Monday, March 25, 2013

8th grade MCAS, 9th Grade Recommendations and DC Updates...

Hello everyone,
  Just a quick reminder that 8th Grade ELA MCAS Testing will be this week on Wednesday and Thursday (3/27 and 3/28). In order to have kids ready for the test taking sessions please help assure that they get a good night's rest both nights and have a healthy breakfast before arriving at school. Homework in all subjects will be light if any at all so that kids may get a good night's sleep before the testing sessions.
   It is also important that students arrive to school on time both testing days as the MCAS test will begin promptly at 7:45 both Wednesday and Thursday. Students should arrive to their testing rooms with a drink and a snack, as well as a paper personal reading book for when they have completed their test. MCAS regulations do not allow students to use any e-readers in the testing session when there test is complete. No homework or other curriculum materials are allowed during the testing sessions.

Thanks in advance for helping prepare your child for the first round of grade 8 MCAS testing. Science and Math testing will follow in May.

DC Behavior Contract: On Monday your child received a D.C. Trip Behavior Contract from their homeroom teacher. The Behavior contract must be signed by students and parents and returned to their homeroom teacher by the end of the week. Thank you for seeing to this.

DC Medications: If your child will be taking any special medications or has any medical concerns your child's homeroom teacher will be in contact with you by Friday March 29th regarding the administration of medications while they are on the trip. Your child's homeroom teachers will be responsible for the administration of the medications or any special considerations due to food allergies or dietary concerns. Please note that we will be supplying the Tylenol and Motrin (non-chewables) and you do not have to provide this.


DC Medications Drop off day: Any medications you will be sending for your child to be administered on the trip must be dropped off to the main office on Friday April 5th by 2:20PM. All medications should be in their original container, with your child's name clearly printed on it, and sealed in a ziploc bag. Please only send the amount needed for the trip. Your child's homeroom teacher will also coordinate this with you if you are sending medications along for your child.


High School Recommendation Forms: These forms were sent home Friday afternoon 3/22. Please review them and help them sign up for electives. The back of the sheet has further information regarding the scheduling and course selection for 9th grade. The sheets should be signed and returned to your child's homeroom teacher by TUESDAY MARCH 26th.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

SSG Matthew Pucino and the WMS 8th Grade House

Hello everyone,


We wanted to put up a post for you regarding our upcoming visit to Arlington National Cemetery and our most recent focus in TAG and house block with our homerooms:

Over the past four years the 8th grade house has become extremely close with the parents, sisters, nieces, nephews, and fellow soldiers of Staff Sergeant Matthew Pucino. Matthew was a Special Forces Green Beret soldier from Plymouth, MA who was killed in Afghanistan in November of 2009. In TAG and house block we shared with the 8th grade class the story of Matthew, as a soldier, a brother, a son, and an uncle. Matthew's two sisters, Melissa and Lisa have shared with us over the years many photos and stories of their brother which in turn we have shared with the 8th grade students leading up to the D.C. trip. The bond between Matthew's family and the school has grown over the past few years and we are honored to have this bond continue with this year's class and the Pucino Family. Through Matthew and has family we in turn try to teach the students the importance of paying respect, remembering, and honoring our nation's fallen soldiers.

Click here to watch the news clip from NECN regarding the memorial service given to Matthew in Plymouth in 2009


While at Arlington National Cemetery in D.C. we will be visiting Matthew's gravesite and giving the students an opportunity to remember one of many of our nation's fallen heroes.






This year the 8th grade class is especially honored as the entire Pucino family will be visiting the middle school in June. Students and staff will have the opportunity to meet with the Pucino's and pay their respects to Matthew's family as well. Matthew's family, in part inspired by the 8th grade house, recently created the Matthew Pucino Memorial Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to raise funds for the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund (this fund raises money to help support the families of fallen soldiers from MA) and the Green Beret Foundation (this foundation supports Green Beret soldiers who sustained injuries in combat and their rehabilitation back home).



At D.C. Night as in the past few years it has become a tradition that the 8th grade house honor's Matthew by holding a bake sale fundraiser to make a donation on behalf of the Wayland community to Matthew's foundation. Over the past 3 years we have raised more than $3000.00 for Matthew's foundation with our D.C. night fundraiser bake sale. We also will be selling t-shirts from Matthew's foundation at D.C. Night.



Through Matthew's family's willingness to share their fallen hero's story with our students we have been able to teach them the importance of honoring and remembering the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make as they serve our country. We have also been able to share with them the importance of paying respect to our nation's fallen soldiers as well. While in D.C. we will be honored to visit Matthew at Arlington National Cemetery along with all of our other fallen military heroes.


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Q3 Progress Reports and DC Trip Forms Reminders

Hello everyone,

Just a quick update regarding progress reports and DC forms,


3rd Quarter Progress Reports: By now, we are sure that you have received and reviewed your child's progress report which was sent home on Friday.   If not, please ask/look for them in your child's binder and review their performance so far this quarter. Students who are missing work should consult with their teacher regarding missing work and come up with a plan for making up any work that can be completed. Please sign the front sheet stating you have seen the progress report and send it through your child to their homeroom teacher on Monday.

DC Forms: A reminder that DC forms should be returned to your child's homeroom teacher as soon as possible. Medical Consent forms for those students who have inhalers, epipens, or take prescription medication should be returned by Wednesday March 13th. Please read our previous, more detailed post regarding DC forms if you have any questions.

Thanks