Wayland Middle School
Monday Morning Minute
|
|
Important Dates
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!
-
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!
|
|
Good morning,
The Thanksgiving week is upon us and with it an opportunity to pause, reflect and offer a bit of gratitude. As I embrace the spirit of the season I want to thank our community - staff and families - for helping WMS students find their way during this challenging time.
Thank you staff:
I often wish families could go behind the scenes to see the time and care teachers pour into crafting in-person and remote lessons. Each medium of instructional delivery is unique and requires different activities, skills, and tools. A 90-minute remote lesson and a 45-minute in person lesson (plus the 45-minute in-person, independent work time that occurs when students are in person) require completely different lesson design structures and scaffolding for all to be successful. The countless hours of planning, offering feedback, and puzzling how to reach disengaged students are mind blowing. The consulting and collaborating teachers do with one another as they seek in roads with students is uplifting. Our staff toil into the wee hours because they are so committed to helping students overcome challenges of remote learning and feelings of disconnection many experience amidst this persistent uncertainty.
Thank you families:
Families too have been incredible as they have adapted to filling out daily health attestations, canceling travel plans - as the governor announces new travel bans - and working to ensure they are doing all they can to mitigate the risks of spreading COVID-19. You’ve supported students wearing masks, washing hands and watching distance. You, our WMS families, have adapted to new drop-off and pick-up routines (and there is a new one coming - see below) and have regularly read google classroom updates and monitored students’ academic progress through HAC to ensure your middle schoolers are on track. Thank you for your partnership
While reading this following article, I found myself thinking of our WMS community:
WMS has been my antidote to the negativity shrouding 2020. I extend my thanks to staff and families who have offered me their support and wisdom in these challenging months I hope you find a nugget or two in the article (should you find a couple of minutes to read it) that helps you seek solace, practice gratitude, and relish in the silver linings even the hardest times offer. Please let me know if there is any way I can support you in return.
Respectfully,
Betsy Gavron
|
|
Traffic Trial - Dismissals:
Based on data from the parent traffic survey, beginning Monday, November 30 we will conduct a two week trial, in which cars will only turn right out of the WMS driveway (59% of respondents supported this trial). In advance, we thank you for your compliance as we try out a new routine to make for a smoother dismissal.
|
|
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.
Any time you’re near people you don’t live with:
● Wear a mask when not eating or drinking
● Wash your hands often with soap and water
● Stay at least six feet apart from others
● Consider if those around you may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions, and take extra precautions
● If gathering indoors, improve ventilation by opening windows and doors For more information and updates from the State of Massachusetts, visit Mass.gov Thanksgiving During COVID-19.
|
|
DEADLINE
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.
|
|
WMS Orchestra
Virtual Masquerade Performances
|
|
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 B (T & F) Info Meeting - Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 24th, 3:30 - 4:15
|
|
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)
|
|
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.
MANDATORY FLU VACCINATION - all students
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
|
|
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.
Regaining Control Over OCD 12/10
|
|
Remote Youth Leadership Club Meeting
with Jason Verhoosky and Kelsey Sanclemente
Wednesday, November 25th from 11:30- 12:15
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
Remote groups are through Zoom on Wednesday's from 2:00-2:45pm.
Please contact Kelsey Sanclemente or Jason Verhoosky for zoom links!
|
|
Wayland PTO Gift Your Child:
Funds in Action
WMS PTO Gift Your Child funds donated this school year were already granted to provide four WMS English Language Learner (ELL) classrooms with a subscription to Learning A-Z, a platform that provides leveled lessons for all English learners, regardless of their fluency levels!
Thank you for supporting the students and teachers at Wayland Middle School! Contact Jen Pearlman, Fundraising Chair, Jenpearlman00@gmail.com, with any questions. Please visit http://waylandpto.org, to make your donation.
|
|
WMS PTO’s Holiday Gift Drive:
Now More Than Ever
The Wayland Middle School PTO's holiday gift drive is now open! But this year, your participation will be more meaningful than ever for the kids, ages 12-18, living in residence at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network. The holidays are an especially hard time for these youth—an age group often overlooked by traditional holiday donation drives—who are struggling with mental illness, behavioral problems, abuse, neglect, or trauma. And the Covid-19 pandemic has only compounded their challenges.
This Black Friday, you can help make the holidays just a little bit brighter by shopping for a gift picked out by a tween or teen at Wayside. These kids, in long-term residence at Wayside, will all be spending the holidays there; many of them have had parental rights terminated and some have no family at all. And every kid deserves to have something special at the holidays, and to know that someone out there cares!
Click here to pick out and donate a gift now!
SHIPPING: At checkout, select "Wayside Campus-Gift Registry Address"
• An asterisk beside a child's name indicates that they have no family at all.
• Many gifts are under $50
• All gifts are 100% tax deductible
|
|
WMS Picture Day -- Retake Day
Wednesday, December 2
Drop-in between 10:00AM - 1:45PM
WMS Main Entrance
Retake day has been scheduled for students who ordered photo packages and would like to retake their photos, or for students who missed picture day and are interested in ordering photos (including WRAP students).
Please note that pictures can only be retaken if there are photographic issues such as overexposure, blurriness, closed eyes, or hair in face - not for changes to clothing or hair styles. You will need to bring in the original set of prints along with a brief description of the issue written on the front of the photo package.
If you did not order copies of your child's school photo and would like to do so, please contact Tricia Keating at Hayward Photography at Tricia@haywardphotography.com.
|
|
Artist: Tate Cinti
Grade: 8
Medium: Acrylic
|
|
Reminders from Previous Weeks |
|
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
|
|
Wayland Middle School
Phone: 508.358.3801 Fax: 508.358.3802
|
|
Distributed to WMS Listserv Subscribers
To CHANGE the school(s) you subscribe to click "Update Profile" below
To be removed from ALL Wayland Schools' listserves, click "Unsubscribe"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
