WMS Family Newsletter
January 21, 2024
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Dear WMS Families,
Quick News:
- Please see the latest update from SEPAC: Bullying Training, January 30
The Watertown Recreation Department has their Winter II Program Registration ongoing. Please consider registering early and often. Click here for the Winter II Program Offering Brochure
Upcoming Dates this week:
January 22: WMS Diversity Council (virtually here at 6:00pm)
- January 25: Trimester 2 Progress Report Reminder
- January 26: 90s Party - hosted by the WMS PTO - Sons of Italy (7-10pm)
- January 29-30: WMS i-Ready mid-year diagnostics (Reading, Math)
Ms. Jennifer Chen Fein, Principal
Ms. Susan Carle, Assistant Principal (Clusters 1, 3, 5)
Ms. Jennifer Sarmiento, Assistant Principal (Clusters 2, 4, 6)
New News at WMS
WMS Evaluation Team Chair - last day is Friday, January 26
It is with sadness and well wishes for Sarah Juusola that we announce her last day at Watertown Middle School will be this Friday, January 26th. Sarah has been the Evaluation Team Chair for WMS, and has served this school community for the last 15 years. As Evaluation Team Chair, she oversees 504s and IEPs at WMS.
We are in the process of finding a great candidate to fill this position, so please encourage any potential candidates in your network to apply. In the meantime, starting on Monday, January 29, caregivers can reach out to Kathy Desmarais, Director of Student Services, at kathleen.desmarais@watertown.k12.ma.us, with any questions or concerns about your child's IEP. Please direct any initial questions about 504s to your child's grade level counselor.
7:30-7:45 Drop Off on Bemis Street
This is just a quick reminder that parent drop off before school from 7:30-7:45am is on Bemis Street and the Waverley Avenue entrance is reserved for our buses and vans.
7:10-7:30am: Parent Drop is OK on Waverly Ave and on Bemis Street; doors open on Bemis at 7:30am
7:30-7:45am: All parent drop off must be on Bemis Street. Waverly Ave is reserved for school buses and vans only.
7:45am and after: Parent Drop off should be on Waverly Ave, so students can sign in tardy.
Our staff monitors the Waverley Avenue entrance to ensure that our transportation to school runs smoothly and we appreciate all families' support and respect toward our staff on duty.
Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.
Opportunities for Parents/Caregivers To Get Involved
Caregiver University - MENTAL HEALTH AND YOUR TWEEN - February 8
Diversity Council - January 22
We will usually meet the third Monday of each month, with our next meeting on January 22 virtually
You can reach out to Sarah Seldomridge at sarah.seldomridge@watertown.k12.ma.us with any questions. Thank you!
ELPAC - Secondary Caregiver Event - January 25
Are you a caregiver of a child in grades 6-12? Do you want to know more about how to support your child in their learning?
The English Learner Parent Advisory Committee is having a Secondary Caregiver Event on how to use Power School and Google Classroom on Th. 1/25 from 7-8pm in the WMS Library. It is an in-person event. Here are the flyers.
You are Invited Back to the 90's on January 26th
Watertown Anti Bias Coalition - January 29
Here is a link to the SY 23-24 Watertown Anti Bias Coalition Meeting Dates. This document will be updated at the conclusion of each session with a link to the meeting agenda/slidedeck and a link to each session's feedback forms.
Best,
Dr. Daly and Superintendent Galdston
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
WMS Site Council - January 31
Join us for our next meeting on Wednesday, January 31. We will be hosting the Math and Science Coordinators, with updates in both subject areas to share. Here is the agenda.
The WMS Site Council is a body of students, faculty, parents, and caregivers that plays a strong role in the vision and direction of our school. Site Council meets on the following Wednesdays from 4-5pm in person (WMS art room, A128)/virtually (zoom). Join us for any of our following meetings:
- January 31 - guests: Math and Science Coordinators
- March 27 - guest: ELA Coordinators
- May 1 - drafting the WMS School Improvement Plan 2024-25
- May 29 - finalizing and voting on the WMS School Improvement Plan 2024-25
Do you have a question for the WMS Site Council, but can't make it to our meetings? Submit this form to ask, and we will share a summary in this newsletter and/or follow up with you.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) - February 13
Please join us for our next meeting, February 13 (virtual) at 6:30pm. Upcoming meeting date for the year include: February 13 (virtual), March 12 (virtual), April 9 (in person - WMS Art Room/virtual), May 14 (virtual), June 11 (virtual).
Are you interested in being on the WMS PTO? Reach out to our new co-PTO Presidents Elena Poillucci <elenapoillucci@gmail.com> and Melissa Parker <melissapisces@yahoo.com> with any questions or to express interest in joining next year.
