Principal's Newsletter

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Dear Watertown High School Families,

I hope this letter finds you well and beating the heat. If you are entering Watertown High School for the first time, welcome to our community! For those returning, welcome back! This year will be historic as it will be the last year in our current building. We are excited to begin the next chapter of Watertown High School and also understand that for some, this will be a major transition. Please know that we are committed to maintaining the same high standards we have built at WHS and will continue to provide a rigorous, inclusive, and supportive educational experience throughout the move, temporary swing space, building, and occupancy of the new high school.

While we are excited for the beginning of our next chapter, we recognize that this comes on the heels of a very difficult time in educational history. Coming out of the pandemic and into a new construction project will test our students, staff, and families, however, I am confident that we have what it takes to support everyone in our WHS community. To that end, if your student or you feel overwhelmed and need help, please reach out to your student’s guidance counselor or another adult in the building. We are here to help.

School begins on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 - delayed start for students in grades 10-12.

The first two days of school are full days, with dismissal at 3:05, but they include an orientation for Grade 9 students.

Grade 9:

Tuesday, September 6th, all Grade 9 students report to the WHS Auditorium by 8:30am

Wednesday, September 7th, all Grade 9 students report to their Advisory by 8:30am

All Other Grades (10 - 12):

Tuesday, September 6th, students report to their advisory by 10:30am

Wednesday, September 7th, students report to their A Block class by 10:30am

Future communication will be via my newsletter through Smore. If you have concerns about which email address is being used as your contact, or if you haven’t been receiving a link to the weekly principal newsletter, please contact the WHS main office and speak to Mr. Kareem Mimms to update your profile. Sending our newsletters via Smore allows information to be translated into over 100 languages.

In the mail, you should have received several forms. Please make sure to sign any form that indicates a signature is required and return them to school on the first day.

This mailing will include:

• Chromebook Contract

• Free & Reduced Lunch Application

• Health Form

• Information regarding

• 9th-Grade Orientation

• Opening days schedule

• Athletics

• WHS Guidance Newsletter including resources for families and students in need

• PTSO Letter

Can't wait to see you!

Joel Giacobozzi

Principal

Watertown High School

We have confirmed that pictures will take place on September 6th and 7th according to the schedule below.

Grade 9 - Tuesday and Wednesday, September 6th and 7th during orientation time. If you wear your special "picture day outfit" on one day and your orientation group isn't scheduled for that day, please just ask your advisor to go to the auditorium and we will fit you in.

Grade 10 - Tuesday, September 6th

Grade 11 - Tuesday, September 6th

Grade 12 - Wednesday, September 7th

We are working with a new photography vendor this year, Legacy Studios. Below is the flyer for those that want to purchase their student's school photo. Details and the online code can be found on the flyer.

Don't forget that many classes have summer work requirements to keep our student's skills sharp. Please see this link that has a list of summer work for students for next year. This is also on our website's homepage.

Student schedules are available to view on Powerschool. If you have concerns over your schedule, please contact your guidance counselor. A paper copy of a student's schedule will be handed to every student during their first day.

I would also like to remind you of our updated Add/Drop procedure. No changes to schedules will be made between the 1st and 7th days of school. During the Add/Drop Period (September 15-23), changes to student schedules will be made under the following conditions:

1. Student receives written permission from the teacher, the curriculum coordinator, and their parent/guardian. Students should obtain the appropriate form in Guidance.

2. The courses being exchanged occur during the same scheduled block during the day.

3. The courses being exchanged will not be over/under-enrolled due to the student's departure or arrival in the course.

You are strongly encouraged to review your schedule as soon as possible and communicate with your school counselor before the first day of school if you have any questions about your schedule or are considering any changes.

This fall we will be assuming the protocols in place from last spring, with the notable exception of surveillance testing of any kind. This means students will not need to swab on the way into school, on Mondays, like last year. If students are symptomatic and would like a rapid test they may see Nurse Mara in the nurse's office. As a reminder, our protocols are:

- Masks are optional throughout the building except for the nurses office where they are mandatory.

- If a student tests positive for COVID they are to be out of school for 5 days and may return on the 6th. From days 6-10 the student must use a mask.

If your student has COVID and will be out of school, please contact the attendance office to notify them. All students are permitted to makeup any missed work while out with COVID.

Class specific material lists will be issued after students have met their teachers. It is a good idea for students to arrive with basic materials including: pens, pencils, notebooks, and a fully charged chromebook.

Mid-Summer Edition