District Monthly Update
November 2022, Waltham Public Schools
IN OUR SCHOOLS
MACARTHUR STORYBOOK PUMPKIN PATCH
MacArthur School 2nd Graders took part in the development of a different kind of pumpkin patch this past month. The students grew their love of reading through this engaging activity. Students and families were encouraged to decorate a pumpkin based on the students' favorite book characters. This creative endeavor is always a highlight and the pumpkins have been on display in the MacArthur lobby over the past few weeks. Check out the pictures to see if you can identify any of the popular children's book characters!
PLYMPTON CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH!
At last month's community meeting for the whole school, Plympton 5th graders celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by talking about two influential Hispanic/Latinx Americans: Sonia Sotomayor and Cesar Chavez. They told the school about the two changemakers and then showed books about them that are in the library (both Bilingual). (Pictured below from left to right): Sofia Rosales Ramirez, Diana Asencio Ramos, Brandon Mazariegos Martinez, Wilson Oliva Osorio)
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AT WHITTEMORE
At Whittemore, Grade 2 students have been engaged in computer programming through the exploration of microworlds. These microworlds contain 2-4 sets of puzzles focused on a group of grade level standards and allow students to do so much more than a paper and pencil task would. One of the creators, Paul Goldenberg, joined several of our classes over the past month. During one of his visits, Mr. Goldenberg challenged students to create their own puzzles. Our students rose to the occasion, and the website now features a puzzle created by Whittemore student, Shamar Collins. People from all around the world can now have fun trying to solve Shamar's puzzle! You can try it for yourself here (set 4 "extra 9") or visit the EDC website for more information.
Waltham Middle Schools Welcome The Garifuna Collective
On Friday, October 28th, all Waltham grade 7 students gathered at Kennedy Middle School for an amazing performance by The Garifuna Collective. This group of world class musicians from Belize shared the music and culture of the Afro-Indigenous Garifuna people of Central America and the Caribbean. Students were invited to join the group to sing, dance and celebrate both human diversity and our shared humanity. This program came to us through our long-standing partnership between Brandeis University's Music UnitesUS program and the WPS History and Social Studies Department.
CELEBRATING OUR UNIFIED BASKETBALL TEAM! SEE THEIR FINAL GAME ON NOVEMBER 15!
The Unified Basketball Team finished the regular season with a split beating Bedford in the closing seconds 24-23. Marylynn Nansamba had the game winning shot with 10 seconds left. After trailing by one, Marylynn got the rebound and went end to end and hit a jump shot to take the lead and secure the win. Angel Ruiz Gutierrez and "Big Al" Velez were solid offensively and defensively.
In game 2 against Lexington, the Unified Hawks came up short but played extremely well coming back from a 10 point deficit to get it down to 4, losing 18-14. Savenir "Beast Mode"played well on both ends leading the way for the Unified Hawks, while Joe Cormier had multiple baskets. Cory Graziosi and Lukas Aurus had big dunks to lead the way. Donato Tempesta was strong defensively.
The Unified Hawks finished the regular season 3-3. They will finish the season on Tuesday, November 15th at 3:30pm.They will compete in the Annual Unified Jamboree at Lexington High School against 5 other teams including Newton South ,Bedford, Acton Boxborough and Lexington High. Hope you can come out and support the team. Congratulations on a great regular season Unified Hawks!
In addition, Waltham was recently announced as a Unified Champion School by the Special Olympics for creating awareness and inclusivity in Unified Sports. Nearly four years ago WHS educator Kevin Niceforo worked with the athletics department to start up the Unified Basketball Team. Special Olympics Unified Sports® brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same team. The goal is to expand sports opportunities for participants seeking new challenges and dramatically increases their inclusion in the community, by helping to break down the barriers that have historically kept people with and without intellectual disabilities apart. At the same time, Unified Sports provides a valuable sports opportunity to individuals with intellectual disabilities who are not presently involved with Special Olympics, especially those with mild disabilities. Originally founded in Massachusetts, Unified Sports has become an important addition to Special Olympics internationally and has helped further its mission, by improving self-esteem, fostering acceptance and creating new friendships among its participants. This year's Waltham team includes 25 players, 12 athletes and 12 partners.
See here for an article published in the Talon Tribune written by one of our students last spring: https://talontribune.com/1295/student-life/unified-hawks/
WHS STEM LEARNING
MASS STEM HUB
Over 500 students and 150 industry professionals from across Massachusetts gathered together on Friday, October 21 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston for the Mass STEM Hub Showcase as part of the Mass STEM Week Challenge. The project theme for this year was “Careers in STEM”. Waltham High School Educator Matt Burns brought 5 teams from his Principles of Engineering (POE) class to participate in the challenge. They did a great job on their projects and learned so much from the experience. After Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and a few other people gave some inspiring speeches, our very own Environmental Engineering team won an award and was explicitly recognized by the judges for their overall presentation, collaboration, teamwork, multimedia component, and audience engagement. For this they each won a 100 hour paid internship in STEM. Please congratulate WHS students Owen Manchek, Gabe Fadlon, Nathan Gaffin and Muhammad Hasan on this incredible achievement and a HUGE thank you to Matt Burns for making it possible!
MASS STEM HUB LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD!
