WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL 

IMPORTANT COVID-19 Update

Due to the individual that tested positive for the coronavirus, ALL 8th grade students will be remote learners through Monday, January 25th. That means all Cohort A and Cohort B 8th grade students. Students will receive invites from their teachers for their classes. We will follow the regular schedule with the exception of Homeroom. Classes will begin PERIOD 1.


January 20, 2021
Dear Staff, Students, and Families,

This letter is to inform you that on the morning of Wednesday, January 20th, we were made aware that an individual associated with Waterville Junior High School recently tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are also aware that this individual has not been in school since Friday, January 15th.
Members of the Waterville nursing staff have been in contact with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the individual who tested positive. We are following the recommendations of the CDC which is to contact the individuals who had contact with the individual who tested positive on Tuesday, January 19th. The individuals who are considered direct contacts have been notified by school nursing personnel and will be required to quarantine through January 25th. Staff and students may return to school on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. This date could change based on CDC case investigators findings. Due to the health and privacy rights of the individual, we will not be releasing his/her name. We are notifying the community in an effort to eliminate any misinformation and to take the opportunity to reinforce the importance of wearing masks and face coverings, washing hands, and maintaining social distancing. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Please monitor yourself and/or your student for signs and symptoms of the coronavirus, call a health care provider if symptoms start, and stay home if you are sick.
This is a challenging time in our state and nation. Please continue to take the necessary precautions against the coronavirus in order to reduce the spread of the disease. Feel free to reach out to the Waterville Nurse, Melanie Lecours at 861-7605 (mlecours@aos92.org), or myself at cgilley@aos92.org if you have any questions.


Sincerely,
Carole Gilley
Principal





It's time to order your 20-21 yearbook! 



Weekly Notes
#15 from Ms. Gilley  
January 15, 2021
 
 According to the National Association of School Psychologists –

HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH CHANGES RESULTING FROM COVID-19

STAY CALM, LISTEN, AND OFFER REASSURANCE

  • Be a role model. Children will react to and follow your reactions. They learn from your example.

  • Be aware of how you talk about COVID-19. Your discussion about COVID-19 can increase or decrease your child's fear. If true, remind your child that your family is healthy, and you are going to do everything within your power to keep loved ones safe and well. Carefully listen or have them draw or write out their thoughts and feelings and respond with truth and reassurance.

  • Explain social distancing. Children probably don’t fully understand why parents/guardians aren’t allowing the to be with friends. Tell your child that your family is following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which include social distancing. Social distancing means staying away from others until the risk of contracting COVID-19 is under control. Showing older children the "flatten the curve" charts will help them grasp the significance of social distancing. Explain that while we don't know how long it will take to "flatten the curve" to reduce the number of those infected, we do know that this is a critical time—we must follow the guidelines of health experts to do our part.

  • Demonstrate deep breathing. Deep breathing is a valuable tool for calming the nervous system. Do breathing exercises with your children.

  • Focus on the positive. Celebrate having more time to spend as a family. Make it as fun as possible. Do family projects. Organize belongings, create masterpieces. Sing, laugh, and go outside, if possible, to connect with nature and get needed exercise. Allow older children to connect with their friends virtually.

  • Establish and maintain a daily routine. Keeping a regular schedule provides a sense of control, predictability,calm, and well-being. It also helps children and other family members respect others’ need for quiet or uninterrupted time and when they can connect with friends virtually.

  •  Identify projects that might help others. This could include: writing letters to the neighbors or others who might be stuck at home alone or to healthcare workers; sending positive messages over social media; or reading a favorite children’s book on a social media platform for younger children to hear.

  • Offer lots of love and affection.


  • Monday, January 18th Luther King Day – NO SCHOOL

  • Tuesday, January 19th Cohort B

  • Wednesday, January 20th Cohort A

  • Thursday, January 21st Cohort B

  • Friday, January 22nd Cohort A


 Return to School Updates:







PARENTS/GUARDIANS/STUDENTS
Please review the Acceptable Use Policy and the laptop rules and guidelines pertaining to online learning and computer use.
THANK YOU!

If you are you having difficulties connecting a device, 
using a site, seeing material, etc...
CLICK HERE  for Home Technology Support!

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Online Resources
FREE Digital Books!
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Box Tops- yes we collect them!  


If you have any from home, please bring these in to your child's homeroom teacher in a Ziploc bag. Funds help to purchase tissues , wet ones, etc. for classrooms!  

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WJHS Food Pantry
 Click on the "Students and Families" tab in the top menu for details!

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Questions or Comments?
E-mail the Webmaster: Josh Farnola
jfarnola@aos92.org