Williamstown Middle/High

Senior Parade: The senior parade will be tomorrow (Mon. May 24) beginning at approximately 2:10 pm. The seniors will leave City Park onto Highland Ave., turn west onto 8th Street to Henderson Ave. From Henderson Ave., they will turn onto West 5th Street and go past the front of the high school.

Recently we have had a rash of parents bringing lunches/fast food to school. Per our handbook and school policy, this is not allowed. If you need to bring a child a special meal please get it the night before and send it with them in the morning. We will not be allowing delivery of food during the school day. Quite simply this overwhelms our secretarial staff who have many other responsibilities during these times, especially with testing and end of year responsibilities. Additionally, students should not be signed out for lunch and then back in. This requires a parent note or for the student to be marked unexcused, since we are a closed campus under county policy. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. Thank you, Mr. Mennillo

The link for registration for off-campus learning for the 2021-2022 school year is now available. Please read you choices for each grade level carefully. Middle School will have both Distance Learning and a possibly a virtual school option. High School will have High School Virtual Learning Courses which will be facilitated by both Parkersburg and Parkersburg South High Schools. The programs will be set based upon the responses collected. Students will be expected to stay in the selected mode of learning for the year but may be able to transition at the semester. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLnG7RDOztclG4BAlP_pEDH2XklWn0K61S9vPfu-C7UE6yyg/viewform

ATTENTION MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES: Williamstown students grades 6, 7, and 8 will take the GSA assessments next week. Monday, May 17 – Reading Tuesday, May 18 – Writing Wednesday, May 19 – Math Thursday, May 20 – Science (grade 8 only) Students need to remember to bring their FULLY CHARGED IPAD and HEADPHONES every day. Parents/guardians, please be sure your children get plenty of rest, eat a nutritious breakfast, and arrive to school on time. Students, as we know, Yellowjackets always rise up to the challenge!

Prom Information: Walk-in will start at 7:20 PM. Parents are welcome to attend but are not able to park in the back parking lot. That will be reserved for students and staff. The prom committee has been working extremely hard to make this a night to remember for our students!

Please join us virtually for the Williamstown Strings Concert this Thursday, May 13th at 7pm. The program will feature folk and fiddle tunes, many of which have made their way from Ireland to the hills of Appalachia. https://youtu.be/XXclsyl647c

Yesterday, the FDA approved the use of the Pfizer - COVID vaccination for 12 to 15 year olds in the U.S. The West Virginia Department of Education has asked all counties to compile a list of students interested in receiving the vaccination (12 and up). Vaccinations could start as early as next week. If you are interested, please complete the following survey. Thank you. https://forms.office.com/r/WhNUycrKju

ATTENTION MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES: save the date for GSA testing! Williamstown students grades 6, 7, and 8 will test the week of May 17. Please be sure to get plenty of rest, attend school every day on time, and bring your EARBUDS which are necessary for the tests. • Monday, May 17 – Reading • Tuesday, May 18 – Writing • Wednesday, May 19 – Math • Thursday, May 20 – Science (grade 8 only) Accommodated students may test on alternate days as needed. Virtual and remote students will receive testing details at the student k12 email address based on the choices in the Wood County GSA Family Survey. Students, let’s show what you can do and finish out the year strong! To learn more about GSA, go to https://wvde.us/assessment/west-virginia-general-summative-assessment-3-8/

Announcement: If our boys basketball team wins tomorrow afternoon and advance to the championship game on Saturday, Mrs Chadock will be in the middle school gym lobby Friday evening from 5:30-7:00 to sell tickets ($8) for the championship game!

Graduation Announcement: Reminder that graduation is on May 29 at 11:00 AM this year in the football stadium. Attendance will be open for the outdoor venue. In the near future, students will receive a set number of tickets (TBD), that they would give out in the event poor weather forced the event indoors.

Announcement: This year due to Covid restrictions, we will not be able to host the senior awards ceremony that typically takes place at school. Instead, Mrs. Justice has already sent a link to students to share scholarships awarded and other information, which will be read during graduation. Underclassmen receiving any awards will be announced on the school site and Facebook page. Here is the link for the seniors to fill out if they have not already done so https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNagFoMgcydy9Ao2ZYU4rlzZNUMldKNEU5MEk2QU1RMTlSTlpUSlhWUFFCWi4u We ask that this be completed as soon as possible. Thank you!

The West Virginia Department of Education has asked school systems to survey our families for those interested in receiving COVID-19 vaccinations for their students 12 years old or older as well as immediate family members. Please click the following link if your family is interested in participating. https://forms.office.com/r/WhNUycrKju

The Give Local Campaign so far is off to great success! Our wonderful community has raised almost $6,000 so far, and we still have much of the evening remaining. Be sure to support "The Pride of Williamstown" today! https://www.givelocalmov.org/organizations/williamstown-high-school

As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to personally say ‘Thank You’ to all of Wood County Schools’ selfless and dedicated educators. This has been one of the most challenging school years in recent history. Our teachers have not only endured nearly impossible tasks but have risen to the challenge and have continued to place our students first. Our teachers and personnel have dedicated countless hours keeping students engaged, providing support and care to families, and giving our children a beacon of normalcy in an often turbulent and uncertain world. The work you do each day is more appreciated than you will ever know. Wood County Schools is blessed to have so many caring and dedicated teachers, and I want all of you to know: We see what you are doing and what you have done, and we are thankful you are here. Thank you for making a difference!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Give Local Day!! We are excited to help "The Pride of Williamstown" grow and be a top notch program. Donations can start tonight at midnight and runs for 24 hours. https://www.givelocalmov.org/organizations/williamstown-high-school https://youtu.be/zyJP5WT6nss

While extremely excited for our boys victory tonight to advance to the state tournament. I want to take a moment and apologize for our facilities not being up to our proud community standards. Our fans and athletes alike deserve much better. I take full responsibility and will work extremely hard to be sure that we match the high expectations that our community and school expect.

Online Parent Survey: We would like to have this filled out by May 7th! You are asked to complete an online survey about school climate—the learning and teaching/working conditions—to help guide school improvement efforts. We value your feedback. The results of this survey will be used to make changes in your child's school to ensure a supportive environment for teaching and learning. Parent participation in the survey is very important. If you have questions about the survey or have problems completing the survey, please contact your child's school. When you log onto the survey you will see explanatory information about the survey and the important information below as to your rights as a survey participant: Your participation is voluntary. You may choose not to participate; not to answer any questions you do not want to answer; and you may stop participating at any time during the survey without penalty. Your responses will be anonymous and confidential. Access the Survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wvslesPA21 Enter this code to start the survey: P096503

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations for teens. Visit woodcountyschoolswv.com for more information or reach out to your child's school nurse.

CONGRATULATIONS to Brody Bowyer, who was selected for the 2021 Governor's STEM Institute! Congratulations also to Gabriella Holl and Matthew Taylor! These students were recommended for the GSI program last year, and will participate this summer as well. Brody, Gabriella, and Matthew will represent Wood County Schools at this highly selective, exciting academic honors program sponsored by WVU. At GSI, students across the state are invited into a robust, interactive learning experience focused on futuristic math and science. Williamstown Middle High School is proud of our scholars!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Brody Bowyer, who was selected for the 2021 Governor's STEM Institute! Congratulations also to Gabriella Holl and Matthew Taylor! These students were recommended for the GSI program last year, and will participate this summer as well. Brody, Gabriella, and Matthew will represent Wood County Schools at this highly selective, exciting academic honors program sponsored by WVU. At GSI, students across the state are invited into a robust, interactive learning experience focused on futuristic math and science. Williamstown Middle High School is proud of our scholars!!