Wayland Middle School
Monday Morning Minute
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Important Dates
11/18 Wednesday- early Release 12:20
11/28 Thanksgiving Recess Begins - Early Release 12:20
REPORTING ATTENDANCE EVENTS:
If your child will be Absent, Arriving Late, or Leaving Early on a school day, please be sure to either email us at ms_attendance@waylandps.org or call the attendance line at 508- 358-3801/Select Option 1. Provide your child’s name and grade with the date(s) they will be absent or the approximate time they will be arriving late / leaving early. Precise attendance reporting is a challenge when students are remote, but your efforts to make the office aware of exceptions will help us to maintain accurate records. Thank you!
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If your student is going to be absent on an in person learning day, you must still fill out the Healthwatch form - thank you for your cooperation!
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Good morning,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and that those celebrating Diwali enjoyed the Festival of Lights. I have asked teachers to be flexible with HW due dates for students whose families were celebrating this important Hindu holiday.
I wanted to address a few items this week:
Snow Days:
As a follow up to Dr. Unobskey's Friday memo about snow days: LINK, I wanted to let you know that in the event that we needed to cancel in person school due to inclement weather, WMS would run remote classes for whichever classes typically meet on that in-person day.
EX: Inclement weather on a Monday - Red, Orange, FLEX, and Yellow classes would run remotely instead of in person for Cohort A (just as they would for Cohort B).
Travel over Thanksgiving:
As Massachusetts residents plan for the Thanksgiving holiday, the State of Massachusetts offers the following considerations to help keep our friends, families, and communities safe during COVID-19. If you host a holiday celebration, keep it small. If you are considering travel, be aware of Massachusetts travel orders. If you participate in a celebration, follow public health guidance.
Click this link for guidelines and more important information.
Students quarantining (for any reason):
Students continue to participate in all remote classes (as long as they feel well enough to do so). Students can access all of the classwork, homework assignments, and lesson supports posted in google classroom for scheduled in-person days. With teachers managing two classroom spaces for each class on the in-person days and operating technology in both of those rooms, zooming does not feel feasible. Students who are in quarantine can check in with classmates, reach out to teachers during their office hours, attend study hall remotely on Wednesday, attend homework club via Zoom and drop into the Math Center or Writing Center for extra support.
Traffic Reminders:
As a reminder there are two lanes of incoming traffic:
- Right lane = 6th grade take a right at the stop sign pull up along the gym sidewalk
- Center lane = 7th and 8th grade pull up along the front
- Left lane = outgoing traffic to Rt. 27
- 6th grade - Enters through exterior door on 6th grade wing (next to 101)
- 7th grade - Enters through exterior door on 7th grade wing (next to 137)
- 8th Grade - Enters through main front door and reports to HR
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Once the lanes fill up down to the overflow lot, both lanes will be routed through the overflow lot. We use the overflow lot to get traffic off Rte 27. Do not pick up students in that lot.
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Please refer to the WMS Traffic Map for a visual of the procedures.
- Staggered drop off and dismissal (Please don’t arrive early and hold up the line waiting for your student to be dismissed)
- A to G - 8:25 arrival - 3:15 dismissal
- H to P - 8:30 arrival - 3:20 dismissal
- Q to Z - 8:35 arrival - 3:25 dismissal
If you have children in different grades, please drop off and pick up all in one location.
Based on the suggestion of Chief Swanick, we may experiment with a right hand turn only out of the driveway So far 62% of parents who answered the survey are in favor of the trial. Here is the link to the survey: survey Please fill it out by Wednesday.
Thank you. Have a great week.
Betsy and George
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WMS PARENT/ GUARDIAN & STUDENT HANDBOOK SIGN OFF
Please find the WMS 2020-2021 Student Handbook HERE.
You can easily access the handbook anytime on our website under "for students."
Please indicate that you and your student(s) have gone over and understand the WMS handbook. Please refer to our "Reopening Plan" on our website's main page should you have any specific concerns regarding COVID protocols.
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WMS Orchestra
Virtual Masquerade Performances
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The WMS Virtual Musical is ... Annie jr.!
Ms. Lopez, Dr. Murray and Ms. Wilson are pleased to announce our virtual winter musical! We're figuring out how to be creative at a safe distance, and more details are coming soon! If you are interested, please come to an informational meeting
Cohort A (M & Th) Info meeting - Thursday, November 19th, 3:30 - 4:15
Cohort B (T & F) Info Meeting - Tuesday, November 24th, 3:30 - 4:15
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STRIVING to THRIVE in 2020
Looking for ways to better support your student in these difficult and unprecedented times?
Log on to the McLean School Consultation Services webinar “Striving to Thrive in 2020." After viewing this webinar, you will walk away with tangible skills for how to help your student reconnect with their values and strengths, help them capitalize on those values and strengths to engage in school, and help them calm down when they are having a difficult time.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with the McLean staff.
Tuesday December 1st 7:30 to 8:30 pm (Middle & High School Parents)
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IMPORTANT NOTES FROM THE NURSE
MASK RULES & GUIDELINES
In accordance with MA Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines face coverings must:
- Cover the nose and mouth
- Fit securely and comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Allow for breathing without restriction
- Be able to be laundered without damage or change of shape
- Be made of at least 2 layers of material
- Face coverings may not have an exhalation valve or vent
The following are not allowed: Gaiters, bandanas, scarves, and face masks that have a ventilation valve. They are not considered effective face coverings and will not be allowed.
