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

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.

SSG Matthew Pucino and the WMS 8th Grade House

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.

Q3 Progress Reports and DC Trip Forms Reminders

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

DC Trip Forms Coming Home Friday March 1st

DC Trip Forms Coming Home Friday March 1st

Hello everyone,

  Please read the following important update regarding the DC trip forms for your child. The trip is fast approaching and more news will be following in the coming weeks!


DC TRIP FORMS: The DC trip packet will be coming home with your child on Friday March 1st. Please look/ask for it when your child comes home Friday and begin reviewing and filling out the information required for your child to attend the trip as soon as possible.


DUE DATES (also on the cover letter)

FRIDAY MARCH 8th: Legal Form, Emergency Contact Info, and Medical Form due back to your child's homeroom teacher

WEDNESDAY MARCH 13th: Medical Consent Form due back if applicable to your child


Cover Letter: The cover letter can be removed from the packet and kept for you to refer back to. It includes all of the different dates forms are due back to your child's homeroom teacher. It also includes dates for drop offs of any medications that will need to be administered to your child while they are on the trip.

Legal Form: This form is required by Wayland Public Schools for your child to attend the trip. Please read and sign the form.

Emergency Contact Information: Please fill this form out completely. In the event of an emergency staff members may need to contact you regarding your child and will refer to this form. Please note at the bottom you should also include your child's health insurance information (or include a copy of their health insurance card stapled to this form)

Medical Information form (2-sided): Please fill out this form completely so we have the most up to date medical information and health status of your child. Please note that if you answered "Yes" to either #'s 1, 2, or 3 on this form then the Medical Consent Form must also be filled out by your child's pediatrician and sent back to the school (unless there is an up to date medical consent form on file with the school nurse). Staff will not administer any prescription medication, epipen, or inhaler unless the medical consent form has been filled out. If your child will be taking an allergy medication while in D.C. please make sure to indicate the type of medication and amount to be administered at the bottom of the 2nd side of this form. Your child's homeroom teacher may contact you regarding any information on this form/questions they may have during the weeks leading up to the trip.

Medical Consent Form (2-sided): This form must be filled out by your child's pediatrician if they will be taking any prescription medication, have and carry an epipen, or inhaler while on the D.C. Trip. Please remember that staff members cannot administer epipens, inhalers, or prescription medication unless given consent by having this form filled out and returned. If you already have an up to date form filled out with the school nurse then you do not need to have this form filled out.

Packing List and Trip Information Sheet: Please REMOVE THIS SHEET from the packet and keep at home. This sheet has what needs to be packed for your child and also all the important information regarding the trip.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out all of these forms and return them back to your child's homeroom teacher so promptly. The safety of the kids is the top priority while on the trip and we want to ensure that staff are prepared to keep all the kids safe and healthy while in D.C.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Final DC Payment Due Monday 2/11

Final DC Payment Due Monday 2/11

Hi all,

  Just a quick note about the DC Trip and payments to Worldstrides:

1. Final Payment for trip: The final payment due date for the trip is Monday February 11. If you have been paying in installments the final amount comes to $266.00. Please remember that the balance for your child must be paid in full in order for them to participate in the trip (coverage for hotel room, travel, food, etc.).

2. Making Payments and checking balances: You can check the balance of your trip online by logging in to the Worldstrides website to view your account. You can also make the final payment and your remaining balance online by credit or directly through your bank account through the website.

WORLDSTRIDES LINK (Click "Log in to My trip" in the top right corner to access your account)
 
If you have any questions, please let us know.  Enjoy the snow!

Rob Reddington and Kevin Farley

MLK Day Assembly and other important items:

MLK Day Assembly and other important items:

Hello everyone,


The 8th graders had a terrific learning experience today while participating in the MLK Assembly and our related workshops.  Below you will find an image of a "wordle" that highlights the important words and phrases that students reflected on throughout the day.  Please ask your child about today's workshops.

2. Yearbook Ordering: Yearbooks are now available for purchase through February 1st. Yearbooks can be purchased one of two ways: 1. Return with your child to the main office the hard copy of the order form with a check payable to Wayland Middle School for $18.00  2. Order online and pay by credit card at http://jostensyearbooks.com

3. Final DC Payment Date: For those of you paying the DC trips in installments to Worldstrides the final payment due date is Monday, February 11 ($266.00). Payments can be made by check through the mail or online at the Worldstrides website. You can also check your current balance by going to the Worldstrides website as well.

3. 2nd Quarter Report Cards: Report Cards for 2nd quarter will be coming home with your child on Friday February 1st. Please review your child's grades for 2nd quarter and return the signed sheet with your child to their homeroom teacher the week after.

4. School Supplies: This is traditionally the time of the school year where many of our 8th graders are in need of new basic school supplies. We have seen an increase in the number of students coming to class without pencils, pens, and erasers. Those students often miss the "warm ups" at the start of class as they are looking for something to write with and thus fall behind right at the start of class. Please check in with your child to see if they are in need of a new supply of pens, pencils, erasers and pencil pouches to keep in their binders. Thank you!

Have a great weekend!