News from the Nest
WKMS Newsletter - February 2022 Issue
Important Dates
- February 1 - 28 - Black History Month
- Feb 2 - Groundhog Day
- Feb 7 - 11 - National School Counseling Week
- Feb 8 - MADD presentation in the Little Theater @ 7:45am
- Feb 9 - Collaborative Planning Day - Dismissal @ 12:10pm
- Feb 13 - 19 - Random Acts of Kindness Week (Do something nice for someone!)
- Feb 18 - Weather Make-up Day (No School)
- Feb 21 - Presidents Day (No School)
- Feb 22 - National Bus Drivers Appreciation Day
Attention: New COVID Protocols! See below!
Some Important Reminders for Students!
- Please make sure Chromebooks are charged EVERY night.
- Check to make sure that you aren't running low on pencils and notebook paper.
- Check your email, Schoology, and PowerSchool DAILY to help you keep up with everything.
- When in the hallways, please be respectful of the other classes and/or meetings that could be going on around you.
- During afternoon car or bus line, please follow all procedures (these are in place for your safety) and be respectful of peers and adults on duty.
- Be your BEST self every day. You deserve nothing less!
National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week 2022 (#NSCW22) is Feb. 7-11, 2022, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February. A special thanks to Ms. Neal (6th Grade Counselor), Mrs. Thomas (7th Grade Counselor), and Ms. Calabrese (8th Grade counselor) for their work with students and families.
Marlene Neal - 6th Grade School Counselor - mneal@lexington1.net
Jennifer Calabrese - 8th Grade School Counselor - jcalabrese@lexington1.net
Meredith Thomas - 7th Grade School Counselor - mthomas@lexington1.net
Christine Avery - Counseling Office Secretary - cavery@lexington1.net
Get MADD! Come Learn with Us!
February 8 at 7:45 Ashley Merrick from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers will be doing a presentation for students in the Little Theater for our OAD (Off Drugs & Alcohol) Club. All students are welcome to attend!
Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 13 - 19th is Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK). Although we aim to be kind each and every day, let's take the time to be extra intentional in showing acts of kindness during this special week. For several amazing ideas, you can visit RAK Foundation, https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas.
Here are some suggestions that are free!
Write a nice note/email to someone
Do a chore at home without being asked
Spend some quality time with a sibling
Hold the door for someone
Draw a picture or write a poem
Help a neighbor with something
Give someone a sincere compliment
Be polite to others
For even more ideas, check out RAK ideas for the whole month, below!
Reading is Lit!
Have you read a great book recently that you want others to pick up as well? If so, consider creating a book hashtag and filling out the Google Form HERE to submit it! You might see your hashtag on a poster in the halls! Example: Dorothy Must Die #NotTheOzYouRemember
Also, if there are any apprehensive readers in your household, check out the article below to learn how to choose books that will be interesting and engaging! The more you read the more you grow! How to Choose the Best Books for Apprehensive Readers
Rising 7th Grade AVID Scholars Wanted!
We are excited to offer a unique opportunity to our rising 7th grade students for the 2022-2023 school year! We will be continuing an initiative called AVID – Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID is designed to help students prepare for and be successful in college, career, and beyond. This opportunity will only be available for a maximum of 25 qualified, rising 7th grade students.
The primary component of AVID is the AVID elective. In this class, students are taught study skills, note taking, time management, writing skills, and research skills all while being in an environment designed to help the students succeed. The AVID elective also includes tutoring sessions, access to information about colleges and universities through field studies, guest speakers, scholarship opportunities and college admission requirement information. It is a very engaging course that is loved by our students!
An ideal WKMS AVID student meets the following criteria:
Achieved a score greater than or equal to the 40th percentile on the 2021 SCReady ELA and Math assessment
Achieved a score greater than or equal to the 40th percentile on 2021-22 STAR 360 benchmark assessments in ELA and Math OR has shown exceptional growth over the 2021-22 school year
Has an average GPA of 2.0 - 3.5 for the 2021-22 school year
Consistently completes classwork/assignments
Consistently attends school and has minimal behavior issues
Has a positive attitude and is a hard worker
AVID Scholars will be selected through an application and interview process. We have included a brief Google Slides presentation. If AVID is something you are interested in and you believe that you meet most of the qualifications above, fill out the application here. All applications are due by March 11th. Remember, we only have spots for 25 rising seventh graders. One of those spots could be yours and this opportunity could change your whole future!
For any questions or for more information, please email Tiffany Shull at tshull@lexington1.net
IGP Conferences for 8th Graders!
The school counselors are currently in the process of conducting Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) conferences with all rising 9th graders. Please make sure you check your email each day for important information from the WKMS School Counseling department as well as the high school. Ms. Calabrese will be meeting with students with the last name A-Ga, Ms. Neal will be meeting with students with the last name Ge-M, and Mrs. Thomas has students in the remainder of the alphabet.
Thank You Lexington 1 Bus Drivers!
WKMS loves and appreciates you!
White Knoll Middle School
Email: dhardie@lexington1.net
Website: https://schools.lexington1.net/WKMS
Location: 116 White Knoll Way, West Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: 803-821-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wkmswarhawks
Twitter: @WKMSHawks
Disclaimer
Lexington County School District One is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all students, parents/legal guardians, staff, visitors, personnel and community members who participate or seek to participate in its programs or activities. Therefore, the district does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age, genetic information, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law. The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to process complaints based on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The district designates specific individuals to handle inquiries or complaints. To find out who to contact and how to contact them, please go to our website at http://www.lexington1.net/contact-us.
En Espanol: El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Lexington Uno, esta comprometido a una política de no discriminación e igual oportunidad para todos los estudiantes, padres/tutores legales, personal, visitantes, y miembros de la comunidad que participan o desean participar en sus programas o actividades. De ahí, que el distrito no discrimina en contra de ningún individuo en base a raza, religión, sexo (incluyendo preñez, parto o cualquier condición médica relacionada), color, incapacidad, edad, información genética, nacionalidad, u otro estado aplicable protegido por la ley local, estatal o federal. El distrito usara el procedimiento de quejas establecido en el reglamento para procesar quejas basadas en supuestas violaciones al Titulo VI del Acta de Derechos Civiles de 1964; Titulo VII del Acta de Derechos Civiles de 1964; Titulo IX del Acta de Enmiendas Educativas de 1972; Sección 504 del Acta de Rehabilitación de 1973; El Acta de Discriminación por Edad de 1975; El Acta de Discriminación en el Empleo por Edad de 1967; El Acta de Igualdad Salarial de 1963; El Acta de No Discriminación por Información Genética de 2008; y Títulos I y II del Acta de Americanos con Incapacidades de 1990.
El distrito designa individuos específicos para atender preguntas y quejas. Para saber a quien y como comunicarse con ellos, por favor visite nuestra pagina de Internet: http://www.lexington1.net/contact-us.