JMS Update

Dear Families,

Engaging in an ongoing, collaborative dialogue is an important goal in the Walpole Public Schools Plan for Success. To do this, we need to hear our students’ thoughts on school academics and support, student involvement, and safety and behavior.

Therefore, we will be giving an online survey to students in grades 6-8 on May 8th. This optional student survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and will help the district make decisions to improve education for all students.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment is a Federal Law that requires us to notify you ahead of time about the survey, and give you the chance to look at it, so you can let us know if you don’t want your child to take part. If you want to see the survey before deciding, a copy will be available for review in the Johnson Middle School main office from April 29 - May 3, between the hours of 8:00AM - 1:00PM. Please contact the office if you’d like to make an appointment to preview the survey.

If you DO NOT want your child to take part in the survey, please complete this opt out form by May 3. Additionally, please expect an email in the coming weeks asking you to take the WPS district-wide Family School Climate Survey so we can learn more about you and your child’s experiences in our schools.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at cruggiero@walpole.k12.ma.us or by phone 508-660-7242.

Thank you,

Carrie Ruggiero

We are excited to offer the LIT (Love, Inclusion and Trust) program, a series of workshops and discussions for middle and high school students that aim to highlight identity development, student leadership, build self-confidence, and provide advocacy skills. Because this is being offered to both Boston and resident students, our goal is to provide them with a safe space to build relationships amongst their peers as we continue to strengthen the Walpole School Community.

The LIT program for young scholars is presented by Jamele Adams. Scholars of middle and high school levels will engage in workshops and discussions that build self-esteem and community pride.

The second session of the LIT program will take place when we return from April Break. There are links below for students to sign up for the second session. Students who attend the second session will receive a permission slip to attend the last session on 5/2/24 at Walpole High School from 1:30-3:00 P.M. Transportation from both middle schools to the high school is being provided. Resident students must be picked up from the high school by 3:05 P.M. Students in the METCO program will be picked up by the bus at 3:05 P.M.

Johnson Link: https://forms.gle/BZzTtppipFK2yiC17

Finally, there will be a joint Walpole Middle and High School connection and LIT elevation/celebration on a date to be determined.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Atisha Winslow

Walpole METCO Program Director K-12

Office: (508) 660-7257 ext 5234

The District Art Show is just around the corner! Attached below is the flyer for the District Art Show. Please join us!

The JMS Yearbook Committee is looking for help from the parents of Grade 8 students. They are planning to include a section of baby pictures in this year's memory book and are hoping to get electronic versions of your favorite photos from when your 8th grader was just a wee little tyke. Parents of 8th grade students: please send in a baby picture (the picture can be a toddler or early elementary if you prefer) of your child for the yearbook. You can email the picture in .jpg or .png format to awyman@walpole.k12.ma.us

• For the class of 2028 (current 8th graders) - Walpole High School is currently accepting applications for the STEM Academy Class of 2028. All information including the online application can be found by visiting WHS STEM Academy. The deadline to apply is May 17, 2024. Students should contact their current technology teacher or Mr. Braccini at jbraccini@walpole.k12.ma.us with any questions.

Included in the JMS newsletter every other week, this feature will spotlight specific JMS students who reflect our unique school community. If you have any students who should be considered for a spotlight story, feel free to email Conor Cashman at ccashman@walpole.k12.ma.us.

At the Boston Athletic Association Youth Relay on April 14, students from Bird and Johnson Middle School raced in multiple relays on Congress Street next to Government Center as part of Boston Marathon Weekend. In the All-Star Relay, our Walpole team consisting of Maggie S., Shannon H., Maeve C., and Nick F. took home 3rd Place overall for the third year in a row. In the 24 years of Walpole competing at this event, this 3rd Place finish ties our highest ever for Walpole. Congratulations to all athletes!

Be sure to read the latest newsletter from the JMS Counselors:

Counselors' Corner Newsletter

Please see the attached REVISED 2023-2024 WPS calendar.

MAY

May 13 - 17 - Enviromental Week

May 17 - Early Release

Term Ending Dates:

Term 4 - 4/4/24 - 6/13/24

Each term is 45 days long

To streamline the transition of the consolidated middle school, there will be two additional early release days, exclusively for middle school students, on Friday, June 7th and Tuesday, June 11th. This allocation of time will allow staff to efficiently transfer all materials from both Bird and Johnson to the new Walpole Middle School by the end of the school year. It's important to note that these early release days apply solely to middle school students.

