Please send in by Thursday April 5, 2018
Please refer to the below link to sign up to help or donate food or raffle items/gift cards:
Thank-you for all of your support.
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Support the Natick Special Olympics:
The inclusion t-shirt is the creation of four Wilson sixth-graders: Adam Navisky, Sam Hess, Keller Berry, and Dan Brazier! With Ms. Graf’s guidance, they have developed the slogan “the key to kindness is inclusion.” One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Natick Special Olympics, a community-building event dedicated to the acceptance of all athletes, regardless of ability.
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**An Important Program Note from SPARK Kindness**
Dear Natick Families,
We are writing to let you know that there is a *NEW* date for our annual Elementary School Parent Workshops: Hot Topics,
April 5 at 6:30PM. This program is being rescheduled from February 13 (no program will take place on that date). Please mark your calendars -- we hope to see you then!
Elementary School Parent Workshops: Hot Topics
Thursday, April 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 at Wilson Middle School
For parents and caregivers (preschool and elementary school).
Elementary educators and administrators will conduct workshops sharing some of their personal expertise and tips on hot topics on navigating the elementary years.
(Childcare will be provided.)
Thank you!
The SPARK Kindness Team
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JR's Paws for a Cause 5K
Sunday, April 29 at NHS
8:30 am Check In
9:30 am Race Starts
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Yearbook Information:
The Wilson Middle School Yearbook is currently on sale for $28, until January 15 and then it will be selling for $33. There will be 625 printed. We urge you to buy one as soon as possible.
Here are 5 reasons you should invest in a yearbook:
1. It holds memories throughout someone’s middle school experience.
2. It is inexpensive when you consider it as a source of reflection.
3. It makes a great gift around the holidays or any time of the year.
4. It gives you something to smile about looking through all the pictures.
5. A yearbook can possibly last for 100 years or longer.
Welcome to
eShare
, a free service from Herff Jones that allows students, parents, and community to submit photos for potential use in the yearbook.
Our school code is:
WILSONMS
.
Parents and students can go to
www.hjeshare.com
and enter the school code:
WILSONMS
.
YOU CAN ORDER A YEARBOOK HERE:
Also check out the
eShare
iPhone and Android apps in your respective app stores. These are a great way to contribute photos from mobile devices.
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Middle Years March Parent Newsletter:
Please
click here
for this month's Middle Years Parent Newsletter.
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Counselor's Corner Newsletter:
Click
here
for this month's counselor's newsletter from our guidance counselors.
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Reminders:
Please send in a dismissal note with your child if he/she needs to leave school early. This allows us to have your child ready for you and avoids us disrupting class to call him/her down to the office.
Please remind your child to stop in the office to get a tardy pass if he/she arrives to school from 7:50 am or later.
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Wilson Extra-Curricular Activities 2017-2018:
Please click
here
for the listing and descriptions of the extra-curricular activities for this school year. Late buses and activities began the week of September 11.
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School Improvement Plan:
Click here
for the middle school School Improvement Plan presentation.
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Before you post online....
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WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
TRAFFIC PATTERN:
P
lease follow the traffic pattern and signs when dropping your child off and picking up. Please do not pull into the front of the school between the hours of 7:00 am-8:00 am and
1:30 pm-3:30 pm. Additionally, you must wait to pick up your child until you pull to the side of the building. Students are not allowed to walk into the parking lot during dismissal because it is too dangerous. Additionally, you cannot cut into the lanes. You must follow the flow of traffic. Please be patient and drive slowly coming in and out of the school parking lot.
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Late Buses:
Bus #23 arrives at approximately 3:10 PM. Bus #15 arrives at
3:20 pm and the last bus Bus #13 arrives at approximately 3:30 pm.
5th & 6th grade students are supervised in a classroom while we wait for the bus and 7th & 8th graders are supervised in the lobby.
Please click below for the late bus runs and stops. Buses begin to arrive to Wilson at 3:00 pm with some of them arriving as late as 3:30 pm.
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