Wayland Middle School
Monday Morning Minute
Important Dates

9/15 School Picture Day!
9/16 Yom Kippur
9/22 Grade 6 Back to School Night (Virtual)
10/7 Grades 7 & 8 Back to School Night (Virtual)
10/11 Indigenous Peoples' Day- NO SCHOOL
11/11 Veterans' Day- NO SCHOOL
11/24 Thanksgiving Recess begins at 12:20 (no lunch)


WMS SCHOOL HOURS 2021-2020
M, T, Th, F: 8:40- 3:15
Wednesday: 8:40- 2:30

2021-2022 Early Release days:
9/29, 11/17, 11/24, 1/5, 2/9- 12:20 dismissal, no lunch served. 


From The Principal

“Happiness is a direction, not a place.”  - Sydney J. Harris

Dear WMS Families,

I was so happy to begin the 2021-2022 school year 100% in person last week. I felt incredibly grateful for all we have in our community. While we all wish COVID was fully behind us, and we could be in school without masks, I can’t help but feeling so fortunate for the in-person learning we are able to offer. Nothing beats seeing students reunite with friends, hearing laughter in the cafeteria, and watching classroom cultures begin to take shape.

Last Monday, during our districtwide launch with staff, Dr. Easy had the wisdom to bring in Pam Garramone, an expert in positive psychology as a keynote speaker to address the staff. In an energizing presentation, Pam shared with us scientific research on happiness. According to Pam, research shows that happier people:

  • are more productive and creative,
  • are more effective leaders and negotiators,
  • have more friends and social support,
  • are more resilient, less stressed, less anxious and less depressed, and
  • are physically healthier and ultimately live longer.

The goal of fostering a happier disposition is a worthwhile pursuit.

Pam reminded us that the human brain has a built-in negativity bias, however. Scanning the world for danger was an evolutionary necessity that kept us safe from sabertooth tigers and other mortal dangers. Although up to 50% of mood is biological, we can actively affect our happiness through deliberate practices that build positivity. It takes work to counter that negative bias, but we can train the brain to scan the world for the good. Pam offered some practical tips for happiness boosters that I thought were worth sharing. While these ideas are designed to help and support you, the caregiver, some ideas you might even try with your middle schooler.

  • Do Things That Bring You Joy - Read, exercise, paint, knit, connect with friends, play the guitar, etc. as often as you can. Additionally, you might avoid spending too much time watching the news or engaging in social media. While being an informed citizen is important, so is balancing intake of news that can spur fear and anxiety
  • Celebrate You Everyday - High fives, fist bumps, two thumbs up to celebrate even the little wins go a long way to improving happiness (even if it is just in the bathroom mirror). Here is a video of Olympic celebrations that are sure to bring a smile to your lips.  
  • What Went Well today? - Rather than ask your middle schooler, “How was school today?” and hear the obligatory “fine,” as a response, try asking, “What are three things that went well today?” This could become a dinner table ritual that leads to family sharing about relationships, positive risk-taking, successes, achievements, etc. It shifts the potential focus on complaints to accomplishments. If you are worried about not honoring the full spectrum of emotions that make us human, you can also ask the follow up question, “What is one strong emotion you experienced today?” 
  • Gratitude Journal - Keeping a gratitude journal is a positivity practice that can significantly impact one’s happiness. Writing down three things you were grateful for, prior to going to bed each night, helps train our brains to focus on the little things we appreciate in life. This could be done individually or as a family practice.
  • Dance - Dancing to music is one of the single best happiness boosters. The uplifting movement leads to a rush of endorphins. I tested out this suggestion with a couple of friends this weekend. We danced around a fire pit, sang, and laughed together. It definitely left me feeling energized.

While I know first hand how surly and skeptical young adolescents can be, engaging in and modeling positivity practices can lead to a happier adult, which can impact your middle schooler. The “glass half full” gal in me firmly believes that adults set the mood --in the classroom and in the home. Positivity is contagious. I encourage you to spread joy.

Respectfully,
Betsy Gavron
Announcements
WMS Picture Day is
Wednesday, September 15

Ordering student photo packages is now completely paperless! 

Simply follow this link and enter School Password WMS21
 
 
Regardless of weather, all photos will be taken outside. Photographers will be masked and practicing social distancing, hand sanitizer/disinfectant will be available at photo stations, and students will be masked at all times except when photos are taken.
 
Individual photo print orders will be mailed directly to the home address as provided on the order.   Our preorder portal will be open until 9/19/21.   If parents do not order by that date, they will receive a NO BUY proof photo of their child with instructions to go online to order. Photo Retake Day will likely be scheduled for late October.
 
Please note: Even if you do not wish to order photos, it is very important that your child be photographed for inclusion in the confidential Student Database as quick identification in the event of an emergency.


