Teaching & Learning ~ WPS Summer
June 14, 2020
Welcome!
To translate this newsletter, click on it then use the link to the right.
Para traduzir este boletim, clique nele e use o link à direita.
Para traducir este boletín, haga clic en él y luego use el enlace a la derecha.
لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين.
Այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք այն, ապա օգտագործեք աջ կողմում գտնվող հղումը:
Чтобы перевести этот бюллетень, нажмите на него, затем воспользуйтесь ссылкой справа.
Bu bülteni çevirmek için üzerine tıklayın ve ardından sağdaki bağlantıyı kullanın.
Overview of WPS Summer 'Enrichment & Learning' Offerings, Preschool - Grade 12
WPS Families & Staff:
To keep enrichment and learning vibrant for our children and teens, we put together these offerings for student and parent access, as desired, during the summer break. As authors Doyle and Sahlberg stated in a recent CNN opinion piece based on their book, Let the Children Play (2019):
"Children have kept on learning at home, but I they've been learning different things that are just as important and relevant as what they would have learned at school. They likely are now better at managing boredom and ambiguity, taking responsibility, being creative, facing stress and seeing how adults deal with pressure and uncertainty.
When schools reopen, we should not ask how much learning time children have lost,
but what they have learned while schools have been closed."
...we place great value on those lessons taught at home, by and with families, during this unprecedented school closure. As we look to the fall, we are prioritizing relationships, re-socializing, and healthy human connections as we plan for both academics and social-emotional wellness during this transitional period.
WPS is offering a virtual summer program and academic enrichment opportunities that combine hands-on exploration, skill-building, and credit recovery for WHS students. While these are optional, we recommend students partake in some enrichment opportunities over the summer as their time allows. Some are designed for all students to enjoy, and others are specified based on individual student needs. Due to annual updating of our student information systems, our online programs (i-Ready, Zearn) will end on July 31st as indicated below. In August, students can enjoy more exploring on their own or by tapping into other options below. This is the overview; principals may share more specific information or links as departments complete preparations on our new Summer Offerings webpage.
Keep each other (and yourselves) well,
Dr. Theresa McGuinness, Assistant Superintendent
Early Childhood Learning to Grade 5
ELEMENTARY: Preschool - Grade 5
Preschool
Extended School Year (ESY) - Families are contacted directly from Student Services
For questions, contact: Karen Feeney @karen.feeney@watertown.k12.ma.us
Elementary, K - 5
All Students:
All students are encouraged to select and read independent reading books throughout the summer and can participate in the Watertown Public Library Summer Reading program. This program will include book recommendations and a fun Bingo board challenge.
WHS Student-Created Read Aloud Website
Literacy (K-5) - i-Ready Online Lessons (Through July 31st)
This summer all students in grades K-5 can practice their reading skills by continuing to complete lessons on i-Ready at home! You can log-in HERE and use your same username and password. Students can select lessons in phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, or close reading (in grades 3 - 5). Lessons vary in length with close reading lessons about 45 minutes, including a reading passage and writing prompt. We recommend students complete 2-3 lessons per week and show their parents the ‘passed’ screen at the end of the lesson.
For questions, you can review this i-Ready parent page, or contact: Deb Opar Deborah.opar@watertown.k12.ma.us
Elementary Math - Zearn (K-5+Entering 6th graders) (Through July 31st)
Zearn is an online math program that is engaging for students and aligns with our math curriculum. Students entering grades 1- 6 will have access to a Zearn summer skills program. Students should aim to complete 2-3 Zearn lessons per week.
(We are currently working to get this great program up and running for summer! More information will be forthcoming on how to access and use Zearn.)
For questions, contact: Elizabeth Kaplan @ elizabeth.kaplan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Elementary Summer Science Activity Calendar (K-5)
Calendar with daily science activities ~Daily Summer Science Activities
For questions, contact: Elizabeth Kaplan @ elizabeth.kaplan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Summer Explorations Program
Virtual field trip, experience, or video
S.T.E.A.M. activity
Movement activity
Art activity
Puzzle or printable activity
These weeks will be self-paced and provide students with a structured schedule of activities. While not intended to be an academic program, many of these themes will provide students with learning experiences through fun and engaging activities. These weeks will be posted on the Watertown Community Education Summer Explorations Program webpage as well as our Watertown Community Education Facebook page beginning June 16, 2020. There is no cost for this program and no registration is required.
For questions, contact: Debi Cornelius @debora.cornelius@watertown.k12.ma.us
Selected Students:
English as Second Language
Elementary and WMS - continue working on Imagine Learning and/or RAZ kids every day for 20 minutes as students have been doing during the school year.
