Wangenheim Middle Newsletter
Volume 3: Issue VIII; November 5, 2022 (updated 11/18/22)
Wangenheim Middle School - where we develop the next generation of innovators, collaborative problem solvers and positive agents of change with a global worldview.
Dates to Remember:
- Monday-Friday, November 21-25, Fall Break
- December 16, Minimum Day
- December 19-January 2, Winter Break
JOKE OF THE DAY:
- —Google, Google, Google!
ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:
To help grant Holiday Wishes
ELAC meeting, Wed, November 30 at 3:00 pm (zoom or Room 502)
Mira Mesa Cluster event, November 30 at 5:30 pm
Middle School Athletics, Winter Sports, sign up until December 5
CORE Academy, Sat, December 10
Principal's Coffee, Tues, December 13 at 8:30 am
LOTE testing coming January 12
New Clubs forming now
Clothing Closet now open
Wildcat Study Center on Tues, Wed, and Thurs (except min days)
- 2-certificated staff support
- 3:05 pm to 4:00 pm
Independent Study Contract
Free COVID testing, Fridays, 1:00 pm-2:45 pm
DonorsChoose-staff projects
PTSA membership drive- Restaurant Night-Best Pizza and Brew, Tues, December 6
- Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, December 10 at 8:00 am
- Unit Meeting prior to Winter Concert, Wed, December 14
- Amazon Smile
- Kona Ice on minimum days
COMMUNITY CORNER
CAL Kids, college savings fund sponsored by the State of California
SANDAG's Youth Opportunity Transit Pass
Waves of Honor (Sea World)
San Diego Public Library (Mira Mesa branch)
Middle school athletics
The winter season of Middle School Athletics will consist of boys' and girls' teams in both sports, available to all San Diego Unified students in grades 6-8 free of charge. Registration for the winter season is now open, and will close on December 5, 2022.
For the last three years, through the generosity of the Wangenheim Staff, PTSA, ASB, families, and community, we have sponsored a Holiday Wish campaign. If you would like to help us grant wishes, we are accepting gift cards and cash donations.
Gift distribution will take place the week of December 12.
CORE Academy
Wangenheim Middle School will hold Saturday Sessions of CORE Academy: Supporting Student Achievement Success (CASSAS), a Saturday of education for students to receive additional support and enrichment class in their core classes and/or make up absences or tardies. This supports the ongoing effort to help prepare students with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the ongoing demands of the 21st Century.
- TIMES: 8:30am – 12:30pm
- DATES: December 10, January 7, February 23, March 18, April 15, May 6 (8th Grade Only), and May 20 (8th Grade Only)
- Breakfast and snacks are provided for all participating students
Please join us in person or on zoom Tuesday, December 13 at 8:30 am.
Each month, the Principal hosts an informal discussion meeting with parents and community members. This is an open meeting where the Principal shares information on topical issues. Parents and community members are invited to provide positive feedback and to express questions and concerns. Handouts from these meetings will be posted on this page for parents and community members who could not attend.
The meetings begin at 8:30 am and are currently on zoom and run for approximately one hour. The same zoom meeting information will be used for each meeting:
What is LOTE?
This is an optional exam that students can take that would help satisfy the foreign language requirement for High School graduation. Students need to be able to read and understand another language in order to pass. For more information, please see this letter from the Office of Language Acquisition (English or Spanish) or this brief powerpoint we created that explains the benefits of taking the test.
The test will be offered to 7th and 8th graders on Thursday, January 12th. Testing information will be sent out to only those students who indicate on the google form that they intend to take the test. Please feel free to reach out to Karena Doan (kdoan@sandi.net), Head Counselor, if you have any questions.
Independent Study Contract
If you are planning a family trip during the school year, or other situations for which your student will miss 5 days or more, it is the parent/guardian/student's responsibility to request a CIS from the Attendance Office. This must be done at least two weeks prior to the student's leaving date. Please be advised that any work that needs to be completed through the District server, may need to be completed on the District issued laptop. Work must be satisfactorily returned and signed off before the absence is marked "excused". Regular attendance is a direct factor in strong student achievement. Please contact Annette Stevens (astevens@sandi.net), 610.605.2250 ext 3021, with any questions or concerns.
WILDCAT STUDY CENTER
The Wildcat Study Center will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school in the library. NO ADVANCE NOTICE NECESSARY. There will be no WSC on minimum days. This is a quiet place for students to study from 3:05 pm-4:00 pm. Two certificated staff, one English and the other Science/Math emphasis will be available to support students, as needed.
WANGENHEIM CLUB NEWS
New Clubs forming
Asian American and Pacific Islander Club
Let's Build Lego Club
Join fellow Lego builders to create and share.
Latinx Club
WANGENHEIM HAPPENINGS:
Wangenheim Track Team
Congratulations on a great season
PAWS and PURSUE Awards - September
Congratulations to the students below. The PAWS/PURSUE Awards were chosen by his/her teachers, counselors, and/or staff. The Paws were chosen for academic excellence. The Pursue selections are based on improvement or outstanding effort/attitude.
Shadow a Student
Thank you to all the families who were able to participate in our Shadow a Student Day. We appreciate your involvement and commitment to their education. This is a special time for our students to share their Wangenheim experience.
Voting
All students voted in their Social Studies class. On the ballot: Governor's race and State propositions.
