WEDNESDAY WEEKLY
February 16, 2022
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 18 & 21
No School
Pre-registered child care only.

February 20
COVID-19 Test Results Due for Toddlers Attending Child Care on Monday
Email covidresults@wmsde.org with results by 5 p.m. in order for your child to attend child care on February 21.

February 21
COVID-19 Test Results Due for Toddlers Returning to School on Tuesday
Email covidresults@wmsde.org with results by 5 p.m. in order for your child to attend school on February 22

February 22
On-Site COVID-19 Testing for Registered Primary through Middle School Students & Staff

Deadline to submit COVID test results for Primary through Middle School Students who did not register for or complete on-site testing
Email covidresults@wmsde.org with results by noon in order for your child to attend school on February 23

February 23
Virtual Admissions 
Open House
Noon

Full Calendar
Change is in the air.
This time of year, the weather can be quite changeable. This year as the weather warms up and people begin to move outside, the current COVID-19 protocols are also beginning to shift. Governor Carney has lifted the mask mandate for public places as of last Friday and has said that the requirement for K-12 schools will be lifted as of March 31. The intervening time is to be spent determining how to best move forward given each school’s circumstances. 

You know WMS to be a unique environment. The fact that we serve children from 12 months through 14 years of age can make seemingly simple decisions a bit more challenging. Throughout the pandemic, we have been learning from and guiding our decisions using the most current information from CHOP PolicyLab, the CDC and Delaware Division of Public Health. We have made changes along the way and have worked diligently on behalf of all students, families and staff to keep the WMS community as safe as possible. As we consider the options available to us this spring, we will continue to do so by balancing the information from these sources with the requirements of the Office of Child Care Licensing whose standards we must uphold since we serve young children and offer programming outside of the school day (before and after-school care).

You can expect to hear what changes, if any, will take place as the state lifts its mask mandate for K-12 schools at the end of March. In the coming weeks, we will be working behind the scenes to continue to monitor the incidence of COVID-19 in our area and the best recommendations for WMS, with a priority on each part of our community. Once again, we thank you for your support and patient understanding. 
Lisa
Head of School
NEWS & NOTES
Re-enrollment - Don't lose your child's spot at WMS for the 22-23 school year!
This week, we begin to reach out to new families who have applied to WMS to let them know if there is room for their child. These decisions are made based on current students’ re-enrollment.

Of course, as current families you get the first priority. The deadline for re-enrollment was yesterday, February 15. If you intended to re-enroll or have begun the process and were maybe interrupted by other pressing demands, please return to your registration to ensure your child has a space. We want to make sure we have space for your child and can’t guarantee that unless you secure your spot. 

As always, please contact Paula, Markia or the business office with any questions.
Seen on Facebook...

Our middle-school students shared some Valentine's Day love with the residents of Friends Home in Kennett!
COVID-19 Testing Deadlines for the Week of February 21

Sunday, February 20 (for Toddlers signed up for school's out child care on Monday 2/21)
Test results due by 5 p.m. Tests must be completed after noon on Saturday or any time before the deadline on Sunday. Students will not be admitted to child care on Monday, February 21 if results are not submitted on time to covidresults@wmsde.org.

Monday, February 21 (for Toddlers who are returning to school on Tuesday)
Test results due at 5 p.m. Tests must be completed after noon on Sunday or any time before the deadline on Monday.  Students will not be admitted on Tuesday, February 22 if results are not submitted on time to covidresults@wmsde.org.

Tuesday, February 22 (for Primary, Elementary & Middle School students) 
Test on-site through Quidel and submit results when received, or submit off-site test results (taken on or after February 16) to covidresults@wmsde.org by noon in order to attend school on February 23. If you are submitting a screenshot, please include the date taken.

If your child misses testing due to an absence or lateness to school, your child must get tested off-site to attend school on Wednesday. Please plan to arrive on time on testing days - testing begins immediately after drop-off.

Please Note: If your child will not allow Quidel staff to conduct the test on a particular week, you will be called and asked to pick up your child to be tested elsewhere in order to adhere to our testing deadline.

Thank you, and please contact the school nurse if you have any questions!

Off-site testing options:
Policies & Procedures

WMS's COVID-19 policies are based on guidelines from the CDC and State of Delaware Department of Education Office of Child Care Licensing. We continue to monitor those sources for information to adjust our policies and practices as needed.
The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community. 

Please send submissions to wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints. 

For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Advancement & Communications.
WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL
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