News and Notes

• 12/22 - Early Release for Students and Staff at 11:37
• 12/25-12/29 - Schools Closed: Winter Break
• 1/1 - Schools/Offices Closed : New Years Day
• 1/15 - Schools/Offices Closed: MLK Jr. Day

STUDENT DISMISSALS

If your child needs to be dismissed during the school day, please provide a note with the student’s name, date, time, reason for dismissal and who will be picking up the student. The student should bring the note to the main office first thing in the morning on the day of dismissal.

If you forget to send in a note, please call the main office at (508) 836-7740 as soon as possible.

At the scheduled time of pick up, please check in at the main office to sign your student out. Your child will be called down when you arrive.

A peer mentoring club is being offered at Gibbons Middle School starting in December. Three high school students will run monthly meetings for middle schoolers to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and to help build a system to help young women foster a sense of community when they get to high school. Middle schoolers will learn valuable skills in a safe environment with peers who understand the difficulties and challenges they face. Some topics will include social media, relationships, anxiety and others. Westborough Middle School was accepted into the Girl Talk national mentorship program and materials will be adapted from www.mygirltalk.org for the club. Meetings will be held in room 11 at Gibbons on 12/13, 1/10, 2/7, 3/13, 4/10, 5/8 and 6/5. To sign up, please contact Gennie Guellnitz (7th grade school counselor) at guellnitzg@westboroughk12.org.

"During the week of 12/11, the Social Studies teachers, Guidance team and Administration will be reviewing the history, emotional effects, and school based consequences of hate speech. We will be discussing examples of hate speech and its effects on individuals, groups, and communities as well as how to best respond when it takes place. This is being done in an effort to strengthen our school and to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students."

September 28, 2023

Dear Parents/Care Providers:

We are pleased to report that we will begin using the bus-tracking app, “Where’s My Kid” on Monday, October 2, 2023.

North Reading Transportation (NRT) and Westborough Public Schools will be using the “Where’s My Kid” bus tracking and parent communication app for your iPhone, Android, or desktop that shows you the live location and direction of your student’s bus.

With the application over the last several years, we found the app useful; however, it does have some limitations.

Please find Where’s My Kid instructions on our website at westboroughk12.org > For Families > Bus *Where’s My Kid* App.

The after school clubs and activities are starting up here at GMS. Most of our clubs take place after school on Tues-Weds-Thurs so that students can access the district 'late buses'. We will post the sign up information here in our Newsletter and the informational signup notifications are read over the 'morning announcements'

Please be aware that some of the after school clubs / sports will require an activity fee that is processed through the FamilyID site. Here is a link to our website detailing the activity fee structure.

Activity Fee structure

https://cdnsm5-ss6.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_35540/Image/2023-2024%20School%20Year/23_24%20Parent%20Activity%20Fee%20Letter%20(1).pdfw

Family ID site

https://gms.westboroughk12.org/for_families/family_i_d__arbiter

Spreadsheet for 23-24 GMS Clubs and Activities

https://cdnsm5-ss6.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_35540/Image/2023-2024%20School%20Year/GIBBONS%20CLUBS%20&%20ACTIVITIES%202023-24%20-9.20.23.pdf

Current data shows that overall influenza-like-illness activity in MA is minimal, however, the trend is going upward, and we can tell the flu season is coming. Nation wide, the southern states, like South Carolina and Louisiana, are experiencing high rates of influenza-like illness. Currently the most frequently reported influenza viruses are type A H1N1 and type A H3N2, which are covered by this year’s flu vaccine. It is not too late to get your children vaccinated if you haven’t done so yet.

Please join us in celebrating

December Awareness

Dec. 2 - Special Education Day

Dec. 3- International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UN)

Dear Families,

As the holidays approach, would you like to show your appreciation for your child’s teachers, principal, and staff members while making a difference in our schools?

Thank a teacher or a teaching team by making a tax-deductible donation to the Westborough Education Foundation in appreciation of these wonderful teachers. Your child’s teacher or teaching team will receive a CARE Award certificate acknowledging your gift.

Your donation supports innovation in your child’s classroom and lets your teacher know you CARE. For the 2023-2024 school year, WEF has awarded over $17,000 in grants to the Westborough teachers to start new initiatives in all schools.

To find out more about WEF and grants awarded, visit our website and make your CARE donation on-line at:

www.westborougheducationfoundation.com

Your commitment and generosity support our students and faculty every day. Thank You! Happy Holidays!

Westborough Education Foundation

The Square One collaboration team (Westborough Public Schools, Westborough Youth and Family Services, the Rotary Club of Westborough, Westborough Public Library, and Westborough Connects) welcomes you to join them on Tuesday, January 9th from 7-9pm for a screening of the film Screenagers Under the Influence. The newest Screenagers film focuses on the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs and alcohol. Immediately following the film, local pediatrician, Dr. Medina will take audience questions. Attendees are then invited to stay for light refreshments and informal conversation with fellow parents and teens. The film will be shown with Spanish subtitles. Free on-site childcare will be provided with pre-registration. Register for the movie here: https://tinyurl.com/emfycuf7

Please also mark your calendars for the sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, an “all ages,” free event taking place on Monday, January 15th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Westborough High School. This event is co-hosted by Central MA Connections in Faith (CMACIF), Westborough Interfaith Clergy, Westborough Public Schools and Westborough Connects.

This year’s theme is “Walking the Path to Dr. King’s Beloved Community” and will feature an interview with principal and founder of Brick and Story, LaToya Thomas. Ms. Thomas will then lead small group community conversations centered around this year’s theme. Children are invited to participate in a dedicated children’s program led by Westborough resident and children’s author, Dr. Wednesday Boateng. Complimentary, light refreshments will be offered to all.

Registration is requested. Live language interpretation will be available with pre-registration by January 8th. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/ywamuuzs

More information can be found at www.westboroughconnects.org/programs and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westboroughconnects