Bruin Bulletin
June 2023
The Principal's Den
Hello Bruin Families!
As we approach the end of a successful academic year, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership throughout the year. It has been an incredible journey, and I am immensely proud of what our students have achieved.
The dedication and involvement of our parent community have truly made a positive impact on our school. Your support at parent-teacher conferences, school events, and extracurricular activities have enriched the learning experiences of our students. Your commitment to their education and well-being is commendable, and we are grateful for the time and effort you have invested in their growth.
Our students have accomplished remarkable milestones this year, and their success would not have been possible without your encouragement and guidance. From their academic achievements to their artistic endeavors, athletic triumphs, and community service initiatives, they have demonstrated exceptional dedication and enthusiasm.
As we bid farewell to this academic year, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter. We have exciting plans in store to continue providing an enriching and engaging educational environment for your children, including our move to block scheduling. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to their growth and success, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that each student reaches their full potential.
I encourage you to take some time during the summer break to relax, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with your loved ones. We look forward to welcoming you back in the fall, ready to embark on another amazing year of learning and discovery together.
Thank you once again for your invaluable support and trust. I wish you all a wonderful summer filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories.
With warm regards,
Beth Pallister
Principal
Chromebook and Technology Return
Students are required to return their Chromebooks and Chromebook accessories the week of June 12. Your child's teacher will let them know what day they need to return the items.
Damaged or lost technology items result in a fee.
Fees are as follows:
Device Replacement: $250.00
Power Cord / Adapter / Charger: $37.00
Screen Replacement: $102.00
Keyboard damage: $44.00
Case (if applicable): $20.00
Other repairs: $25.00-$45.00
If you currently have an outstanding fee or invoice, please contact the bookkeeper to make payment of set-up a payment plan.
Sneaker Ball!
The WBMS PTSA is seeking a secretary and chair positions for the 23-24 academic school year. If interested, please email westernbranchmiddleptsa@gmail.com.
The WBMS PTSA would like to thank the parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members that supported, volunteered and donated this academic school year. Your efforts really helped make each event a success.
Just as a friendly reminder, the WBMS PTSA will be back this August and September at the Sixth grader boot camp and at orientation. We will be selling PTSA membership as well as spirit wear. Enjoy your summer and we look forward to seeing you soon!
This is your LAST CHANCE to buy a Yearbook! Supplies are VERY Limited. We have extended sales until we run out of copies. So order yours before they are all gone. NO CASH SALES WILL BE ACCEPTED. We only PRE-ORDER our books at https://yearbookforever.com.
The only way to get your hands on a copy of this book is to order NOW! Hurry, these books are FLYING off the shelves!
Yearbooks will be delivered to your child the week of June 9th.
Thank you for supporting our school!
Attention!!!
*RISING 7TH GRADERS MUST HAVE THEIR TDAP IMMUNIZATION PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER IN ORDER TO ATTEND.
*IF YOU RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ENROLLMENT THAT YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR RESIDENCY, PLEASE DO SO PRIOR TO THE
START OF SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER.
Summer Programs News
The Counselor's Corner
COUNSELORS' CORNER
Summer School/Summer Enrichment
Parents if your child needs to attend summer school you were notified by your child's counselor. Please be sure to return the registration form you received as soon as possible to reserve a seat. Please refer to the attached flyer for additional information.
Final Report Cards
Report cards will be available in Parentvue on June 21st.
Student Information--Parents, it is imperative that we have current address, phone number and emergency contact information on file. Please update information in Parentvue or contact the school with changes. If you have moved or are planning to move during the summer, please contact us so we can assist you with updating your information in Parentvue.
Schedule Changes
If your child would like to change their elective choice, please contact us during the summer. Schedule changes will depend on what is available and will be limited once school starts as new students will be enrolling.
Have a fun and safe summer!!!
