WMS PTA Newsletter

WMS PTA

Newsletter

November 20, 2022

Enjoy your short week of school! Wishing you a nice holiday!

IMPORTANT INFO

Main Phone Line: 703-228-5450

Attendance Line: 703-228-5444

TECH SUPPORT

For technical support, call the Family Technology Call Center at 703-228-2570, Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday from 7 am - 6 pm

Parent tech help can also be found at

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/technology/tech-help/tech-help-parents/

Parentvue Access

https://va-arl-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx

WMS News

PTA Membership and Activity Fee Reminder

Activity fees are what fund the fun events at WMS. If you haven’t already, please consider donating today and joining the PTA. We are below 40% participation and would love to go over 50% by the end of 2022.

http://wmspta.org/pta-membership/

You can also donate via the No Frills Fundraiser too.

Gifted Services Information

Our Quarterly Differentiation Report is ready for your viewing pleasure! Check out the wonderful ways teachers are meeting the needs of our learners! The report and a letter explaining the report can be accessed by using this link:https://williamsburg.apsva.us/differentiation-reports/ or by visiting our website-> WMS ->select the Teachers/Departments tab -> Gifted Services-> Differentiation Reports.

Did you miss The Virtual High School Information Night? No worries! You can watch a recording of this event to see an overview of APS high schools, school options, application deadlines and procedures, school-based information session, available student resources and more. Select this link to learn more about this opportunity. You can find more information regarding high school options and information sessions for each school by selecting this link to our High School Options page on our gifted services website.

Student Services Newsletter

The first edition of the student services newsletter is available now.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFMTDQrwpI/vW0ccKOgL4JNVld-Eewyjw/view?utm_content=DAFMTDQrwpI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

High School Information for 8th Grade Families

Arlington Tech

December 12th @ 7pm

In-Person Tour & Information Night

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0s0yX52Zc4enzPmv3ZSXweWfxL0ily958rfnOgqbvLPVJlg/viewform

January 12th @ 7pm

Virtual Information Night

English: https://bit.ly/ATInfoJan2023

APPLICATION ON THE MAIN WEBPAGE:

https://careercenter.apsva.us/arlington-tech/

Information Sessions for Yorktown, Wakefield, Washington – Liberty and H-B Woodlawn:

https://www.apsva.us/school-options/high-school-choices/high-school-information-sessions/

High School Options and Schools

https://www.apsva.us/school-options/high-school-choices/high-school-countywide/

APPLICATION WINDOW FOR TRANSFER OPTIONS: Nov. 7, 2022 and Jan. 13, 2023 by 4 p.m

Volunteers Needed-Please Help!

HIGH NEED - ACTL Rep - This committee meets monthly at Syphax Center from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (IN PERSON). Secondary schools are allowed two representatives. Job Duties - attend meetings and report out to monthly PTA membership meetings.

Back to School Teacher Breakfast - Needed for August 2023 - Solicit volunteers, donations, and purchases for back to school teacher breakfast. Drop items off at school and set up breakfast.

PALS Day Coordinator - Needed for August 2023 - Solicit volunteers, donations, and purchases of doughnuts and water for PALS Day. Drop off items at school and man the doughnut table with additional volunteers.

Schools Supplies Coordinator - Late Spring 2023/Late Summer 2023 - Work with vendor to order supplies, once delivered, solicit volunteers to open boxes, and deliver to correct classrooms before PALS day in August.

PTA Reflections Art Contest Chair - August/September/October 2023 - Solicit artwork from students, collect from school, find judges, award students, deliver artwork to county contest. This is a concentrated effort in August to announce the contest and find judges before the county contest due date. Note we were unable to participate this year due to no volunteers.

Pre-order Your WMS Yearbook Now!

Get a jump on the year and pre-order your 2022-2023 WMS yearbook. Information on how to order can be found in here.

PS this is the best way to stop those weekly emails reminding you to order. ;)

Link Your Harris Teeter Grocery Card and Raise Money for WMS PTA!

Don't forget to link your grocery card numbers! Harris Teeter requires re-linking with your school each year. Our linked numbers are low so you may not have re-linked your cards for this year. It's easy and a great way for WMS to earn extra money. Learn how below:

Harris Teeter - VIC Card Shoppers:

Go to Harris Teeter's Together in Education website and sign into your HT account. Click on "Link Your School Today." Then enter the Williamsburg Middle School ID: 4926.

