Warrenton Warrior Newsletter
"Once a Warrior, always a Warrior" (Sept Issue)
Calendar
August 29- Quebec meeting (following back to school night)
September 2- Labor day, School closed
September 5- Soccer & Softball 3:30 Away game @ AMS
September 6- Cross Country @ AMS 4:30
September 10- Soccer and Softball 3:30 Home game vs TMS
September 10-Fall Fundraiser Kick off
September 16- NJHS meeting 2:30-3:30 PM
September 12- PTO meeting: "Come One, Come All!" Share your Ideas!
September 12- Soccer & Softball 4:00 Away Game vs MMS
September 13-Cross Country 4:30 @ Cedar Lee
September 19- Softball & Soccer Away game 3:30 vs Cedar Lee
September 20- Cross Country @ MMS 4:30
September 23- Half day
September 25- Soccer and Softball 3:30 Home game vs Auburn
September 23-27- Library Book Fair, 5-8 PM
September 26- Cross Country 4:30 "Home" meet at FHS
September 27- Soccer and Softball 3:30 Away Game at TMS
October 1- Soccer and Softball 4:30 Home Game vs MMS
October 4-8th Grade Students visit Lord Fairfax Community College
October 4-Cross Country 4:30 PM Crockett Park
October 7- Soccer and Softball 3:30 Home Game vs Cedar Lee
October 9-Cross Country 4:30 @ AMS
October 9- School Pictures
November 15 & November 16-WMS Fall Musical Production
From the Principal
WMS Community,
We are very excited for the 2019-2020 School Year! Although we are less than a month into the school year, a great deal has already been accomplished, and we are looking forward to a busy September. In August, we had 6th, 7th, and 8th grade assemblies, as well as an activity schedule on 8/30 when we had our “read-in” after 7th period. We truly appreciate the support of our WMS families, especially in assisting the restart of our WMS PTO, and the families that came out for Back to School Night on Thursday, August 29th. Some upcoming dates to be aware of are:
September 5th- Fall Sports begin
September 10th- Fundraiser Assembly and Fundraiser Kickoff
September 23rd - ½ day for students
October 4th- 8th grade field trip to Lord Fairfax Community College
October 9th- Picture Day
Please follow WMS and the WMS PTO on social media, if you haven’t joined the PTO there is still time! Thank you for your continued support and please feel free to contact me at mark.malloy@fcps1.org with any questions!
Thank you,
Mark Malloy
Principal Warrenton Middle School
Library News From the Bookshelf
Welcome back to the WMS Library! Our library hours are 7:00 – 2:45 and we are excited to see your students again! As a reminder, students are allowed to check out 2 books at a time, and books need to be returned within 2 weeks.
We have a couple of exciting opportunities coming up this year… first of all, we’d like to welcome students who are interested in being a part of our Battle of the Books team. Sign up and join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 10, at 7:15 in the library. Battle of the Books Team members, also known as "BOB" members, will be meeting each Tuesday from 2:30 -3:45 in the library.
The other exciting event we have coming up is our 1st Book Fair! Make plans to come shop for your favorite books from Monday, September 23-Friday, September 27. Family Night will be held during the week as well, details to follow!
Don’t forget the library has lots of resources at your disposal! Please visit our library webpage to find out more! Usernames and passwords are required on some sites when used from home. All usernames and passwords are published on Blackboard. To access the public library sites, students will need a public library card. Stay tuned… more information will be sent home about public library cards!
Please send any box tops to our library! They will be collected there to help out with making the library an even better place to be. Also, we are requesting picture books if you have any to donate. Your contributions are so appreciated.
Service Project: Collection of Backpacks and Shoes!
WMS is in the midst of two service projects at this time. Did you buy new backpacks for school? Do you have old backpacks sitting around? You can donate those by bringing them to Mrs. Kwolek’s room (202). One of her former students uses them as a service project by filling them with needs for those who are homeless. That old backpack can have a new useful life!
