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Dear WPS Families and Staff:
Each year ahead of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I have shared with staff colleagues a brief reflection on the significance of Dr. King to our work as educators. This year I am expanding the message to all WPS Families and Staff, and rooting it in a deeply personal experience.
Thank you.
Bill
Dr. King – Then, Now and Forever – A Personal Reflection
Bill McKersie
January 18, 2021
When I was a third grader in Chicago, my father took me to a march with Dr. King and later to a rally at Soldier’s Field. My father put me on his shoulders so I could see Dr. King over the crowds. That moment has come a permanent part of me: a young boy, on his father’s shoulders, able to bear witness to Dr. King.
Fast forward to January 1999 at Joseph Landis Elementary School on the eastside of Cleveland. I am guest reading to a room of third graders. All students are African American, most from families with significant financial challenges. I visit with the class every two weeks, so they know me. I have chosen to read Martin’s Big Words (by Doreen Rappaport) to honor Dr. King. After reading and guiding discussion, I close by sharing my third grade moment of bearing witness to Dr. King on my father’s shoulders.
One of the students, looking at me intently, raises his hand, and says, “You are Dr. King’s friend!” I quickly demur, “Oh no, I was one of thousands at the march and rally. I did not meet Dr. King. I did not speak with Dr. King.” The student, still looking at me intently, replies, “No, no, you are Dr. King’s friend. You are Dr. King’s friend.”
In January 2021, I am thinking a lot about the young third grader’s admonition -- “You are Dr. King’s friend.” His perceptive wisdom looms large for me these days as we grapple with how to be a nation embracing, honoring and caring for each other, especially across racial, ethnic, gender, political and ideological lines. The last year has tested each of us as to our commitment to care and take stands for the dignity of each and every person. The test continues. The work continues. We must step up.
Put simply, we are being called to be Dr. King’s friend. We are being called to be Dr. King’s friend.
1.14.2021 WPS District COVID-19 Roundup Summary
We had the following new confirmed COVID-19 positive case(s) in the last 24 hours.
Student(s):
Three (3) Middle School students. No additional students or staff were at risk of exposure within school.
Staff:
No new staff cases to report.
For more information on current numbers of positive cases and staff and students on quarantine, please refer to our WPS COVID-19 Dashboard:
westonps.org/covid-19-resources-and-updates/
12.22.20 Update on Quarantine Length:
As communicated to WPS families and staff on December 22, the WPS is not yet modifying requirements for the length of quarantines due to close contact with confirmed positive COVID-19 Cases. Effective December 16, 2020, the CT DPH and CSDE adopted new guidelines from the CDC (released on 12.2.20), which allow organizations to shorten the quarantine length from 14 to 10 or seven days for some individuals meeting certain requirements. The CT CPH and CSDE gave school districts flexibility to set the quarantine length based on consultation with their local Health District and Medical Advisors. Per guidance form the Westport Weston Health District, the WPS will continue with the 14-day quarantine length through at least the middle of January 2021. This guidance is predicated on the need to monitor COVID-19 infection rates following the Winter Vacation and implications for students, staff and families. We will review the quarantine length as we head to the end of January 2021.
We ask that all families and staff continue to practice social distancing, wear masks and stay home if not feeling well.
Thank you.
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COVID-19 Resources and Updates - Weston Public Schools
westonps.org
1 Mile of Safety Directions District-wide Programs Information for Prospective Families & Realtors School Profiles & Hours Student Registration Town of Weston Administration Superintendent Superintendent’s Essay Weston WOWsDear WPS Families and Staff:
The BOE wants you to know that they have adjusted the FY 22 Budget Calendar. Two changes have been made:
The Public Forum scheduled for Thursday, January 21 has been moved to Tuesday, January 26. This is to ensure that the public has a more complete view of the Budget Recommendations, Deliberations and Potential modifications that are under consideration these couple of weeks.
A BOE Budget Workshop has been added on January 21, in the time slot that was to have been for the Public Forum.
The details for both changes are in the attached Revised Budget Calendar.
Thank you.
Bill
1.12.2021 WPS District COVID-19 Roundup Summary
We had the following new confirmed COVID-19 positive case(s) in the last 24 hours.
Student(s):
One 12th Grade student. No additional students or staff were at risk of exposure within school.
Staff:
One Weston Intermediate School staff member. No additional students or staff were at risk of exposure within school.