Planning is underway for the MCAS statewide assessments. While we will make adjustments should unforeseen circumstances arise, these are the projected dates for testing. Make ups will take place on the days immediately following each administration.

The Middle School Building Project is on-time, on-budget and moving along very well. Recent building photos and videos can be seen on the middle school webpage. The community is encouraged to visit the webpage and reach out to the Middle School Project team with any questions or comments via email at middleschoolproject@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Walpole Public Schools are continually committed to developing an atmosphere of trust among our parent community, in our ability to provide not only a positive and enriching educational experience, but a safe place for students to thrive too.

That is why we have partnered with Linewize, a leading global provider of online safety products and education, to create an educational hub for parents and teachers. This hub includes articles, videos, courses and more, to ensure you know how to keep your kids safe online.

Click HERE to access the hub!

This Math site for parents is designed specifically for parents and families. It offers a breakdown of the topics in each of the 8 units covered throughout the course of the year. Most of the topics have a video link built in that will offer support for students and/or parents/families when working on math at home. There is a section for each grade level course, as well as math connections. In addition, there is a section that breaks down the prerequisite skills that play the biggest role for each grade level. We hope this serves as a valuable resource for parents and families throughout the year.

Dismissals should only be for medical reasons or family emergencies. If an appointment or family event will require that a student be dismissed early from school, we ask that parents send a note to the main office, or complete the dismissal form (JMS Dismissal Form) on our Website. We will write a pass for your child to come to the office at the designated time. This will help expedite the pick up process, and more importantly, eliminate the need for us to disrupt the learning of other students by calling the classroom and interrupting the teacher. If you happen to forget to send in a note, we ask that you complete this JMS Dismissal Form. Your help and cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Student use of cell phones in the building is prohibited. Phones and other personal electronic devices should be turned off and secured in the owner's locker during the school day. Phones being used in classrooms or common areas may be confiscated and held until dismissal. This policy also includes smartwatches. Repeat offenses may require a parent pick up from the office.

We encourage all families to review the 2023-2024 JMS Family Handbook. This document includes important information regarding the following: Absence and Tardy Policies, the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, Cell Phone Policy, X2 Attendance & Grade Notifications, Floor Plan / Map, the Daily Schedule, and the Code of Conduct. The JMS Family Handbook is a linked document to make the information easily accessible for anyone.

Please click here for the latest DEI newsletter. We are thrilled to introduce our Third Edition of the WPS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) newsletter. This platform is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and equitable School environment and aims to celebrate the rich diversity that exists among our students, staff, and families, while also providing resources, updates, and opportunities for engagement.

All student meals (breakfast and lunch) are free of charge again this year. Breakfast Menu is available in the cafeteria until 7:45 AM each morning. You can see what's being served for lunch by checking out the Lunch Menu. Please note that students were given cards to scan at the register so the cafeteria can keep track of inventory. As an alternative to scanning, students can also punch in the

4-digit code that appears on their card.

JMS PAC will plan to merge with BMS PAC for the remainder meetings scheduled on:

April 23rd at Johnson. 7:00pm

May 14th at Bird 7:00 pm

You can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JMSPAC?mibextid=LQQJ4d

SEPAC is a Special Education Parent Advisory Council. All parents of children with disabilities and other interested parties are welcomed to participate. Please note the following contact information for Walpole’s SEPAC. Co-Chairs are Sue Pace and Deborah Mulroy. The SEPAC can be reached by email at walpolesepac@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/walpolespedpac. Notices of future events can be found in our weekly newsletters.

This program will provide an excellent opportunity to prepare for fall sports. Featuring a mix of running activities (hill, woods, track) and strength training. Our aim is to enhance strength, flexibility, endurance, and speed. A collaboration will be made with the Recreation Department to organize a 4-week program at the end of the summer.

If you wish to sign up your child for the Walpole Track Program, please contact Antonietta O'Toole

Owner/Running Coach, Walpole MA 02081 (857)991-2330.

Principal

Johnson Middle School

Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/jms
Location: 111 Robbins Road, Walpole, MA 02081
Phone: (508) 660-7242