Wayland Middle School
Monday Morning Minute
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Important Dates

10/14 Virtual Back to School Night
10/16 No School - Professional Day
10/19 Hybrid Classes Begin
10/27 Picture Day
10/29 Picture Day
11/11 No School- Veterans' Day
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!

From the Principal

Dear Families,

Please see a note from Ms. Gavron regarding homework, survey feedback and Phase 2 of WMS Hybrid Plan here.



Announcements
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GOOGLE CLASSROOM

Learn More...

When teachers invite families and guardians to Google Classroom, they receive the following information in an email:

  • Missing work—Work not turned in when the summary was sent.
  • Upcoming work—Work that’s due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or that’s due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails).
  • Class activities—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.




CHROMEBOOK CARE

If you plan to bring your Chromebooks to school

  1.  Chromebooks should be charged every night and powered down for transit to School
  2. Chromebooks should be carefully protected in a case or sleeve before put in a backpack or bag .

To fit both last year's Chromebook model and the new Chromebook model, students should get a case that fits any 11 inch Chromebook.

Retina hard shell case - $28.99 (fits 11" - 12.3" devices)
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IMPORTANT NOTES FROM THE NURSE

MEDICATION DROP OFF

TOMORROW- Wednesday 10/14 from 4-6 pm
Where: Out front @ WMS

Please have unexpired  meds and current (for this school year) orders or Anaphylaxis/Asthma Action Plans in a zip lock bag labelled with your child's name.
If you would like to drop off Physical Exam reports, or flu shot confirmation that would be welcome also!

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 is required prior to the start of school in October 2020.

MANDATORY FLU VACCINATION

Every student must have a flu vaccination before 12/31/20, as required by the Mass Department of Public Health. 


The Wayland Athletic Department is excited to see our students back in action as we continue to prepare for the return of in-person learning on October 19th
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) provided sports modification for the fall 2020 sports season. This guidance was created in alignment with guidelines set forth by Governor Baker, MA Department of Health (DPH), Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). 

We are currently waiting for the modifications of winter sports to be published in order to finalize the Wayland Middle School offerings. We are committed to run after school activities around our many restrictions. In the coming days we will be able to provide details on our sport offerings. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Athletic Office at (508) 358-3718 or heath_rollins@waylandps.org.

National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Help your student apply for a digital public library card -- it just takes minutes! WPL library cards are available to all WPS students. All public library cards can be linked to Sora, our digital reading platform, offering students additional copies of even more digital books, limited to those that are grade-appropriate. While you're on the public library's site, you may also want to explore Libby, Sora's "sibling app" for public library digital books.
Did you know that all Massachusetts residents over the age of 13 are eligible for Boston Public Library cards ?

Weekly Wednesday Welcome Library Zoom Meet.

WELCOME TO ALL STUDENTS

1:00-1:30pm.

The link to Our WMS Library Zoom can be found on each cluster's list of links.
Virtual Social Skills Group- YOUTH TOGETHER
Kelsey Sanclemente, LMHC
Counselor, Wayland Youth and Family Services

Topics covered in Youth Together:
•Dealing with social challenges
•Dealing with anger, stress, sadness etc.
•Boosting self-confidence
•Building friendships
•Strengthening Conversation Skills

If interested, please reach out to Kelsey Sanclemente at ksanclemente@wayland.ma.us




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. The WMS Youth Leadership group will be meeting virtually this academic school year. The days and times of these club meetings is to be determined. 

Please contact either Kelsey Sanclemente or Jason Verhoosky at the following emails:
Wayland Middle School Council
Seeking New Parent Members

We are currently seeking two parents to join this year's WMS Council. 

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71: Section 59C, Wayland Middle School will have a School Council that meets regularly and is responsible for the following:

  • Assist in the identification of the educational needs of the students attending the school
  • Review the annual school budget
  • Approve the school improvement plan
  • Review the student handbook

School council meetings typically take place quarterly, on mutually agreed upon dates, from 5:00 to 6:15 pm. If you are interested, kindly submit your name and a short biographical paragraph to Betsy Gavron 

Thank you in advance for your support!
PTO News

Middle & More Coffees 
October Schedule

Hosted by the WMS PTO, the Middle & More Coffees (MMC) provide monthly opportunities for parents to learn together on current, discussion-worthy topics related to parenting middle-school youth and time to meet with WMS Staff regarding curriculum. Read more details about our Middle and More Coffees here.

During the 2020-21 school year, we will be meeting via Zoom to discuss ways to support our middle schoolers as they go through these important developmental years. Please note that due to the change in school hours, the time of the MMC varies depending on participation of WMS teaching staff.

