Monday Morning Minute
November 27, 2017
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In this Issue:
- Message from Principal Gavron - Staffing Change
- WMS Musical Change of Schedule
- A Thank You from Ellen Jacobs on behalf of Room to Read
- From Nurse Nims - 7th grade Screenings this Week
- PTO News
- Reminders from Previous Emails
- Artist of the Week
- Calendar
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A Message from Principal Gavron
Dear families,
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving break full of family, friends, and fun. As we head into the final stretch of 2017, I wanted to alert you to an important staffing change involving bittersweet news. Tom Large is making the very wise decision for himself and his health to retire immediately. The drama position and directing the musical were taxing his body beyond its limits. Tom is at peace with this decision, and I am very happy that he is able to focus on taking care of himself. Tom has given so many wonderful years to the students and staff in our community, and I will fondly remember the many musicals, plays and Shakespeare productions he has brought to our WMS stage.
The amazing, ever-versatile Kelly (Katherine) Lopez will come to the rescue once again and finish out the school year for Tom as the 6-8 Drama teacher and Musical Director, beginning today. There is not much Ms. Lopez can't do. She holds a B.A. in Theatre from Roger Williams University and a Master's degree in Theater from Trinity Repertory Conservatory. Prior to joining us at Wayland Middle School, Ms. Lopez taught drama classes at Beaver Country Day for fourteen years, and she has directed countless musicals and plays. If your student is planning to participate in the musical,
the schedule has
changed for this week
(see below)
.
Ms. Lopez and Dr. Murray collaborated on our musical back in 2012; I look forward to seeing the musical they bring to the WMS stage this spring.
This obviously creates another very important hole in the front office that we will be looking to fill ASAP. Fortunately, another WMS alumni has agreed to re-emerge for the coming weeks. Ramah Hawley will return to the front office administrative assistant position until the December break. Please join me in Welcoming Ramah back to WMS. It certainly takes a village, and I feel so grateful to the many who pitch in to make things run smoothly in our learning community.
Respectfully,
Betsy Gavron
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WMS Spring Musical Change of Schedule
No Auditions this week!
Due to the personnel change in the Musical Director position, there will be no auditions this week.
There will be announcements towards the end of this week about auditions, so look for emails!
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A Thank You from Ellen Jacobs
It is with great pleasure and true excitement to inform you (drumroll please…) that our school, WMS,
recently completed our goal to fundraise for a library in Vietnam – congratulations!
Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.
Dollar by dollar, our small community accrued over $7k
for Room To Read’s critical and honorable goal: to
create world change by educating children.
What better work could there be?
I am indebted: to Barb Heffner, the Room To Read Boston Chapter Leader, Betsy Gavron, educators and staff, students, families and community members for their role in this effort. This fundraising could not have been possible without the amazing annual Book Swap launch by our English Department, the countless volunteer hours by staff, families, and students by making and selling hair ties and
para-cord
bracelets, baking and selling cookies during Election Days, and other generous contributions.
In addition to those efforts, please accept my deep gratitude again for the most fun and memorable afternoon of
gaming
in my honor. Receiving donations toward work so close to my heart, and which embodies my deep beliefs about education and equity, made the closing of my career all the sweeter.
Witnessing students’ enthusiasm and commitment over the years carefully constructing quality products to sell has been heartwarming, and has enabled those students to be seen in new and beautiful lights. Involving students in community service is always valuable, but this work enabled them to understand how just one dollar may impact change. Change inspires change, and its domino effect--unstoppable.
Watch for updates as we receive progress reports on the construction, as Wayland continues its efforts on behalf of Room To Read.
With profound thanks and gratitude,
Ellen Jacobs
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7th Grade
VISION & HEARING Screening THIS WEEK!
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 THIS WEEK!
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,
by
November 27th.
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**.
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WMS PTO CHARITIBLE GIVING
The Wayland Middle School PTO is starting a holiday gift drive for middle school aged kids living in residential homes of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, a local organization offering support, housing, and education to children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma.
These are kids that are neither with foster families or their own families during the holidays
. Most gifts range between $5-$30, and all are 100% tax-deductible!
All gifts are purchased through this amazon link and will be shipped directly to the residential facility and wrapped for that child.
Please reach out with any questions or feedback.
Many thanks, and happy holidays!
Jenny Harding, Peg Burgess, Barrett Brountas & Colleen Morneweck
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Middle & More Coffee
December 4th, 8:45 AM, WMS Faculty Room
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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.
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Reminders from previous emails
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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.
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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.
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Girls WMS Basketball Try-outs
:
12/4 2:30 - 4:45
12/5 2:30 - 4:45
12/6 1:30 - 3:00
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Volunteers Still Needed for the
Wayland Middle School Calendar Fundraiser
We're looking for volunteers to help count and log donations as they come in each day, from November 27th 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!
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Annual Drive for Coats for Kids!
November 27th - 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!
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Artist: Jessica Ding
Grade: 7
Medium: Acrylic & Watercolor
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ALL GRADES:
11/27 -
SCHOOL RESUMES
11/30
-
WMS/WHS Band Concert,
Wayland High School, 7:30 PM
6th GRAGE:
7th GRADE:
1/29/18
- Cape Cod Parent Night
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