Willett Whaler
January 13, 2023
Device Use in Schools
With students getting those new devices (specifically smartwatches), we just wanted to remind you of the language found below from page 23 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 any time. 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.
Upcoming Event Dates
January
16 - No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
23 - Virtual PTO Meeting - 6 PM
PTO News and Update
Hello Willett Families!
Last chance for our Winter Pop-up Store
Our pop-up store will close this Sunday, January 15th. If you are interested in ordering some limited edition spirit wear, make sure to do so before then!
https://willetwinterstore22.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
Virtual PTO Meeting
Save the date: Monday, January 23rd
Time: 6pm
We will be meeting virtually this month. We hope you can join us! Agenda and Zoom link to follow.
Fondly,
The Willett PTO 🐳
Willett PTO Supplies Drive
Dear Willett Community,
As students return to the classroom after holiday break, the Willett PTO wants to help our teachers replenish some classroom supplies- and we are looking for your support to donate new or gently used items!
We have compiled a list of needs from teachers and staff, which can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E48A5A829A0FA7-january. All of the items are listed along with the quantity needed.
If you are interested in donating, please follow the Sign-Up Genius Link Above to submit which items you will be donating.
There are three easy ways to deliver the supplies to the school:
1. Have the items shipped directly to Willett!
Willett PTO Attn. PTO
2. Drop the supplies off at the school starting on January 13th, at the box inside the main entrance.
a. Please label the supplies “Willett PTO Supplies”
3. Send the supplies in with your student starting on January 13th.
a. Please label the supplies “Willett PTO Supplies”
We greatly appreciate your consideration in helping to replenish the supplies of our teacher and staff! Any amount, small or large, will help our amazing teachers and staff in the classroom.
Thank you,
Willett PTO
Project Connect
APS Student Contact Update
APS is currently updating the mobile phone numbers on record so that we can send school cancellations and other urgent notices via text message. We ask that you update your contact information in Aspen using the workflow directions listed here: https://5il.co/1ldxt If you have multiple students, please complete the workflow for each one. Families who wish to have their child(ren) receive text messaging from the district/school, should provide student cell phone number(s) through this workflow as well.
Coming to our Cafeteria on January 19th...
Assistant Principal's Corner
APS Welcome Center
The APS Welcome Center is happy to share the Family and Community Resource Guide. This guide is for the APS Community, including families, students, and staff, to access local resources and support. You can access the guide by visiting the Welcome Center webpage, or using this direct link:
Community Flier Summary
All APS Community Fliers can be found within the Welcome Center website. To view this week’s fliers, including information from throughout Attleboro please visit the Welcome Center webpage or click here for current fliers.
Student Attendance Policy
"Research supports that student attendance has a direct correlation to student achievement and graduation rates. Therefore, communication between schools and families regarding student attendance is critical in supporting academic success. All schools will follow the notification schedule outlined below. Students and parents should consult the Student Handbook for details about the procedures and consequences associated with excessive absenteeism at each school."
From the Health Office....Mrs. O'Malley
In order to prevent the spread of illness in our school, I would like to take some time to review the health policies regarding communicable diseases/illnesses.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends the following guidelines to keep children home from school:
- Fever: Your child must stay home for 24 hours after the fever has dropped and no fever reducing medication has been given in a 24 hour span of time.
- Diarrhea: Your child must stay home until there is no more diarrhea for 24 hours.
- Vomiting: Your child must stay home until vomiting has stopped for at least 24 hours.
- Cold symptoms: Frequent cough, runny nose, sneezing (not necessarily associated with a fever)-Please test for COVID 19. If negative, please use your best judgment when sending your child to school. If positive, please call the health office.
- Remind your child to cough or sneeze into elbow and not into hands. Encourage frequent hand washing.
- Contagious illnesses: (Strep throat, conjunctivitis), Your child needs to have taken at least 24 hours of prescribed medication before coming back to school.
- Rashes: Rashes need to be evaluated by a doctor to determine cause and treatment
- Head Lice: A child found to have live lice at school will be sent home. The child should be properly treated and may return to school on the day after treatment. Before being allowed back in the classroom, a parent or other adult, must accompany the student to school so the school nurse can check the student.
Please provide documentation when your child has been evaluated for an illness and for any treatments that may be needed at school with a proper doctors order form and parent permission slip.
2022-2023 MCAS Dates
Families with students in grades 3 and 4 - please note the dates below. We ask that all efforts are made to have students present during testing days. Please do your best to avoid these dates when scheduling appointments and vacations.
Grade 4 - April 3,4
Grade 3 - April 5,6
Math:
Grade 4 - May 8, 9
Grade 3 - May 10, 11
Rooms Communication Tool
You may notice that an additional button, called Rooms, will be visible at the bottom right of our Attleboro Public Schools mobile app. This button is part of our integrated system of communication and will allow for your child’s teachers/coaches/and other staff to share detailed information (assignments, special events, practice schedules, etc.). More information is forthcoming, and we will have a table set up at Welcome Back Night.
Lunch Applications
Lunch applications can be found on the Food Services website, including the online application, a downloadable version in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and a link to access all other languages. Please note that even the online application can be completed in many languages. Direct link can be found here: https://www.attleboroschools.com/page/food-services
Our new website and App:
Please go to the App store and search Attleboro Public Schools. There is a new app which will be an excellent means of finding information in one location. You will see updates both from the district and our school. As we use this new tool, administration will be using less of the ASPEN email function.
