Monday Morning Minute
November 20, 2017
In this Issue:
  • Messages from Principal Gavron
  • From Superintendent Unobskey
  • Help Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico
  • From the Office
  • From Nurse Nims
  • PTO News
  • Reminders from Previous Emails
  • Artist of the Week
  • Calendar
Messages from Principal Gavron

Dear Families,

I spend a lot of time thinking and talking with teachers and students about technology. There are both wonderful aspects of technology that enhance teaching and learning and dangerous downsides that can be amplified by students' impulsivity. In some years, we hear a bit of chatter about requests going back and forth between students through texting and social media for students to send naked photos of themselves - a phenomena known as sexting. Sexting is the practice of sending sexually suggestive or explicit messages or pictures electronically. To our knowledge, actual incidents of sexting have been rare; however, discussion/joking about “sending nudes” can be more widespread on texting and social media.  Sexting is a practice we want to pro-actively discourage for a number of reasons:

  • It is illegal and technically meets the definition of child pornography, which is a felony.
  • Even photos that "disappear" (such as through snapchat) can be captured and shared (screen shots - or photographed with another phone). Once it is out there it is hard to take back. Sharing this type of photo is technically distribution of child pornography.
  • Students should not be pressuring one another to make these decisions - even through "playful" memes. It creates a lot of unnecessary stress and ongoing requests are technically forms of promoting child pornography and sexual harassment.

Mr. Benzie, Officer Bowles, and I will be speaking with 7 th  and 8 th  grade students about “Sexting: It’s Not Worth the Risk,” on Wednesday November 29 th  and Wednesday December 6 th  respectfully (in addition to programming in Wellness with REACH). We encourage you to continue the conversation at home and appreciate your continued partnership.
 
The following article from  The Atlantic  entitled " Why Kids Sext " from November 2014 is one of the best I have read to help me understand the complexity of the issue and the reasons why students might engage in this type of behavior. It is on the long side, but definitely worth the read.
 
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your child’s guidance counselor if you have questions or concerns. Thank you.
 
Respectfully,
 
Betsy Gavron 
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Safety First - Safety First - Safety First - Safety First - Safety First

Last Thursday afternoon our two crossing guards and two teachers on dismissal duty came into the school deeply concerned about parent pick up practices that rainy day. In an effort to pick up children more quickly, drivers were having students cross the street and get into cars by the DPW and pull out of line. It was chaotic and there were several near misses.

This practice both sends the wrong messages to students about the need to wait one's turn and is incredibly dangerous. Earlier this fall there was a terrible accident at Claypit Hill School during dismissal that serves as an important warning as to why following dismissal protocols is critical for safety at all of our schools. Please note and adhere to the following:

  • Students may ONLY enter cars on the west side of the building along the sidewalk by the gymnasium and 6th grade wing (Not in the teacher parking lot or by the DPW).
  • Drivers must remain in the pick up line until students are safely in the vehicle fro said sidewalk. At that time they may slowly and safely pull around vehicles in front of them that are still waiting.  
  • Drivers must defer to crossing guards and teachers on duty who are working to keep all students safe.

Please refer to our Traffic Map for further clarification. Thank you for your attention and adherence to these important safety practices.
From Superintendent Unobskey

I would appreciate it very much if you would complete the survey at the link below about your experience and your child(ren)'s experiences at the middle school. The surveys will remain open until December 1.


The surveys will serve as the starting point for a conversation that I will have with parents about what they want for their children in the Wayland schools over the next three to five years. I am looking for 2-3 parents from the middle school to work with me from  7:00-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12  at the Town building ( 41 Cochituate Road ) , to look at the survey results and discuss important issues that surface. If you are interested in serving on the focus group, please email me at   [email protected] .

Thank you.

Arthur Unobskey, Superintendent
Help Recovery Efforts in
P U E R T O R I C O
Donate at Wayland Middle School
Donations accepted through November 22nd!
They will be packaged and sent to families in need.
· Nonperishable Food Items · Water Filters + Refills ·
Flashlights/Lamps/Batteries (AA - AAA - D) ·
· Personal Care Items · Infant Needs · First Aid Items ·

Any donations made via check (payable to Wayland Middle School) will cover shipping costs. Any additional funds collected will be donated to the Red Cross’ efforts in Puerto Rico.
From the Office
Holiday Absences when school is in session
Please notify the office if your student will be absent before or after the break. Email us at    [email protected]
or call (508) 655-6670 to leave a message!  
From the Nurses Office
7th Grade VISION & HEARING Screening
11/28, 11/29 and 12/1
We will be conducting our annual state mandated Vision and Hearing 
Screening for 7th graders only on 11/28, 11/29 and 12/1
Please be sure your child brings or wears any prescription glasses or contact lenses to school on the testing dates above. 
 
