WEDNESDAY WEEKLY

October 26, 2022

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 27

Halloween Celebrations -

Primary, Elementary & Middle School Parade

9:30 a.m. near the WMS soccer field


Toddler Rainbow Parties

See Bloomz for details.


November 1

2022-23 Financial Aid Application Opens

Application will be available online at www.wmsde.org/financialaid.


November 2

Virtual Admissions Open House 

Noon on Zoom

Tell a friend!


November 2

School Picture Retakes/Make-up Photos

Note the change in date!

(11/3 Rain Date)

Photo proofs have been shared on Bloomz! All students who were absent on our picture days will be automatically signed up for make-up photos. Please email Markia if you would like to sign up for a retake for your child!


November 4

Lead Teacher Professional Day 

No school. A limited number of spaces in pre-registered child-care are available. Register by this Friday, October 28.


Full Calendar

Next Steps


Halloween is on the horizon. Families are busy trying to make last-minute costume preparations, stock up on treats and make plans for trick or treating. Did you know it is also the time of the year when many families begin considering their child’s next school year? 


At WMS, we are offering opportunities to look ahead and learn more about your child’s next program level. This is particularly important for children who are moving to new levels - Toddlers moving to the Primary Program, second-year Primary students progressing to their Kindergarten year, Kindergartners moving up to the Lower Elementary level, third-graders moving to the 9-12 program and sixth-graders moving to middle school. It’s a lot of change, and we know you have questions. This year, we are offering virtual Lunch and Learn experiences for most programs and an opportunity to spend some time in the middle school experience, which is guaranteed to be quite different from your own!


If your child is at a transition point, please check the calendar and plan to join us. And if you like to plan ahead, you are welcome to join even if your child’s transition isn’t coming up for another year or so. We look forward to sharing the next steps in the Montessori journey with you.

Lisa
Head of School

Virtual Lunch & Learn Schedule

  • Rising first- and fourth-grade Lunch & Learns were held today - please contact admissions@wmsde.org to schedule a time to learn about this programs if you weren't able to attend.
  • Rising Kindergarten Lunch & Learn - 11/9 at Noon - Register Here
  • Rising Primary Lunch & Learn - 11/16 at Noon - Register Here


Middle School Experience - Tuesday, 11/8 at 5 p.m. & Thursday, 11/10 at 9 a.m.

  • All 9-12 families will be invited to experience the difference between a Montessori middle school classroom and a traditional middle school program. Details and invitation coming soon! 

NEWS & NOTES

Phillies Phriday!


Does your family root, root, root for the home team?


Wear your Phillies red to school this Friday to celebrate the Phillies' World Series run! 


#RingTheBell

Fall/Winter Seasonal Illness Reminders


While we are all very excited to finally have a school year that is the most “normal” we have seen in a couple of years, it is important to remember that there are still precautions we should take to keep our children and families healthy.


Although we are all still aware of COVID-19, we also need to take precautions for other winter viruses and colds. Both locally and nationally, there has been a surge of viruses such as respiratory colds, croup (which causes a severe cough described as a barking in nature), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), as well as an early start to the Influenza season. As we get into late fall and winter months, here are a few reminders to help everyone in the WMS community stay as healthy as possible.


Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and the flu begin), it is wise to observe your them at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not to bring them to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.


Consider keeping your child at home if they display any of the following symptoms: 

  • Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
  • Headache
  • Mild stomach ache
  • Mildly stuffy or runny nose and/or cough


Definitely keep your child at home if they have any of these symptoms:

  • Fever which is a temperature greater than 100.4° F. (Your child may return to school only after he or she has been fever-free for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)
  • Vomiting, diarrhea
  • Chills, weakness or muscle aches
  • Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough or nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
  • Any newly developed respiratory changes, such as wheezing 
  • Lethargic or uncharacteristically fussy


To help prevent respiratory illnesses, teach your children good hygiene habits:

  • Wash hands frequently using proper technique - placing hands under running water, dispensing liquid soap and rubbing hands and wrists together for at least 20 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday” twice) before thoroughly drying with a paper towel, then use the paper towel to turn off the water. REMEMBER: “FROG” - Friction Rubs Out Germs  
  • Discourage touching of eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing with a paper tissue or use your inner elbow rather than hands. Immediately after, wash hands with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not readily available.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.


Other ways to help keep your child healthy:

  • Getting enough sleep
  • Staying hydrated
  • Switch old toothbrushes out for new ones after any illness
  • Eating nutritious, immune boosting foods
  • If you like, you may send your child to school with a mask if the child is over 2 years of age and can reliably wear one without teacher reminders. This is not a requirement. 


If your child displays flu-like symptoms, please consult with your health-care provider. The provider may recommend diagnostics or antivirals to help hasten recovery and prevent worsening of the illness.


Please note that if your child is brought to my office with a wheeze or breathing difficulties that have not been previously diagnosed and we do not have a rescue inhaler here for them, they will be sent home and need to be evaluated by their pediatrician. 


If you observe any serious or life-threatening symptoms, such as trouble breathing, bluish skin color, fever with a rash, dizziness, or severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea, seek immediate medical care.


Thank you in advance for helping make this year at school as healthy as possible. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Nurse Marissa with any questions at marissa_fortner@wmsde.org

Halloween Information


Primary, Elementary & Middle School

The WMS Halloween Parade is returning this year! The parade, for students in Primary, Elementary and Middle School classrooms, will take place this Thursday at 9:30 a.m. near the soccer field. Families are invited! The parade will also be broadcast on the WMS Facebook page!


Children should be dropped off in car line that day already wearing their classrooms. Please see Bloomz for classroom-specific information about celebrations after the parade.


As you and your child plan their costume, please take into account the following school guidelines:

  • No weapons of any kind are allowed to be part of a costume.
  • Costumes may not depict blood, guts or gore. 
  • Costumes may not depict stereotypes of any group or culture. 
  • Because our youngest students will be in school that day, costumes must not be frightening to small children.
  • Hair color and makeup should be applied at home and not be brought to school.
  • Students should arrive at school in costume.


If you have any questions about appropriate costume choices, please let your child's teacher know. Your child will change out of their costume after the parade, so please send in a complete set of clothes for them to wear for the remainder of the school day.


Toddler

Instead of dressing up in costumes for Halloween, the Toddler classrooms will be hosting a "Rainbow Day." Students are encouraged to dress in their class colors and each room will serve a rainbow-themed snack.

 

The class colors are as follows:

Room 3: Green

Room 4: Orange

Room 5: Yellow

Room 6: Red

Room 8: Blue


The classes will get together to take rainbow photos! Check Bloomz for updates!

CO-OP CORNER

Don't forget to submit your hours!


As we approach the end of our second month of school, we hope you are finding fulfilling opportunities to connect with our school community through the Co-op Program. Please continue to submit your hours using this form.


If you made purchases for a classroom teacher that you plan to claim for co-op hours, please save your receipts and submit them to co-op@wmsde.org.


As always, if you have suggestions regarding how you would like to support your child's classroom through Co-op, please reach out to your child's teacher.

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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.

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