Congratulations to Deena DePamphilis, Director of Science (6-12), who received the Mass STEM Hub Leader of the Year award. This award goes to a school or district administrator for their support, leadership and vision around their Project Lead The Way programming. Nominations for the award winner highlighted:
The wonderful industry and program experiences that she has created for her students and teachers – supporting educators to participate in SIC, encouraging educator participation in community programming and PD, seeking grants to support the programs
Strong high school participation –one of the largest/most robust programs in the state
Leadership in the community – including connecting with other leaders, new programs, and serving as a panelist
As a former science teacher, Ms. DePamphilis has a unique perspective having taught PLTW, and helped bring the program to the middle school last year giving students more access and exposure to project-based STEM before reaching high school, where they self select into STEM electives such as Biomed, Engineering, and Computer Science.
Project Lead The Way is the leading K-12 engineering, computer science and biomedical science applied learning STEM curriculum and training provider across the country. Waltham High School offers two PLTW pathways including BioMed and Engineering. Each pathway consists of four rigorous and relevant courses that provide hands-on, relevant and compelling learning while allowing students to solve real world problems and then deploying the skills and tools professionals use.
MA STEM HUB is a program of the One-8 foundation whose mission is provide schools with access to and support for applied learning and STEM education that builds knowledge and skills students need to succeed in a rapidly changing, high-tech world.
For further information about PLTW in Waltham Public Schools, please see here: https://walthamma.sites.thrill...
FREE After School Prep for WHS Math MCAS
Starting Monday, October 3rd, the High School Math department will offer free after school prep sessions for all students who are still in need of passing their Math MCAS test. Sessions will be held on Mondays in Room 142 from 2-3pm (Dates: Oct 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st, Nov 7th & 14th). *Note: We will also offer Math MCAS Prep sessions during Hawk Blocks for those who cannot attend after school. We encourage students to sign up with their advisory or math teacher today. For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Val Alfeo at valeriealfeo@walthampublicschools.org or 781-314-5513.
BETTER TOGETHER: STRENGTHENING FAMILY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
Members of the BELPAC and educators from WPS attended the "Better Together: Strengthening Family School Partnership" summit on October 28. This summit was sponsored by MADESE. We attended sessions on "Promoting a Culture of Literacy," "What Teachers Can Do: Teacher Reflections on Family and Community Engagement," and "Understanding the Impact of Stress on the Overall Health and Learning of Children and Youth." Soledad Valenciano, MaryJo Rendon, Leslie Garcia, and Alexandra Blenis presented on the topic of Family Partnerships.
PARENT INFORMATION CENTER
Preschool Application for 2023-2024: Opens November 1, 2022
The Special Education Department will begin accepting applications for the Integrated Preschool Programs at the Stanley and Northeast Elementary Schools for the 2023-2024 school year. Children whose parents or legal guardians reside in Waltham and will turn 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023 are eligible to apply. More information including the online applications for all Integrated Preschool programs can be found at this link on the Waltham Public Schools District website. Applications must be submitted no later than January 15, 2023. Preschool Information for 2023-2024 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ibUIg4xANQ0nrbJG9iqXjtcAeHqEWB8C?usp=sharing
HEALTH SCREENINGS
Nurses will be conducting all of the state mandated screenings this year. These will include Hearing, Vision, Postural, BMI, and SBIRT screenings in the appropriate grades. More information may be found here.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES ON THE RISE IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Across the country we are seeing increases in respiratory illness in infants and children. Some of these infants and children are requiring hospitalization for support with breathing and hydration. Emergency departments and other acute care health facilities have been managing significant increases in the number of patients requiring care.
Most of these illnesses are caused by respiratory viral infections, including common seasonal viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and enterovirus, and influenza.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics want to remind parents and families about steps to prevent illness this season:
1. Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against influenza as soon as possible.
2. Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against COVID-19; children 5 and older who had their primary series more than 2 months ago should receive an updated COVID-19 booster as soon as possible.
3. Remember, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time.
4. If your infant has been offered treatment with protective antibodies due to their prematurity or another condition, keep on schedule with their monthly treatments.
5. Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with an elbow, not a hand.
6. Clean high touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.
7. Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, especially with a cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.
8. Avoid social gatherings if you or your children are ill.
9. Contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider if you believe your child needs medical care. Your provider can offer advice on whether your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for COVID or flu, and the best location (doctor’s office, urgent care, emergency room) for care.
GET THE FLU SHOT!
We are hearing that it will be a tricky flu/COVID season. Contact your PCP and schedule your child for a flu shot. COVID boosters are recommended, if eligible.
We are hosting a free COVID Vaccine clinic to be held at Waltham High, on Nov. 14th, 7am - 4pm for staff and students over 12 years of age. Please sign up here!
Flu and Covid vaccine finder is linked here for other options.
WINTER CLOTHING
Please make sure to send your students with appropriate clothing to safely and happily participate in outdoor recess! Please contact your School Nurse should you have any questions. If you are in need of winter clothing, please contact your School Adjustment Counselor, or Linda Spruce in the T1/MKV Office at 781-314-5425, lindaspruce@walthampublicschools.org
CELEBRATING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. Here are a few resources:
https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2019/11/05/9-books-native-american-heritage-month
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm
REMINDERS & UPCOMING DATES
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
November 2, 2022
NO SCHOOL/ELECTION DAY (PROFESSIONAL DAY FOR EDUCATORS)
November 8, 2022
NO SCHOOL/VETERANS DAY
November 11, 2022
EARLY RELEASE DAY - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/FAMILY CONFERENCES
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
November 16, 2022
HALF DAY - (LUNCH AVAILABLE)
November 23, 2022
NO SCHOOL/THANKSGIVING HOLIDY BREAK
November 24-25, 2022
EARLY RELEASE DAY - ALL SCHOOLS
November 30, 2022