College Days
During advisory classes, students were challenged to explore local colleges and universities.
Students got to make and enjoy homemade tortillas and quesadillas at CORE Academy on November 5. Below you will find the recipe we used.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS
Scholastic Book Clubs offers a wide selection of quality books that are just right for your student's reading level and interest. With a $25 order, you can pick a FREE $5 Book (use code: READS).
Class Order Due Date: 12/14/22, Class Code RB7Q9
- Shop Digital Flyers: https://clubs.scholastic.com/middleschool
- Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/RB7Q9 where you can access all levels, preschool through middle school
All orders earn FREE books and supplies for our school. Orders will be delivered to the school and distributed through their English class. Please contact Mrs. Minezaki, School Library Tech, if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!
Friday is COVID testing day 12:00pm - 2:45pm
All students are encouraged to participate in regular, on-site COVID-19 testing. Even if students are fully vaccinated, we still recommend weekly testing. Free Covid testing in school not only helps prevent the spread of the virus, but it also helps more students stay in school and continue their education.
Opt-In to Regular, On-site Testing
You must opt in every year for your student(s). Register and complete the opt-in consent in the Primary.Health Portal to allow the testers to conduct weekly testing.WANGENHEIM CLOTHES CLOSET
The Wangenheim Clothes Closet is now open. We have a limited selection of tops, bottoms, shoes, and other items available for those in need. There are also some school supplies and hygiene products. Please contact their counselor or Heather Weld (hweld@sandi.net) to make an appointment for you or your student to check out what is available.
If you have gently used clothing items or other items to donate (socks, soap, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, face soap, lip balm...), please contact Ms. Weld to make drop off arrangements.
SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT
Students, come buy Wangenheim t-shirts and hoodies before school in Room 902. Check and cash only please.
- T-shirts..................$9.00
- Baseball t-shirts...$16.00
- Hoodies................$26.00
DONORS CHOOSE
Many of our staff members have created DonorChoose projects to advocate for our students. Please see current project below. Your support would mean so much. Please share with family and friends.
Ms. Coppola: Paint to Build Community
Help me give my students an inclusive environment by supporting a community school project.
Crochet Club Supplies
Help me give my students crochet hooks and yarn for our Crochet Club!
Mrs. Minezaki: Expressive Scrapbooking
Help me give my students materials, such as photo paper and ink, to share and express memories through journaling and scrapbooking.
Mrs. Minezaki: Learning with Legos
Help me give my students the opportunity to experience the world of Legos through science exploration.
Mrs. Minezaki: School Supplies for Academic Success
Help me give my students basic school supplies to help them be successful.
Mrs. Minezaki: Weathering the Winter Months
Help me give my students waterproof jackets, backpacks, and socks for the cold weather coming our way to help them stay warm. They will also need lip balm, deodorant, and lotion for basic hygiene.
Mrs. Minezaki: Zone Out to Zone In
Help me give my students a safe, relaxing environment with beanbag chairs and engaging activities for our most challenged students to calm down so they can return to safely interact with others.
Mrs. Slezak: Headsets for our Chromebooks to Access our Read/Write Program
Help me give my students headsets so they can have the text read to them! This may be an article, novel, primary source, or a secondary source.
Mrs. Zelman: New Classroom Community Area
Help me give my students some tall tables to stand and work at, a new carpet and benches for our community area.
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
We would like to showcase and share the activities and achievements of our Wangenheim community.
Last year's yearbook sold out. Don't miss out. Order your yearbook only $40.00 in the Finance Office (cash only) or online today.
The map shows where you might find:
- Mental Health (including ATOD services)
- Community Centers & Tutoring
- DV Resources
- Crisis Resources & Legal Assistance
- Pregnant, Parenting & Foster Resources
- Food and Clothing Resources
- Homeless/Transitional Living/Low Income
- Medical Clinics/Health Centers
- Military Families
PTSA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Please join us as we support Wangenheim students and community. Our first Unit Meeting will be held September 22 prior to Back to School Night.
Generate donations to Wangenheim PTSA
Shop at smile.amazon.com and we’ll donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization—no fees, no extra cost.
Kona Ice Fundraiser on minimum days
The Kona Ice shaved ice truck will be on campus during lunch on minimum days. Prices range from $4-$6.
COMMUNITY CORNER
SANDAG's Youth Opportunity Transit Pass allows anyone 18 and under to ride San Diego transit (bus, trolley, Coaster, and Sprinter) for free until June 30, 2023. There are several ways children and families can take advantage of this opportunity, such as using their existing online bus pass or getting a hard copy card through SANDAG.
DATES TO REMEMBER
NOVEMBER
- Mon-Fri, November 21 to 25-Fall Break, no student attendance
- ELAC meeting, November 30
- Mira Mesa Cluster meeting, November 30
DECEMBER
- Middle School Winter Sports sign up ends December 5
- PTSA Best Pizza and Brew fundraiser, December 6
- PTSA Pancake Breakfast, December 10
- CORE Academy, December 10
- Principal's Coffee, December 13
- Winter Concerts-December 13 and 14, 6:00 pm
- PTSA Unit Meeting, December 14, 5:45 pm
- Staff Development, December 16, early dismissal
- Winter Break, December 19-January 2, no student attendance