WRMS Weekly Update

Governor Murphy announced yesterday that public schools will remain closed through at least Friday, May 15th.

If you are experiencing medial issues, emotional concerns, or loss in your family, and are comfortable sharing that with us, please let us know. We are here to support your child not only academically, but medically and social-emotionally as well. Please feel free to contact anyone below for assistance:

Christie Androulakis, 6th Grade Guidance Counselor

Barry Albert, 6th Grade Assistant Principal

Christine McGovern, Team 6A Lead

Mary Dominiczak, Team 6B Lead

Brianne Adams, Elective/Encore 6&7 Team lead

Jenny Sparno, 7th Grade Guidance Counselor

Mikel Attanasio, 7th Grade Assistant Principal

Ashley Mormino, Team 7A Lead

Theodora Patusco, Team 7B Lead

Debbie Penn, School and District Head Nurse

Shelley LaForgia, Principal

Please visit the 1-page, Quick Tips for Helping Your Middle Schooler at Home from the Association of Middle Level Education.

As we continue to navigate remote learning, we reflect on things we can do better and ways in which we can work together for students to meet with greater success. Here are a few recommendations from immediately before the break:

• Encourage your students to work during what would be a typical 8:15-2:45 school day. Teachers are available at this time to respond to questions and provide feedback. The routine of getting up and ready is also important for engaging successfully.
• Establish as much of a classroom environment as possible within your home. Students typically work best outside of their bedroom and away from distractions.
• Please rely on Google Classroom for assignments. If you need help navigating Google Classroom, here is a 4 minute video with an overview and instructions. The calendar feature is particularly helpful.
• Genesis assignments are inputted after the assignment has been collected and graded. We are increasingly using this as a tool to communicate what is missing or incomplete.
  

Here are a few tips we sent last week:

• If students have Classroom on their phones, we recommend that they turn on notifications. This way when a teacher responds they are able to see in in closer to real time.
• Students should have both Google classroom and their emails open while they are working. They should be checking it at least three times, before they begin work, lunchtime, and when they think they have wrapped up for the day.
• If students need help, please have them reach out to their teacher or counselor!

We continue to need your support making sure your child is completing their work. Our teachers are doing a great job, are working hard, and are reaching out to them. Please reach out to your student's teachers with any questions. Our counseling department is also here to support them. Please work with us in supporting and continuing your child's education. We are all in this together, and together we can be successful for our children and community!

Please also let us know how your student(s) are doing. While we can see the work submissions, we can't see the emotions behind the work. We continue to be here to support them, whether it's through teachers, guidance, or administration. Please keep the feedback coming so we can continue to shape our practices to best serve our students.

If your child is unable to do schoolwork, please continue to call or email absences to Mrs. McDonough at 201-664-5560 x6000 or sharon.mcdonough@wwrsd.org.

Please visit our CONTINUITY OF EDUCATION PORTAL The district website now has a direct link to our Continuity of Education resource portal via the COVID-19 button located on the top menu bar. Click the button to be taken directly to the central location for all district-wide information related to teaching, learning, and operations

Even though the building is closed, we are still here to support children who may be experiencing HIB, especially in this new digital platform. Should your student be expressing concerns, please reach out to our counselors for more information and support.

We continue to process refunds remotely. All signed vouchers can be mailed to the school or scanned and emailed to joyce.chookazian@wwrsd.org. If your student does not have the voucher form, please contact Mrs. Chookazian for another copy.

Box Tops!

Download the new Box Tops app and keep earning for our school! While you will be able to clip and send them in the traditional way while products remain on store shelves, earning 10 cents for the school with each Box Top you send in (and these really add up!), we will be shifting toward individual online submission and an all-school goal. Please download the app and, you’ll simply need to scan your receipt and all such items will be recorded—with just one scan. Scanning these receipts also gets us entered in contests that win bonus Box Tops for our school!

Please visit our website for information regarding the WRMS PSO. The PSO is seeking volunteers for our upcoming events. If you are interested, please email them at middleschoolpso@wwrsd.org.

We have concluded our formal presentations regarding the upcoming middle school transition, but still welcome your feedback. Here is the presentation with updated responses to FAQs.

The Westwood Regional Summer Enrichment Program provides our students with a safe, fun, and supportive atmosphere where every student explores new challenges and educational experiences. Our program is driven by appreciating the individual interests and abilities of each student. Our course offerings are built upon encouraging personal power and self-esteem while focusing upon bringing out the inventor and engineer in every child. Please consider joining us for our summer enrichment program, LEAD with STEAM 2020: Building Leaders with Excellence, Accountability, and Drive. Please see the flyer for more information.

Yearbooks are on sale early this year! Yearbooks are $25. To purchase, log on to the secure website YearbookOrderCenter.com.

• The order number is: 4511
• Confirm that you have selected Westwood Regional Middle School.
• Choose "Buy a Yearbook, Yearbook Packages" on the left side of the screen.
• After you put a yearbook in the cart it will ask you to "find a student". Enter your child's name and hit the search box. Once it comes up that the name can't be found click on "add your student". This will generate a list of who ordered a yearbook for distribution time.

Email Mrs. Zalarick with any questions at tracey.zalarick@wwrsd.org

Sales close May 9, 2020

Please click here to access an online library of electronic flyers for our community partners.

Please mark your calendars for important upcoming events...

• 4/17 - End of Marking Period 3
  
• 4/23 - Board of Education meeting, 7:30 PM, Jr./Sr. High School
• 4/24 - Report Cards available in Genesis

April 20th, will be a remote "B" day!

Email: shelley.laforgia@wwrsd.org
Website: http://www.wwrsd.org/westwoodrms
Location: 23 3rd Ave, Westwood, NJ, United States
Phone: 201-664-5560