WESTER WEEKLY
April 26 - April 30, 2021
Stay in Touch with Wester Middle School!
Website: https://wester.mansfieldisd.org/
Location: 1520 N. Walnut Creek Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: 682.314.1800
Facebook: facebook.com/BrooksWesterMiddleSchool
Twitter: @BrooksWester
Upcoming Important Dates:
Congratulations Amelie Aquino!
MISD Energy Conservation Poster Contest Winner!
Explore MISD Summer Programs
Learning is a year-round experience at Mansfield ISD. The district offers a variety of academic and enrichment opportunities for grades pre-K through 12 during the summer.
Some of these opportunities include acceleration courses, academic intervention programs and credit recovery classes. There are also enrichment camps to keep students engaged and summer study suggestions to help students prepare for the upcoming school term.
To view all of the district's summer offerings, please visit the Summer Programs at MISD webpage.
New Student Intervention Group Aims to Bring Peers Hope!
HOPE Squad
PTA Calling Volunteers
Attention, Parents!
We still have several PTA board positions for next year that need to be filled. We are extending the nomination deadline to APRIL 30.
Nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWtfjuZXYlSwlINpZX9TB-t6gbZHUjx3lMmx2yaZNet8T1tg/viewform
Thank you for your willingness to serve!
Tryouts for Wester Swim/Dive Team for 2021-22
ID & Library Fines
Please log in to Skyward and check your student's ID and Library fines.
Students receive 2 IDs for free.
Each subsequent ID is added to the student's Skyward account as a $5 fine.
Parents are able to pay fines using the following links:
Library Fines
https://www.ticketracker.com/store/item?catalogItemId=19416
ID Fines
Brooks Wester Middle School Yearbook 2020-2021
In this one-of-a-kind year, an abundance of stories and events shaped experiences in and out of the classroom. The Brooks Wester Middle School Yearbook covers all of these and more so your child can look back and reminisce on what made this year most memorable for them.
Click here to to see a video of the yearbook cover.
Reserve your student's copy today--$40--at yearbookforever.com.
Transition from Pre-AP to Advanced Course
Click here to view the Pre-AP to Advanced Rebranding Presentation
Beginning in the Fall of 2021, the title of Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) courses will change. In the 2021-2022 Course Catalog, these courses will be referred to as Advanced. For example, if a class was previously called Pre-AP Geometry, it will now be named Advanced Geometry. The change is in name only; the curriculum and related services will remain the same. The Advanced title more closely aligns course titles with the strong programming MISD already has in place and clearly identifies and defines the courses as advanced in content.
7th Grade Mathematics Only: Grade 7 Advanced Mathematics will continue to be an accelerated course where students will be expected to master both the 7th and 8th grade state standards and curriculums during the student’s 7th grade year and prior to subsequent enrollment into Algebra 1.
Should you or your student have any questions about the new course names or existing services, please contact your campus grade level counselor or the Advanced Academics Department at 817.299.4388.
Update to MISD COVID-19 Quarantine Protocols
Please read the following message from MISD and discuss with your student the significance of wearing their mask appropriately while on campus.
As Mansfield ISD continues to assess the data pertaining to COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, the district is experiencing a decline in confirmed cases, indicating numbers are trending in the right direction. Additionally, as a district, we remain vigilant with a focus on the safety and health of the MISD community as any new recommendations are made.
By utilizing data and following district values, MISD has decided to modify its quarantining criteria for students and staff members. Beginning April 19, the start of the Sixth Six Weeks grading period, students and staff members who are consistently and properly masked while being exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will not have to quarantine.
The use of masks as a mitigating factor for quarantining was thoroughly evaluated. By comparing data with surrounding areas that do not quarantine properly masked individuals, seeing the increasing number of staff members who are able to receive the vaccine if they desire, and keeping our social distancing and hand washing protocols in place, the district believes this approach will not compromise the safety and health of students, staff members and families.
We understand this decision also comes during the window to switch learning modes for students to in-person learning or to virtual learning. Please keep in mind that the window to switch modes of instruction is open now through Friday, April 2 at 11:59 p.m. Transfers submitted during the noted window will take effect on April 19. Those interested in transferring must log in to their Skyward Family Access account to submit the form. Specific instructions are available here.
MISD will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any updates as necessary. Thank you for your continued support as we work together for the safety of the community.
Wester -STEM PTA Board Nomination Information
Please indicate your interest by completing the PTA Board Nomination Form.
For questions contact Jen Barling at jmbarling@gmail.com.
Middle School STAAR Testing Calendar
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requiring that the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)/End of Course (EOC) exams be taken in-person for both in-person and virtual learners while maintaining health and safety protocols.
To accomplish these guidelines, TEA is allowing districts to file for a waiver that allows school districts to provide asynchronous (online, self-paced) instruction for students who are non-testers during the STAAR and EOC exam administration dates. MISD has filed for this waiver and is requiring both in-person and virtual students to be present on campus to test on their designated STAAR/EOC testing dates.
MISD Makes Decision on COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols
After thoroughly consulting with health experts, receiving more guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), meeting with the COVID-19 Advisory Task Force, and hearing from the community at large, Mansfield ISD administration has made the decision to continue the requirement of masks while reducing the quarantine time for students and staff to 10 days following an exposure to COVID-19.
Face Masks: The proper face mask (over the nose and mouth) will still be required for all staff members and students in grades 4-12. Students in younger grades will still be highly encouraged to wear them as well. Practices like frequent handwashing, social distancing, and frequent disinfecting have not changed.