For more information on current numbers of positive cases and staff and students on quarantine, please refer to our WPS COVID-19 Dashboard:
westonps.org/covid-19-resources-and-updates/
12.22.20 Update on Quarantine Length:
As communicated to WPS families and staff on December 22, the WPS is not yet modifying requirements for the length of quarantines due to close contact with confirmed positive COVID-19 Cases. Effective December 16, 2020, the CT DPH and CSDE adopted new guidelines from the CDC (released on 12.2.20), which allow organizations to shorten the quarantine length from 14 to 10 or seven days for some individuals meeting certain requirements. The CT CPH and CSDE gave school districts flexibility to set the quarantine length based on consultation with their local Health District and Medical Advisors. Per guidance form the Westport Weston Health District, the WPS will continue with the 14-day quarantine length through at least the middle of January 2021. This guidance is predicated on the need to monitor COVID-19 infection rates following the Winter Vacation and implications for students, staff and families. We will review the quarantine length as we head to the end of January 2021.
We ask that all families and staff continue to practice social distancing, wear masks and stay home if not feeling well.
Thank you.
COVID-19 Resources and Updates - Weston Public Schools
westonps.org
1 Mile of Safety Directions District-wide Programs Information for Prospective Families & Realtors School Profiles & Hours Student Registration Town of Weston Administration Superintendent Superintendent’s Essay Weston WOWsDear Weston Families and Staff:
Please be reminded of the public meetings scheduled for tonight and January 25 regarding the superintendent search. Use the embedded links to join the meeting of your choice.
Press Release – Weston Public Schools
Community Conversation:
“Your Voice Matters – Selecting the Weston Superintendent of Schools”
The Weston Board of Education will be hosting two virtual evening opportunities for community members to share their insight on the hiring of the next Superintendent of Schools.
On Tuesday, January 12, and Monday, January 25, Dr. Joseph Erardi, the search consultant working with the Weston Board of Education, will be facilitating a one-hour meeting dedicated to gathering community input for the superintendent’s hiring committee.
The January 12 and 25 meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. with attendees logging into the meeting using the following link:
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 – 7PM
meet.google.com/kmv-heup-ccc
Monday, January 25, 2021 – 7PM
meet.google.com/vzh-zuut-njs
meet.google.com
Real-time meetings by Google. Using your browser, share your video, desktop, and presentations with teammates and customers.Events Calendar
- January 19, 2021
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BOE Executive Session
January 19, 2021 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
See more detailsLink to Agenda:
https://meeting.cabe.org/public/Agency.aspx?PublicAgencyID=47&AgencyTypeID=1Link to YouTube Live Stream:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfiS5TdWMVozkWFY1FS3knw/liveLink to Public Comment Form (Form opens 10 minutes before start of meeting and closes at the start of the meeting):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qpaAV3qhjqkTAkH5YZnm9zJ-hp8clGVpI9EANT_cw2g/edit -
Board of Education Meeting
January 19, 2021 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
See more detailsLink to Agenda:
https://meeting.cabe.org/public/Agency.aspx?PublicAgencyID=47&AgencyTypeID=1Link to YouTube Live Stream:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfiS5TdWMVozkWFY1FS3knw/liveLink to Public Comment Form (Form opens 10 minutes before start of meeting and closes at the start of the meeting):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qpaAV3qhjqkTAkH5YZnm9zJ-hp8clGVpI9EANT_cw2g/edit
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- January 21, 2021
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January Communications Meeting
See more details
January 21, 2021 10:30 am - 11:30 am
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BOE Workshop to Discuss FY 22 Budget Request
January 21, 2021 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
See more detailsLink to Agenda:
https://meeting.cabe.org/public/Agency.aspx?PublicAgencyID=47&AgencyTypeID=1Link to YouTube Live Stream:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfiS5TdWMVozkWFY1FS3knw/live
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- January 25, 2021
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BOE Workshop to Discuss FY 22 Budget Request
January 25, 2021 9:00 am - 11:00 am
See more detailsLink to Agenda:
https://meeting.cabe.org/public/Agency.aspx?PublicAgencyID=47&AgencyTypeID=1Link to YouTube Live Stream:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfiS5TdWMVozkWFY1FS3knw/live
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Recent News Items
January 2021 Extended Hybrid Letter Day Calendar
Below is our January 2021 Letter Day Calendar. Click here for a printable version. The WHS calendar on our website has been updated to include this information.
Reporting Absences and Changes to In-Person Learning Status
December 3, 2020 We would like to take this opportunity to remind families of the procedures surrounding reporting of absences and changes to schooling scenarios at WHS. Please review the following: Absence From Expected Schooling Scenario When in-person learners are...
WHS Parent Admingle
November 30, 2020 Good morning WHS families: This Wednesday, December 2 we have our monthly parent admingle from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM. The admingle format is one of informal conversation. We encourage you to attend. Below is the Zoom meeting information. The meeting...
Excellence with Compassion
Weston is an uncommon school district-in terms of student success, teaching excellence, robust academic and co-curricular offerings, and special attention to the physical, social and emotional well-being of our students. From their earliest days through graduation, Weston students are challenged and cared for by our faculty and administrators. Current and prospective families can be assured that Weston believes “connections” are essential to student success—we insist that all students are known well by many adults.