Bruin Athletics
Sports and Team Pictures
It's that time of year when we would like to "re-share" the sports ordering process available to athletes and their families.
Sports photos taken throughout the year will be accessible on our website all year long!
Pictures will be available to purchase online four weeks after the photo day.
Please share this, feel free to copy and paste it.
To Order:
Go to www.candidcolor.net
Click on Sports Portraits
Enter your schools online code WBMSM23
Follow the on-screen instructions to order team and individual photos.
TECH Know
End of the Year Technology Updates
Summer break is a great time for parents to reinforce technology rules. Remember, you are your child’s most important role model. Parents who create a balance with tech by setting boundaries for tech time worry far less about their kids accessing inappropriate online content. Also, get buy-in from your children by them helping to create family tech limits. Undoubtedly, the benefits of technology outweigh the drawbacks, but parental consistent involvement will play a key role in keeping this balance.
https://helpdesk.cpschools.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500009805482
Library Media Center News
Russell Memorial Library offers a variety of activities for middle and high schoolers. From poetry to paint night, there's always something fun at the public library! Starting June 26th, Mondays are Dungeons and Dragons game nights, perfect for beginners! On August 8th, test your skill and play against your friends on the Gamer Bus! And don't forget to keep reading all summer long with our Slay the Stacks challenge: https://chesapeake.beanstack.com/reader365
Click Link Destiny - follettdestiny.com
Select Western Branch Middle School
Click Log In
Student Password Code: 2 digit bday, 3 lower case letters month, 2 digit year, ! (exclamation mark)
Example: June 3, 2009 password: 03jun09!
Feel free to email Mrs. Waggoner michele.waggoner@cpschools.com with any questions.
We are a Purple Star School
Welcome Our Military and Family Life Counselor!
Hello,
My name is Natasha Ewa, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW, LCSW-c) and I am a Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC) at Western Branch Middle School. First, I would like to thank you sincerely for your service.
My role at Western Branch Middle School is to support active-duty children and families (and parents) by providing non-medical, short term, solution-focused counseling services. This type of short-term counseling is intended to address issues that your child and family may experience across your military lifestyle. This includes but is not limited to helping the family cope with normal reactions to the stressful situations that deployment, reintegration and other military life challenges can create.
With parental consent, I can provide support to your youth in both individual and group settings. The service is free and confidential except for State and Department of Defense duty to warn and mandated reporting mandates.
I also invite you to visit the Military Onesource website for additional information on the program at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-and-family-life-counseling/child-and-youth-behavioral-military-and-family-life-counselors/.
Also, feel free to contact me at the number provided below if you have further questions about the program and how I can assist you and your family.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with your child.
Natasha Ewa, MSW, LCSW, LCSW-c
Military and Family Life Counselor
757 - 759 - 2802
We encourage you to review the student handbooks with your child.
ROAR
See Something, Say Something
Thank you to these businesses and community partners who contribute to our school!
We'd love to have additional community partners. Please contact the school for more information.
STAY in the KNOW
We are proud to show-off all the great things happening at our school!
The Western Branch Middle website is updated several times each week. Register for update notifications by visiting cpschools.com/wbm/subscribe. Also, please consider joining
our WBMS social media accounts (Twitter: @BranchMiddle and Instagram: wbm_bruins). We will use these accounts to showcase our students, teachers, and programs.
Another resource to help stay informed is our PTSA. We have a supportive and active PTSA, so
whether you want to lead a committee or support your child through membership, we hope you connect with the PTSA. You can also follow them on Facebook by joining https://cpschools.com/wbm/wbms=ptsa
Finally, we network with parents through our Parent Advisory Council. This group of parents is the first to hear about the latest news in Bruin Country. To participate, please contact Mrs. Kasper in the main office at 638-7920.
Western Branch Bruins
Website: https://cpschools.com/wbm/
Location: 4201 Hawksley Drive, Chesapeake
Phone: 757-638-7920
Twitter: @BranchMiddle