Friday, April 8, 2022
Dear Watertown Public Schools Faculty and Families,
Transportation Update
You may recall at the start of this academic year, many school districts were impacted by bus driver shortages. Transportation for the spring season is looking better than it was in the fall! Although not fully staffed, First Student has rebounded from the fall bus driver shortage and will be able to transport middle school athletes to most practices and select away games scheduled throughout the week during the spring season.
I would like to thank parents in advance for transporting students to games where bus transportation is not possible. We will continue to work with our bus company and surrounding teams to create the least disruptive schedule for our athletes. But for now, we are very happy to have our buses picking up mid-day routes for our sports teams!
Test Kits
Each of our schools have a supply of test kits to be distributed to families and faculty. Over the next week, our nurses and administrators will offer kits to each family prior to spring break. Families are encouraged to 'test' prior to returning to school after April break. In anticipation of families traveling and an increase in large group gatherings that may occur during break, we ask that families test to make sure students are not covid positive prior to returning (Testing is optional of course). As always, please notify your school nurse if your child is covid positive.
Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance month! On April 2, the color blue filled our community in support of learning more about autism, to promote acceptance, and inclusivity of all differences in our everyday lives. To learn more, check out this website.
Spring Break Food Boxes
Watertown Public Schools is excited to announce that we are able to provide food boxes to eligible students and families over Spring Break for the first time this year! I would like to thank our Director of Food Services and the Watertown Cafeteria team for their commitment and dedication to the families of our school community. All Food boxes will be distributed on Thursday April 14, 2022 and eligible families will be notified of a location and time for pick up.
Sincerely,
Dr. V
Useful Information and Happenings
Important Dates
April 7-8 Polk Elementary Presents ‘Annie’
April 14 Early Dismissal Day, PD for Teachers
April 15 - April 24 Good Friday and Spring Break, Schools Closed
April 26 Public Hearing: Town and BOE Budget, 7PM at WHS
April 27 PurpleUp! For Military Kids (April is Military Kids month!)
May 12 Early Dismissal Day, PD for Teachers
May 12 District K-12 Art Show at Watertown High School, 5:30-7:00pm
May 20 WHS Prom
May 24 Judson, 5th Grade Chorus and Instrumental Music Concert at WHS
May 26 Senior Scholarships and Awards Night
End Hunger CT
Did you know the federal SNAP program stretches household food budgets AND gives your student automatic access to free school meals without needing to submit a meal application? If you’re not already on SNAP, contact EndHungerCT’s SNAP Call Center, open 7 days a week with flexible appointment times and bilingual English/Spanish, for free assistance with your SNAP application. EHC! has assisted CT residents with SNAP for over a decade. Already on SNAP? EHC! can help make sure you submit your periodic paperwork on time, help you manage your benefits account, and more. Contact EHC! today for all your SNAP needs and questions!
Quote of the Week
‘Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel’ ~Socrates