|
|
|
Williamsburg Middle School PTA Newsletter
September 2, 2024
| | |
From the Williamsburg Middle School PTA
Greetings Williamsburg Families,
I hope everyone had a great first week of school and a lovely holiday weekend!
Next Monday 9/9, we will have our first restaurant fundraiser with Pie-tanza, located in the Lee-Harrison shopping plaza. Pie-tanza will donate 15% of their sales when you mention "WMS PTA Fundraiser" to your server or cashier.
We'd also like to announce our first PTA general meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 9/24 at 6:30 p.m. and it will be held in the WMS Library. This meeting is open for everyone to attend; Mr. Boykin, WMS Principal will present "Your Voice Matters" survey results and school action plan.
As always, please feel free to contact me at president@wmspta.org.
Jill Gaspar
| |
|
6th and 7th Grade Parents!
Hello Parents!
We are seeking 6th and 7th Grade Parents volunteers for our Graduation Hospitality Committee.
This is a one time volunteer event and can be shared with other parent volunteers. The 2-3 person committee will organize and manage a sign up to arrange for food donations, and volunteers to provide light refreshments outside the main entrance following the 8th grade promotion ceremony.
-8th Grade Activity Committee, Kelly, Leigh, Melanie and Courtney
If interested, please email 8thactivities@wmspta.org.
| |
|
WMS PTA Volunteer Open Positions
- 6th Grade Parent Activity Coordinator(s)
- Fundraising Coordinator(s)
- CCPTA Liaison
- Teacher Appreciation Week Co-Chair(s)
- Book Fair Coordinator
- Science Fair Coordinator
- Website Administrator
- Volunteer Coordinator
If you would like to volunteer please email president@wmspta.org.
| |
|
|
National PTA's Reflections
Start creating your Reflections entry in response to the 2024-2025 program theme, Accepting Imperfection! Think about what the theme means to you and respond - Draw or paint a picture, take a photo, make music, make a movie, create a dance, write a story or poem – the choice is yours! Visit https://wmspta.org/national-pta-reflections/ and get started today!
Students of all grades and abilities are encouraged to participate and submit entries and student entry forms online by Friday, November 22, 2024.
Quick Links
Questions? Please contact Amy Weinberg, WMS Reflections Chair, at ReflectionsWMSPTA@gmail.com or 443-927-6638.
| | | |
|
|
Williamsburg MS - Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) Food Bus Program
WMS's AFAC Food Bus program is back, and we need lots of student and parent help! Each school day, students are asked to place unopened and/or unused food in a dedicated AFAC fridge or bins in the cafeteria, which is transported to AFAC (by parent volunteers - sign up here!) in a bulk delivery at the end of the week. This partnership provides for our community's food insecure, diverts food waste, and promotes a culture of giving among the entire student body. Last school year, we donated more than 1,500 lbs of food to AFAC that would have otherwise been thrown away!
We need parents to help by transporting the food from WMS to AFAC (2708 S Nelson St, Arlington, VA 22206) at the end of the school week (usually Friday afternoons). In case you missed the Sign Up Genius above, here is the link again! It is SUPER easy, a great lesson for our children, and it feels good to help our community!
| | | |
|
APS Volunteer/Chaperone Application
Welcome back to school, WMS parents! We look forward to partnering with you this year to support and enhance your student’s learning experience. If you are interested in Volunteering or Chaperoning this year, please see the information below.
Volunteers:
- help enrich education programs by mentoring students or assisting with activities that enhance instruction and promote learning.
-are unpaid individuals who donate time on an ongoing basis.
-are required to complete APS online application and Safe Schools training.
Chaperones:
-are parents or family members who provide support for field trips at their child’s school but aren’t looking for longer-term volunteer opportunities.
-are required to complete APS online application and Safe Schools training.
One-Time Visitors:
-Participate once in school activities and events such as Career Day, Science Fair, Voter Registration, Guest Speaker, etc.
-are not required to complete application or Safe Schools training.
ALL Volunteers and Chaperones MUST complete online Raptor APS Volunteer Application:
English Application
Spanish Application
You will receive a link to online training after the volunteer application is submitted.
Approval is valid in Raptor for 3 years. Be sure to sign in at WMS Front Office during school hours prior to Visiting, Volunteering or Chaperoning.
Any questions, contact Ms. Daisy Portillo Garcia
| |
APS & Community Announcements and Events | |
New Rules for Student Use of Cell Phones and Devices for the 2024-25 School Year
Posted on Monday, Aug. 19
APS has enacted new student personal electronic device rules for the 2024-25 school year. The new rules are provided in Policy Implementation Procedure M-12 PIP-11 Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices.
Our goal is to ensure that our students turn their devices off and put them away during instruction to support their academic success, well-being and safety. For elementary and middle school students, phones must be off and away for the entire school day. For high school students, phones must be off and away during instructional periods. Smart watches and other wearable devices may be worn, but features equivalent to those on a smartphone, including texting and phone calls, are to be off when cellphone use is prohibited.
Families with a student who requires access to their device as an accommodation or for a medical need may make requests through the 504, IEP, or Individualized Health Care Plans (IHP). Please contact your school’s Student Support Coordinator, the student’s case manager or school health nurse to seek additional support.
The new PIP serves as our guide for the start of the school year. Today, APS posted Policy J-30 Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices for public comment through Sept. 23. This policy will be presented to the School Board in November for a vote in December. This allows for public engagement and ensures alignment with final guidance expected from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in late September.
Additionally, APS will be launching a Cell Phone Storage Pilot Program at one high school and three middle schools in September. Additional information about the pilot program will be shared with the participating schools later this week.
Visit the APS website for more information, including:
- Expectations by Grade Level
- Full Copy of the New Guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Policy J-30 Available for Public Comment
| | | |
|
Back-to-School Toolkit: Proven Systems for Solving Disorganization, Procrastination, and Missed Deadlines
Unrelenting patterns of disorganization, procrastination, and late assignments wear down and discourage many parents of students (especially those with ADHD and other learning differences) as the school year grinds on. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
As we embark on a fresh fall, it’s important to recognize that these struggles bring with them opportunities for academic growth and positive transformation — and it’s all possible through the power of thoughtful systems.
Join us for an insightful webinar with Ann Dolin, M.Ed., an experienced author, educator, advocate, and parent of kids with ADHD who brings a deep understanding of your child's unique challenges.
Ann will share her expert advice and practical strategies at this webinar on Sept. 4 at 7 PM to support your child’s success and transform school-related stress into triumphs this school year.
Participants will learn:
- Strategies to help your student stay on top of their work and maintain order with easy-to-implement organizational routines
- Uncover which type of procrastinator your child is, from crisis-maker to dreamer, and get personalized solutions for each procrastination style
- How your child can effectively use a calendar system to combat procrastination and ensure assignments are turned in on time
- Communication starters to develop a relationship of trust at the start of the school year and how to nurture it for a smooth academic journey
- Don’t miss this opportunity to equip your child with the tools they need to thrive in the new school year.
Please register in advance so we may send you the webinar link, and access to the webinar recording after the event. We look forward to seeing you there!
~ Educational Connections
| |
Have content for a future PTA Newsletter? Send it to the WMSPTA Communications VP by Thursday and it will appear in the following week's newsletter. | | | | |
