District Monthly Update

Please see the letter from Dr. Reagan about important information for the upcoming school year sent to all families on August 25.

For further information, please visit the Transportation Department page of our website.

Exciting news! 📢⭐📢⭐📢⭐📢⭐📢 Massachusetts has extended free school meals for all students through the 2022-2023 school year! This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all Waltham students. Please feel free to share and spread this wonderful news. Information on back-to-school menus is posted on the Food and Nutrition page of our website. As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide delicious and nutritious meals to all students. If you have any questions contact: meals@walthampublicschools.org

As we prepare to welcome back students and staff safely to our schools, Waltham Public Schools would like to share the following Health Protocols. We acknowledge that while COVID-19 is still with us, for the majority, COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts daily lives. As a district, we will focus on vulnerable and symptomatic individuals.

• We are a mask-friendly district and support anyone who chooses to wear a mask. Masks will continue to be mandated in school health offices as directed by MDPH. All individuals visiting a health office should bring their own mask.
• Everyone should continue to follow daily health checks. Individuals should administer an at-home COVID test if experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Individuals should stay home if they are sick, whether vaccinated or not. Colds, flu, and other viruses are still present. Individuals should not participate in any extracurricular activities if they are sick. Individuals that have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and test 5 full days after the last exposure (on Day 6). Exposed individuals may continue to attend programs as long as they are asymptomatic (without symptoms) and have a negative test on Day 6.
• Children and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to school after day 5 and wear a high quality mask through day 10.
• Individuals who develop symptoms while in school will be assessed by the school nurse and may be sent home if their symptoms are consistent with the daily health check list below.

The Director of Health Services and Superintendent will monitor cases for patterns. They will consult with the Board of Health and determine appropriate notification at that time. Vaccines are the best way to protect from the effects of COVID-19.

Our continued success and safety are dependent upon everyone doing their part. This guidance is subject to change dependent upon community prevalence. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your School Nurse.

WPS families (and staff) should monitor their children (and themselves) for symptoms of COVID-19 every day before school.

Staff and students must STAY HOME if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills or shaking chills
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Cough (not due to other known cause)
• Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
• Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

If symptomatic, it is recommended that COVID -19 testing be performed. If you or your child test positive for COVID, isolate and notify your School Nurse.

Please see the following links for support for families who may need access to high-speed Internet:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/

https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million#faqs

https://www.internetessentials.com

https://www.att.com/internet/access/

During the summer we welcomed English learners to study during the month of July to Whittemore and McDevitt Schools. Students read “Mi Diario/My Diary” and presented projects. Now the teachers are busy preparing classrooms. New English learners in grades 9-12 have been touring Waltham High School with bilingual ambassadors. We are fortunate to have diverse multilingual learners who share their rich languages and cultural backgrounds with us. This year we will be making eye contact and having deep conversations with each other in ways that promote understanding. It is our primary goal to know each of them and support them as they develop academic, language, and social emotional skills. For further information, please contact Dr. Sara Hamerla, Administrator of ELL & Multilingual Programs.

PARENT INFORMATION CENTER (PIC)

Student registration using our online form can be found on the Registration Information page. In addition to instructions that will guide you in completing the form, you will find information on the Required Documents for Student Registration along with Frequently Asked Questions. In-person student registration is available by appointment only with the parent or legal guardian of the student. Please contact the PIC by phone 781-314-5524 (English) 781-314-5668 (Español) email pic@walthampublicschools.org or by submitting our contact form as soon as you have all the required documents needed for student registration. If you are unable to keep your scheduled time, or arrive late to an appointment, you will need to contact our office to reschedule. You may also request a phone, or video appointment for assistance with the registration process. We look forward to welcoming your child and working with your family throughout the registration process.

Openings are available for 3 & 4 year old children in our Preschool Programs at Northeast and Stanley Elementary Schools.

An integrated classroom is one in which less than half of the children have diagnosed special education needs. To provide these children with access to typically developing peers, children without diagnosed or suspected needs are invited to participate in classes on a part time basis. The classes remain small and are taught by highly qualified licensed teachers. This widely acclaimed and respected program has been under the direction of Waltham Public Schools for more than 30 years.

To qualify for program consideration:
- Children must be Waltham residents and 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2022
- Parents must have access to their own transportation

The Department of Children and Families is seeking to keep Waltham children in their schools and communities. We want to ensure that when DCF assumes care and custody of a child, that child is able to remain in their school, with their friends and the adults that support them. In order to accomplish this, DCF is looking for Waltham parents who would consider becoming a short-term caregiver for a student in need at their child’s school.

Please complete this brief survey if you are interested in participating or learning more.

Construction of the new Waltham High School is going well. The project continues to be on target both with the budget and the schedule, slated to open in Fall 2024.

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 to October 15. It is a time to appreciate and celebrate the cultures, rich histories, contributions and diversity of the American Latino community. Here are a few resources:

Are You Ready to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

https://www.learningforjustice.org/the-moment/september-8-2020-are-you-ready-to-celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month

National Education Association Hispanic Heritage Month

https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/hispanic-heritage-month

What's the difference between Hispanic, Latino and Latinx?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3hqYDFXs5I

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (Grades 1-12)

August 30, 2022

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

August 31, 2022

NO SCHOOL

September 2, 2022

NO SCHOOL/LABOR DAY

September 5, 2022

KINDERGARTEN & PRESCHOOL FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

September 6, 2022

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

September 15, 2022

NO SCHOOL/ROSH HASHANAH

September 26, 2022

EARLY RELEASE DAY

September 28, 2022