You probably also bought a pair of shoes to replace ones that are too small, worn out, or “so last year.” We are also collecting shoes! They can be any type, any size, and in any state of disrepair! Check the backs of closets and under beds for those pairs you don’t want and bring them in to be dropped off in Mrs. Kwolek’s room (202). Volunteers will be sorting and packing the shoes for shipment to Soles4Souls, a charitable shoe organization.
Thank you for assisting in our service efforts.
School Counseling News
Welcome to our new WMS families and welcome back to our returning families! It is our hope that this school year will be full of successful experiences for all students! As professional school counselors, we work with ALL students to encourage a safe school climate of trust and respect. We provide small group counseling and classroom guidance lessons. We meet individually with students to provide brief, solution focused counseling. We collaborate with parents/guardians, teachers, support staff, and administrators to help support students.
We have visited classrooms to introduce ourselves to 6th grade students to talk about reasons to see a counselor, how to see a counselor, and the meaning of confidentiality. We will be talking with 7th and 8th graders this fall about Academic and Career Planning. Eighth graders will have an opportunity to visit the campus at LFCC on Friday, October 4th, to learn about various career paths.
Small group counseling letters were sent home last week with your child. If you would like your child(ren) to participate in a small group, please return the signed permission form no later than September 13th.
The weekly Power Pack Program is available to families again this year. This program provides food for children of families who have difficulty providing meals throughout the weekend. It contains non-perishable individual servings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the weekend. The Power Packs are sent home each Friday. If you feel that your child(ren) needs this service, please contact the school counselors.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns about your child or have any questions. We are looking forward to a great year!
You may reach the counselors by phone at 540-422-7502 or via e-mail.
Thank you for your support,
Mrs. Jennifer Kuehn, School Counselor, WMS jennifer.kuehn@fcps1.org
Mrs. Pamela Peterson, School Counselor, WMS & TMS ppeterson@fcps1.org
Textbook News
· Textbooks were Issued on Monday, 8/19th and Tuesday, 8/20th.
· Please write your name in INK and cover those hard bound textbooks.
· Most classes now ONLY use classroom sets – textbooks AND workbooks.
Sports News
Fresh Clubs Coming Soon!
Mr. White (of our P.E. Department) will be our F.R.E.S.H. Wellness leader for this school year. We will be offering two clubs for our students this fall. There will be a cooking club and a sports club. This would be a great opportunity to connect with fellow warriors in a different setting. Details will be forthcoming, and please consider getting more engaged in the wonderful activities we have to offer.
Welcome our New Staff!
First, We have added one new instructional assistant, Mrs. Blackwell. She assists mainly with our eighth graders. Next, New to Special Education is Ms. Evans, who many know from her time coaching sports. Pictured third, you will see Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis has been chosen to be our new librarian. She is excited to start collecting box tops for the library. She also wishes to build up our picture book selection. If you have any picture books to donate, she would appreciate them. She has students who do "read alouds" to younger students and they are used often as part of the kids projects. Third from the right, is Ms. Byram. She was moved into a full time teacher position in Eighth grade and teaches Geography. Ms. McCulla is now part of our Seventh grade teacher team, and she teaches Civics.
Not pictured is our new Prinicpal, Mr. Malloy, and our new part time Orchestra teacher, Mr. Gattuso.
Please join us in welcoming the new members to our school family!.
Thank You to SCA "Year after Year" sponsors
Thank you to Country Chevrolet for their incredibly generous donation of $500 to the Student Council Association (SCA) Soldier Care Package Project. These funds will be used to help with the shipping costs of our packages in December. This is this fourth year Country Chevrolet has supported our efforts. Thank you! And we also can thank Warrenton Toyota, as we just received support from them as well.
