Even though it's mid-January, I want to begin by wishing all of our WMS families a very happy, safe, and healthy new year. As we begin 2024, our immediate horizon is full of excitement: the second marking period ends on January 29th; the second semester begins on January 30th; and our scheduling process for next school--hard to believe, right?--is getting underway.

Last week, we welcomed counselors and students from Woodbridge High School who presented their Program of Studies to our 8th grade class so that, when the time comes, our 8th grade class and families can make more informed choices regarding scheduling. In the coming days, our 6th and 7th grade students will have assemblies regarding elective opportunities available to them next year so they may also make informed choices when the parent portal is open for scheduling requests. The school district's goal this year is to be transparent during this process and to maintain open lines of communication. Please be on the lookout for additional communication regarding scheduling in the coming weeks. We look forward to making the scheduling process simple and stress-free for all of our students and families.

For our 8th grade families, please see the "Coming Up!" section for dates and times of district high school open houses.

Finally, I have a little bit of homework for all of our families. WMS is actively engaged in implementing the New Jersey Positive Behavior Support in Schools (NJ PBSIS) program to create a more positive culture within our building. Please read the next section for information regarding a vital survey where we need your input. The link is provided.

Again, a very happy, healthy, and safe new year to you all, and I look forward to our continued partnership in supporting our students.

Mr. O'Halloran

This year, a committee of teachers and counselors have been collaborating with the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education, The Boggs Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to implement the NJ Positive Behavior Support in Schools (NJ PBSIS) at WMS.

The mission of the NJ PBSIS initiative is to build capacity among New Jersey school personnel to implement a multi-tiered system of support that results in equitable access to interventions for behavior, conduct, and social-emotional wellness.

Implementation of multi-tiered systems of support foster learning environments that contribute to everyone…

• being safe emotionally, physically, and socially.
• experiencing success every day.
• receiving what they need to be successful.
• working together to achieve goals.
• feeling welcomed and valued.
• further developing their strengths.

I know that we engaged with the tenets of PBSIS in the past but with the change of staff, students, and administration, we found it important to learn the tenets again and revamp the system we had in place.

With that being said, the committee needs your help establishing a school-wide expectations framework. School wide expectations framework reflects the shared values among staff, student, and parents and how everyone will conduct themselves and treat one another.

The committee has selected five words that we feel reflects stakeholder priorities and preferences for, and commitment to, a pro-social identity for our school. We need your help narrowing down our words to three. From there, we will develop a matrix of the skills, habits, and routines for each expectation and how they will be implemented across school settings.

Please use this link to open the Google Form. You will find the definitions, examples, and non-examples for each of the selected words. Please vote for your top 3 words.

This event has been rescheduled. New date TBD.

There is still plenty of time to boost grades for students who may be struggling academically. Here are some tips.

1. Check the Grading tab in the Genesis Parent Portal to see any missing assignments.

2. Ask your student to speak with their teacher(s) regarding additional help with concepts or making up missing/absent work.

3. Encourage your student to sign up for Study Lunch with their counselor. A link can be found in their grade level Google Classroom. Study Lunch is limited to 10 students, and selected students will be given a pass to participate on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the selected week.

4. Encourage your student to participate in AM help or the PM Homework Club.

• AM Help - Room 317 - Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays from 7:30 - 8:00am
• Homework Club (after school) - Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays until 4:00pm (late bus is available)

5. Ask your student to speak with their counselor. Students should submit the Google Form located in their grade level Google Classroom.

The last day for free yearbook personalization is Friday, January 26th. After that date, no personalization will be available. Yearbooks can be ordered until Friday, March 29. To order, please go to:

inter-state.com/order

Code: 82238T

please email any questions to patricia.kaschak@woodbridge.k12.nj.us or sarah.maneri@woodbridge.k12.nj.us

All spring sports physicals are due no later than March 11th. Please see Nurse Tulli's Google Site for the forms and additional information. Students are also encouraged to speak with their coaches.

Turnstile is a Genesis function which tracks student movement throughout the day to ensure your child is accounted for, safe, and where they should be when leaving the classroom.

You can now see all of your student's Turnstile check-ins in the Genesis Parent Portal. If you have concerns regarding how frequently your student is leaving the classroom, please feel free to reach out to your student's counselor or an administrator.

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