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WMS PTA
Newsletter
March 5, 2023
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March 15 - early release (12:05)
March 31- end of 3rd quarter
April 3-10 - Spring Break (Monday 4/10 is a teacher work day)
April 21 - no school for Eid
May 3 - early release (12:05)
May 29 - no school for Memorial Day
Looking ahead:
-8th grade promotion will be June 14th at 8:15 am in the WMS Gym.
View the full calendar for the school year online.
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Important Notice for 8th Grade Families | | | |
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WMS Snack Attack March 15---Donations Needed | |
The WMS PTA is hosting a SNACK ATTACK for 180 teachers and staff on March 15 from 11 – 12:30 pm. We need your help/donations for this much appreciated gesture for the hardworking WMS staff. Please sign up using the link below to donate to the menu or help with the event. Feel free to sign up for one or multiple slots – all donations are appreciated.
All contributions (marked for SNACK ATTACK and in disposable serving trays) need to be dropped off by 10 am in the Staff Lounge the day of the event. Non-perishables may be dropped off the day before. Please reach out to Lee Thompson (703-403-2698, leebthompson@comcast.net) with any questions.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0544ADAA22AB9-wmssnack4
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Updated Gifted Services Information | |
Want to see how our awesome teachers are providing differentiation for your child(ren)? Our Quarterly Differentiation Report is ready for your viewing pleasure! The 2nd quarter report can be found by selecting this link: https://williamsburg.apsva.us/differentiation-reports/ or by visiting our website-> WMS ->select the Teachers/Departments tab -> Gifted Services-> Differentiation Reports.
If you are looking for ideas for your kiddo(s) this summer, you can visit our Summer Camp/ Opportunities website. Almost all camps are currently accepting registrations. This comprehensive list is sure to appeal to your child(ren)’s interests!https://williamsburg.apsva.us/summer-enrichment-opportunities/
Does your child want to look through book recommendations, see what clubs are available at WMS, visit a virtual museum, or read educational tweets from vetted organizations such as NASA? Have them go to our “Student Resources” page on our gifted services website by going to the WMS homepage ->Teachers/Departments->Gifted Services->Student Resources or by using this link:https://williamsburg.apsva.us/student-resources-page/. They can “bookmark” this page on their iPads for easy access in the future.
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Do you have old sneakers at home that you’ve outgrown? Instead of throwing them away — you should DONATE THEM! As part of Williamsburg’s commitment to sustainability, we are now collecting athletic shoes in room 233. Shoes in decent condition will be donated to those in need, while everything else will be recycled. See Mr. Sundwick with any questions. | | | |
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The WMS Best Buddies Club needs your help! From now until March 8th, Best Buddies is collecting “care items” to help those in need. Check-out the posters hanging around the school for a complete list of items that you can donate. Collection bins are located outside of the cafeteria, library, and auditorium. Thanks, buddy! | | | |
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We will have a lunch and learn series with our Substance Abuse Counselor, Ms. Sexton.
The link doesn't work in the flyer so you can use this link.
And remember, if you are in crisis, take action! If someone you care about is in crisis, take action!
You have options:
* Call 9-1-1
*Go to the nearest emergency room at your local hospital
*Call Arlington Emergency Mental Health 703-228-5160
*Go to In Crisis/ Need Help Now? on the APS website for important phone numbers, tips for students and families, and links to emergency information.
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WMS families, we have magnets available for purchase. We are in the process of setting up a store but in the mean time, send me an email at president@wmspta.org to pay and schedule a pick up.
$5 cash or check (for now)
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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 well over that if possible. PS your grade level funds roll over and stick with your grade as well.
8th grade families, our students didn't get a big end of elementary school celebration. If more families don't participate, we won't be able to have a middle school ones as well. Currently only 102 of 267 families have paid. That's only 38%. I encourage you to contribute if you can. Unsure if you've already paid? Please feel to email Melissa Mathews. Did you also see the promotion is scheduled already?!
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 well over that if possible. PS your grade level funds roll over and stick with your grade as well.
http://wmspta.org/pta-membership/
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Help WMS Fill Our Volunteer Needs | |
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.
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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.
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Link Your Harris Teeter Grocery Card | |
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
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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.
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Highlights from Q & A with Dr. Duran | |
Q: Considering bringing back SROs (school resource officers?) in light of recent incidents?
A (Dr. Duran): Decision to remove SROs was done by a working group with community engagement. If the decision were to be revisited, it would not be by me, it would be done by the same working group (~18 mo process). Even though SROs are not in school, still have working relationship with ACPD. Monitoring hallways/bathrooms was never the job of the SROs. Always working to build/develop ACPD role with respect to emergencies.
Q: Are all bus drivers getting trained on how to use narcan?
A (Duran): They all will be trained in the near future, not all trained yet (prioritized training teachers).
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March Celebrations in APS | |
The 2023 Summer School Program will provide in-person strengthening math and language arts support, credit recovery and Extended School Year services for students meeting specific eligibility criteria.
- Eligibility is based on critical needs in literacy, math, or both.
- Eligibility will be communicated during upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences.
- Registration closes May 1 for elementary and June 2 for middle and high school students.
Additional summer learning opportunities for grade-eligible students include New Work for Credit (virtual, fee-based) open to all rising 9th – 12th graders, and Boost Courses (virtual, free) for rising 6th – 12th graders. Learn about programs offered, eligibility and more.
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March Celebrations in APS | |
March is Arts in the Schools Month: I encourage you to take advantage of opportunities to enjoy March concerts, arts festivals, workshops, recitals, poetry readings and plays. A complete list of APS arts events is available in the Arts in the Schools Month brochure. Follow APS on Twitter using #APSMarchisArts.
Women’s History Month: During Women’s History Month, we celebrate famous pioneers and leaders in our community. #APSWomensHistory.
Social Work Week: March 5-11 is Social Work Week, and APS will be thanking our school social workers for their many contributions to student well-being and success. Show them your thanks next week!
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APS Drug Awareness Resources | APS is providing additional resources to raise awareness about opioids and specifically fentanyl, as this epidemic continues to affect youth in Arlington and nationwide. Many students do not realize that fentanyl is often hidden in other substances, and even a small amount, the size of a pencil tip, can cause a fatal overdose. Learn more about how APS is addressing this issue and the steps families can take to help educate students about the dangers of opioids and prevent substance use. | | | |
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The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will host Community Conversations on the Equity Profile Dashboard. The dashboard provides data and transparency related to student opportunity, access, and achievement. The community conversations will include key takeaways Your Voice Matters Survey (YVMS), social-emotional learning (SEL), school climate, and an engaged workforce. The community conversations will also allow the community to provide feedback on the dashboard.
The community conversations will be held virtually on the following dates:
- Wed., March 29, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
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Wed., April 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wed., May 31, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
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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!
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In memory of Sergio Flores, here is an important community message-----Naloxone, or NARCAN, is a safe and effective medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Community members can obtain free Naloxone through the mail by completing an online request form, scheduling a 10-minute training by calling (703) 228-4216, or attending a 1-hour virtual NARCAN training.
Arlington County’s hypothermia shelter is now open through March 2023. If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness and needs emergency shelter, call 703-228-1010
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Have content for a future PTA Newsletter? Send it to Tonya Chiarodo by Friday and it will appear in the following week's newsletter. | | | | |