Let's Keep Students Safe and in School: COVID-19 Testing - Sign Up Today

Sign up today for Wayland Public Schools' COVID-19 testing programs including pooled testing for routine safety checks, as well as new symptomatic and Test and Stay options. Also new is pooled testing will collect a second sample that will be tested if in a positive pool. This allows the lab to identify the positive individual(s) without the need to quarantine and wait! 

WPS strongly encourages all students to participate in safety testing programs this year, even if they are fully vaccinated. Testing is free to all.
Social Skills Group - Youth Together
with 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

Please reach out to Kelsey Sanclemente at ksanclemente@wayland.ma.us if you are interested in learning more!

Middle School Drop-Off and Pick-Up Traffic Flow 

Safety is the number one priority in the drop-off/pick-up circle. 

Watch for students in the crosswalk as you enter and exit the traffic circle. 
 
Students may only exit/enter cars at the sidewalk (anywhere along the west side of the building -- from the gym to the stop sign). Students should be prepared to exit cars as soon as the car is stopped safely beside the sidewalk and not wait to be closer to the door. 

Students may not walk through the traffic circle. 

Proceed through the starred (*) handicapped parking spots if space is available beyond them. 

Do not jump the line when spaces appear. Be patient as drivers in front of you pull forward. 
 
If the line reaches the parking lot entrance to the old DPW building, parents will form a circular line-up inside the parking lot to get traffic off of Route 27. Students must be picked up on the sidewalk next to the gym, and may not meet rides in the DPW parking lot. 

Once you have dropped-off/picked-up your student, you may cautiously pull out, away from the curb and around waiting cars to exit. 

Stop at the stop sign as you exit the traffic circle. Oncoming traffic (buses, staff members, and others not turning into the traffic circle) does not have a stop sign and you must yield to this traffic. 

Drivers – for safety, no cell phone use while moving through the Traffic Circle! 
REMINDER: WPS Text Messaging OPT IN Campaign

Dear Parents & Guardians,

We are writing to inform you that we will be launching our School Messenger Communication SMS (short message service) text messaging feature for School to Home communication. Important messages can be delivered right to your mobile phone!

Parents and Guardians can participate in this service by texting "Y" (or "yes") to 67587 to OPT IN on each mobile phone you wish to receive text messages on. You can OPT OUT of these text messages at any time by replying "Stop" to one of our messages.

See the School Messenger SMS Campaign brochure for more information and to automate the sign-up process!

Kind regards,
Wayland IT Department
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Artists: Caroline Kiernan & Shawn Loveless
Grade: 7
Medium: Plaster wrap, Acrylic & Glitter
PTO News
Welcome to Wayland Middle School

We are excited to welcome families new to Wayland and our incoming 6th grade class to the WMS community! The WMS Parent Teacher Organization continues to be committed to finding new ways to support our teachers, students and families this school year.

WMS PTO works to enrich the learning environment for our school community. With the breadth of financial support and activities we provide, your family is sure to benefit directly.  
 
The WMS PTO:
  1. supports our students’ academic and extra-curricular learning 
  2. partners with and shows appreciation for our WMS Staff
  3. builds community and provides resources to parents through Middle and More Coffee seminars

 Click here to visit the WMS PTO Website for more information. 

Join the WMS PTO Facebook Group! The WMS PTO adds weekly updates in the Monday Morning Minute, but further details, photos and videos are shared on Facebook. Stay in the loop! 

2021-22 WMS PTO Board Members:
Amanda Melander, President *
Carrie Carlson, Vice President *
April Forst, Treasurer
Julie Suratt, Secretary
Lisa Raftery, Parent Enrichment Chair and Prior President
Liz Garcia, Staff Appreciation Chair
Jen Pearlman, Gift Your Child Chair

* Town-wide PTO Representative
Outdoor Lunch Volunteers

WMS will be holding outdoor lunches for students and is looking for a parent volunteer to help monitor.  

M, T, Th, F lunch is from 10:46am - 1:12pm
Wednesday lunch is from 10:50pm - 12:51pm
The PTO will email volunteers with additional information as we get it!
 
PTO Thanks….
School Supplies Coordinator Marchella Lee for organizing our convenient ship to home school supplies!
Connect With Us!
Reminders
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.
Dear Parents/Guardians

If your child routinely experiences springtime allergy symptoms- we are asking you to please give them their allergy medication before they come to school. As allergy symptoms can mimic the symptoms of the Covid virus infection- if your child comes to the health room with these symptoms, we will need to ask you to pick up your child and have them tested for Covid before they can return to school, or alternatively have your child’s physician write us a letter indicating that your child’s symptoms are due to springtime allergies.Your child will have to remain at home until we receive either the test results or the physician’s letter. Our goal is to keep each child in school as many days as possible!

Thank you for your attention to this
Laurie Hojlo, RN
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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