Wayland Middle School
Monday Morning Minute
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Important Dates
Wednesday 2/10 Early Release
2/15-2/19 Winter Recess
Monday 2/22 Classes Resume
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!
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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!
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Good morning WMS families,
It is hard to believe that the last week of the semester is already upon us. The learning I’ve seen students do in this non-traditional year has been truly impressive. From writing feature articles about skiing, to delving into supreme court cases, to exploring microscopic cellular life, to solving systems of equations, to learning yoga stretches, to discussing favorite activities in French, our students and staff have been working incredibly hard both online and in person. This week students should complete any reassessments or turn in any overdue work to their teachers. Our first ever whole-school standards based report cards will be issued next Friday, February 5th. You can read more about standards based reporting on pages 8-9 of the WMS Student Handbook.
We have decided to continue with the latest version of our traffic pattern. It seems to be working. Once we need to direct cars into the overflow area, we transition to two lanes out and one lane in for the bulk of dismissal.
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Thank you to the many families who have sent in supplies for our Student School Council Group’s Period Supply Drive which runs until February 1st. We look forward to equipping bathrooms with supplies to have available in stalls over the next two weeks.
Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for information about a new after school basketball offering from Athletic Director, Heath Rollins.
Have a wonderful week.
Respectfully,
Betsy Gavron
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WPS COVID-19 Pooled Testing Update |
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Wayland Public Schools is now focused on partnering with the state to launch a six-week state funded program by February.
Enroll and learn more about the six-week program HERE. If you have already enrolled, there is no further action required at this time.
Some resources are not covered in the state's funding so a small fee is possible. More information will be forthcoming. Key elements include:
- Pooled PCR tests with 24-48 hour turnaround of pool results
- Individual testing of positive pools using the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test with results in 15 minutes
- Individuals in positive pools will quarantine until the BinaxNOW result is obtained
- Anterior nasal swab (short swab, not deep nasal swab) either self-administered or collected by trained staff
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Period Supplies Drive
Dear WMS students and families,
Recently the Student School Council has discussed putting period supplies in the bathroom so that they are more accessible to people who menstruate. In a recent survey, 100% of participants agreed that putting period supplies in the bathroom would be better than only having supplies in the nurse’s office. Some of the reasons they gave were that it would be more efficient in case of an emergency, and it would be easier to access. In order to have a range of supplies, we are asking you to please donate some pads or tampons to the school to increase the types of offerings (ex: pads with wings, or light/regular/heavy tampons). If you are also able to donate dye free and/or organic cotton pads or tampons to support children who have allergies to certain brands, then please do so.
How to make a donation:
Drop off period supplies at the front office or students can put donations in a box by the office Tuesday, January 19- Monday, February 1.
Expectations for use of School Period Supplies:
- These are for the use of the children at school
- They are not to be taken home.
- They should not be flushed.
Thank you for considering,
The Student School Council and Ms. Gavron
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Youth Leadership Club Meeting
Wednesday the 27th, from 11:30am-12:15pm.
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.
Please contact Kelsey Sanclemente or Jason Verhoosky for zoom 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
Remote groups are through Zoom on Wednesday's from 2:00-2:45pm.
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Is your 8th grader interested in a public school experience that is vocational technical in nature? Schools are accepting applications NOW. The town of Wayland is responsible for tuition and transportation fees.
Feel free to peruse local technical school offerings on their websites:
Please reach out to our 8th grade counselor, Dr. Amy Parker, for support in the application process, if your child plans to apply - amy_parker@waylandps.org.
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Reserve your Yearbook NOW!!
Don’t miss out on an awesome keepsake of this very unique school year
- Full color photographs
- All grades 6,7 8 represented
- Interactive links to view performances
To guarantee your copy (limited quantity), go to Jostens.com
Click: HIGH SCHOOL box
Enter: Wayland Middle School
Select: 2021 Yearbook
Yearbooks ordered before the start of February break (2/15/21) can be purchased for $17.00.
Prices will then increase to $22.00.
Don’t put it off – last year we COMPLETELY SOLD OUT and had to turn away many last-minute buyers!
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Honoring MLK with Music
Dr. Murray's Select Chorus: 'I Have a Dream' is a song inspired by the 1963 speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. It has been performed at our Wayland Middle School MLK celebrations for nearly two decades. This performance was created by combining 360 individual recordings of Select Chorus students singing the different phases of the song. The visual imagery in the video combines student artwork, the WMS mural, images of MLK and Washington, DC, as well as several quotes by Dr. King.
Ms. Tandon's Honors Chamber Orchestra: 'Nobody knows the Trouble I've Seen' dates back to the time of slavery in this country. It was first produced in printed form in 1867 and has been recorded by many famous artists. This arrangement combines a more traditional, reflective style and an upbeat, jazzy rendition. This performance, by this year's Honors Chamber Orchestra, is a mix of an in-person recording and individual remote recordings.
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Planning ahead...
February is Teen Dating Awareness Month
The programs below will be facilitated by Roundtable board member Julie Youdovin, Outreach & Program Coordinator at Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s Journey to Safety program. Registration for this event is required, and can be completed here or on the Roundtable’s Website.
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Middle and More Coffees
February
Are you interested in learning about diversity and equity in the district? Are you interested in having (or continuing to have) conversations with your children about race and racism and would like advice or guidance? Do you wonder about what you can do to support staff and schools in promoting anti racism? Please join us on February 8, 10:00-11:00am, as we welcome Caroline Han, Wayland Public School’s Diversity & Equity Coordinator, who will describe her work and answer your questions.
Upcoming Dates:
Middle and More Coffees continue throughout the 2020-21 school year. Here are a few upcoming dates:
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March 8, 9:00-10:00 am: English & Social Studies Discussion with WMS Department Heads
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April 8, evening program: Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience (63 minutes). This movie, the follow up to Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age, will be available for at-home viewing for WMS families from April 5th through April 16th. The WMS PTO will then host a live, virtual screening the evening of Thursday, April 8th, with Lindsay Steinsieck, Associate Director at The Human Relations Service, facilitating the discussion afterwards.
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Artist: Eric Liu
Grade: 8
Medium: Digital
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Reminders from Previous Weeks |
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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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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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