Words from West
August ~ 2022
A MESSAGE FROM MS. BALBAUGH, PRINCIPAL
It is my pleasure to welcome everyone back for the 2022-2023 school year!
We are excited to introduce Mr. Matt Adams to our team as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director of West Middle School. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to Mr. Adams as he is excited to meet our students and families.
We are hopeful you will find the following information helpful as you finalize summer plans and plan for a successful start to the school year!
I am honored to serve as the principal of West Middle School, for the third year. It is truly a privilege to be part of a community and school where parents, teachers, and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support every child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
Sincerely,
Diana Balbaugh, WMS Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. ADAMS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL/ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Hello GBWMS students and families! As we begin another exhilarating year of learning, I am very excited to get to know each of you a little better, to support your academic goals, and to help strengthen the bonds that you have with the school and your peers!
Middle school is the time that many habits, mindsets, and friendships form that last a lifetime. To help you make the most of it, I encourage everyone to get involved! Sports, clubs, music programs, and other extra-curricular activities encourage learning beyond the classroom and are a great way to build on academics and develop school spirit.
Please take the time for a fistbump or a handshake when we see each other. I would be glad to talk to you about any of these opportunities!
Mr. Matthew Adams
GBWMS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
ANNUAL ONLINE REGISTRATION - MANDATORY FOR EVERY STUDENT/FAMILY - EVERY YEAR
**The 2022-23 online registration for Grand Blanc Schools is now available. ALL Parents are required to complete the annual online registration through your ParentVUE account prior to picking up schedules in August.
Please visit www.GBCS.org and click on “Online Registration” from the homepage.
Below is a brief summary of login instructions.
If you have a ParentVUE account (or are unsure):
DO NOT create a new account if you may already have an account because the new account will not allow you to view your student’s information.
If you have a ParentVUE account but do not remember your login, please call (810) 591-7335 and a staff member will be able to provide your username.
If you know your username but have forgotten your ParentVUE password, you can click the “More Options” button below the login, then click “Forgot Password,” and the system will step you through resetting your password.
If you have never activated a ParentVUE account for any of your children:
Please call (810) 591-7335 to receive an activation key. Once you have an activation key, go to the site above and scroll down to follow the instructions to create a new ParentVUE account.
Once you login to ParentVUE:
1. Please verify that you are on the Current/Returning Student tab for 2022-2023 (do not create a new enrollment unless your student is new to the district).
2. Scroll through each screen to review and update all information on your student(s).
3. Electronically sign required forms.
4. Review all information then click SUBMIT at the bottom.
SAVE THE DATE INFORMATION
SCHEDULE PICK-UP and SCHOOL PICTURES
- **Student schedules will not be released unless annual registration is complete - See above**
Tuesday, August 16th:
- 9:00AM - 1:00PM
- 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Wednesday, August 17th:
- 9:00AM - 1:00PM
**If you are unable to make it to the designated times above, we will be passing out student schedules in the Main Office, on August 18th, 19th, and 22nd from 9am - 2pm.
DROP-IN STYLE "ORIENTATION"
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Representatives from the following departments will be available to answer questions for families and students during Schedule Pick-Up on . . .
Tuesday, August 16th from 4:00 - 6:00PM:
- Transportation
- 504/Student Advisors
- Special Education
- Team Leaders
- Title I
- Counselors
- Easter Seals
- Athletics
- Technology
- Unified Arts/Music
- Kitchen/Cafeteria
- Yearbook Sales
- Mindfulness/SEL Intervention
OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, August 23th:
- 4:00PM - 6:00PM
- Meet teachers and tour the building
**Lifetouch will be here for school pictures during Open House hours**
SCHOOL PICTURES
All students will need to have a photo taken for their student ID. Lifetouch photographers will be on hand at all the schedule pick-up times and Open House.
There will also be a picture day on September 17th (during school hours) for students unable to make it to one these events.
You may order pictures online at: www.lifetouch.com and click on the “order now” tab. Then use the following codes to place your order.
