WHS Principal's Update
June 1, 2020
Welcome to June!
I have such deep respect for the teachers who keep experimenting, adapting, and creating lessons to make this the best experience that they could for their students. Students rose to the challenges and eased their way into this new arena for learning. Thanks to all of our families who are supporting this incredible effort of 'school in their homes', while working from home and/or caring for younger children at the same time.
Thank you to all of you who are working together to celebrate the Class of 2020, who are certainly ending their Watertown High School careers in ways previously not imagined. The district, the school committee, the high school staff, the high school students, the businesses, the town government & departments, the PTSO, and families have been enormously supportive and creative in developing ways to ensure that the Class of 2020 knows that they are loved. These students will be receiving their diplomas in a safe, modified ceremony that meets all of the state and local restrictions on June 20th with family members in attendance. They are looking forward to a future social event, where they can celebrate, perhaps less than 6 feet apart, when the regulations are relaxed so that they may do so.
These are so many examples of Watertown Strong, and why you are fortunate to live and grow in this community!
Shirley Lundberg, Principal
Quote of the Day: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Watertown Public Schools Visual Art Department is proud to present our first ever Virtual Art Show!
Connecting Through Creativity - WPS Virtual Art Show 2020
When looking at visual art, we are often looking at the beautiful end product. And rest assured, you will see lots of beautiful pieces in this show. Yet while we are extremely proud of the work our students have produced and continue to create, our intention is not to celebrate the end products, but the artistic process itself.
Enjoy!!
Updates from the Guidance Department
Hello students, Here is this week's Wellness Wednesday.
Take care, WHS Counselors
Students: Guidance is hosting Office Hours. Please check your email for dates and times!
Guidance Department Q& A:
Should I take a letter grade or a Pass/Fail?
Colleges are referring to this year as the "asterisk year". They are emphasizing that this is a very unusual and difficult year. Colleges understand things will be different for students. A common theme we've heard from college admissions offices is: "Try not to worry, just take care of yourself". With regards to grades, many schools have already said that whatever students and schools decide to do with GPA and grades this year will be acceptable-students will not be penalized for the handling of grades for this year. We suggest that you take the letter grade if you think it accurately reflects your abilities and your academic progression in high school.
The Common App (used for applying to colleges) is going to have a specific question about how Covid-19 impacted you. Some schools are asking that if students have the option of choosing a letter grade vs. a Pass/Fail, that they use this space to explain why they took a Pass/Fail rather than the letter grade. So, think about what your response to that question would be and answer the question, "Does this grade accurately reflect my abilities?"
What is the GPA Scale?
At WHS, AP, Honors, and L1 classes are weighted differently. Use the chart below to see what GPA points are associated with what grade.
Should I register for the SATs or ACTs?
While a number of colleges and universities are going "Test Optional" for the coming admissions cycle, you may still want to consider taking the SAT/ACT since not all schools will waive this requirement.
CollegeBoard, the company that produces the SAT, announced late last week that registration for Fall SAT test dates is now open. Priority registration for students in the class of 2020 or 2021 without any test scores and students who were impacted by recent cancellations will run through June 3 at 8:00PM at which time registration will open to any student who wishes to test. To register, students should visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat.
As a reminder, students who are eligible for Free/Reduced lunch are eligible for a fee waiver for testing. Many students should see information about fee waiver benefits when they log in to their account. For more information, visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/fees/fee-waivers?SFMC_cid=EM316782-&rid=47422698.
ACT, the other test used for college admissions, is also registering students for future test dates. In the fall, they will have information about at-home/online testing. For now, students can register for future test dates at https://www.act.org/register.
I'm going to be a senior and I haven't had my junior meeting with my guidance counselor yet. What should I do?
The WHS guidance counselors are available for phone and video chats until the end of the school year. They are happy to meet with you to discuss future planning. Please contact your counselor directly to set up a time. Additionally, check your email before school ends for information on what juniors can do over the summer to prepare for applying to schools in the fall.
What classes will I be taking next year? And who will my teachers be?
