WRMS Weekly Update

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

A message from Mrs. Zalarick:

A yearbook is a time capsule of our school, a moment in time when you walked the halls of Westwood Regional Middle School. Not only is it a part of our students' history, but it is also a part of our community’s story. I have enjoyed working on this year’s book and looking through all the pictures that were taken this year so far, from the Fall Festival to all of the fun activities sprinkled throughout our time at WRMS.

The current situation that we find ourselves in will be remembered for years to come and will be looked back on as a unique learning experience. As a community we have come together to show support towards each other. There have already been WRMS pride activities in spirit week as well as community pride in decorating sidewalks and coloring flags and cardinals to leave in windows for others to come find on their daily walks or drives through the towns.

The yearbook would love to add a few pages that include what you are doing in your own homes to keep up the WRMS pride and participate in distant learning. What does your workspace look like? Are there any unique characteristics to your remote/distant learning? Where do you do most of your learning? Do you facetime your friends to work together on projects? Fill us in!

Please send your photos to Tracey Zalarick, the yearbook advisor at tracey.zalarick@wwrsd.org with the subject Yearbook 2020: Remote Learning. Your photos will be added to the bank of photos that we select from to be included in the yearbook. Although this particular section will have its own special spread in the yearbook, we most likely will not be able to add all of the photos received and we will do our best to select the photos that will represent a variety of grade levels and different learning experiences.

The deadline for these photos is May 5.

Thank you for your help! I look forward to seeing what you submit.

Mrs. Zalarick

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:

Teachers are increasing their availability through Google Meet, especially with the addition of a virtual ASL. They are sending invitations directly to their students, please support them by encouraging your student(s) to attend.

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.

Westwood Regional School District’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition For The Sixth Consecutive Year.

Westwood Regional School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Now in its 21st year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Westwood Regional School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

Please mark your calendars for important upcoming events...

• 4/24 - Report Cards available in Genesis
  
• 4/30 - Board of Education meeting, 7:30 PM, Jr./Sr. High School
• 5/5 - Yearbook photos due
• 5/9 - Yearbook orders due
• 5/14 - Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 PM
• 5/15 - Progress Report Period Ends
• 5/25 - No School

April 27th, will be a remote "A" day!

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