P.E. News From the Sidelines
The Physical Education classes have begun their first round of units. Mr. White’s classes are completing the fall Virginia Wellness Fitness Tests. These will be done again in the spring with results reported to the state. Mr. Helkowski’s classes are playing hand ball and Mrs.’s Smith-Haynes classes are learning the skills to play Styxball, a modified no contact game of Lacrosse.
We are currently accepting order forms for our wonderful Warrior Wear. These items will be available for purchase throughout the year. Get your orders in now!
If you are doing some fall cleaning, the Physical Education department is looking for used tennis rackets, softball/baseball mitts, softball bats, wagons, and storage containers. Please keep us in mind!
Language Arts News
Language Arts classes in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade have been going over classroom expectations and getting to know each other through a variety of classroom activities. Students completed the STAR reading comprehension assessment and had an opportunity to visit the library to meet our new librarian and check out books. Please encourage your child to consider participating in Genre Bingo or Battle of the Books. We look forward to a great year!
Math News
In math, sixth grade has been involved in some “Getting to Know You” activities.
Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have or will be taking their pre-assessments.
Seventh and eighth graders have been reviewing integers. Algebra students are reviewing the Real Number System and integers as well. Geometry students are learning about lines, points, and planes.
Science News
The 2019-2020 Academic Year in Science got off to an “illuminating” start when students were challenged on the first day of class to evaluate how accurate are data when they observed members of the Science Department “eating” candles! Is that what they really did? Could their observations be wrong?
A major focus for the Science Dept. this year is to provide students with more hands-on activities to show how science is used every day in ways that are often not seen as being “science”. In addition, students will be actively involved in STEM projects as they learn to apply the methods of science to solving everyday problems. Guest speakers, such as Capt. Clappi from the Loudon County Fire and Rescue Department, will be coming into the classrooms throughout the year to provide students with career options in areas of applied science.
Clinic News
Welcome to the new school year. Several important items:
· Health Plans
o FCPS requires new health plans (asthma, seizures, severe allergy) EVERY year,
o Please call or email and I will send you the forms.
o If your student had a plan last year, but you’ve decided to NOT do it this year – let me know.
· Medications
o Medications MUST be given as per box instructions for age. You may write in the instructions “per box instructions.” If you want them to get more I must have an order from a health care provider (If you student is 11 I will need children’s doses).
o Medications must be brought to the clinic by a parent unless other arrangements are made.
o Medications may be shared between siblings if age appropriate.
o Medications must be new, unopened and not expire during the 2019-2020 school year.
o Student may only carry emergency medication and must have permission
o Cough drops, hand lotions, sunscreen and over the counters are NOT allowed outside the clinic.
o Students may carry non medicated lip balm and contact solution.
o The clinic does NOT stock any medications – they must be brought in by a parent/guardian.
· Prescription medications taken at home.
o If your student takes medications at home, I would appreciate knowing the medication name, dose and dose changes to help you monitor for side effects.
o If your student forgets their medication, you may bring/administer the medication in the office.
· Going home
o Our goal is to keep your student in the classroom. If your student sends you a text asking to go home because of an illness – tell them to go to the nurses office for evaluation.
· Lions Vision and Hearing Tests September 5th
o By law, all 7th graders get a hearing and vision screening. We also screen any new student from a private school or out of state.
o Make sure your student brings/wears their glasses that day.
o If your student is NOT in the screening group, you may give written permission for them to be included in the screening.
I am available from 7:00 – 2:30 PM. If you ever have any questions, or would like any copies of the forms, please call me at 540-422-7495 or email marlene.gardner@fcps1.org
Thank you!
Nurse Gardner
Sunflower planted by last year's Agriculture Class
Ms. McCulla, our new Civic's Teacher
Another Sunflower
Meet the PTO
PTO Board Position: Social Media coordinator - Rikki Brown
My name is Rikki Brown, and I have lived in Warrenton since 2014. I am a mom to 2 WMS students and a preschooler. I am also a proud soccer mom, and look forward to my children’s practices and games each year! I am so happy to be on the PTO this year and to be able to help connect the parents teachers and students through volunteering.
