Wayland Middle School
Tuesday Morning Minute
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
10/4 - Q1 Progress Reports
10/9 - No School, Yom Kippur
10/14 - No School, Columbus Day
10/28 - Presentation of MetroWest Health Survey Data, 7-8pm
11/11 - No School, Veterans' Day
11/20 - 1/2 Day, 12:20 Release, No Lunch
From the Principal
We hope that everyone enjoyed their long weekend with family and friends, and had the opportunity to relax and reconnect over the  CUB weekend . For those of you who celebrated Rosh Hashanah I wish you a very Happy New Year!  

While on the topic of long weekends, I wanted to take a moment to address an issue arising at the middle school. There are a number of students and families requesting work ahead of time as they are looking to extend their vacations (for non-religious reasons) on either end of a break or take a vacation when school is in session. This is a family choice and not a practice we endorse. That said, I do understand that at times there are a number of factors which might compel families to make that decision. In these cases, teachers  are not  required or expected to provide work ahead of time. Please know that it is often very hard to offer work that is based on class instruction, discussion, etc. and the assignments in the absence of instruction may not make sense. Pulling together work for many students is a very time consuming process. Teachers will do their best to work with kids when they return, but as you can imagine, a help session does not replace a day's worth of missed instruction and collaborative conversation.

Respectfully,
Betsy Gavron
Announcements

Back to School Letter from Direct of Student Services, Richard Whitehead

WMS School Council Election
Candidate Bios and Ballot

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

The following individuals would like to serve as representatives on the WMS School Council from October 2019 to June 2021.  Please show your support by voting for two candidates today. Votes must be submitted by October 10, 2019.

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WMS School Council Parent Representative Candidates

Lisa Goodman
It would be a pleasure to join the WMS School Council as I am concluding my position on School Council at Claypit Hill. Therefore, it feels like a natural progression to transition from elementary to middle school in this type of role. As a parent of two children, Kate (6th grade) and Jamie (5th grade), I am committed to supporting their schools, and the mission statements and School Improvement Plan of the WPS. Last year, I was also member of the SEL parent committee led by Richard Whitehead. Furthermore, I am a school psychologist, thus, well-versed in child development, social emotional learning and the current challenges parents, children and educators experience. To the School Council position, I bring a combination of my professional and personal experiences along with energy and enthusiasm to Wayland Middle School.  

Erin Gibbons
My name is Erin Gibbons and I have lived in town, with my husband and 4 daughters (ages: 12, 8, 5, & 3) for the past 13 years. I work in Framingham as an Attorney with a quick 20 minute commute to work that allows for me to be flexible with my time to a certain extent. I have a vested interest in the town and, specifically, in the school system as I will have children in the WPS for the next 15 years and at the Middle School for the next 9 years. I would love to get involved with the Middle School Council as I have been involved with the Happy Hollow School Council and it has been a great way to work with peers to be a voice of the greater community as a parent representative. It would be a privilege to be able to continue to work with the school(s) and WPS staff to better our childrens' social, emotional and academic well being and growth. I would truly appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve our community and directly impact our childrens' every day learning experience(s) as well as the long term impacts of same.

Tom Feldman
My name is Tom Feldman. My son Charlie started 6th grade this year. He is in Henry and I'd welcome the opportunity to join the Middle School Council. 

My wife Maura and I have lived in Wayland since 2006. Our son Charlie has a younger brother Danny who is in 3rd grade at Claypit. I've been in the energy industry for over 20 years and have run a small but growing hydropower company for the last 5 years. We have really enjoyed our time in Wayland. I would love to contribute to the Middle School. 


CLICK HERE to submit your vote.

PTO News
Parent Checklist

  1. Donate to WMS PTO with Gift Your Child. 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 aspirational 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!  
  3. Register to access our free, all district family directory, Membership Toolkit. You must use the email address the invitation from Wayland PTO Directory was sent.
WMS PTO Gift Your Child Donations in Action:
Profile of the Week - Student Clubs

Every year, your Gift Your Child donations help purchase supplies for Science Olympiad and Rocket Club. We have helped purchase new exercise equipment for AM/PM Wellness, provided materials for the new Calligraphy Club, assorted patterns of duct tape for the MAKER club and cooking tools and supplies for the Chinese Club cooking class. Your donations directly enrich and support after school experiences for our children, thank you! 

Middle and More Coffees (parent seminars)

We are thrilled to release our schedule for the remainder of the calendar year. We work hard to identify compelling topics, expert speakers and insightful content. We hope you will join us! Please note that due to the change in school hours, the time of the MMC varies depending on participation of WMS teaching staff. Mark your calendars! Read more details about our Middle and More Coffees here .

6th Grade Parent Check-in
Cluster Leaders and Betsy Gavron
October 24, 1:15 - 2:15 pm

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We will have a two-part discussion of the 2018 Metrowest Health Survey for WMS only. The first is not a prerequisite for the second. 

> Data Presentation  
Richard Whitehead (Director of Student Services), Jason Vorhooskey (Wayland Cares), Scott Parseghian (K-12 Wellness Director)
October 28, 7 - 8 pm

> Discussion of Key Themes in the 2018 Metrowest Health Survey
Richard Whitehead (Director of Student Services), Jason Vorhooskey (Wayland Cares), Betsy Gavron
November 19, 9 - 10 am

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7th & 8th Parent Grade Check-in
Cluster Leaders and Betsy Gavron
December 6, 1:15 - 2:15 pm
PTO Thanks….
New Family Welcome Coordinator , Meredith Tobe for organizing a lovely breakfast. WMS PTO Board was joined by Trystan O’Leary! 
Artist of the Week
Artist: Zach Thoen
Grade: 7
Medium: Mixed
Reminders from Last Week
2019-2020 Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program
Since 2005, Stop & Shop has awarded more than $18 million to local schools. You can help earn free money for Wayland Middle School with your regular grocery shopping at Stop & Shop! Be sure to register for this academic year! The program runs through March 16, 2019!

You need to register your card each year in order for the school(s) to benefit! To register your Stop & Shop reward card with A+ School Rewards program, go to Register your Stop & Shop card, login to your Stop & Shop account and register via "Rewards and Programs" section under "Savings" option OR you can call consumer service at 1-877-366-2668 and select Option #1. The representative will help you register for your chosen school. You can select up to two schools.  https://stopandshop.com/school-rewards/
School Bus Monitors Needed
The Wayland Public Schools is looking for both morning and afternoon bus monitors.  Please contact Mr. Richard Whitehead at   [email protected]   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 Middle School
Phone: 508.358.3801 Fax: 508.358.3802
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