Willett Whaler

This is the last edition of the Whaler until Friday, January 5, 2024. The beginning of a new calendar year is always filled with promise and excitement. It allows everyone to recharge and return with new resolutions. Together we can continue to commit to improving both the lives and outcomes for our students.

Enjoy the holiday season with your families. We are excited for students to return on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Mrs. Bower and Mrs. Martin's students worked together to make cards for residents at Christopher Heights.

December

22 - 31 - Holiday Break

January

1 - Holiday Break

2 - School Reopens

9 - ELC Open House (see flyer below)

As the holiday season approaches so does the concern of flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Early symptoms of Covid, RSV and the flu can look similar for many children, including congestion, cough, runny nose, muscle aches, fever, and headache. Since each virus typically begins as an upper respiratory infection, it can be difficult to know which one you are dealing with when your child gets sick. The only way to determine which virus is causing an infection is by getting a test. We recommend at home COVID testing, please note that testing more than once is recommended as it may take time for the virus to show on a home test. If your child continues to have symptoms and test negative, reach out to your health provider. Testing for all viruses can be done by health care providers and sometimes treatment may be needed for ongoing or concerning symptoms.

Hope everyone has a healthy and safe holiday break.

We have selected dates for our MCAS testing in the Spring of 2024. Please do your best to not schedule vacations on these dates:

Grade 3

• ELA - April 3rd and 4th
• Math - May 8th and 9th

Grade 4

• ELA - April 1st and 2nd
• Math - May 6th and 7th

Please see these important newsletters for information about our Title I programming.

Title I Home School Compact

Title I Family Engagement Plan

Students have begun wearing smart watches in school. What follows below is the language from page 27 of the Student Handbook.

Students are not allowed to capture photos, voice recordings, or video images of any person(s) in the school building at anytime. This includes film and digital cameras, laptops, the video component of a video phone, photo, or video recorders, or through the use of any other technology used to capture photos or record video images. Exceptions can be made for students fulfilling the requirements of an activity assigned by a teacher.

The secret use of sound or videotaping devices is illegal (MA General Law Chapter 272 section 99). Videotaping or sound recording a class or individual without the permission of everyone involved is a criminal offense with severe penalties. Students engaging in such activities will be subject to disciplinary action. The inappropriate use of a video or picture cell phone is prohibited at all times; and may also be subject to the Cyber Harassment Policy.

All personal devices must be stored in backpacks and accessed only with permission of the educator for educational purposes. Personal devices are the responsibility of the student to keep safe and operational.

Please note that even though meals will be free for all students this school year, it remains essential for families who believe they qualify to complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2023-2024 school year. Visit our Food Services page to learn more and Apply Online: https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/aps/page/food-services2

The APS Community Resource Guide has moved! Click the link below to access the updated list of local resources and community supports: https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/apswc/page/community-resource-guide

New School Year Information

Please check out this highly informative back to school information from the district.

https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/apswc/page/for-families-aps-welcome

Free / Reduced Lunch Applications

Much like the transportation application process, we will not be sending home paper copies of the SY 23-24 Free/Reduced Lunch applications this year. We will be sending out a series of notifications to families with this information and it is included in the New School Year Information document above. We will send a small number of paper applications to each building so that you have them available if they are requested. Lunch applications can be completed online and are found on the Food Services webpage here: https://attleboropsma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/aps/page/food-services2