WMS Wednesday Weekly - September 22, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY

September 22, 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 29

Virtual Admissions Open House

Noon

Tell a friend!

Deadline to Submit COVID Test Results (Test on or after September 22)

Results must be sent to nurse@wmsde.org by noon for your child to attend school on September 30.

October 6

Virtual Admissions Open House

5 p.m.

Tell a friend!

Virtual STEAM Night (for Toddler/Primary families)

6:30 p.m.

Zoom (Use our standard WMS password, available on Bloomz)

Details below!

October 8 & 11

Parent Conferences - No school

Pre-registered child care available - register by 10/1 - space is limited.

Teachers will post conference sign-ups via Bloomz.

Full Calendar

Disappointment and Resilience

During the past two weeks, families have had the opportunity to observe in their children’s classrooms. This wasn’t done in the way we have in the past, by setting up some chairs and asking families to join us in person. Instead, Paula Sharpe, our Director of Enrollment Management, brought us into each classroom through Zoom, showing us children at work. Though we all would have preferred in-person observations, this was certainly the next best thing.

As COVID-19 has continued to impact our lives, we have all had to make adjustments. We’ve shifted the way we do things at home, when and how we go out to run errands, enjoy a meal with family or friends, plan a vacation or go to an event where there may be a large crowd.

One of the things COVID has taught us is how to live with disappointments. We may not be able to visit classrooms or friends in the ways or as freely as we have in the past, but we have adapted. Is it disappointing? Yes, and we’ve made the adjustments necessary to go about life and do the things that are important to us in different ways.

Though we may be disappointed and at times frustrated by the adjustments we’ve had to make, we’ve learned a great deal through these experiences. We’ve learned to support and help each other, to be resilient in the face of adversity, and to try new ways to do things that we’ve always done another way.

As we move through these unusual times, children are watching us. They are noticing how we face the challenges that occur in our lives. They are learning how we face adversity, disappointment and frustration. We can all agree that we didn’t want to have to teach our children about this through the lens of a pandemic. But, they are learning so much that will serve them throughout their lives.

We have the collective responsibility to teach our children that life doesn’t always go the way we’d like it to, but we can carry on and do our best to enjoy it nonetheless. We’re building the muscles for resilience in the face of adversity and helping those watching us to learn how to do this as they face future struggles.

Lisa A. Lalama

Head of School

NEWS & NOTES

Weekly Reminders

Parent Conferences (October 8 & 11) - We are looking forward to meeting with you! There will be no school on these days, but pre-registered child care will be available. Space for child care is limited - please sign up by October 1 to secure your child's spot. (Email extendedday@wmsde.org with any child-care questions.)

Late Drop-offs - Please do your best to arrive on time for school. This will allow your child to smoothly transition into the school day with their peers and help ensure that staff is available to screen your child. If you arrive late, please remain in your vehicle (do not come to the front door) and call 302-475-0555. A staff member will come screen your child as soon as possible.

Early Pick-ups - If you need to pick your child up from school early, please notify your child's teachers by email the day before. If a last-minute change occurs and you need to pick your child up early without advance notice, please call the school at 302-475-0555 and a message will be relayed to your child's classroom. (Teachers do not always check Bloomz/email message during the school day.)

Late Pick-ups - If you are unable to pick up your child within 15 minutes of their assigned pick-up time (see below), your child will be brought to after-care, and you will be charged for drop-in child care. To arrange child care in advance, email extendedday@wmsde.org.

Toddler & Primary Full-Day - 3:15 p.m.
Elementary - 3 p.m.
Middle School - Side Door - 3:15 p.m.

Virtual STEAM Night for Early Childhood Students - Wednesday, October 6

Our popular virtual STEAM nights for early childhood students are back! Join STEAM Education Coordinator Paula Sharpe and Instructional Support Teacher Trish Harkins on Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. to learn about British sculptor, photographer and environmentalist Andy Goldsworthy. Andy is a land artist who uses science, math and engineering in his sculptures. Paula will read a story to the children about his work, and Trish will create some land art. You and your children will learn how to create land art at home and share your artwork with us!

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/979676568

Zoom Meeting ID: 979 676 568

(Use our standard WMS password, available on Bloomz)

Questions? Email Paula or Trish for more information!

COVID-19 Testing: Next Results Due on Wednesday, September 29

WMS requires ongoing testing for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. We are currently requiring testing every other week.

All students and staff must submit their negative COVID-19 test results (from a test taken on or after today, Wednesday, 9/22) by noon on Wednesday, September 29. Results should be emailed to nurse@wmsde.org as soon as they become available. If you are sending a screenshot, please include the date tested.

Due to high volume, some testing locations are taking three or more days to process results. Please plan to test early in the testing window. We highly recommend that you complete your test by the weekend to ensure your results will be on time.

Important: All tests must be conducted on-site at a testing location - no at-home test results will be accepted. Please understand that if no results are forwarded to the nurse, your child will not be permitted to attend school on Thursday, September 30. If your results are forwarded after noon on the due date, you may experience a delay in drop-off the next morning. A last-minute result may delay or prevent your child from attending school; time must be allowed for communication to the staff members conducting screenings in the car line.

Upcoming Due Dates:

Wednesday, September 29 (Test on or after 9/22)

Wednesday, October 13 (Test on or after 10/6)

We are still awaiting further information about hosting onsite COVID testing. We will share details about this as soon as it is available.

As always, you are still welcome to have your child tested more frequently and may forward the results to nurse@wmsde.org.

Click here to find Delaware Curative testing locations near WMS.

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

Full list of test sites: coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing-events

More Information about WMS COVID-19 Testing Requirements

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.