PTO Board Position: Vice President - Betsy Sullivan
My name is Betsy Sullivan, and I am excited to be your PTO Vice President! My husband and I have four children and have lived in Fauquier for almost 10 years. I have been active in our county's schools, serving with Brumfield Elementary's PTO, Weekend Power Pack, and I also work part time at Warrenton Christian Preschool. I am a citizen committee member on the board of Parks and Recreation and I am enjoying learning the ins and outs of what it takes to make our town so wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your student. I know we will make a great team!!
PTO Board Position: Co-President – Beth Griese
My name is Beth Griese, a mother of 5 children, one of which, was former Warrenton Middle student. Currently I have twins in 6th grade at Warrenton Middle. I have volunteered for years at C Hinter Ritchie and even worked as a Kindergarten Assistant teacher at Greenville Elementary. I have seen ways to help our students as a Parent and as an employee. I look forward to working with faculty, parents and our students to help make a sense of Community at Warrenton Middle School.
PTO Board Position: Co-President – Laura Rehaluk
My name is Laura Rehaluk and I have lived in Warrenton since 2012 with my husband, and our daughter a Warrenton Middle School 7thgrader. I’ve always felt strongly about my commitment to volunteering at schools where my child has attended. I’ve been very involved in all levels from Teaching Junior Achievement for 3 years to Home Room Parent, Book Sale co-chair and Fundraising lead on many events. When I am not on mission trips or volunteering, I am working to make a great weekly newspaper and website for the Community we serve at The Fauquier Times. I sincerely look forward to making this year the best that it can be for our students, faculty & parents because I firmly believe,…...you only get out what you put into it!
PTO Board Position: Volunteer Coordinator – Kristin Butke Zagorski
I am Kristin Zagorski, married to Steve Zagorski, mother of 3 amazing children, Aidan, Garet, and Ciara, and owner of the Southern Academy of Irish Dance. I have an 8th grader at WMS, and 2 in elementary school. I want to be on the PTO board because I like to help start something new. I am the volunteer coordinator, and for almost 20 years I’ve been coordinating volunteers to help with various jobs for my Irish dance school! My background will assist the PTO and I’m exited to be involved. I love to travel, teach Irish dance, watch movies, go to the beach, and spend time with my family. Fun fact about me: I toured with Lord of the Dance from 1997-2000 and met some famous people like NFL players, actors, and music artists! Here’s to a great year at Warrenton Middle School!
PTO Board Position: Treasurer – April Swain
I am a VP Finance for SAIC and have been I. Government contracting finance for over 20 years. I was the Kettle Run After Prom treasurer for four years and enjoy being involved in the school activities that benefit our children.
PTO Board Position: Volunteer Coordinator – Carie Hammond
Carie Hammond is the mother of two daughters (6th and 8th grade) at Warrenton Middle School. She has been involved in the Girl Scouts, having both her own troop until last year and coordinating the Girl Scout troops out of C. Hunter Ritchie for 3 years. She enjoys animals, camping, and gardening. She works as a Business Analyst and Project Manager and is looking forward to using her business skills to aid the PTO in getting volunteers organized for our events. Carie is very excited to join our PTO as she very much enjoys working with children and wants to help foster a great community for our school.
Aibhinn Perrius
Annaka Busenlehner
Maggie & Cole
Art News
ART NEWS
Welcome back to WMS Art Studio. We have had a great start to our school year with some exciting art work. Our 7th and 8th graders created a collaborative mini banner with advice for our new sixth graders. All classes created an all about me puzzle piece. Look for the puzzles hanging in the hall. Sixed grade had begun work with landscapes and reflection. Seventh grade is working with creating illusions of spheres floating in space. Eight grade has finished creating profile illusions and are now working on contour drawing. Parents, be on the lookout for information about Artsonia, our online gallery.