Plympton Family Update

Hello, Families!

Our 2nd and 3rd graders had a TOADally awesome day at Wheelock Family Theater this week seeing The Adventures of Frog and Toad the Musical. It was an un-FROG-gettable performance and we couldn't stop ribbeting about it all the way back to Plympton. We even got to see some of our Whittemore Bee friends at the performance!

This trip was made possible by the generous contributions of Watertown Savings Bank. Their support allowed all students to attend the performance completely free of charge. Thank you to Wheelock Family Theater and Watertown Savings Bank for the gift of live theatre!

The PTO sponsored a visit from the Rainforest Reptile Shows this week. Our fourth graders had a great presentation and got to meet some very cool animals! Mrs. Conneely and Officer Dani got up close and personal with a lizard!

Our Winter Concert is next week on Thursday, December 12, 2024. There will be two performances. The first concert at 9:30 AM will feature Grades K-2 students. The second concert at 10:30 AM will feature Grades 3-5, along with band and orchestra. We hope to see you there!

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/21ngh

Monday: Assorted waffles and pancakes

Tuesday: Breakfast sandwich with tots

Wednesday: Donut Holes

Thursday: Breakfast sandwich with tots

Friday: Waffles

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has observed a significant rise in

cases of the respiratory illnesses caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Bordetella

pertussis across the Commonwealth in recent weeks.

• Mycoplasma pneumonia often includes a persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild and people do not require hospitalization.
• Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and can progress to severe fits of coughing, often with a characteristic respiratory whoop, which may be followed by vomiting.

Treatment for both are often oral antibiotics.

Hand and respiratory hygiene are important for preventing the spread. Children should be reminded to wash their hands with soap and water especially after touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Children should cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing and stay home and not attend school if symptomatic.

Contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Stay well,

Ms. Duquette

sharonduquette@walthampublicschools.org 781-314-5763

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 12, 2024 - Winter Concert

There will be two performances. The first concert at 9:30 AM will feature Grades K-2 students. The second concert at 10:30 AM will feature Grades 3-5, along with band and orchestra.

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