Woodland Park Middle School
We inspire learning and empower growth.
Marshmallow Tower Teambuilding
Fun with Lockers!
Students are happy!
August 27, 2021
Hello Panthers!
It was a wonderful first week with students! We spent quite a bit of time getting to know students and empowering them to make new friends and reconnect with friends they have had in the past.
On Monday, August 30th we welcome back ALL our students. Part of our celebration with this will include some great areas for you to take "first day of school" pictures. We know it is not the official first day but it is the first day with everyone. If you are able to come before or after school to take a picture with your student we encourage you to do so. (Please find a parking spot so the traffic flow is not disrupted.)
Thank you for choosing WPMS and sharing your amazing children with us. It is going to be an incredible year of learning and growth.
Go Panthers!!
Yvonne Goings, Principal
Erin Street, Assistant Principal
WPMS Upcoming Dates
- Monday, August 30th Panther Spirit Day: Wear your new WPSD shirt or Panther colors!
- Monday, August 30th 8th grade Family Warm Welcome
- Wednesday, September 1st Home Football game at WPHS 4pm
- Friday, September 3rd WPMS Flag Raising Ceremony: Wear red, white, and blue
- Monday, September 6th No School
- Tuesday, September 7th Home Volleyball 4pm
- Wednesday, September 8th Home Football game at WPHS 4pm
- Thursday, September 9th Home Cross Country meet at Meadow Wood Park 4pm
- Friday, September 10th CAP Meeting at the Middle School 9:00 a.m.
- Friday, September 10th Home Volleyball 4pm
- Friday, September 24th WPMS Color FUNd Run & Walk
- Month of October WPMS Family Meetings
Flag Raising Ceremony - Friday, September 3rd
Warm Welcome Wednesday Is Back!
Our fire department donates time the first Wednesday of each month to greet our students. We are looking for other community organizations to join us as well. If you are interested please contact Principal Goings at ygoings@wpsdk12.org.
Spirit Day - Monday, August 30th - Wear Panther colors and show your Panther Spirit!
School Pictures
Volunteers Needed!
- Classroom Volunteers: teachers may be reaching out during the year asking for help during various units. Please check with individual teachers if you are interested in this.
- Caring and Active Parents: CAP is the WPMS version of a PTO. CAP meetings are held at the school the second Friday of each month at 9:00 in the morning. CAP supports the students and staff throughout the year by helping with the Color FUNdraiser Run, Activity Nights, and special occasions. You do not have to be at the meetings to participate. CAP will send out invites when help is needed in other areas as well.
- Watch D.O.G.S.: Dads of Great Students is a wonderful national organization that encourages positive male role models to help in schools. A Watch D.O.G.S. volunteer helps to keep the building secure, participates in classes, helps at lunch, and forms positive relationships with students. We love our Watch D.O.G.S.!
- Connection Classes: Connection Classes are taught by volunteers that have a passion for a hobby and want to share that with students. In the past volunteers have led students in crocheting, disc golf, lego building, gardening, and many other fun activities. Be looking for more information on this in the following weeks.
STUDENT HOURS 8:05-3:15pm Student Drop off begins at 7:40am
Drop off and pick up - Important Information
- Traffic flows one way through the Middle School parking lots. Please look for the signs indicating the traffic flow. (The entrance off Kelley's Road is the one furthest to the east before you get to Rampart Range Road.)
- Parents dropping off and picking up their students should do so by using the entrance off of Kelley's Road. The entrance off of Rampart is the bus loop and parents should not use that area.
- There are two lanes during drop off and pick up. The lane closest to the curb is where cars should stop to unload or load students. Please pull as close to the curb on the right as possible. The lane to the left is for pull through traffic. So, after dropping off or picking up your student please carefully merge into the pull through lane to exit the school area.
- Please pull as far forward as possible. This may mean that you drive past the flagpole and meet your student in front of the commons. Your student will find you and we will help remind them to look past the flagpole.
- Please do not encourage your student to cross traffic to get into your vehicle. This is extremely dangerous.
- Please do drive slowly.
- Drop off begins at 7:40.
- School is out at 3:15. Please do not begin lining up before 3:05. We do have some special transportation vans that need to access the front drive in order to pick us students. It is an easier process if the pick up lane is not crowded.
Safety and Security
Mr. Macari is the WPMS security officer. He puts on several miles everyday as he around the walks around the school, talks with students, checks to make sure our doors are secure, and helps students in any way he can.
Officer Darren Traylor joins WPMS this year as our School Resource Officer. An SRO follows a "triad concept": to educate, to mentor, and to be a law enforcement officer. Officer Darren has been a big hit at the middle school and students are starting to form great relationships with him. We appreciate the partnership with the Woodland Park Police Department as we strive together to keep our students safe and secure.
Away for the Day: WPMS Cell Phone Philosophy
We believe that having phones in the locker is best practice. When students do not have the freedom of accessing their phones during school hours, they are more engaged socially and academically.
Students must adhere to the guidelines established through the Student Responsible Use Policy. Please be aware that students are not permitted to use or create a wireless access point (mobile hotspot, external access point, etc) that is not provided by the District.
Electronic devices must be kept in lockers and turned off during instruction and in the classroom. Unauthorized use of these devices disrupts the instructional program and distracts from the learning environment. School officials, including classroom teachers, may take the device away from students if used during the times not permitted. Repeated unauthorized use of such devices may lead to disciplinary action.
Students may not use electronic devices during the lunch period or passing periods.
Texting and recording are not permitted during the school day.
Absolutely no electronic devices with cameras will be permitted in the PE locker room.
Social media should not be used at school. These forms of communication often lead to increased conflict and are avenues for bullying. Students that use electronic media to harass or bully others will forfeit the right to have any device on school grounds.
Panther Time - What is that??
WPSD Transportation
Mrs. Vergenz and Mr. Kettler claim to have the best job in the world!
A Note from our Nurse
- If your student has a known health condition (Asthma, Allergies, Seizures, Diabetes) or needs special care such as medications, treatments or monitoring please bring in required health care plans and/or permission for medication forms which need to be signed by a physician.
- All students are required to have up-to-date immunizations, especially those entering 6th grade needing a Tdap. Please provide a copy to the health office.
- If your student has a non-medical immunization exemption there are new requirements. Either the form needs to be signed by a physician OR you must complete the online immunization education module and provide the certificate to the health office.
- Remember to keep your student home if exhibiting any signs or symptoms of illness.
For more information or to download any forms please visit the District Webpage under Departments on the Health Information tab. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Healthy students learn better!
Cheri Maniak, RN
719-686-2267