Wayland Middle School
September Newsletter
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
9/11 - Picture Day
9/11 - 6th Grade Back to School Night
9/18 - 1/2 Day, 12:20 pm Release, No Lunch
9/18 - 7th & 8th Grade Back to School Night
9/30 - No School, Rosh Hashanah
10/9 - No School, Yom Kippur

Note: 1/2 Day Wednesdays (12:20 pm dismissal) on 9/18, 11/20, 11/27, 1/8, 2/26

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS

6th Grade Back-to-School Night
Wednesday, September 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
If your child takes Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Lit Boost or Org Skills, please come at    6:30    to meet with those teachers. Otherwise, the Principal's welcome begins at 6:45 in the theater.

7th & 8th Grade Back-to-School Night
Wednesday, September 18, 6:45 - 9:00 pm ( 9:30 pm for 8th Grade Parents )
There will be a DC trip information session for all 8th grade parents from 9:00 - 9:30 pm.
From the Principal
A new school year is always cause for celebration, but this year feels even more festive, thanks to the funding of teachers’ innovative ideas from the Wayland Public School’s Foundation (WPSF) and WMS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). These parent volunteer organizations have brought WMS educators’ exciting ideas to fruition. Their incredible generosity amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants will positively impact learning this year and beyond.

What's new this year?

New Staffing:
  • Diversity and Equity Coordinator - The Wayland Public Schools Foundation has funded a one-year, half-time position for Caroline Han to help us deepen our equity and inclusion practices. I began working with Caroline over the summer and know she will be an incredible resource, who is committed to supporting teachers. She will be joining us in cluster meetings and visiting classrooms to get to know our staff and consider ways to expand upon our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. Caroline will partner with me to lead our house leader team through an exciting professional read of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond. It is a powerful book chock full of research-based best practices that our administrative council team read together this summer.
  • Math Center - We are thrilled to be adding to our Tier 2 RTI support structures a companion to the Writing Center, which offers students one-to-one writing conferences at any point in the writing process for assignments in any subject. The Wayland Public Schools Foundation has funded a WMS Math Center, which will be open two days a week (Thursdays and Fridays) for on-demand math help for students who may be struggling with homework or preparing to reassess. The Math Center will be staffed by our very own Donna Sumner, who has stepped out of retirement to launch this fabulous resource. I am sure the Math Center will be well-used by students throughout grades 6-8.
  • Meditation Teacher in Residence - The Wayland Public Schools Foundation has also funded an in-residence mindfulness teacher, Gabriel Baldwin, to work directly with interested teachers and students to help build their toolkits of centering strategies. Gabriel had a positive impact on Claypit Hill’s learning community last year, and we welcome his support at the middle school level. Our hope is that teaching shared mindfulness will cultivate more peacefulness, kindness and focus throughout our school community. We are excited for Gabriel to begin his monthly work with us in October.
  • Partnering with the Autism Affiliate - The WPSF has endorsed the proposal for Social Studies Curriculum Leader, Jake Montwieler, to spend 20% of his time partnering with special educators in the autism affiliate to plan and co-teach. This collaboration of regular ed and special ed teachers allows us to share expertise across departments in powerful ways that will better help us meet the range of learning needs in our community.

New Summer Work:
  • Summer Work to Deepen Project Based Learning Efforts - Summer is an ideal time for teachers to come together to reflect, collaborate, and plan without distraction. WPSF funded numerous summer work days for teachers to develop and improve upon both interdisciplinary and subject specific project based units.  

New Resources for Students:
  • Build Your Own Computers - Our WMS PTO has provided funding for build-your-own computer kits that we will be piloting in one sixth grade cluster. Students use computers daily, yet many do not know how they truly work. These computer kits will guide students through the process of building a computer and programming it. While doing so, students will learn the components of a computing machine, build a physical device following visual instructions, study elements of circuitry, work cooperatively to solve problems, and employ various programming concepts. The kit uses a version of the popular game Minecraft as the programming environment to increase engagement and creativity.
  • Sensory Pathway - We plan to engage students in designing and installing a Sensory Pathway (one of five WPSF funded throughout the district), which will meet the needs of students at the middle school level. A ‘Sensory Pathway’ is composed of a series of floor and wall decals that are designed to be used in sequence to provide a sensory or regulation break for students outside the classroom. Students of all ages can build skills while experiencing a movement break that is at once calming and alerting. They are then able to return to the classroom more regulated, focused, and available for learning. 
  • Wellness Center Renewal and Expansion - The Wellness Center has received a makeover, thanks to the combined generosity of the WMS PTO and WPSF. This year we are adding two new treadmills, two new stationary bikes, and two ski ergometers to our Wellness Center space. The equipment will be well-used during AM and PM wellness and also during Wellness in the gym classes.
  • Unique Ukuleles - A set of new ukuleles will replace the well-loved (and well-used) Appalachian dulcimers in our middle school music curriculums. I look forward to hearing these fun, four-stringed instruments in our music classes. I know my own children love sitting around the campfire playing and singing to a ukulele.
  • See the Heat - WPSF funds for this exciting grant have allowed sixth grade science teachers to purchase a class set of thermal imaging cameras for use during the 6th grade Energy unit and other times throughout the year. Students will be able to see the infrared radiation emitted from objects all around them during chemical reactions, (including the radiation they themselves emit). Our 7th and 8th grade will also find logical uses for the cameras in their curriculum.
  • Digital Cameras for 8th Grade Science - The WMS PTO purchased class sets of shockproof/waterproof digital cameras for project-based learning curriculum and STEM lab work.
  • Wayland Middle School Digital and AudioBooks - Thanks to the PTO and the WPSF’s combined efforts we are able to expand our offerings and accessibility of literature for students across a number of devices and throughout many of our programs.
  • Walden Pond Bike Trip Refresher - The WMS PTO has provided funding for new helmets, bicycle parts and supplies making the bike trip accessible to all.
  • Backpacks for School Trips - We have received from the PTO much-needed, new backpacks to replace the old ones. Backpacks allow our trips to go off safely as they store all our necessary medical supplies and documentation. We look forward to using them on our hiking outings, high ropes courses, and geology trips this fall.
On behalf of all grant recipients and the student beneficiaries, we thank the Wayland Public School’s Foundation and the WMS PTO from the bottom of our hearts for providing such amazing learning opportunities. You can learn more about how to get involved with or support WPSF at http://waylandpublicschoolsfoundation.org/ and the WMS PTO at https://waylandpto.org/middle-school-pto/ Here’s to a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!

