Plympton Family Update

Hello, Families!

Our winter concert this week was a success!

Report cards were sent home today. It's a great time to check in with your student to discuss what's going well and areas for improvement.

All grades are participating in an Hour of Code this week or next. Grade 4 students were able to program robots to write the answer to a riddle on the white board! Check out the picture below!

Check in with your second grader about measuring baby and adult reptiles using different tools. Students did a great job explaining their strategies.

We will try to go outside for recess as much as possible as the weather gets colder. Please make sure your student is dressed for the weather! If you need assistance with winter clothing, please reach out.

Attendance

Attendance letters are being mailed next week. Per our handbook, parents/guardians/caregivers will be notified in writing if a student has been absent for 5 or more days. If a student is absent for 10 or 15 days, additional notifications will be sent home to parents/guardians/caregivers.

As a reminder, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), Chapter 76, section 1, it is unlawful for parents/guardians/caregivers to absent a child between the ages of 6 and 16 for more than 6 days in a six month period, and it is unlawful for anyone to induce a minor to absent himself/herself/themself from school. Massachusetts defines Chronically Absent as missing at least 10% of days enrolled regardless of whether the absences are considered excused. 10% of our current days enrolled is 7.

We hope everyone has a great weekend! Next Friday will be pajama day!

Go Penguins!

Vamos Pinguinos!

Adrienne Norris and Amanda Brennan

Bookmark our homepage and also check out this resource!

Plympton Library News - please click here!

https://secure.smore.com/n/d6v5b

Monday: Confetti Pancakes

Tuesday: Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich with Tater Tots

Wednesday: French Toast Sticks

Thursday: Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich with Tater Tots

Friday: Donut Holes

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of the Waltham Public Schools during the week of January 27, 2025. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.

The Waltham Public Schools will be undergoing a Group B monitoring review that addresses special education teacher and related service personnel licensure and professional development; parent, student, and community engagement, including compliance with Child Find requirements; facilities and classroom observations; implementation and oversight of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); time and learning, and equal access.

The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, review of policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

The Department will send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.

Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Gillian Lange, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3246 to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the charter school with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.

A pdf with the above text in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole is below.

December 23, 2024 through January 1, 2025 - Winter Vacation

School resumes Thursday, January 2, 2025

Absences: We have a separate phone number if a child is going to miss school. Please don't call the office directly; leave a message on the absentee line at 781-314-5770.

Dismissal plans: Please communicate any changes to your student's dismissal plan at the start of the day. Students may only ride the bus they are assigned and that assignment is based on home address.

Email: Adriennenorris@walthampublicschools.org
Website: https://www.walthampublicschools.org/o/plympton
Location: 20 Farnsworth St, Waltham, MA, USA
Phone: (781) 314-5760

This link has lots of great information about our school!

English Handbook

Spanish Handbook

Haitian Creole Handbook

Portuguese Handbook