Testing will be held during student study periods on one of the above dates. Only abnormal screening results will be reported in a letter mailed home to parents.  

7th Grade BMI Screening
11/28, 11/29 and 12/1
Massachusetts schools have measured the heights and weights of students since the 1950’s. According to the state’s Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening Regulation, passed in April 2009, schools must now collect the heights and weights of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 and use that information to calculate BMI. BMI is a measure that is used to show a person’s “weight for height for age.” Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye screening test, BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks.
 
We will be conducting BMI Screening for 7th graders only on 11/28, 11/29 and 12/1 and all screenings will be performed by a Registered Nurse in a private setting.

Best, 

Marcia Nims, RN, BSN

***If you wish to excuse your child from any of the above screenings, please send your child in with a note ask them to deliver it to Nurse Nims in the Nurse's Office, before November 28th.

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL OR FAX LETTERS TO EXCUSE YOUR CHILD FROM THIS SCREENING ON THE DAY OF THE SCREENING AS I WILL BE IN A SCREENING ROOM WITHOUT ACCESS TO THESE DEVICES ON EACH OF THE ABOVE DATES**.​
PTO
LAST CALL TO DONATE TO YOUR PTO

Here in Wayland the PTO made a commitment that we wouldn't ask children or families to sell anything in order to do fundraising. Instead, we ask each family to contribute at the beginning of each school year to help fund all the things the PTO does to support our teachers and staff and to make sure that our school is great. After all, that's why we all live here right? Because we want our kids to have a great educational experience. 

The PTO is enhancing that educational experience by supporting teachers, funding innovative ideas and providing enrichment programs. Please do your part if you can and Gift Your Child at  www.waylandpto.org  (and it's tax deductible!)
Middle & More Coffee  
December 4th, 8:45 AM, WMS Faculty Room
Please join us on Monday, December 4, from 8:45-9:45 am in the WMS Faculty Room for our next  Middle and More Coffee . December’s topic is  7th & 8th Grade Check-In.   We will hear from the 7th and 8th grade House Leaders and Guidance Counselors who will present highlights of the 7th and 8th grade programs, as well as an overview of what to expect as children progress through these years in middle school. All parents are welcome (even if you don’t have a 7th or 8th grader). Bring your questions and come share a cup of coffee or tea with us.
Reminders from previous emails
WMS Basketball Try-outs are Coming Up!
  • 7th & 8th graders interested in trying out MUST be registered through FamilyID.com, and
  • have a current Physical Exam record on file with the school nurse, in order to participate.
Boys WMS Basketball Try-outs :
11/30 2:30 - 3:30
12/6 3:00 - 4:30 (study from 2:20 - 3:00)
12/7 2:30 - 4:45
12/8 2:30 - 3:45.
Girls WMS Basketball Try-outs :
12/4 2:30 - 4:45
12/5 2:30 - 4:45
12/6 1:30 - 3:00
Volunteers Still Needed for the  
Wayland Middle School Calendar Fundraiser  

Our 2017 Wayland Middle School  (not WMS PTO)  Calendar Fundraiser will be kicking off on November 17th. We're looking for volunteers to help count and log donations as they come in each day, from November 20th to December 15th. It is a short commitment of 1 - 1 1/2 hours during weekday mornings; you can help us once or as many times as you wish - it is all appreciated! 

We're using SignUpGenius.com to organize our Calendar Fundraiser volunteers. Click this LINK to see our SignUp on SignUpGenius.com

The Calendar Fundraiser supports our wonderful grade level trips. Your support helps us help all of our students. Thank you! 

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact [email protected]   and she will sign you up manually. 
Annual Drive for Coats for Kids!
November 20th - January 7th WMS Front Lobby
Please donate to Coats for Kids! We will have boxes in the front lobby to accept your donations. Thank you for helping to keep others warm during the winter season!
ARTIST of the WEEK
Artist: Gina Wang
Grade: 7
Medium: Ink & Watercolor
Dates to Remember
ALL GRADES:
11/21 - WMS/WHS Jazz Concert, Wayland Middle School, 7:30 PM
11/22 - Early Dismissal, Thanksgiving Recess , 11:15 Dismissal
11/23 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break through 11/26
11/30   -  WMS/WHS Band Concert,  Wayland High School, 7:30 PM

7th GRADE:
1/29/18 - Cape Cod Parent Night

8TH GRADE:
11/21  -  Martin Cluster to  EMK  - during school hours
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