Weddington Middle School Newsletter
October 18, 2019
Notes from the Principal
Dear Parents,
A full week of school brings us A LOT of activity! Report cards went home Wednesday, and we are fully underway with our second of six grading periods. While traditional academics and our myriad of related arts continue, we intersperse some holistic student learning. Thursday, for example, brought us grade-level assemblies from Kim Karr and the #ICANHELP organization (https://www.icanhelpdeletenegativity.org/). She engaged our students in thoughtful discussion and interactive activities about empowering themselves to use social media positively. It’s an extension of our kindness initiatives and character education, and there’s no doubt these kids are fully immersed in social media platforms and heretofore unseen communications with the internet world. That communicative power is immense, and it’s important students realize the ramifications of not only their talk, but of their posts and online associations as well. The dialogue about digital citizenship will continue for some time.
On Friday, we kicked off one of our student favorites: the service learning tournaments! While having a good time and cheering on their peers in basketball tournaments, our students contributed nearly $1,000 to our longstanding partners at LLS. Coach Leach and our Physical Education Department spotlighted our fall sports athletes during the tournament, and big winners from the hoops contests went home with brand new basketballs. With back-to-back gym assemblies on Thursday and Friday, our students rounded out the week with some fun-filled learning! Add to all this the recognition for Mrs. Amy Rogers during the 7th grade tournament and we really had a blast--> the United Way and our hometown Carolina Panthers joined us to celebrate Mrs. Rogers and our participation in the NFL Character Playbook and last year’s Character Challenge initiative.
With no rest for the weary, we springboard into the last full week of October. Thanks to our PTSO for a delicious teacher luncheon on Wednesday, and for the ongoing ability to do things like #ICANHELP and social-emotional learning PD for teachers. It takes a village, and we’re blessed with a Weddington community that insists upon the best for its students and schools. This Wednesday, we will unite with our UCPS peers and others by participating in Unity Day, a concerted effort to stand together for kindness, acceptance and inclusion (https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp). A special treat to accompany our next-to-last Pink Monday, students may wear ORANGE tops Wednesday to help spread the universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior.
Thanks for everything, and enjoy your weekend!
Congratulations to this week's Weekly Weddington Wildcats!
6th Grade
Isabella Foss- shows Integrity
Maddie Warakois- is well-rounded
Lachlan Potes- shows commitment
Matthew Balaban - achieves balance
7th Grade
Alyson Duffy- is a very thoughtful person
Vincent Lee- is a hard worker
Anshu Arunkumar- achieves balance
Kiera Laoussadi- has strong leadership skills
8th Grade
Elise Griffin- shows integrity
Zack Beausoleil- achieves balance
Preethi James- takes ownership
Peter Apostle- takes ownership
Bring on the Banner!
8th Grade Field Trip
All 7th grade students will receive hearing and vision screening on Wednesday November 13th during the school day. If you prefer your child to opt out of these screenings please send in a written note to the nurse or front office. Please remind your students to bring their glasses on that date as well.
#ICANHELP
#WeAretheChampions
#HoopinItUp
PAWS-itively Important Information
Limited Availability--order now!
http://bit.ly/WMSlitmag
Helpful WMS Info
Please remember you need to bring your driver’s license to visit, volunteer, or check out students.
BUS INFO
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Click the Sign Up button
- Enter school code 74436 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the “User Profile” box
- Under “My Students,” click “Add”
- Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
Car riders are not permitted to ride school buses.
Absence/Early Dismissal
Parents, if your child will be leaving school early, please send a note to the homeroom teacher with the dismissal time. Students who leave before or arrive after 12:15 pm will be marked absent for the day. There are no dismissals allowed after 3:30 pm. If you send a note for your student to be in the office at 3:30 pm and you arrive after the 3:30 pm deadline, if your student is not in the office waiting for you the office staff will not call your student out of class. Also, all early dismissal and late arrivals from medical appointments must have a note from the doctor in order to be excused.
When students are absent it is not necessary to call the school. Be sure to send a note to the homeroom teacher stating why the student was not in school. UCPS will notify you through Connect-Ed if your student was
absent.
About Us
Email: amy.rogers@ucps.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Domain/56
Location: 5903 Deal Road, Matthews, NC, USA
Phone: 704.296.6318
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeddingtonMS.NC/
Twitter: @WMSINFO