WRMS Weekly Update

It's hard to believe that 2 weeks of remote learning are nearly behind us. We hope that you and your child(ren) are settling into a routine and are managing the work and seeking extra help when needed. Here are a few tips to help us be better resources for your students:

• If they 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 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.

Virtual Spirit Week for Students/Staff/Families/Pets is next week!

• Monday: Warm & Cozy Pajama Day
• Tuesday: Be Bright! Wear Bright Colors & Chalk your Walk! (wear bright colors and draw/write something inspirational on your driveway or post a piece of paper on your window for all to see to Brighten up our Neighborhood)
• Wednesday: WRMS Workout - get active!
• Thursday: Fancy Thursday! (Wear Fancy clothes to Virtual School)
• Friday: School Spirit Day!

#WRMSVirtualSpirit2020 @wrmscardinals

Add a picture to Facebook or Twitter!

From Dr. Gonzalez: How much longer will school buildings be closed? I wish I knew. Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 104 mandates that schools are closed until further notice. Therefore, we are moving forward under the assumption that we will continue to operate remotely through April 3 and will continue with remote instruction when we return from spring break on April 13. When we have further guidance we will send a notification to our school community.

Governor Murphy said yesterday that he will not revisit the topic of opening schools until April 17th at the earliest.

NJSLA: This week, Governor Murphy formally announced that all State tests will be cancelled!

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

Parenting Through the Pandemic is a website devoted to supporting parents as they navigate not only remote learning, but also the social, emotional, and psychological safety of children in this new environment.

Last week, emails were sent to parents and students regarding next year's scheduling. Depending upon their choices, sixth graders will get 4-6 encore classes and 7th and 8th graders 2-4. Please do not worry about what is a full year course or semester at this point, just rank the preferences as if your student could take all of them. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor, christie.androulakis@wwrsd.org (6th) or jenny.sparno@wwrsd.org (7th)

If your 7th grader is interested in taking Honors Art 8 next year, please review the information from the Art department about the process.

If you haven't already done so, please reference the email for details and complete the form ASAP. Thank you!

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.

At this point, our annual 7th grade trip to Spring Lake in June is on hold, and the 6th grade trip we were planning is likewise on hold, but neither are cancelled at this time.

• French students who were going on the trip received a district voucher for reimbursement.
• Engineering students who were planning on attending STEM Day on April 24th, have been provided a voucher form for a parent/guardian to complete to request a refund.
• For students attending the Music in the Parks Trip, please refer to the email from Mrs. Bagley or Mrs. Michalowski with information.

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.

*POSTPONED* Middle School Mingle with Military Bridge & Tricky Tray!

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...

• 3/28 - *Postponed* Middle School Mingle, 6:30 PM, WW Community Center
  
• 4/6 - 4/10 - Spring Break - No work will be assigned
• 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

Monday is 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