Wayland Middle School
Monday Morning Minute
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Dear WMS families,
Not only does October bring cooler temperatures and the beauty of changing New England leaves, it has the honor of being named both National Bullying Prevention Month and National Cyber Security Month, thereby providing me a perfect opportunity to explore the question - How can school and home partner together to help keep our young adolescents emotionally safe in person and online? In an ever-changing world, it is an important issue that educators and parents collaborate to ensure students have the knowledge and skills to effectively and safely navigate the world.
Emotional Safety at WMS and Bullying Prevention
First and foremost we are committed to creating an emotionally safe environment in our learning community, grounded in the tenets of Belonging, Empathy, Respect, and Trust - BERT. Through both teacher advisory groups (TAG) and curricular connections we look to build relationships and a sense of belonging so our students feel that WMS is a place where they can take positive risks in order to learn. The activities we engage in and the trips we embark on are explicitly linked to BERT and ways in which students can grow these capacities. This work can be difficult at times as we know all too well the developmental challenges of early adolescence. Students’ brains are changing incredibly rapidly as they explore the many facets of their identity and ways in which they have and use social power. This year in particular middle schools across Massachusetts are seeing an uptick in mean behaviors. Students have had less practice in navigating in-person social dynamics over the last 18 months and more missteps are occurring. Additionally, the stress of the pandemic has led some students to be more reactive. It is developmentally expected for students to make mistakes (frequently), and we take advantage of opportunities to build skills to repair relationships injured in this process.
We also try to be very clear about state laws and district protocols that are designed to protect students from emotional harm. This month Ms. Maines and I have recorded our annual anti-bullying training for homerooms to watch in TAG (rather than assemble over 200 students in the auditorium). We break down the language of the 2010 bullying legislation so students can understand the standard to which they are being held and become aware of the possible consequence of engaging in repeated mean behavior. We also alert students to our anonymous reporting form on our website (under the “For Students” tab) in case they are not yet comfortable coming forward to share concerning information about classmates. All students will experience this training (last week, this week, or next week depending on the grade).
Additionally, all WMS educators engage in a series of mandated trainings to ensure we are up to date and knowledgeable of the requirements we must follow in order to keep students safe. Teachers annually review areas such as the bullying law, harassment regulations, and sexual harassment/Title IX requirements. We are clear on reporting procedures, and staff know that all reports will be taken seriously and fully investigated. We work to educate and discipline as appropriate. Our educators know that without emotional safety learning can’t flourish. To this end we rely on you and your children to alert us when your child’s emotional safety has been compromised, so we can develop a plan to improve the situation and restore that critical sense of safety.
Safety In cyberspace - LARK is our Guide
WMS’ Technology Integration Specialist Bethann Monahan often uses the analogy of the Internet being like a large, unfamiliar city. The city has wonderful, exciting places to visit and explore, but it is important to know how to navigate it in order to stay safe. For example, we would want our students to know they should avoid wandering into dark alleys alone. Parents would not let children go into an unfamiliar city by themselves until they felt they had the skills and maturity to stay safe there. Navigating the Internet is no different. There are tremendous opportunities to learn and explore online, but teachers and parents still need to be actively present to guide their tweens, letting them gain independence as they demonstrate increasing maturity. At school a protective firewall and clear expectations aid us as we focus on working to build students’ capacity to navigate the internet purposefully and develop a respectful online presence.
One tool we have found helpful is our companion acronym for BERT → LARK. LARK taps into the “R” capacity of BERT – Respect. LARK reminds our students that it is our expectation that all students engage in Legal, Appropriate, Responsible and Kind behavior through their online presence. As the year progresses we expand on introductory LARK lessons at every grade throughout the curriculum. Resounding messages are think before you post and never post when you are angry. We also advocate for students to tell a trusted adult if something online makes them uncomfortable. Retaliation to meanness can further muddy a situation. We know students can be lulled into a false sense of privacy and security when they are operating digitally. In the office when we confront students with printouts of inappropriate text they have written online, they are consistently shocked by our access. I remind them that once something is posted in cyberspace it can be forwarded and printed for anyone to see, and as administrators we have legal and ethical responsibilities to address it.
Teachers and administrators have important roles in helping students navigate the online world, but we need your help. You are on the front line each and every day and we find that many parents frequently seek advice on how they too can support their middle schoolers. I advocate for engaging in ongoing conversation with your middle schooler and having clear family rules about use (and as you always hear me say, please keep the tech out of the bedrooms - a place where so many missteps occur). The National Cyber and Security Alliance offers some useful tips about what parents should communicate to their children http://www.staysafeonline.org/. The site explores key lessons on information sharing, ethical use, security tools, and responding to things that make one uncomfortable. There is an emphasis on teaching students that they should never agree to meet with someone they have met online, an essential safety principle. The “Parents Need to Know” section of the Common Sense Media website - https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ also provides incredibly valuable information and resources around parenting in the digital age. I highly recommend it.