While schedules and teacher assignments will not be available until late August, you should expect to be enrolled in the classes listed under "Course Registrations" in the PowerSchool portal, barring any class conflicts or budgeting changes. If you have questions, you should contact your guidance counselor before the last day of school.
As a reminder, there are a number of resources for students in all grades available on the WHS Guidance website and on the Remote Learning Resource Page.
Adrienne Eaton
Lead Guidance Counselor
Watertown High School
50 Columbia Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Guidance News: https://sites.google.com/a/watertown.k12.ma.us/whs-guidance/
Digital Learning & IT Updates
Good Afternoon WPS Faculty, Staff, and Families:
Following is a link to the below mentioned 05/28/2020 Digital Learning/Technology Weekly Newsletter. Link to it is posted on our WPS Extended Learning Website.
Questions? Please email Library Media Specialists/ Digital Learning Specialists at your school CC Rashmi (rashmi.pimprikar@watertown.k12.ma.us) so that we can follow up on your technology collaboration/support requests. Please email Computer_Repairs if a Chromebook is broken and/or needs repair.
Thank you so much for all that you do!
-Rashmi & George
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Following resources are hosted on WPS Extended Learning Website (bit.ly/wpseldigitallearning) IMPORTANT NOTES: Please use Applications that are “in progress or approved” in the WPS Online Applications Database Links to WPS April 3, 2020, | May 8, 2020, Remote Learning Professional Development Sessions & Resources Link to WPS Online PD Opportunities for WPS Educators Link to 1:1 WPS Educator Technology Collaboration Sessions (May 28 - June 5) **Link to Weekly WPS Family Technology Support Sessions (May 28 - June 5). Please check for upcoming sessions Please click on the links below to access resources Link to Family Guide to Portuguese Zoom Tutorial | Family Guide to Spanish Zoom Tutorial Link to Family Guide to Portuguese Google Classroom Tutorial | Family Guide Spanish Google Classroom Tutorial Link to Family Guide to Spanish Khan Academy Tutorial | Family Guide to Portuguese Khan Academy Tutorial IMP: Please review the WPS Tech Apps/Services Guidelines & Online Resources Database for apps/services and use the Digital Resource Request form to request applications and services. Questions? Please email Library Media Specialists & Digital Learning Specialists at your school & CC Digital Learning Coordinator Rashmi Pimprikar (rashmi.pimprikar@watertown.k12.ma.us). Please contact ‘Computer Repairs’ for IT questions and/or if a Chromebook is broken or needs repair. Thank you so much for all that you do! -Rashmi & George Application Links to Resources Raz Kids Resources Text Leveling Systems | Level Correlation Chart | Accessing a Students Level Getting to students started in 3 Steps | Get to know the Student Portal Get to Know the Reading Room | Ebooks Links to Research and Efficacy Articles | Link to Assignments Features Google CS First Curriculum Pitch your Passion - Public Service Announcement Students will build a project about an idea, activity, item, or cause they feel strongly about. Learn about computer science and Scratch and build a project that asks people to do something to support a cause or issue. Code your Hero: Students will choose an everyday hero from their own lives and build a story or game using code that gives their hero superpowers. WGBH Learning Broadcast Schedule (05/28 -06/05) | Distance Learning Site (K-12) WFPL Calendar of Events (May 28 - June 5) | Hatch Makerspace Calendar of Events Unplugged PBS Learning Learning Activities Grades 1-2 Unplugged Learning | Grades 3-4 Unplugged Learning Grades 5-6 Unplugged Learning | Grades 7-8 Unplugged Learning | Grades 9 -10 Unplugged Learning | Grades 11 - 12 Unplugged Learning Unplugged Activities that Support Literacy Learning Objectives Unplugged Activities that Support Science Learning Objectives
Digital Resource Tools and Features for Students to Support Literacy and Learning
Watertown Free Public Library (05/28 Updates)
eLIBRARY VIDEO TUTORIALS | Digital Library Collection (May 21 - May 28)
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Rashmi Pimprikar Watertown Public Schools rashmi.pimprikar@watertown.k12.ma.us
Wish you all a happy, healthy day!