Ten-day Quarantine: Effective Monday, March 8, the quarantine time for an exposed individual will be 10 days if he/she has not developed any symptoms during that period. Upon return to district facilities, the quarantined individual must be monitored daily for symptoms and be properly and consistently masked, regardless of grade level (grades PK-12), for days 11-14. Please be patient with us as we update the district's website and all internal and external documents to reflect this revision.
The safety of students, staff, and families will always be top priority. As we continue to review state guidance, work with local health officials and evaluate our protocols, we will communicate any changes or decisions. MISD will continue tracking the data and remain in talks with local health officials to ensure the well-being of the community is at the forefront of every decision made. Any further updates will be communicated accordingly.
Single Sign on for State Assessments
The Texas Assessment Student Portal offers parents and students:
- A history of their scores for each State assessment taken in the past 10 years;
- Detailed results for each State assessment taken;
- Ability to view all released test questions and how they performed;
- And resources to assist parents in understanding their child’s score, understanding the STAAR test, how to help their child prepare, and FAQs.
When a guardian logs in, they will see a new TEA Assessment Parent Portal link in the District Links dropdown at the top right. Click on District Links to see the portal link for each student in the parent Skyward account. One click on the selected students will enter the Texas Assessment Portal. Details can be found here.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
- Follow the MISD Counseling Dept on Twitter @misd_counseling
- Stay up to date with MISD Guidance and Counseling
MISD School Board Approves 2021-22 Calendar
Mansfield ISD’s academic calendar for the 2021-22 school year has been approved.
The last day of school for students will be Thursday, May 26, which falls before the Memorial Day holiday.
View the full 2021-22 calendar for other important dates and holidays.
Attendance Guidelines
if you have any questions regarding attendance, please mail ChrystalMiller@misdmail.org.
If your student is going to be absent, please email Mrs. Miller or call the main line and ask for the attendance office. We will notify the teachers of the absence. If the absence is going to be in the middle of class, your student may simply log off the TEAMS meeting and since notification has already happened, there's no need to announce on TEAMS they are leaving. If the absence results in documentation (like a doctor's note), please email that to Mrs. Miller. Teachers will work with students to make up work through Canvas or email.
IN-PERSON STUDENTS:
If you need to check your student out for any reason, come to the front door with your ID and ring the doorbell. Someone will come to collect/verify your ID and call for your student. You will need to remain outside while you wait for your student to come from class. Doctor's notes may be submitted electronically by emailing them to Mrs. Miller.
A message from Nurse Debbie
It is important to stay hydrated, especially when wearing a mask all day. Send your student to school with a refillable water bottle each morning. Water fountains on campus have been turned off/covered up and replaced with bottle filling stations.
Student ID Badges
- Health and safety are a priority at Wester.
- In order to conduct contactless transactions in the library and cafeteria, Wester students will begin wearing IDs when they return to campus this year.
- Students must wear their ID, on a lanyard around their neck or attached by a clip, at ALL times while on campus.
- This year we will provide students with 2 IDs.
- Replacement ID cards are $5.
Parent Resources: Canvas & TEAMS
Dress Code Reminders
Common dress code infraction reminders. We will go over dress code reminders this next week. (From the MISD Student Handbook):
- Halter, tube, crop, and tank tops, as well as tops with large armholes and muscle shirts are not allowed. Additionally, all shirts/blouses/tops must cover cleavage, the entire back, and midriff.
- Spandex, tights, leggings / jeggings, and yoga style clothing will be allowed only if they are worn under pants, shorts, shirts, and skirts that are fingertip length front and back all the way around.
- Jeans with rips/shreds/holes are permitted as long as the rips/shreds/holes are below the fingertips when arms are by the student's sides.
- Pajamas, bathrobes, and or sleepwear are not allowed.
- For all dress code information, see page 45 of the MISD Student Handbook.
Reminder: No Food Deliveries/Drop Offs
Student Nutrition: Menus & Virtual Learner Meals
For the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, all children up to age 18 and adults with special needs up to age 21 will be able to receive one free breakfast and lunch meal every school day.
The free meals are being made possible due to waivers placed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that extended the free summer meals program to ensure all children have access to nutritious food.
In-person learners at all Mansfield ISD campuses will access their meals as usual during their designated meal periods at no cost. Second meals, additional entrees, sides and snacks will be available for in-person learners to purchase.
Virtual learners and all other individuals will be able to receive the free meals curbside at specific locations on every school day. View more information about times and locations.
The free meals were originally scheduled to end on Dec. 17. The program has since been extended to last through the last day of school for students on May 26.
MISD COVID-19 Web Page
Mansfield ISD is committed to opening school buildings with guidelines that prioritize public health and protect students and staff to the greatest extent possible.
In addition to that commitment, the district also understands the need for transparency as we face this global pandemic together.
MISD has created a web page with the purpose of tracking COVID-19 cases within the district. The data provided includes the number of lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and the recovery status of those cases by campus.
View the COVID-19 case data web page here.
The information will be updated daily. Cases will also be communicated via email directly to the employees and parents of affected facilities.
Need to Update Information in Skyward?
Follow these steps to update information in Skyward:
- Log into Family Access
- Click on My Account (top right corner)
- When the Account Settings screen opens, there is place for their email address and up to three phone numbers. (Please note – Each parent/guardian can enter one email address to receive communication via Skyward Message Center.)
- Once changes are made, click Save.
If the parent/guardian is unable to log into Family Access, there are a couple options.
1 – Use the Forgot Your Password link from the Family Access login page
2 – Email misdregistration@misdmail.org