Wayland Middle School
Monday Morning Minute
|
|
Important Dates
10/27 Picture Day
10/29 Picture Day
11/03 Election Day - all MS students REMOTE
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!
|
|
Dear WMS families,
It was hard to stop smiling this week. Having so many students in the building again after so many long, isolated months just warms the soul. Their laughter and energy reminds me why we love this age group and this rewarding work.
We are incredibly grateful for all of your help in filling out the daily health attestations. Families are adjusting to the new drop off pick up procedures and it is going more and more smoothly with each passing day. 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
- 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
-
Use the overflow lot to get traffic off Rte 27. Do not pick up students in that lot.
- Staggered drop off and dismissal
- 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.
We look forward to the coming week complete with school photos, after school soccer and running clubs, and another PTO led Virtual Middle and More Coffee this time for 8th grade families with our 8th grade house leaders.
Additionally, I will hold an evening Zoom office check in time for families from 7:00-7:30 on Thursday, October 29 to answer questions and hear your feedback. I will send out the Zoom link on Thursday morning.
Thank you so much for a great start to hybrid learning.
Betsy
|
|
SMILE! WMS Picture Day
Wayland Middle School
THIS Tuesday, October 27 & Thursday, October 29
This year, we request that you pre-order your child’s Picture Day package online and in advance of Picture Day.
To pre-order prints:
- Select the blue Prepay for Photo Day button in the middle of the screen,
- Enter the code WAY20, enter your child’s First and Last name,
- Select a photo package, add to your cart and checkout.
No paper forms will be accepted at the time of the picture. Questions? Please contact Mei-Lyn Kingsley at johnandml@yahoo.com.
|
|
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
- Chromebooks should be charged every night and powered down for transit to School
- 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.
|
|
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 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
2020 - 2021 BUS UPDATE
Due to the limited number of riders allowed on school buses this year as defined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Wayland School Committee voted on Wednesday, October 7, to fully refund families who paid a fee for transportation for this year.
We expect reimbursements to take approximately six weeks.
If you have paid for transportation this year and have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Transportation Coordinator, Melissa Ricci, at Melissa_Ricci@waylandps.org or the Director of Finance and Operations, Susan Bottan, at Susan_Bottan@waylandps.org.
Thank you!!
|
|
Wayland/Weston MS Girls Hockey Team:
The Wayland/Weston girls middle school team begins in late November and runs through the end of February. The team is a co-op team with middle school girls from Wayland and Weston. All home games are played at Rivers and away games are mostly in surrounding towns. All players must have a current USA Hockey member ID # to play for the team. Please contact Sam Finley at finley747@hotmail.com for more information or to sign up for the team.
|
|
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: 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.
|
|
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 PTO President Lisa Raftery
Thank you in advance for your support!
|
|
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.
Combating Loneliness for a More Fulfilled Life: October 15
Anxiety 101– Spanish Webinar : October 23
The Link Between Social Media & Mental Health: October 29
|
|
If you still have school books from the 2019-2020 school year please contact the front office .
|
|
Parent Enrichment: Middle & More Virtual Coffees
October
Hosted by the WMS PTO, these parent enrichment meetings provide 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.
A Zoom link will be emailed to you the day of the meeting date.
8th Grade Parent Check-in
Cluster Leaders and Betsy Gavron
Thursday, October 29, 12:45 - 1:45 pm
|
|
2 Grants Already Approved - Your Donations at Work!
The PTO is actively receiving grant requests from the middle school teachers as new and unique needs are arising during this hybrid learning model. Unlike previous years, we will be reviewing and approving grants as we receive them and have already approved 2 teacher grant requests!
Stay tuned as we will be highlighting teacher grant approvals on our WMS PTO Facebook page.
You can 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. Questions? Please contact Jen Pearlman, Jenpearlman00@gmail.com, Fundraising Chair.
|
|
PTO Positions for 2021-22
Interested in getting more involved while your child is at Wayland Middle School? Join the PTO! Several Committee positions available for the 2021-22 school year, including: School Pictures, Landscaping, New Family Welcome Coordinator.
|
|
PTO Thanks….
Parent Enrichment Chair Allison Kates for scheduling and organizing the 7th Grade virtual check-in last week. We all learned some new tips and tricks on how to help students review their outstanding homework and obtained helpful information on the new hybrid class schedule!
School Pictures Organizer Mei-Lyn Kingsley for working with Hayward Photography to schedule (and reschedule) this year’s Picture Day(s), which will take place later this week. Also, thank you to parent volunteers Julie Suratt, Catherine Davies, Carolina Kotzampaltiris and Sejal Srinivasan who signed up to help the students on Picture Day. THANK YOU ALL!
|
|
Artist: Zoe Roi
Grade: 8
Medium: Ink
|
Get to know WMS
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
(20ish Questions)
Name: Aleksandra Gosz
Your Position at WMS: Building Based Substitute
How long have you worked at WMS: 1st full year
Where did you earn your degree: Framingham State University
Your first job: first job ever? Lifeguard at the age of 14
Have any animals: A dog named Teddy
Favorite guilty snack during your time at home: Peanut m&m’s
Favorite thing to do on a summer day: Go to the beach of course!
Favorite vacation spot: Miami, FL
Favorite TV show: American Horror Story
Favorite book: I have too many favorites!
One thing you splurge on: Manicures
Movie you could watch over and over without getting tired of: Remember the Titans
The spiciest thing you’ve ever eaten: Really spicy curry
Your cure for the hiccups: Drink water upside down!! Works every time.
Goal you think humanity is not focused enough on achieving: Recycling and shrinking our carbon footprint!
Outdoor activity that you haven't tried, but would like to: Snowboarding
Your go to restaurant: Tavern in the Square
Why did you want to be a teacher: To spread my love of learning to others.
Do you speak any other languages: Polish and Spanish
That last thing you googled: “consignment stores near me”
A word you always misspell, or have to constantly check: “receive” (I misspelled it while trying to type this answer out LOL)
|
|
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"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