Previously Shared News at WMS
Dec/Jan News from WMS Teachers
Starting this month, all Clusters emailed their monthly update directly to caregivers, as well as having the information available here. We hope these updates help you engage in conversation with your child about what they are learning.
Please see our monthly update from WMS teachers:
After School Information
Learning Lab is a place where students can get support in completing practice or homework. Students can attend for free, Monday-Friday, 2:15-3:45pm in the WMS Library.
WMS Winter Clubs run through March 14, 2024.
Students pay $50 one time to participate in any sports or clubs all year; please reach out to the guidance counselor to inquire about a scholarship. Students may participate in any enrichment activities for free (Learning Lab, Student Leadership, GSA, and Yearbook).
The late bus runs Monday-Friday at 3:45pm.
Caregiver University - PowerSchool and Google Classroom 101
It was great to see so many caregivers at our first Caregiver University Event in November.
If you missed it, here are the slides we used in our presentation.
Supporting Students with PowerSchool and Google Classroom - English slides
Supporting Students with PowerSchool and Google Classroom - Portuguese slides
Supporting Students with PowerSchool and Google Classroom - Spanish slides
Supporting Students with PowerSchool and Google Classroom - Arabic slides
Our next Caregiver University event will be focused on Teen Mental Health and how to support your child, coming up in early 2024.
Upcoming Dates
January 22: WMS Diversity Council (virtually here at 6:00pm)
- January 25: Trimester 2 Progress Report Reminder
- January 26: 90s Party - hosted by the WMS PTO - Sons of Italy (7-10pm)
- January 29-30: WMS i-Ready mid-year diagnostics (Reading, Math)
- January 31: WMS Site Council, 4-5pm, WMS art room/zoom
- February 8: Caregiver University: Your Teen and Mental Health (6:30-7:30pm)
- February 13: WMS PTO (6:30pm, virtual)
- February 19-23: No School - February Recess
- February 28: Early Release (11:45am dismissal with grab-n-go lunch)
Community Resources
- Watertown Community Resources - English
- Watertown Community Resources - Spanish
- Watertown Community Resources - Portuguese
Community Resources for Food
- Watertown Food Pantry: 80 Mt. Auburn St. (rear of the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church), Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. https://www.watertown-ma.gov/330/Watertown-Food-Pantry, 617-972-6490
- Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry: 770 Mt. Auburn St. (basement), Thursdays from 10 to 11:45 a.m. 617-926-7121
- Watertown Community Fridge: 80 Mt. Auburn St. (Front of the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church), Open 24/7 https://www.watertowncommunityfridge.org/
- Watertown Social Services Resource Specialists: at Wayside Multi-Service Center, 127 North Beacon St. https://www.watertown-ma.gov/673/Watertown-Social-Services-Resource-Speci 617-744-9585
- Live Well Watertown/Watertown Farmers Market: City Hall, 149 Main St. 617-972-6446 x8 https://www.livewellwatertown.org/home
- Watertown Community Foundation: https://www.watertownfoundation.org/ 617-926-1500
- Food Pantry at American Legion Post 440: 295 California St., Newton, 3rd Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m. 617-244-0440
- Centre Street Food Pantry: 11 Homer St., Newton, Tuesdays 2:30-6 p.m. & the first Saturday of the month from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 617-340-9554
- SNAP: (formerly Food Stamps) https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-formerly-food-stamps
- Project Bread: https://www.projectbread.org/ Food Source Hotline (1-800-645-8333)
Source: Watertown News, December 11, 2023
Watertown Middle School Contacts
- Ms. Jennifer Chen Fein, Principal, jennifer.chenfein@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Jennifer Sarmiento, Assistant Principal (Clusters 2, 4, 6), jennifer.sarmiento@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Susan Carle, Assistant Principal (Clusters 1, 3, 5), susan.carle@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Lisa Gallagher, Nurse, lisa.gallagher@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Sarah Juusola, Special Education, Team Chair, sarah.juusola@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Mr. Tom Cloherty, Grade Six Counselor, thomas.cloherty@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Jody Gladstein, Grade Seven Counselor, jody.gladstein@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Amanda Skypeck, Grade Eight Counselor, amanda.skypeck@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Saira Chaudhry, Administrative Assistant, saira.chaudhry@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Ms. Laurie Brackett, Administrative Assistant, laurie.brackett@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Officer Anna Margaryan, Watertown Police Department School Resource Officer, anna.margaryan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Watertown Middle School
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Website: https://wms.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 68 Waverley Avenue, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7783