Respectfully,
Betsy Gavron
Announcements
SMILE! WMS Picture Day
September 11

Picture Day packets will be sent home with students on Monday. All students should bring in a completed form on Wed, Sep 11 with one of three options:
  1. No order. A picture is still needed by WMS for ID purposes. Write “no order” on form.
  2. Click here to order and pay online until 9/13. Use School Code: WAY19. Check off “online payment” on form. 
  3. Order and send completed form with payment on 9/11.
Town Meeting Article Club for 7th & 8th Graders

Last year's Town Meeting Article Club (TOMA for short) scored a win in April when Wayland Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly in favor of their Article 11, a resolution about a Music Festival (read all about it  here). The Club is back. Interested 7th and 8th graders are invited to an informational meeting on Monday 9/9 and again on 9/16, right after school. 
In this new and unusual club, you will:
  • select an issue, challenge or opportunity for the Town
  • craft, propose & defend an Article
  • bring it to the relevant Boards and Committees
  • at the Fall Town Meeting, ask Wayland voters to vote on it
  • learn about government & how the Town is run, law making, activism & empowerment
  • have the opportunity to make real changes in your town & to make daily life better for yourself, your family and neighbors
You can ask their Social Studies Teacher for more information, or contact the Club coordinators:
FALL SOCCER:
7th & 8th Grade Boys and Girls, Tryouts this week. Contact Coach Demers (girls) or Coach Reed (boys) for questions. You must register on www.familyID.com and also pass in an updated physical form (within 13 months) to the school nurse in order to tryout
FALL CROSS COUNTRY:
The Wayland Middle School Cross Country Team wants you! The cross country team is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Please visit the link below for more details.
FALL FIELD HOCKEY:
For 7th and 8th grade girls. Tryouts start this week. Parents or players please contact Coach Woodside ( SWoodside53@hotmail.com ) if you have any questions. You must register on www.familyID.com and also pass in an updated physical form (within 13 months) to the school nurse in order to tryout
Special Exhibit - HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Natick Mall Sept. 10th - 26th
An initiative to help parents spot signs of risky behavior. Hours vary, please check the  FLYER f or daily schedule. Must be 21+  

W AYLAND C ARES   Coalition  Meeting - All are welcome!
9-10:15AM Sept. 17th
WHS, Staff Lounge
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 Betsy Gavron ( Betsy_Gavron@wayland.k12.ma.us) by Friday, September 27th . Thank you in advance for your support!
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News from the WMS Library:

Welcome back! Books are flying off the shelves in the WMS Library and in speaking to students, there is no doubt that they had a wonderful summer full of great books! 

We're looking forward to a great year and to another excellent new cohort of volunteers! Students, parents, guardians, and other family members are welcome as part of out library volunteer team, and are an important part of our learning community.   Please see the WMS library website for more information and a sign up form .  Students can also stop by our library or the upcoming Club Fair to sign up. 

WMS is excited to join the Massachusetts Library System Commonwealth eBook (and audiobook!) Collaborative! Students and faculty now have access to a preselected, grade appropriate selection of ebooks and audiobooks. The collection can be accessed when a student is logged into their WPS google account via  soraapp.com  or through the  Sora app . The app's vendor is Overdrive, which will be familiar to those who use the Overdrive collection at your public library.

Demos were provided to a number of students at the end of the year, and will resume this week. Further tutorials and more information are available  on the WMS library website . Many thanks to the WPSF for funding our initial membership and for providing seed money to purchase copies of books read in ELA class and book groups that aren’t provided by the Collaborative but are available from Overdrive. 
PTO News
President’s Welcome
Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! We are especially excited to welcome families new to Wayland and our incoming 6th grade class to the WMS community. 

