Dear Upham Community,
Welcome Back! Yes, this is your official “Welcome Back to School” missive. We are so excited for the start of the new year! I cannot wait to see old friends and meet new ones. I hope that you and your family have had a wonderful summer break. I do apologize for the length of this message and the amount of information it contains. We are returning with fewer restrictions and the information is important for you and your children. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Welcome Back Upham Eagles!!!
Masking and Limited Restrictions
Masking
The WPS Administration and School Committee have recommended that all students and staff begin the year wearing masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. The Administration and School Committee have also recommended that this decision be revisited with the Wellesley Board of Health in early October based on the start of school data and the trajectory of the virus. Parents will be allowed to enter the building on a limited basis and must be wearing a mask. This will be revisited in October as well.
Remote Learning
The district will not be offering a fully remote learning option for families as this has not been approved by the state. As of now, any longer absences will be supported as they were prior to the pandemic.
Classroom Seating
In order to conduct contact tracing as needed, the district will employ assigned seating when feasible. Current state guidance does not require seating on buses.
Vaccination Status
WPS cannot disclose the vaccination status of individual teachers or students.
Lunch
We will be using the gym/cafetorium for our lunch. We will also be going outside as weather permits.
Wednesday, September 1 First Day Back, Yahoo!
Arrival
We will institute the same first-day meet and greet as we have in pre-Covid years. The classroom teachers will be available (with signage) at 8:15 AM. We will meet and greet on the west end of the building near the Upham Eagle wall. Look for your child’s teacher (again look for the teacher sign) and the students will line up to be escorted into the building. Parents are not allowed to enter the building at this time. The day will officially begin at 8:30. Parking can be found in the paved basketball court area, Dukes parking lot, Wynnewood and Lowell roads. There will be NO live drop-off. Please prepare to park and walk your child to the meet and greet area. Additionally, this is a ½ day for all students. Dismissal is at 12:00 PM.
Wednesday, September 1 First Day Back, Yahoo!
Dismissal
As stated above, this is a ½ day for all students and we will dismiss at 12:00 PM. This will be a regular dismissal. You may park in the paved basketball court, Dukes parking lot, Wynnewood, and Lowell roads. There is NO live pick-up at Upham. You will need to park and walk to the areas of dismissal. The K can be found at the K doors near the Upham Eagle wall. First grade will be dismissed at the front of the building near the K windows. 2nd grade will be dismissed at the 2nd-grade doors. The K, 1, and 2 will be handed off from the teacher to the parent or care provider. 3rd and 4th grade will be dismissed through the doors leading to the bike racks. 5th grade will dismiss through the entrance.
Thursday, September 2, and Friday, September 3
Arrival
This will be the arrival procedure for the remainder of the year. We have a live drop-off procedure at Upham. Please drive up Wynnewood Road through the entrance roadway in front of the building. Children will be dropped off on the right side of the car. Parents, please DO NOT get out of your car to assist. We will have plenty of teachers available to assist children in the building. Drop-of begins at 8:25 AM. There will be no open playground and the children will enter the building after their drop-off.
Dismissal
Please see the above dismissal procedures. For K families, please remember that K students will have ½ days for 9/1, 9/2, 9/3, 9/8, 9/9, and 9/10. WCCC will be offering aftercare for our K students if you should need their assistance. Please contact WCCC (781-235-1474 K stay days) for instructions.
New Family and Student Orientation
If you are new to Upham, please join us on Tuesday, August 31st from 9:00-9:30 AM for a tour of the building, introduction of staff, and an overview of Upham. I hope to see you there.
Kindergarten Meet and Greet
Please join us for our K meet and greet (greet the teacher) on Tuesday, August 31 from 9:30-10:00 AM. You will meet the teacher and see the wonderful classroom learning spaces.
Parent Portal
I have been reminded by Ms. Robin (our outstanding school secretary) to remind you to please, please, please update your information on the Parent Portal. Thank you for helping us.
Okay, my Upham Friends! I am so excited for a new year and all of its wonderfu;l possibilities. I know the teachers are excited as well. It seems we will have some sense of normalcy and we are ready. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Robin or Mr. Dees. Enjoy the short time we have before our return.
See you soon!
Dare to Dream,
Mr. Dees