SEPTEMBER 2020
Whittier Middle School Wolverines
PARENT REMINDERS:
--Please pick your students up by 4:10 pm if they are not on the bus or not in activities
--Please do not drop off items for your student at school. We are trying to keep our contacts to a minimum
WHITTIER PRIDE
Coming Up...
Welcome to Whittier Middle School parents and students!
You are entering a building that is filled with energy, activity, diversity, and success! Get ready to grow, learn, succeed, and create beautiful memories. Get ready to be involved, cheerlead your child, meet new people, and learn from the best! #whittierway #wolverine
WMS PTSA is actively involved in supporting its students, teachers, and administration.
WMS PTSA is currently seeking an executive committee to include a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The current WMS PTSA members are ready to assist in preparing you to lead, support, and grow the PTSA. Many accomplishments have been acquired by PTSA over the years. Whittier Wolverine spirit is contagious and parent involvement is necessary and worthwhile to the success of the student and school communities.
We encourage you to reach out and connect with the current vice president to discuss all the opportunities for involvement for you and your child at WMS. Please email or call WMS PTSA Vice President Jen Johnson at 605.988.4949 or jenj815@gmail.com to discuss, learn, and commit to the Wolverine spirit!
Can't wait to hear from you!
#whittierway #wolverine #ptaproud
Attached you will find our PTSA membership form. Please complete and return to WMS front office. Questions? Contact Jen Johnson. Information listed above. Thank you!
From the Principal's Desk
Well, here we are in September! By the time you receive this we will have completed MAP testing to see where your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses are. We will have successfully mastered one-way staircases, social distancing, and mask wearing. Our teachers will have taught your children about Schoology and how to access on-line learning from home in case we need to do so, and most importantly, we will have seen your children in our classrooms. Once our students get to school, we know anything is possible for them.
We know as stressful as this has been for all of us, it has been for you as well. Trusting that someone else is going to keep your child safe is difficult. We know every time our students walk in our door, they are walking out of yours. You give us the trust and responsibility to take care of them—to teach them. We take this responsibility seriously.
Know as we move through this year, our focus continues to be learning. Students will see rubrics that will specify skills they need that are essential. Teachers will be moving in and out of virtual and traditional platforms to make sure they reach all students, and data will be collected on student learning so interventions and enrichment activities can be created. We want you to rest assured that learning is still taking place amongst all the different changes and challenges. Take care.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance Procedures
We must receive a call from a parent/guardian or the student may bring a note to the attendance office in the morning to obtain this pass. Students should pick up this pass in the morning to avoid a delay in leaving for the appointment.
Students must keep this pass with them and have it available to show staff members as they leave class and exit the building. They must also obtain a new pass upon returning to school to gain admittance back to class.
** Students must come to the Attendance Office to check back in when they return. Not checking in will cause your attendance to be incorrect.
Important Guidelines for students and parents to follow:
· Please have notes and calls in to the office by 8:45 AM. This will get your student out of class in a timely manner and avoid the last minute rush of coming to the office to get a pass. Students should NOT carry a note with them all day then bring it to the office on the way out.
· Student must always check into the office anytime they come into the building after the start of first period (even if it is in between two periods).
· When leaving a message on the voice mail, speak clearly and leave your name, student’s name, a contact number and the reason for their absence.
· When sending notes please include your child’s last name. Often last names differ from the parents. Also be sure the note is dated.
· When excusing your child for appointments please advise us of the time they are to leave the building, NOT the appointment time. We will not let them leave until the time you indicate.
· Notes and calls in question will be verified. Please make sure we have your current contact information up to date.
· Voice mail is available 24 hours a day for Attendance: call 367-4279.
Thank you for helping us keep your child’s attendance accurate by following these guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns about attendance, please contact Stephanie at 367-4279 from 7:30-4:00.
ATHLETICS
IMPORTANT WHITTIER GAME DAY EVENT INFORMATION:
Sioux Falls School District Mode of Operation: TIER 3
Middle School Specified Event Attendance (Football, Volleyball and Cross Country):
Adult Spectators:
Home and Visiting Team Spectators: Limited to 2 passes per rostered participant. Each rostered participant will receive 2 spectator passes prior to each event for their household. This spectator pass will allow bearer to attend that specific sport event (example pass will only allow bearer admittance into a volleyball contest and will not allow admittance into football or cross country) in the SFSD. No replacement passes will be issued.
Staff Spectators:
Staff ID will not work at the Middle School level to gain admittance. Staff member must be included in the two spectator passes.
Elementary, Middle and High School Student Spectators
Elementary, Middle and High School aged students may only attend if they are included in the two spectator passes. If these students attend, they will need to sit with their parent.
0 to Kindergarten Aged Children Spectators:
0 to Kindergarten aged children may only attend if they are included in the two spectator passes and/or permits issued. If these children attend, they will need to sit with their parents.
Athletics Information
If your son/daughter will be a 7th or 8th grade student for the 2019-2020 school year, Whittier Athletics wants them! Whittier Athletics offers Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Gymnastics, Wrestling, & Track & Field.
If your son/daughter would like to participate, they need to have a PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION. PLEASE SEE THE FOUR (4) ATTACHMENTS PROVIDED THAT WILL GIVE VALUABLE INFORMATION REGARDING WHITTIER ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION. PLEASE DO NOT DELAY AND SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Lastly, please bring your PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION FORM TO THE WHITTIER OFFICE in order for it be on file and to ensure your son/daughter is eligible for the first practice and/or competition of the season.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
It starts with you! Be loud, be proud, be positive! Go Wolverines!
Chris Janisch
Physical Education / Athletic Coordinator
Whittier Middle School
Sioux Falls School District
(605) 367-7620
VIDEO TUTORIALS
Chromebook Insurance and Fees
PLEASE SEE THE HELPFUL VIDEO TUTORIAL BELOW ON HOW TO PAY FOR INSURANCE AND FEES VIA INFINITE CAMPUS
Plan #2 - YEAR-TO-YEAR coverage. The District reserves the right to refund the remaining premiums and cancel the program if carelessness or abuse is suspected. Program Description: The District offers your student the opportunity to participate in this Computer Damage/Loss Cooperative Program. This program is designed to protect students and families in the event the Equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged as described above. A separate form must be completed for each computer covered.
Make Up Picture Day Dates
Whittier Middle School
Make Up Picture Day Dates:
Tuesday, October 20th
Picture Day ID: EVT7ZWZZB
TURKEY GIVEAWAY
The Ransom Church is giving turkeys to 50 families this year. The Gift will consist of a whole turkey, pan, and directions for cooking. If you are interested in receiving a turkey, please complete the form below and return it to WHITTIER MIDDLE SCHOOL by SEPTEMBER 28.
The Turkeys will be delivered to your home on NOVEMBER 14 between 9:00 am – 1:00 pm by volunteers of the Ransom Church. The turkeys will only be delivered to the first 50 who have turned in a form and will be home during delivery time, so be sure to return this form and mark the date on your calendars.