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. WMS PTO:
  • supports our students’ academic and extra-curricular learning 
  • partners with and shows appreciation for our WMS Staff
  • builds community and provides resources to parents through Middle and More Coffee seminars

We have two action items for you on our Parent Checklist:
  1. Donate to WMS PTO with Gift Your Child. Our funding comes from our parent community via our Gift Your Child fundraiser. Donations support our students, staff and community, including enhancing classroom libraries, programs in STEM and the arts, student clubs, inclusive classrooms, cultural enrichment, staff appreciation and parent seminars. Our goal is to have 100% of the community participate in supporting our children’s learning, at whatever level is meaningful to you. Donate today!
  2. Join the WMS PTO Closed Facebook Group. We will include weekly updates in the Monday Morning Minute, but further details, photos and videos are shared on Facebook. Stay in the loop!  

We look forward to a fabulous year together!  Click here to visit the WMS PTO Website for more!

Sejal T. Srinivasan
WMS PTO Gift Your Child Donations in Action:
Profile of the Week - Cultural Enrichment

About 20% of WMS PTO’s budget is used to deliver unique cultural enrichment programming to our children, with talented artists sourced locally and from afar. Through performing arts, our students learn about the world, its varied culture and celebrate its diversity.  

Prior programming has included Russian dance, Tuvan Throat Singing from Siberia, improv comedy, taiko (Japanese drumming)
Calling 6th Grade Parents!
6th Grade Back to School Night Dinner
September 11

We are organizing a dinner for the staff before the 6th Grade Back-to-School Night. We still need some food items and setup/cleanup help. Sign up here for the 6th Grade Back To School Night Dinner .
Calling 7th and 8th Grade Parents!
7th/8th Grade Back to School Night Dinner
September 18

We are organizing a dinner for the staff before the 7th/8th Grade Back-to-School Night. Dinner is a great way to thank the staff for spending their time with parents on this evening and ensuring their bellies are full!
 
We need volunteers to help and donations of food items and paper goods.  Sign up here for the 7th/8th Grade Back to School Night Dinner .
New to Wayland?
PTO New Family Welcome Breakfast
September 25, 9 - 10 am
WMS Staff Lounge

Are you new to Wayland? Welcome to our middle school community! The PTO looks forward to getting to know you. We hope to meet you at our breakfast, or be sure to stop by our table at the Back to School Nights.

Additionally, there are a number of resources on the WMS PTO Website , including a document, Pointers for Families New to Wayland which contains school and town information. 

Please contact Meredith Tobe, our New Family Welcome Coordinator, with any questions.  meredith.tobe@gmail.com
PTO Thanks….

Our Landscaping Team for the "back to Fall" landscape bed and gorgeous planters at our front doors!
Graphic Design / Marketing Special Project Team . Our WMS PTO President worked with Daria Greeley (new to WMS this year!) and Shirra Baston (Claypit), to develop brand logos for Wayland PTO, each of the five school PTOs, as well as Gift Your Child . Additionally, Carolina Kotzampaltiris designed a Staff Appreciation Featured Event poster board for us. We appreciate your creativity, time and effort!
Artist of the Week
Sydney Upham
Grade: 7
Title: "Good on Toast"
Medium: Ceramic & Acrylic
Reminders from Last Week
2019-2020 Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program
Registration is now open for the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards Program.  A+ School Rewards are points that supporters earn with each purchase made using their Stop & Shop Card. At the end of each month, the points earned are used in a calculation to determine our school's cash total, which is then automatically credited to Wayland High School's account. Customers can support up to two schools to benefit from their A+ School Rewards that accrue.

If you have not registered your Stop & Shop card, you may do so by clicking this link:  https://stopandshop.com/school-rewards .  If you have already registered your card in the past, you do not need to re-register. 
School Bus Monitors Needed
The Wayland Public Schools is looking for both morning and afternoon bus monitors.  Please contact Mr. Richard Whitehead at   Richard_Whitehead@wayland.k12.ma.us   if you are interested.

Claypit Hill
  • Afternoon Only Monday - Friday (one position) Approximate hours 2:15 pm -3:00 pm/Wednesday 1:00 pm -1:30 pm
Wayland Middle School
  • Morning & Afternoon Monday - Friday (two positions) Approximate hours 7:40 am - 8:30 am/3:00 pm -3:45 pm/Wednesday 2:15 pm -3:00 pm 
  • Afternoon Only (one position) Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Approximate hours 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Wayland Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council has an important voice to add to the school district’s dialogue and decision-making in regards to special education. Parents have a unique perspective that is based on their own experiences. Working collaboratively with the Office of Student Services, the SEPAC has a positive impact on matters that pertain to special education within the Wayland Public Schools. In partnering with the school district, the SEPAC can help create a more responsive school environment and positive outcomes for families. Meaningful dialogue and progress is borne out of good communication between the officers of the SEPAC, parents and school administrators. 

If you are you interested in helping to develop and organizing the Wayland Public Schools SEPAC please call the Office of Student Services at 508-358-3756.

For more information on the role of SEPACs, see: 
Wayland Middle School
Phone: 508.358.3801 Fax: 508.358.3802
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