May 12, 2023

INISHMOR IN COLCHESTER FUNDRAISER FOR BA GIRLS' LACROSSE:

Inishmor in Colchester is partnering with Bacon Academy Girls’ Lacrosse On Thursday, May 18th. Please visit Inishmor at 20 Main Street, Colchester, CT.  A portion of the proceeds from the night will be donated back to the Bacon Academy Girls Lacrosse Team.

 

SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENTS:

Annual spring testing at William J. Johnston Middle School is just around the corner.  The Smarter Balanced assessments determine students’ progress toward college and career readiness in literacy and math. These are given at the end of the school year and consist of two parts: a computer adaptive test for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Mathematics and a performance task in Mathematics. The summative assessments describe both student achievement (how much students know at the end of the year) and student growth (how much students have improved since the previous year) to inform program evaluation and school, district, and state accountability systems.

The SBAC tests are not timed and students will be allowed to take breaks when needed. Also, we will provide snacks prior to testing each day. Spring testing sessions will be scheduled May 16th-May 19th with make-ups taking place the following week of May 22nd-May 26th. 

Portions of Smarter Balanced testing contain listening activities that will require students to use headphones. Students are encouraged to bring in their own headphones or earbuds to use during testing if they have them. We do have a limited number of headphones available in our media center and in classrooms if needed.

Additionally, all grade eight students will participate in taking the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) computerized assessment.  Only grade eight students will be taking this test, as it is only assessed at grades 5, 8 and 11 across the state.  

We are often asked how a child can be ready for SBAC or any other big test. Students do well on state tests when they come to class regularly and do their schoolwork. Since most WJ students do that, we cannot be any prouder. There are other things that we suggest to reach success: 

  1. Reduce or remove digital distractions prior to testing

  2. Eat well

  3. Get a good night’s rest and take a nap after school

  4. Read short and long passages from text and have conversations about them (makes great dinner talk)

Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or administration with any questions or concerns that you may have.

 

PTO PAINT NIGHT - SAVE THE DATE:

WJJMS PTO will be hosting a paint night fundraiser on Monday June 7, 2023 from 6-7pm.  The cost will be $15, made payable thru Studio 13 site. Adults and students will paint on a canvas they get to take home the night of the event.  Please wear clothes that can get messy!  We can't wait to see your creativity shine! More info on how to sign-up to follow soon. 

 

PTO YOGA NIGHT - SAVE THE DATE:

The WJJMS PTO is happy to announce a Yoga Night on Wednesday June 14, 2023 from 7-8pm in the Black Box Theater (The Commons).  Join us and yoga instructor Amie Meacham for a 90's night soundtrack of music and some stretchy relaxation; before the summer break begins!  Parents of 8th grade students are encouraged to join before their students return at 8pm from the field trip.  This event will be geared toward adults but middle and high school students with yoga experience are welcome. More info on how to sign-up to follow soon.

 

GRADE 7 DANCE - HOLD THE DATE:

The Halfway Home Hula is a dance for seventh graders and will be held on May 25th, from 6-8pm ($10/person).  More info to follow soon.

Hula Dance

 

COLCHESTER YOUTH COALITION FIRST FAMILY AGREEMENT:

Sometimes talking to kids about alcohol and cannabis use can be hard.  Here is a link from the Colchester Youth First Coalition to a family agreement that is a really great conversation starter for parents and children regarding ways to provide a safe home environment where alcohol and cannabis products are secured.  As you may already know, legalized adult use of recreational cannabis products leads to increased accidental ingestion among children.

Youth First Flyer

 

8TH GRADE PICNIC:

WJJMS PTO is happy to coordinate this annual event for all 8th graders to celebrate their promotion with their classmates. Pizza, snacks, drinks and desserts will be served. Special Bacon Academy** T-shirts will be given to each graduate. 

We are asking for a $10.00 donation to help defray the costs of pizza, t-shirt, drinks, paper goods and entertainment. 

We will need volunteers on the day of the picnic. Keep your eyes open for links coming soon so you can sign up for food, time and/or monetary contributions. Contact Jessica Trusz [email protected] with any questions you may have.

Please return this form with your $10.00 donation to the office by May 16, 2023.  Thank you for your donation and assistance with this special day. We could not do it without you!

 

SAFE FUTURES PROGRAM:

Safe Futures will once again be coming to WJJMS to teach all 8th-grade students. The Pi team will be May 22-25 and Zeta Mu will be June 5-8.

Safe Futures is a non-profit organization that advocates for those impacted by domestic violence. This organization provides many services to families. One of them is a teen dating violence prevention program in grades 7-12.  This is an evidenced-based program developed to teach children about what healthy and unhealthy friendships and/or dating relationships look like. 

The school counseling department has arranged for this program to come in as part of our students’ transition activities to the high school. 

As our students become young adults, it becomes increasingly important for them to recognize the signs of harmful relationships, and also to continue to learn skills to engage in safe, fulfilling ones.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Meg Lewis, School Counselor, [email protected]

 

SCHOLAR-LEADER AWARD RECIPIENTS:

Congratulations to Toheed Usman & Keegan McKenzie, the WJJMS recipients of the Middle Level Scholar-Leader Award. A banquet will be held in June to recognize these two students who distinguished themselves in scholarship & leadership in both school & community. 

Award Recipients

 

CAREER FAIR - WE NEED YOUR HELP:

The Career Fair is coming Friday, June 2, 2023 from 8:00-12:30 p.m. with a luncheon provided immediately following. WE NEED YOUR HELP! We would love to have our parents and community members join us to share about their careers. ALL CAREERS ARE WELCOME!! Our goal is for students in grades 6-8 to explore the many opportunities available to them, with an emphasis on finding careers that match their interests.  This will be in a career fair format, where students will visit a representative (that's you!) at their table and ask questions related to that career.  If you are interested in helping us please complete the attached registration form: 

Career Fair Registration Form We currently have 21 participants but we need many more! 

Looking forward to hearing from you and making this a community effort! 

 

YOUTH SERVICES SUMMER TRIPS:

Click here to view the calendar/registration of trips and a detail of each trip.

 

YOUTH SERVICES DROP-IN INFO:

Youth Center Drop-in Info

 

SUMMER CAMP AT THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL:

Please click here for more information.

 

CANNABIS-FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Below is a link to a recording of a Community Conversation that the Youth First Coalition presented on January 31st.  The presentation is from the Governor’s Prevention Partnership and there is a lot of important information about Cannabis.  We hope that you will find time to watch the recording at your convenience.   

Cannabis Facts

https://youtu.be/TfSQAXoqHec

 

Also, please check out the Youth First Coalition website for helpful prevention resources! 

https://www.colchesterct.gov/colchester-youth-social-services/youth-first-coalition/pages/prevention-resources

 

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.

 

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.