7th GRADE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
ALL students entering 7th grade are required to submit a report of a physical examination that was performed within the last twelve (12) months of entering the grade. Please forward the necessary documentation as soon as it becomes available. It was required prior to the start of school in October 2020. This includes students in WRAP.
MANDATORY FLU VACCINATION
Every student must have a flu vaccination before 12/31/20, as required by the Mass Department of Public Health. This includes students in WRAP
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Typing Goals with Ms. Monahan
Now that students have a new or different email address this year, everyone must create a Typing Pal account to practice keyboarding skills using the home row technique (not the hunt and peck method).
Wednesdays are a perfect time to spend 20 minutes on typing goals. Please take a look in the slideshow below for more information. Our main goal is for everyone to improve words per minute(wpm) and accuracy levels each year.
The slideshow outlines specific wpm goals by grade level.
There are other sites that people may want to use instead of Typing Pal
- You cannot make an account on websites that have not been approved by Wayland Public Schools (not all sites are good at keeping your personal data safe).
Ms. Monahan is in the process of getting Nitro Type accounts (a fan favorite) approved for students to use but only when students have reached your grade-level Typing Pal goal.
Stay tuned for a notification when Nitro is approved.
So, get practicing with Typing Pal and soon you'll be ready to race.
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NEW OFFERING!
TALKING TO STUDENTS ABOUT ANTI-ASIAN RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA IN THE COVID ERA: A WORKSHOP FOR WPS PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
Pre-registration is required (see below). The event will be recorded.
Description: People who identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) have been subjected to racism related to the COVID-19 virus. This workshop is for WPS parents and caregivers interested in learning about ways to talk to their children about anti-Asian racism, help them identify harmful language, and provide a safe, open invitation to tell an adult about incidents that they may witness or experience. Caroline Han, Diversity and Equity Coordinator, will facilitate the workshop and provide information and resources.
Who: WPS parents, caregivers. Staff are also welcome to attend.
When: TODAY Monday November 16
Each session will be geared towards children in the following grades:
Grades 6-12: 7-8pm
Grades K-5: 8:30-9:30pm
RSVP: To guard against unwanted anonymous “guests,” pre-registration via Google Forms is required. You can access the form here. A Zoom link will be provided a day or two before the event.
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McLean Hospital is excited to share many free resources available this October for the public and professionals in hopes of promoting healthy individuals and communities.
Simple Ways to Improve Sleep Hygiene 11/20
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Remote Youth Leadership Club Meeting
with Jason Verhoosky and Kelsey Sanclemente
Wednesday, November 18th from 2:00 - 2:45.
WaylandCares formed a Middle School Youth Leadership program to offer students the opportunity to celebrate making healthy decisions to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and other drug use as minors. The group is also focused on community service, community awareness and providing opportunities for youth to be a leader within the community.
Topics covered in Youth Together:
• Dealing with social challenges
• Dealing with anger, stress, sadness etc.
• Boosting self-confidence
• Building friendships
• Strengthening Conversation Skills
Please contact Kelsey Sanclemente or Jason Verhoosky for zoom links!
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Parent Checklist:
Questions about the Middle School? Can’t remember when a parent-related zoom is scheduled for? Want to be the first to know when Picture Retake day will be??
Join the WMS PTO Facebook group! With so much information being shared via email, the WMS PTO Facebook page is a great place to catch reminders of upcoming events, learn more about parent enrichment speakers and ask about school related topics. Stay in the loop!
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Staff Appreciation
November
Have a favorite family recipe? Does your pie take the cake? Is your side dish the star of the show?
Please share your favorite recipe so that we may create a digital recipe book for our wonderful WMS teachers and staff to use over the holidays. Bonus points if your child includes what they are thankful for as a student at Wayland Middle School!!
Click on this WMS Recipe Collection document to include your recipe and your student's message by Friday, November 20th. Feel free to post a photo of a hand-written recipe or link to a website if easier. All recipes will be arranged and presented to WMS staff the week of Thanksgiving.
Contact Tarrah Zedower, Staff Appreciation Chair, at tmzcali@gmail.com with any questions.
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Wayland PTO Gift Your Child - 62% of Target Goal!
Way to go Wayland Middle School families! We are over halfway to our fundraising goal set for this year! Your donations are already in use by teachers by providing new and innovative online learning tools for reading and writing.
Wayland Middle School,
Attn: PTO
201 Main Street
Wayland, MA 01778
Thank you for supporting the students and teachers at Wayland Middle School! Contact Jen Pearlman, Fundraising Chair, Jenpearlman00@gmail.com, with any questions.
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PTO Thanks…..
Parent Enrichment Chair, Allison Kates, for organizing the Middle & More Coffee presentation with Jessica Teperow of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. Jessica is a wonderful partner and resource for Wayland Middle School! If you missed the presentation, a recording of it may be found on the WMS home page under “Important Links”.
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Artist: Marissa Wong
Grade: 8
Medium: Watercolor & Ink
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Reminders from Previous Weeks |
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The Orange and Black - Our Student Run Newspaper
Be sure to check out our student run newspaper featuring news, stories, poems and other work! The Orange and Black
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Wayland Middle School
Phone: 508.358.3801 Fax: 508.358.3802
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