March 3, 2023

STUDENT  COUNCIL MEETINGS:

The dates for the remaining Student Council meetings are: March 6, April 3, and May 8.  All meetings will be held in room 109 after school until 2:45 PM.

 

CALLING ALL INVENTORS: 

WJJMS will be participating in the 2023 Connecticut Invention Convention.  This year, WJ will be hosting a  virtual invention convention where students can submit videos of their ideas and prototypes for others to see.  Any students interested in participating should email Mrs. Ngai, stop by the Innovations Room or main office by 3/7/23 for the Google Classroom code. 

 

TRACK REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN:

Any student interested in trying out for the track team needs to register in PowerSchool and have a current physical dated within the last 13 months on file with the nurse. Please note that a new registration is required for track. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK ON EITHER “BOYS’ TRACK” or “GIRLS’ TRACK” IN POWERSCHOOL IN ORDER FOR YOUR STUDENT TO BE LISTED ON THE ROSTER. Tryouts will begin on March 20 from 2:00-4:00pm. A practice and meet schedule will be given out at that time. Pay to Play payments will be accepted beginning March 24.   

  

SHOWCASE YOUR STUDENT:

We are looking to showcase or spotlight our students here at WJ by recognizing achievements they have earned outside of the school day. These recognitions would take place during our whole school monthly forums. Achievements could include Boy/Girl Scouts honors, athletic awards from a team they play on, musical performances and many more. Please use this form (it can be submitted as many times and as often as needed).  Please know that we will try to include all submissions, but may be unable to do so due to total received.

 

CAREER FAIR:

WJJMS will be holding a Career Fair on June 2, from 8:00-12:30 PM (lunch provided). We would love to have our parents and community members join us to speak about their careers. Please read this flyer for more information. If you are interested in sharing about your career, please complete this registration form.  

 

POSTURAL SCREENINGS:

During the next couple months postural screenings will be conducted for seventh grade girls and eighth grade boys. The purpose of this program is to detect the signs of spinal curvature at its earliest stages. Early treatment can prevent the development of a severe deformity. Spinal deformities most often develop between the ages of 10 and 15 years. Nearly all cases are painless at first and are often confused with poor adolescent posture. Most cases are mild and require only ongoing observation by a doctor after first diagnosis. Others become progressively more severe as the child grows and require active treatment. 

The school nurse performs each screening in the health office. The procedure for examination is a simple one, requiring less than one minute. The nurse inspects the student's spine as he or she stands and then bends forward. If a spinal problem is suspected, the student will be rechecked at a second screening. If further consultation is recommended, parents will be notified of the findings and will be asked to seek further evaluation from their own physician.

If parents would like to opt out their students then please inform the school nurse in writing as soon as possible, [email protected].

Connecticut law requires all students in grades five, seventh grade girls and eighth grade boys be screened annually in school, including this year. Students who have been screened by their doctor after 6/30/22 or have already been diagnosed with a spinal problem will be excused from school screening. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning the postural screening program.

 

TEEN LEADER:

If you want to Learn how to work with kids, make a difference, if you are going into grade 8 and are 14 years old or older, if you want to spend summer with kids, if you live in Colchester and enjoy being outside…then fill out an application to be a Teen Leader at Colchester Parks and Rec Summer Day Camp and send it back by March 15. Applications are available at www.colchesterct.gov/recreation-department. Please see this flyer for more information. 

 

MINDS MATTER:

A group for middle school students to learn skills to reduce anxiety in ways that they enjoy. They’ll create a toolbox of methods that can help anyone when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Thursdays, February 9-March30 from 2:15-4pm for grades 6-8. Please see this flyer for more information. 

  

COLCHESTER YOUTH LACROSSE REGISTRATION:

Registration is now open for Colchester Youth Lacrosse sports recreation program. This opportunity is available to all boys and girls from kindergarten to 8th grade! We accept all applicants. Our program uses positive reinforcement by developing team players and leaders. Our focus is to develop the players in a fun atmosphere and introduce them to a fast, growing easy to play sport. Visit our website at Colchesterlax.org.

 

MARIJUANA EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:

As you are probably aware, recreational cannabis dispensaries opened this week in Connecticut, so in partnership with the Colchester Youth First Prevention Coalition, we are sharing these resources with parents as a means to support your discussions with your children regarding marijuana use and sale.  Please scan the QR code on the flyers for additional information.

THC COntent     Reasons Start

      

DRUGS - WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR KIDS:

When is a good time to speak with your child about drugs? Any time you can! Looking for something to talk about during the upcoming school vacation? Here are some excellent resources about how to start a conversation with your child regarding drug use.

 

SCHOOL HOURS REMINDER:

The instructional day begins at 7:18 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. Students should not arrive at school prior to 7:05 a.m., as they will be unsupervised. The main office is open from 6:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On a shortened day, the day begins at the usual time, but ends at 11:40 a.m. If there is a delayed opening, school begins at 9:18 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m.  The main office hours may change in the event of an unexpected school delay or closing.