Don't have your VIC card number? Call 800-432-6111

Choose WMS PTA in AmazonSmile & Help Us Earn Money!

AmazonSmile is operated by Amazon and benefits non-profits like our WMS PTA. If you make purchases through AmazonSmile (vs. regular Amazon), Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to WMS PTA. Click here for instructions on how to set that up on your mobile app, mobile web browser or desktop computer.

WMS Box Tops Program - Now An Easy-to-Use App!

The Box Tops for Education program is now mobile. This makes it so much easier for families to increase our school earnings. WMS has earned over $12K from Box Tops, funding much-needed programs within our school. Please click here for more information on how to download the app and start sending Box Tops dollars to WMS.

APS News

November is National Native American Heirtage Month

November is National American Indian Heritage Month. APS recognizes the contributions and cultures of the Indigenous peoples across the North American continent, including those right here in Virginia. Learn more about National American Indian Heritage Month and check out these books recommended by the Arlington Public Library from Native American Voices.

Health Reminder

The weather is getting colder, and many schools are experiencing an uptick in students coming to school sick. Please keep your student(s) at home if they are experiencing signs of illness. There is a new swab that will test for three illnesses at once (COVID, Flu, and RSV). Here is a flyer with more information.

Virginia Department of Health: This year’s flu season is already showing concerning, early signs that it may be worse than in recent years: Everyone aged 6 months and older are encouraged to get a flu vaccine this fall.

Academic Help Online at No Cost!

NEW Academic Support for Middle and High School Students: the new academic support available for secondary students called PAPER. PAPER provides 24/7 on-demand virtual tutors available to students for assistance with homework, essay review and other academic support in multiple subjects and languages. Teachers have been promoting this service directly to students. Details online. It is a great resource!

Free COVID Testing Resumes

COVID Testing Continues—Opt In Now: Our in-school weekly COVID testing program is available to all students. This testing helps with early detection of positive COVID cases at school, and is available to returning and new students whose parents/guardians either reaffirm their initial consent or complete a new consent form online. Complete information and opt in forms are online. View the updated COVID-19 Protocols and FAQ online.

Community News

Looking for a fun way to make a difference, Wolves? December 4, 2022, Williamsburg's Tucker Wright is co-promoting a fundraising event at Bowl America in Falls Church from 1-4 pm! Sign up for an hour of bowling - six people per team registration, and it includes a couple of pizzas and a pitcher of soda, plus the shoe rental and the lane usage! All funds raised will go directly to Homestretch, a Falls Church-based organization dedicated to supporting families through homelessness into financial independence! You can learn more about Homestretch at www.homestretchva.org. You can sign up to sponsor a lane or register a team to play at https://bit.ly/StrikeOutHomelessness.

Prepare for leaf collection starting November 14! Find out how and when leaf vacuum trucks will be in your neighborhood and make sure to pick up your free paper yard waste bags at one of six locations throughout the County.

Help spread joy this holiday season during the 8th Annual Fill the Cruiser Toy Drive. Starting November 4, Arlington County Police Department will be accepting donated, new and unwrapped toys to ensure the holidays are bright for some of our most vulnerable community members.

The Arlington County Public Health Division’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic, originally opened nearly two years ago, will permanently close on Dec. 17, 2022. Due to the decreased demand at the County’s clinic, with vaccines now widely available in the community through pharmacies, urgent care centers, and medical providers. Appointments and walk-ins are available for primary series and eligible boosters for everyone ages 6 months and older until Dec. 17. Now is the best time to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccination for increased protection from severe illness, before spending more time indoors and in crowds during the holiday season.

PTA Executive Board

President: Heather Selig

VP External: Allison Glatfelter

VP Internal: Cristina Pereira

VP Communications: Tonya Chiarodo

VP Administration: Bryan Boykin

Secretary: Rena Cutlip-Mason

Treasurer: Melissa Mathews

Webmaster: Liz Crescioli

Have content for a future PTA Newsletter? Send it to Tonya Chiarodo by Friday and it will appear in the following week's newsletter.

Williamsburg Middle School PTA | wmspta.org