PreK-12 District Coordinator Digital Learning/Library & Computer Science
WPS Website | WPS DLLCS Website | WPS Extended Learning
Excellence | Equity | Community
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The Watertown Public Schools are closed for the school year in response to COVID-19 public health concerns. We are working remotely and look forward to responding to your requests as soon as possible.
Find out more about our Extended Learning options here.
Please go to our website for any future updates regarding the Coronavirus or school information: WPS Coronavirus Updates
Spring Sports
Community Service Opportunities
The Watertown Boys and Girls Club needs volunteers to tutor students through Zoom. Please contact Rhode Moise at moise@watertownbgc.org for additional information.
The Class of 2022 has created a great opportunity to gain community service hours, as well as put a smile on the faces of the young children of Watertown. We ask that you film a video of yourself reading a picture book and send it to Carly MacCormack, Emma Fallon, or Ms. Glencross to be uploaded on a website that has been made. It is not mandatory, but this is a great way to get community service hours from home! Feel free to read more than one story, as this will be shared with all of the elementary school teachers and families once we have started compiling videos. You will be granted an hour of community service for every two books you read (please make them separate videos). The Class of 2022 officers will be happy to answer any questions that you have. We can’t wait to see your videos!
Summer Internships are available!
The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) is providing students with the opportunity to do a paid volunteer internship with a local organization (of your choice!) during the summer. This is a great way to explore a career field that you may be interested in. All high school students are eligible. You will be asked to work for 120 hours over the summer and will receive $1000, paid at the end of the internship by WCF. Questions or want an application? Contact Ms. Eaton (adrienne.eaton@watertown.k12.ma.us).
Summer Internship-Alan Khazei is a service-driven activist who founded City Year and helped create Americorps and now is taking his passion for change to Congress. As a candidate for Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District, he’s hosting a remote summer field fellowship—a great opportunity for students to get an introduction in political campaigns. The fellowship will be a great opportunity to learn how campaigns work and take part in building a grassroots movement.The position will include personalized team projects for voter outreach, and workshops by some of the most prominent organizers and activists in the country. The program starts June 15th, apply at bit.ly/khazeifellowship!
Finish strong! Need some assistance?
The Freshmen Physics Tutor Group is back! If you are looking for some help with your physics work stop by on Zoom, Wednesdays 3:30pm-4:15pm. See your physics teachers for the Zoom link or email Caiden cakian120@watertown.k12.ma.us and
Eli: licher843@watertown.k12.ma.usAttention students: Do you need help with a writing assignment or paper? You're in luck! The WHS Writing Lab is now available virtually. If you'd like some help, reach out to Ms. Adkanian (aryana.adkanian@watertown.k12.ma.us) and join her Google Classroom (join code: twgiol2). The Writing Lab's Classroom has a place for students to virtually submit a paper for feedback, a general discussion questions forum, and instructional materials on the writing process.
Need a break from your work? Join a club!
The Hope Squad is a club focused on mental health education, student support, and reducing stigma in accessing mental health services. Hope Squad has been meeting weekly on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. For more information contact rebecca.rhodes@watertown.k12.ma.us or teresa.malone@watertown.k12.ma.us
The Deep and Meaningful Conversation club will be meeting every Tuesday from 4-5 pm! If you are interested, contact Caiden Kiani at cakian120@watertown.k12.ma.us
The No Place for Hate Club meets every Friday at 3:00. Contact Ms. Bouhafs at mona.bouhafs@watertown.k12.ma.us for more information and the link.
Art Club meets weekly on Wednesdays from 4-5 pm on Zoom. Feel free to drop in, even if you've never come to our in-person meetings! We will do fun and different activities. Please email Ms.Mann, angela.mann@watertown.k12.ma.us before the next meeting on 4/22 so I can let you know what materials we will be working with. Thanks! Hope to see you there. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/91254665089?pwd=ZVA1dHp5RXlHT2VLdzJJNmVGaGQwQT09 Meeting ID: 912 5466 5089 Password: 045365
The Puzzle Club will have its weekly Zoom meeting on Thursday at 4 PM. The link to the Zoom Meeting is posted on the Puzzle Club Google Classroom.
