Dear Whitin Families, 

The following is the update for the week of February 13, 2022.

A reminder February vacation is next week, Monday, February 21-Friday, February 25, 2022.

What’s happening in Reading!

When it Comes to Reading... Every Minute Counts!

Research shows that when parents read with their children - great things happen! 

What’s happening in Math! 

While we are moving away from students memorizing facts using frenzied assessments without any understanding, research shows that when students have mastered their basic facts, they do not get stuck in the mud of computation during higher level applications, like long division or simplifying fractions (Geary 1994). Their minds become free for the heavy lifting of their new grade-level content. We want students to internalize facts to their long-term memory, and the best way to do that is by explaining the why and how.

We work with students to conceptually understand strategies for finding facts they may not have memorized yet. For example, in order to find 3x7, I may use my mastered 2s facts. 2x7 is 14 and then one 7 more is 21. If I know my 10s facts, 9s are simple - just subtract one of that number. No easily-forgotten finger tricks necessary! If you are interested in supporting your student in learning or internalizing their facts, check out these strategies.

 

Check out Ms. Barry’s website where you can find a variety of resources and online games to support your child in developing sound math skills.  Check out the Online Math Games section for plenty of fun math games to play with your child! Math Specialists Website

MCAS testing: Please be sure you are scheduling any appointments or trips outside of the MCAS testing schedule.  

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

Exciting News from the Cafeteria: SNACKS ARE BACK!!!

Per the district's meal charge policy, students are not able to charge snacks.  Students can purchase snacks if they have money on their lunch account or if they have cash.  Money can be put onto student's accounts at www.myschoolbucks.com, or student's can bring in prepayments (cash or check) for their account.  Please make sure the prepayments are in an envelope with the student's name and ID on it.  Checks should be made payable to:  Uxbridge Public Schools.  Please contact the Food Service Director, Kelly Haley, at khaley@uxbridge.k12.ma.us.

How to Register for a Free 'My School Bucks' Account

Create your free MySchoolBucks account to conveniently and securely add money to your student’s meal account online or with the mobile app.  With MySchoolBucks you’ll be able to view cafeteria purchases, check your student’s balance, receive low balance alerts and pay for school meals from anywhere!

Get Started Today:

• Go to myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app
• Create your free account and add your students using their school name / POS ID (all POS IDs start with 304 (304 + student ID) and are 7 digits long.  Their 4 digit student ID can be found in IPASS and on their schedules)
• Add funds using your credit or debit card.  Note: For each transaction, you will be charged a program fee of $2.75
• Set up automatic payments and never forget to send in lunch money again

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:

Yearbook ordering is available until April 14, 2022:

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

School Code: 193452

Whitin PTO: 

Urban Air Night has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 9th from 4-8 Please note the change in date as we had to adjust due to ski club on Tuesdays.

Reminders: 

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.  Please be sure your child has appropriate clothing including a warm jacket so they will be comfortable during recess.  In addition, 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.  Students have been doing great getting their winter clothes on and have a blast playing in the snow during recess!!!

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.

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

 

Visit: uxbridgeschools.com

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Twitter @UxbWhitin

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