As a fellow parent I know the trust you place in us to care for your children each and every day. Please know that we take that charge seriously, and we will do all we can to keep them safe emotionally in person and online.
Yours, ever in pursuit of BERT and LARK,
Betsy Gavron
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Wayland HS Tri-M Music Honor Society
Trunk or Treat - TONIGHT!
The Wayland HS Tri-M Music Honor Society invites you to attend our annual Trunk or Treat on Monday, October 25 between 5:30 - 7:00pm in the Wayland High School main parking lot.
Wear your costume! There will be treats, riddles and live music. Suggested donation $5 per child.
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Pickleball is Coming to WMS!
THANK YOU DPW!!
As you may imagine our Wellness teachers have had to be incredibly creative this year without access to the gymnasium (which currently hosts dining for 125). They seek to utilize space in new and creative ways. Where some see a student drop off circle, our Wellness team envisioned six Pickleball courts. Last week staff from the Department of Public Works made this dream a reality lining the drive to allow for a Pickleball unit to commence. Thank you DPW! Once pickle ball begins, we will cone off that area during the last block of the day, which means cars will not be able to fill that pick up circle until the end of school at 3:15 PM.
We appreciate your help in advance in yielding that space so our Pickleballers can play!
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Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, November 3
For anyone wishing to have a new picture taken, the WMS Retake Day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3. In order to have a new photo, your student must bring back the original package to give to the photographer. This is also the opportunity for any students who were absent or missed having their pictures taken the first time around.
If you have questions or other photo package issues, please contact:
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WMS SCHOOL HOURS 2021-2020
M, T, Th, F: 8:40 AM - 3:15 PM
Wednesday: 8:40 AM - 2:30 PM
Important Upcoming Dates
11/3: Picture Retake Day
11/11: Veterans' Day - NO SCHOOL
11/24: Thanksgiving Recess begins at 12:20 PM (no lunch)
2021-2022 Early Release days
11/17, 11/24, 1/5, 2/9: 12:20 PM dismissal, no lunch served.
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Help us, help you!
WMS Early Dismissal Procedure
It can be very hard to find your student on a moment's notice, so if you need to dismiss them early, please follow this protocol:
- Send a note into school with your child that day with the time you will pick them up.
- Instruct your child to bring the note to the Front Office upon arrival.
- Your child will be given a Dismissal Pass to give to the teacher at the beginning of the class they’ll need to be dismissed from.
- At the indicated time, your child will come to the office to check out and wait for you at the entrance.
- If all steps are followed, there is no need for you to call or get out of your vehicle.
Thank you very much!
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Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles
It is very hard to continue to observe the overuse of plastic water bottles on campus and the resulting waste. Unfortunately, as we await the Water Department’s fix to the Wayland's water issue, we must continue to provide extra water to students via single-use, plastic water bottles. The water bottles provided by school are not meant to be students’ only water source or even their first water source. All students should bring a filled, reusable water bottle to school each day and only use the single-use bottles as a last resort. Every day we find partially consumed water bottles left behind and the waste is just unnecessary.
Please bring a filled, reusable water bottle to school!
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Social Skills Group: Youth Together
Kelsey Sanclemente, LMHC
Counselor, Wayland Youth and Family Services
Topics covered:
- Dealing with social challenges
- Dealing with anger, stress, sadness etc.
- Boosting self-confidence
- Building friendships
- Strengthening Conversation Skills
Groups are being held in Room 109, Tuesday afternoons, 3:10 - 4:05 pm.
if you are interested in learning more!
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Artist: Ronan Flatley
Grade: 8
Medium: Acrylic & Cardboard
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Gift Your Child: Donate Today!
So far, OVER 80 middle school families have made a contribution through our Gift Your Child program - if you haven’t already, please join them in supporting the WMS staff and students with just one click. We are currently accepting grant proposals from WMS staff, so don’t wait any longer!
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Middle and More Coffees
8th Grade Parent Check-in | Martin & King Cluster Leaders & Betsy Gavron
Thursday, October 28 | 2:20 PM | Link to be emailed day of event!
7th Grade Parent Check-in | Rachel & Carson Cluster Leaders & Betsy Gavron: Link from October 20 recording found HERE.
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Outdoor Lunch has been extended!
Parent volunteers are so helpful in making sure these lunches go smoothly, and the kids love them! If outdoor lunch is cancelled due to rain, we will notify you that morning.
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PTO Thanks...
Our CUSTODIANS for keeping our facilities safe and clean! The PTO dropped off Yeti tumblers and gift cards for the WMS custodial staff earlier this month to thank them for all that they do.
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Important links you may have missed
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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.
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DID YOU KNOW?
It would only take one hour to drive to space if you could go straight up in the air.
Jupiter is the fastest spinning planet in the solar system.
Over one million Earths could fit inside the sun.
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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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