Willett Whaler
April 12, 2024
Principal's Corner - Jeffrey Cateon
April vacation week begins Monday, April 15th. We will resume classes on Monday, April 22nd.
We are excited for the growing season to begin again at the Willett Garden. Please consider volunteering (see the link below) to help in making our garden successful for the entire Willett Community.
On April 30th, author Dr. Rudy Moseley will be here on a book tour (see the link below).
Respiratory Viral Illnesses
Updated Guidance for Respiratory Viral Illnesses
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has updated recommendations for schools and the general public to prevent the spread of any respiratory viruses. There are no longer any statewide isolation or quarantine requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19. This aligns with the March 1, 2024, updated guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The new guidance applies to any respiratory viral illness such as Covid, Flu or RSV. Symptoms of a viral illness include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
The new guidance states that even with a positive Covid test, individuals may return to school/work and resume normal activities when:
● they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) AND
● symptoms are improving.
For additional information – please refer to the student handbook under “School and Illness: When your Child Should Stay Home.”
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse.
AHS Student Council Kids Night Out Event
. Student Council is hosting another Kids Night Out on May 11, 2024, from 5pm-9pm. We are providing parents/guardians with another night out without children. Attached is our letter explaining our event and the cost. It is for kids ages 4-11.
Calendar of Events
April
15-19 - No School - April Vacation
May
6, 7 - Grade 4 Mathematics MCAS
8, 9 - Grade 3 Mathematics MCAS
Thomas Willett Elementary School Report Card 2023-2024
Please enjoy reading this year's Annual Report Card for the 2023-2024 school year.
William James College INTERFACE Referral Service.
Any resident of Attleboro or student attending the Attleboro Public Schools (through a guardian) can access the William James College INTERFACE Referral Service. The INTERFACE Helpline helps individuals in subscribing communities become connected with outpatient mental health and wellness resources.
Through the Helpline that operates from 9 AM- 5 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 8 AM- 6 PM on Tuesday and Thursday, callers will complete an intake which takes about 15-20 minutes and then within a day or so of their call will be assigned to work with a Resource and Referral Counselor who will help them navigate the challenges of finding mental health services, including obtaining a referral match to an outpatient provider, as well as information and resources related to mental health and wellness. Please see What to Expect When You Call the Helpline or visit interface.williamjames.edu for more information.
The INTERFACE Helpline is not an emergency service. If you or the person you are seeking to assist requires a crisis response to meet immediate safety needs, please call 988, 911, go to your local emergency room, or find your local crisis services by calling 833-773-2445 and asking for crisis support.
Message from PTO - Elections - May 2nd
Willett Community!
PTO Officer Elections will take place in person on May 2nd in our Library Media Center. Please see the flyer below for more information.
ST Math - Century Club
Killion, Kiara, Molly, Prince, Juliette, Carol, Julia, Khyla, Krysta, Elizabeth, Kaylee, Keyla, Mariela
Project Connect Workshops
Jill Vetstein is a licensed clinical social worker with a background in early childhood education.
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Jill Vetstein is a licensed clinical social worker with a background in early childhood education.
From the Office of Mrs. O'Malley
Spring Things…from the Health Office
Spring is here with sunny, warmer days and early emergence of pollen and molds that trigger seasonal allergies. Children, who have never been diagnosed with seasonal allergies before, may be affected when the pollen/mold levels are high.
Common symptoms include itchy/watery eyes, nasal stuffiness/drainage, scratchy throat, and headaches. If your child suffers from allergy symptoms, please contact your doctor for advice on eye drops, nasal sprays, or an appropriate non-drowsy allergy medication that can be taken before school to provide all day relief from symptoms.
Poison Ivy is everywhere. Contact with the oil from the plant’s leaf causes irritation and a red pimple-like rash. Children should wear appropriate clothing to protect their skin from exposure to poison ivy, especially in wooded or grassy areas. Showering after being outdoors is also a good practice to prevent irritation. If a skin rash develops, over-the-counter medications such as caladryl lotion or hydrocortisone cream will provide relief from minor symptoms. When the rash affects the face or eyes, contact your doctor, as a prescription medication may be needed. It is important to remove over-the-head clothing carefully to protect the face and eyes from contact with poison ivy on clothing.
As outdoor evening activities increase, the time of day when mosquitoes are most active, use of bug repellent can help prevent bites. Ticks can be found in the woods, but also in low bushes, grass and on pets. It is a good practice to check children and pets for ticks when they come in from outdoors.
Drinking enough fluids and good nutrition are very important during the warm weather as the body works harder to regulate temperature. Please encourage your child to have a full glass of a beverage, water preferred, with breakfast and to bring a drink for snack and lunch. Sunscreen can be applied in the morning at home since recess is usually outdoors, weather permitting.
Vicky O’Malley, M.Ed, BSN, RN
School Nurse
Willett Elementary
Title I Programming
Please see these important newsletters for information about our Title I programming.
Electronic Devices - Phones
Students have begun wearing smart watches in school. What follows below is the language from page 27 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 anytime. 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.
Student Handbook Workflow
Applications for Free/Reduced Lunch
Please note that even though meals will be free for all students this school year, it remains essential for families who believe they qualify to complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2023-2024 school year. Visit our Food Services page to learn more and Apply Online: https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/aps/page/food-services2
Community Flyers
New School Year Updates
New School Year Information
Please check out this highly informative back to school information from the district.
https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/apswc/page/for-families-aps-welcome
Free / Reduced Lunch Applications
Much like the transportation application process, we will not be sending home paper copies of the SY 23-24 Free/Reduced Lunch applications this year. We will be sending out a series of notifications to families with this information and it is included in the New School Year Information document above. We will send a small number of paper applications to each building so that you have them available if they are requested. Lunch applications can be completed online and are found on the Food Services webpage here: https://attleboropsma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/aps/page/food-services2