Thank you for giving the gift of warmth! |
Hello WMS Families and Staff,
Thank you all so much for your generous donations to the WMS coat drive. Thanks to you, we collected more than 200 warm items, including 150 coats. The coats and other items will be delivered to both the Friendship House and Ministry of Caring.
Sincerely,
The WMS Middle School & Service Club Members
|
|
|
|
The WMS School Spirit Store is open - Now through December 17! |
Our online school store is open, with a variety of spirit wear items available for purchase! Due to a supply shortage, items will not be in until the second week in January. You can place your orders using the link below from today through December 17. Purchases will be delivered to the school and distributed to students' classrooms. Happy shopping!
|
|
|
Admissions Reminders: Re-enrollment opens in early 2022! |
It's hard to believe that it's time to plan for the 2022-23 school year, but re-enrollment is right around the corner! A few reminders:
-
New Enrollment and Tuition Management System - We are excited to share that we will be introducing FACTS as our new enrollment management and tuition payment system this year. FACTS, which is used by more than 7,000 independent schools, will allow our admissions and business offices to continue to provide the personalized support you have come to expect, while also offering mobile-friendly self-service options including the ability to check and pay your balance online. Watch your email for information about the registration process as re-enrollment opens up in early January!
-
The 2022-23 financial aid application is open! Apply by January 7, 2022 to be eligible for first-round awards. Your application (including your 2020 tax return) must be received by this deadline to be considered for first-round awards. Visit www.wmsde.org/financialaid or contact businessoffice@wmsde.org for more info.
If your child has a sibling who you would like to enroll for the 2022-23 school year, please contact Paula Sharpe as soon as possible. Spaces will be limited in many programs as we already have a record number of applicants. Siblings must apply by January 10 to receive priority for 2022-23 enrollment.
|
|
It's hard to be believe that we are only a few days away from winter break!
We know that many families spend time traveling and visiting friends and family members near and far during this time of year. As you make plans for your family, we encourage you to continue to keep the safety of our community in mind when making decisions.
We look forward to your safe return to school in January!
|
|
|
Quidel On-Site Testing - Notifications & Procedures |
As you know, our weekly COVID-19 testing requirement has been ongoing since November 30. Now that nearly all of our students are participating in on-site testing through Quidel, we wanted to clarify our procedures regarding positive cases at the school and testing requirements. As always, if you have questions, please contact Nurse Mariah!
What is the difference between the two types of COVID-19 diagnostic tests? What kind of test does Quidel use?
Currently, there are two main types of diagnostic tests for COVID-19. Put simply, PCR tests detect the virus’s genetic material, and antigen tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. PCR tests are more sensitive and take more time to process, while antigen tests can yield results in as little as 15 minutes, allowing for rapid identification of infected infectious individuals. PCR tests typically do not need to be repeated to confirm results, while confirmatory PCR testing is recommended in the case of positive results for a rapid antigen test.
Quidel uses rapid antigen tests for on-site testing and sends positive test results to its laboratory for a confirmatory PCR test.
What happens if a student or staff member receives a positive result on a rapid antigen test with Quidel?
Prior to departing from WMS on testing day, Quidel staff will notify the school nurse of any positive results from their rapid antigen test. Parents of students who test positive will be notified and asked to pick their child up immediately. The positive test sample will then be forwarded to Quidel’s lab for PCR testing.
If the PCR test results are negative AND the student or staff member does not have any symptoms, they will be permitted to return to school after submitting the negative PCR result to covidresults@wmsde.org (families are welcome to complete the PCR test at another location for a quicker result). If the PCR test result is positive, the case will be considered confirmed and the impacted person will need to continue their isolation for the remainder of the time required by the Division of Public Health.
Will I be notified if a WMS student or staff member receives a positive test result during on-site testing?
If a student or staff member receives a positive rapid antigen test result, the impacted classroom will be notified so that they may monitor for symptoms. If the positive case is confirmed through the PCR test, a school-wide notification will be sent.
Will my child have to quarantine or complete additional testing if their classmate receives a positive test result during on-site testing?
Toddler Classrooms
Because toddlers are not required to wear masks, if a positive rapid test result occurs in a Toddler classroom, students in the class will be sent home to quarantine immediately and permitted to return to school if the child who tested positive on the rapid test receives a negative PCR test result OR after the isolation period is complete in the case of a positive result on the confirmatory PCR test.
Primary, Elementary and Middle School Classrooms
At these levels, students and staff are not considered close contacts because they are masked and adequately distanced throughout the school day. Therefore, isolation and further testing for students in the classroom is not required by DPH.
For all levels...
We always encourage you to monitor your child for any symptoms of COVID-19. And, as usual, if your child is sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or headache, congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Nurse Mariah is available to support your family by reviewing symptoms to watch for, answering questions you may have, assisting with follow-up communications, and providing further information on available testing sites. Visit coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing for information on free COVID-19 testing in Delaware. Thank you for your support with these health protocols and for ongoing testing. This important measure allows us to take additional precautions that keep your child safe.
What if my child refuses to be tested at school?
While Quidel staff members are trained to work with children of all ages and will do their best to encourage your child to cooperate during testing, they will not force your child to complete the test. If your child refuses to be tested, you will be called and asked to pick your child up and complete a test elsewhere before returning to school. Results should be sent to covidresults@wmsde.org.
What if my child is absent or late for school on testing day?
If your child is absent from school or arrives at school after testing is complete, your child will need to be tested elsewhere in order to return to school on Wednesday. Results should be sent to covidresults@wmsde.org.
|
|
COVID-19 Testing Update: Next Results Due Tuesday, January 4
On-Site Testing with Quidel
Weekly COVID-19 testing through Quidel will continue in 2022! If you haven't already registered your child for on-site testing, we highly recommend that you do so! Sign up here
Next Testing Deadline - Tuesday, January 4 - Please read the information below carefully:
-
On-site: Quidel will be on-site for testing on January 4. All registered students will be tested on that day. Results will be sent to parents that afternoon and must be forwarded to covidresults@wmsde.org. WMS does not automatically receive copies of each child's results on the day of testing. These results must be forwarded by 4:30 p.m. in order for your child to attend school on Wednesday, January 5.
-
Families that choose NOT to participate in Quidel testing must test off-site each week and submit results to covidresults@wmsde.org by NOON each Tuesday. If you are submitting a screenshot, please include the date tested.
-
If your child misses testing due to an absence or lateness to school, your child must get tested off-site to attend school on Wednesday. Solv Health offers a directory of locations that provide rapid and PCR tests daily. Please plan to arrive on time on testing days - testing begins immediately after drop-off.
- Please Note: If your child will not allow Quidel staff to conduct the test on a particular week, you will be called and asked to pick up your child to be tested elsewhere in order to adhere to our testing deadline.
Off-site testing options:
|
|
The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.
Please send submissions to wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.
|
|
|
WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL
WWW.WMSDE.ORG
|
|
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
