WEDNESDAY WEEKLY
September 8, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 9
Toddler Back-to-School Curriculum Night
6-6:45 p.m., Zoom (link will be shared by classroom teacher on Bloomz)

Primary (3-6) Back-to-School Curriculum Night
7-7:45 p.m., Zoom (link will be shared by classroom teacher on Bloomz)


September 13
COVID-19 Test Results Due for Students & Staff
Noon - Email nurse@wmsde.org


September 14
Zoom Classroom Visits
Join Paula for a virtual tour of your child's classroom, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Room 3 - 9 a.m.
Room 4 - 9:30 a.m.
Room 20 - 10 a.m.
(Zoom links will be shared by teachers on Bloomz)

Lower Elementary (6-9) Back-to-School Curriculum Night
6-6:45 p.m., Zoom (link will be shared by classroom teacher on Bloomz)

Middle School Back-to-School Curriculum Night
6-6:45 p.m., Zoom (link will be shared by classroom teacher on Bloomz)

Upper Elementary (9-12) Back-to-School Curriculum Night
7-7:45 p.m., Zoom (link will be shared by classroom teacher on Bloomz)


September 15
Zoom Classroom Visits
Join Paula for a virtual tour of your child's classroom, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Room 5 - 9 a.m.
Room 19 - 9:30 a.m.
Room 17 - 10 a.m.
(Zoom links will be shared by teachers on Bloomz)


September 16
Zoom Classroom Visits
Join Paula for a virtual tour of your child's classroom, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Room 18- 9 a.m.
Room 22/24 - 9:30 a.m.
(Zoom links will be shared by teachers on Bloomz)
What is school for?

This year, that question is more important than ever.

School today is not the same as it was when we were children. Throughout the world, many students returned to school this fall who did not attend in person last year or have never been to school at all. It takes some time for children, families and teachers to adapt to new routines each year, and as we continue to navigate through a global pandemic this year, this process will take a bit more time, patience and understanding on everyone’s part. 

If your child is new to a school experience or new to WMS, know that we (the staff, along with your child's older classmates) are working to help them understand how school works. They are learning who their teachers and classmates are and what to expect from them, as well as gaining an understanding of the schedule and rules of the classroom, playground and halls. 

Although these processes and procedures remain necessary for classrooms and schools to function, Maria Montessori taught us that the true purpose of school is to unleash each child’s potential to learn, grow and become a meaningful member of our global community. The routines that are established, the lessons that are taught, and the conversations that take place all support the development of the person a child is becoming. The schools of our past were focused on teaching us how to exist in school, but not necessarily how to learn. The experience at WMS honors the past and contributions of those who came before us, paves the path for the present and sets the table for the future - their future and the future of our world.

As we settle into the 2021-22 school year, we are helping your children explore their world and consider their future. The blocks they build with today may lead the way to building ideas for future generations.

As you participate in your children’s Back-to-School Curriculum Night this week and next (see our calendar and Bloomz for information), we know you’ll enjoy learning more about what your children are doing today while getting a glimpse into Dr. Montessori’s larger vision of what education can be. We look forward to sharing the wonder of Montessori education with you throughout the year. 
Lisa
Head of School
NEWS & NOTES
School Drop-off & Pick-up Reminders

Thank you for helping our car lines run safely and smoothly!

Reminders:

  • Drop-off: Please be on time for drop-off in the mornings. By arriving on time, you are helping your child make a smoother transition into the school day - it can be a bit unsettling for a child to arrive after their classmates have begun work or morning meeting. The drop-off schedule can be found below:
  • Extended Day before-care for Primary, Elementary and Middle School - Great Room Door - 7-8:40 a.m.
  • Toddlers (including before-care) - Toddler Playground - 7-9 a.m.
  • Primary (ages 3-6) - Front Door (Main Entrance) - 8:30-8:45 a.m.
  • Elementary (grades 1-6) - Side Door - 8:20-8:35 a.m.*
  • Middle School (grades 7 & 8) - Side Door - 7:50-8:05 a.m.*
  • Before-School Child Care: If you are arriving during the Extended Day times listed above, your child will need to attend before-care (drop-off at the Great Room for Primary and older). If you would like to add before-care to your child's schedule, please email extendedday@wmsde.org to register.
  • Medication Drop-off: If you are dropping off a new medication for your child, please submit a Medication Request form with it. You can ask your teacher to send one home with your child or request a copy at car line. For more information, email nurse@wmsde.org.
  • Pick-up: Please arrive on time for pick up - if you have not picked up your child within 15 minutes of their listed pick-up time, your child will be sent to after-care and you will be billed for drop-in child-care. If you need after-care, please email extendday@wmsde.org to register in advance. Daily pick-up schedule:
  • Toddler Half-Day - Front Door (Main Entrance) - Noon
  • Toddler Half-Day with Lunch Bunch - Front Door (Main Entrance) - 12:40 p.m.
  • Toddler Full-Day - Toddler Playground - 3:15 p.m.
  • Toddler Extended Day After-Care* - Toddler Playground - Until 6 p.m.  
  • Primary Half-Day - Front Door (Main Entrance) - Noon
  • Primary Half-Day with Lunch Bunch - Front Door (Main Entrance) - 12:40 p.m.
  • Primary Full-Day - Front Door (Main Entrance) - 3:15 p.m.
  • Elementary - Side Door - 3 p.m.
  • Middle School - Side Door - 3:15 p.m.
  • Primary/Elementary/Middle School Extended Day After-Care - Great Room Door - Until 6 p.m.
#WMSBacktoSchool Photo Contest - 2021
Thank you for sharing all of your #WMSbacktoschool photos! This year's randomly selected winners are the Pachowka and Thompson families! Noel will be in touch soon about the WMS swag you have won! Watch the Wednesday Weekly for more photo challenges throughout the year!
COVID-19 Testing: Next Results Due on Monday, September 13

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 September 6) by noon on Monday, September 13. 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. Processing the results takes time, so do not be alarmed if you don't receive an acknowledgement message from Nurse Mariah immediately. You can rest assured that your child will be admitted to school on the 14th if your results are submitted on time.

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.

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 Tuesday, September 14. 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:
Monday, September 13 (Test on or after 9/6)
Wednesday, September 29 (Test on or after 9/22)

We are 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

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.
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