A Zoom link will be shared closer to the meeting date. 

6th Grade Parent Check-in
Cluster Leaders and Betsy Gavron
Tuesday, October 13, 12:45 - 1:45 pm

7th Grade Parent Check-in
Cluster Leaders and Betsy Gavron
Tuesday, October 20, 12:45 - 1:45 pm

8th Grade Parent Check-in
Cluster Leaders and Betsy Gavron
Thursday, October 29, 12:45 - 1:45 pm

GIFT YOUR CHILD

This year’s learning environment will be unlike anything we have seen before. The PTO looks forward to partnering with the school to support our teachers and your children in new and innovative ways. We anticipate receiving unique and creative teacher requests this year and will not be able to fund them without your support! 

Please keep an eye out for a letter arriving at your home with more details. You can also donate now by visiting http://waylandpto.org, or by mailing a check made out to Wayland PTO to Wayland Middle School, Attn: PTO, 201 Main Street, Wayland, MA 01778.

Thank you for supporting the students and staff at Wayland Middle School! We will keep you posted how your donations are being utilized in this unprecedented year. Questions? Please contact Jen Pearlman at Jenpearlman00@gmail.com, WMS PTO Fundraising Chair.

SMILE! WMS Picture Day
Wayland Middle School
Tuesday, October 27 & Thursday, October 29

This year, Picture Day is scheduled for the mornings of Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29, from 8:45 am - 12:00 pm. We hope to have a paperless ordering process in place by that time, with online orders preferred and recommended. 

Picture Day Volunteers NEEDED!
Wayland Middle School
Tuesday, October 27
& Thursday, October 29
We are seeking parent volunteers who can help on both days, October 27 and October 29 from 8:45am - 12:00pm to assist photographers, maintain student lines, and ensure appropriate student social distancing. Photos will be taken outside with students, photographers and volunteers masked (student masks will be removed briefly when photos are taken). As a thank you for your time, volunteers will receive a free photo package for their child, compliments of Hayward Photography! Questions? Please contact Mei-Lyn Kingsley at johnandml@yahoo.com.
PTO Thanks….

Staff Appreciation Chair Tarrah Zedower for the wonderful Welcome Back for our teachers and staff. Special thanks also to all the parents that dropped off contributions for the “Grab & Go” bags and the parent volunteers that helped organize the event: Allison Kates, Lainie Loveless, Alisa Frutman and April Forst. THANK YOU ALL!
Artist of the Week
 
Artist: Zack Zhang
Grade: 8
Medium: Paper


Our 8th graders explore the concept of Artistic Style, and are challenged to design a Google Doodle in the style of a particular artist. Zack created this piece in the style of sculptor Tara Donovan, who uses common, household items to create her work. Zack strategically crumpled and creased a piece of paper to spell out G-O-O-G-L-E! 


Get to know WMS STAFF SPOTLIGHT

New Staff Edition
(20 Questions give or take)


Name: Dalia Stewart

Your Position at WMS: 6th and 7th grade social studies teacher

Where do you come to us from: Walsh Middle School, Framingham

Where did you earn your degree: Worcester State University and Boston College

Your first job: first job ever? Filene's basement Christmas clothes ticketer. Professionally, Bilingual Social Studies Teacher in Framingham.

Have any animals: no

Favorite guilty snack during this time at home: Honey Peanuts

Favorite thing to do on a summer day: sit on my deck to read


Favorite TV show: The Big Bang Theory 

Favorite book: Also hard to pick but one of my recent favorites...In the Midst of Winter by Isabelle Allende.

One thing you splurge on: Zumba wear!

Movie you could watch over and over without getting tired of: The Bird’s Cage

The spiciest thing you’ve ever eaten: I can handle spicy foods but I Wasabi feels super spicy in my mouth.

Your cure for the hiccups: Come up behind me quietly and scare me!

Goal you think humanity is not focused enough on achieving: how we interact and protect the Earth.  

Outdoor activity that you haven't tried, but would like to: Zip Lining. 

Your go to restaurant: Mexicali Grill

Why did you want to be a teacher: I had an amazing, kind and thoughtful ESL teacher when I first arrived in the US. She took the time to ask about my thoughts and experiences as a newcomer. Ms. Aronson, I will always be grateful for you! In college I also had a great experience with a college professor that encouraged me to become a teacher. 

Do you speak any other languages: Yes, my first language is Spanish.

That last thing you googled: best wireless mics for teaching!

A word you always misspell, or have to constantly check: hard to answer, there are so many! I have a thing for words ( I listen to the word of the day Podcast) and I’m always so conscientious of my second language influence when I write, that I often double check on proper use and spelling of words.
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
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