*Eligible students were invited to participate in EL Summer Success
For questions, contact: Kate Phillipson @kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us
Literacy, Title I
*Eligible students were invited to participate in June
For questions, contact: Kate Phillipson @kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us
Extended School Year (ESY) - Families are contacted directly from Student Services
For questions, contact: Paula Czyrklis @paula.czyrklis@watertown.k12.ma.us
Secondary: WMS & WHS
* SECONDARY: WMS Grades 6 - 8 *
All Students:
- Math - Entering Grade 6 - Zearn (+Entering 6th graders) (Through July 31st)
For questions, Contact: Elizabeth Kaplan @ elizabeth.kaplan@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Math - Entering Grade 7
For questions, Contact: Elizabeth Kaplan @ elizabeth.kaplan@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Math - Entering Grade 8: IXL
For questions, Contact: Dan Wulf @ dan.wulf@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Literacy/English Grades 6 - 8
For questions, Contact: Donna Martin @ donna.martin@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Literacy/English Grades 6: All incoming 6th graders will read the One School, One Book selection: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and one more book of their choice. You can use this list from the local library if you need recommendations.
- Literacy/English Grades 7: All incoming 7th graders will read the One School, One Book selection: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and also complete the summer assignment explained here.
- Literacy/English Grades 8: All incoming 8th graders will read the One School, One Book selection: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and also complete this assignment.
- Watertown Public Library
Selected Students:
- English as Second Language (ESL)
*Eligible students have been invited to our Summer Success EL program.
For questions, contact: Kate Phillipson (kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us)
- Extended School Year (ESY)
For questions, contact: marie.mele@watertown.k12.ma.us
* Secondary: WHS Grades 9 - 12 *
All Students:
For questions, contact: Department Curriculum Coordinators (Contact information below)
Educere for Credit Recovery
This is a fee-based credit recovery program Watertown High School Virtual Summer School. Eligible students will receive an email and mailed letter following the last day of school with registration details and specific course recommendations.
For questions about registration, contact: Debi Cornelius @ debora.cornelius@watertown.k12.ma.us
Excellent Guidance & Planning Docs
WHS Guidance Career and College Planning Resources, Grade-Specific Planning Resources, and Mental Health and Well-Being Resources (link by June 16th)
For questions, contact: Adrienne Eaton @ adrienne.eaton@watertown.k12.ma.us
Selected Students:
Extended School Year (ESY)
Families are contacted directly from Student Services
For questions, contact: Marie Mele @marie.mele@watertown.k12.ma.us
English as Second Language (ESL)
Selected students have been invited to have extra time to get credit for the past semester.
For questions, contact: Kate Phillipson @ kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us or, Nyssa Patten @ nyssa.patten@watertown.k12.ma.us
Additional External Resources
External Resources:
Watertown Public Library Books: Please visit THIS website for book lists organized by grade level, and more information!
Full Steam Ahead into Summer - Audience: Rising 7th, 8th, & 9th grade students
Full STEAM Ahead Into Summer is a virtual summer program and academic enrichment opportunity that combines hands-on exploration, project design, and skill building in STEM subjects! Who Is Eligible: Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students attending a school in the state of Massachusetts this Fall. Cost: Free! This opportunity is free of charge for all admitted participants.
For questions, contact: Jenny Gardony, Program Manager @jgardony@mit.edu
Grades 6 - 12 Khan Academy
Grades 9 - 12 VHS Summer offerings
EDCO Edgenuity (Fee-based) - Link for optional enrichment Booster Math & English, Grades 6 - HS - Parents register directly through EDCO. For questions, contact: onlinelearning@edcollab.org
Curriculum Coordinator Contacts
K-8 Math/Science Coordinator, Elizabeth Kaplan elizabeth.kaplan@watertown.k12.ma.us
K-8 Literacy/SS Coordinator, Deb Opar deborah.opar@watertown.k12.ma.us
6 - 12, Math, Dan Wulf daniel.wulf@watertown.k12.ma.us
6 - 12, ELA, Susanne Dunn susanne.dunn@watertown.k12.ma.us
6 - 12, Social Studies, Kraig Gustafson kraig.gustafson@watertown.k12.ma.us
6 - 12, Science, Lynsey Kraemer lynsey.kraemer@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, Digital Learning & Library Coordinator, Rashmi Pimprikar rashmi.primprikar@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, World Languages, Adam Silverberg adam.silverberg@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, ESL, Kate Phillipson kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, Applied & Performing Arts, Magen Slesinger magen.slesinger@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, Health/PE/Wellness, Will Bertoni william.bertoni@watertown.k12.ma.us
9 - 12, Career/Tech Ed (CTE), Laura Alderson Rotondo laura.aldersonrotondo@watertown.k12.ma.us