Dear Whitin Families, 

The following is the update for the week of January 30, 2022.

A reminder this Wednesday, February 2, 2022 is a half day of school.  It is a scheduled curriculum in service day for the staff.  Dismissal at Whitin is 10:40.  

This Wednesday is also World Read Aloud Day.  During the morning the entire school will be participating in various events to celebrate World Read Aloud Day including a read aloud by Ms. DeMarco of the book What the Road Said  by Cloe Wade as well as remote visits by various authors.  Families, we encourage you to read a book aloud to your children on Wednesday in honor of World Read Aloud Day.   

Recess: Grades 4 & 5: 

Families please be aware that we will be going out for recess as much as we possibly can during the colder months.  It is important that students have an opportunity to get fresh air and run around even during the winter.  Mr. Sugrue does check the weather and temperature charts each morning to be sure it is safe for students to be outside.  Please be sure your child has appropriate clothing including a warm jacket so they will be comfortable during recess.  

In addition, with the blizzard that just dropped almost 2 feet of snow this weekend, students in 4th and 5th grade will be allowed to play in the snow during recess ONLY if they have the proper clothing to do so.  This includes snow pants, snow boots and gloves.  Students who do not bring these items to school will only be allowed to play on the basketball court during recess.  

 

New Lunch Procedures: 

In connection with the changes to the COVID protocols from DESE we will be bringing all students back into the cafeteria to eat lunch as a whole class.  Students will not have to rotate from eating in the classroom and eating in the cafeteria.  All students in each grade level will eat lunch in the cafeteria with their peers.  This will allow for students to see friends they may not have class with, will decrease time grabbing their lunch and bringing it to the classroom and will give students a change of environment during the day.   In addition, it will hopefully decrease some of the behaviors we have been seeing with students who are eating in the classroom and it will free up staff to support students academically rather than being pulled to cover lunch duty.   

Charging Chromebooks: 

Please remind your children to charge their Chromebooks each night.  We are finding that many students come into school with little to no battery left on their Chromebooks each day.  The Chromebook battery lasts for quite a while but unfortunately many student’s Chromebooks are barely charged and shut down first thing in the morning.  This makes it very challenging for students to complete any work or activities assigned to them and also makes it challenging for the teachers to adjust their plans.  

 

Mask wearing: 

As we continue to navigate through the latest COVID surge please assist us in reminding your child of the importance of wearing their masks at school over their nose and mouth.

 

MCAS testing: MCAS testing will be conducted during April and May.

All students in grades 4-7 will take two sessions of ELA and math.  Additionally, 5th grade only will take two sessions of science.  Attached you will find the schedule for testing at Whitin.  Please make every effort to schedule appointments and vacations around this schedule.  It is important that we have full participation in MCAS.  

MCAS testing schedule 2022

 

Parent/Community Event: 

See the flier and registration link below for a wonderful parent/community event entitled Choose Love hosted by Scarlett Lewis, the founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

Flier: ChooseLove02.14.22.jpg

Registration: https://forms.gle/EbVL4PcAZXqNC7S26.

 

Whitin Yearbook ordering is available at:

https://www.shop.memorybook.com/school/193452whitinintermediateschool/

School Code: 193452

 

Whitin PTO: 

Urban Air Night has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 8th from 4-8 (Note there is no school on Wednesday, March 9th for students)

 

Food Drive: 

See the attached flier for the Whitin PTO Food drive which will be running from February 7-11 Food Drive flier

 

Bussing: Please note if a bus has not arrived at the bus stop within 15-20 min of pick up time especially after a storm seek alternative transportation if possible and let the school know. 

 

 

 

 

School nurse information: 

If you have a need to speak to the nurse during the school day please call the main line and you will be directed to the nurse’s office 508-278-8640.  If you need to communicate with Aimee or Nok through email please email the following: 

Aimee: aroche@uxbridge.k12.ma.us  Nok: stamulis@uxbridge.k12.ma.us

COVID Reminders

 

If your child has any of the following symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, please keep them home from school and contact your school nurse and pediatrician.

COVID-19 symptoms list (as of 8/18/21): 

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills  
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
• New loss of taste or smell 
• Muscle aches or body aches 
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough) 
• Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms 
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms 
• Headache when in combination with other symptoms 
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms 
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in  combination with other symptoms

 

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