August 16th or 17th code: EVTCS3Q94
- August 23rd code: EVTSM6C8V
- September 16th code: EVTBTJHND
FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL - SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 24th
- HALF DAY
- School Day Starts at 8:05AM
- Doors open at 7:52AM (students should remain in vehicles until this time)
- School Day Ends at 11:29AM
Thursday, August 25th
- FULL DAY
- School Day Starts at 8:05AM
- Doors open at 7:52AM (students should remain in vehicles until this time)
- School Day Ends at 3:02PM
Friday, August 26th
- REMOTE HALF DAY SCHEDULE
- Log into Google Meets each hour via Google Classroom
- 1st Hour - 8:00a - 8:35a (35)
- 2nd Hour - 8:35a - 9:05a (30)
- 3rd Hour - 9:05a - 9:45a (40)
- 4th Hour - 9:45a - 10:15a (30)
- 5th Hour - 10:15a - 10:45a (30)
- 6th Hour - 10:45a - 11:15a (30)
(On-line Learning Expectations for Remote Half Days will be coming soon!)
**PICKUP AND DROP-OFF UPDATES AND CHANGES
TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE AND TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF, we will NOT BE ALLOWING FAMILIES TO PARK in the parking lot prior to drop-off and during pickup (unless the adult driving is planning to come into the building).
Pickup and drop-off will use FOUR MOVING LANES ONLY!
- THREE lanes in the loop (closest to the building)
- ONE driving lane in the parking lot (closest to the building)
- (See Map Below)
Officer Wolschleger, or a designated school official, will be working the cross-walk during these times.
Thank you for your help with this small adjustment, that will improve the safe arrival and departure of students and staff.
SCHOOL DAY, DAILY SCHEDULES
- School Day Starts at 8:05AM
- Doors open at 7:52AM (students should remain in vehicles until this time)
- School Day ends at 3:02PM (staggered dismissal starting with sixth grade at 2:58PM)
STUDENT LOCKERS
- Each student will be assigned a locker for the 2022-2023 school year.
- Locker assignments and combinations will be provided to students during the FIRST WEEK of school.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH - Free Meal Program Has Ended - Please Read Carefully!
When the 2021-2022 school year ended, so did free meals for every student. While the federal government funded a program that allowed all students access to free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recently declined to continue funding this program.
We understand this change may cause you to worry. However, there are important steps you can take NOW to be sure your student receives the meals they need this school year.
** Everyone must complete the 2022-2023 online meal application, which is available on the district’s website on the Dining Service page. Paper applications are no longer available. ALL meal applications must be completed online at the link below:
https://www.gbcs.org/diningservices
If you do not qualify for free or reduced meals, you may begin depositing money into student accounts at any time to prepare for the cost of school lunches next year.
Information on meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year is as follows:
Breakfast Meal Price $1.75
Lunch Meal Price $2.75
Completing an application is the only way to be considered for free or reduced meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please take action now.
For assistance, please contact our Food Service Department at (810) 591-6674 or (810) 591-6928.
LUNCH UPDATE
- Students will be assigned lunch based on their fourth hour teacher
- Each student will be required to go outside for a portion of their scheduled lunch time
- Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for each day's weather
TRANSPORTATION
**Additionally, feel free to check the Transportation website for details: https://www.gbcs.org/transportation
FALL SPORTS SIGN-UP!
As we gear up for our FALL athletics, I wanted to send out our sign-up. If you are interested in participating in the sports below, please make sure to complete the sign-up form.
FALL SPORTS:
Cross Country (6-8 Grade)
Football (7-8 Grade ONLY)
Girls Basketball (7-8 Grade ONLY)
Sideline Cheer (7-8 Grade ONLY)
***A completed MHSAA physical form is REQUIRED before participating in any athletics at WMS.***
Thank you and please call the main office at (810) 591-7309 with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Social-Emotional/Academic Intervention
Intervention programs would include some group and/or individual work around academic deficits in mathematics and language arts, along with providing social emotional support. If you are interested in having your students work with our interventionist and to help us understand how to best serve our students with these programs, Jennifer Casper or a counselor is ready to speak to you!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Hello West Middle School Families,
We hope everyone is enjoying the final weeks of summer, and we are very excited to welcome back students in just a few short weeks!
WMS students have shown great resilience and we will strive to help them navigate through their academic, social, and emotional needs. We will have extra supports in place this school year. Parents/Guardians, if you have any concerns about your student, please do not hesitate to reach out, we are here to help!
Student Last Names A-K: Mr. Morey, dmorey@gbcs.org, (810) 591-7338
Student Last Names L-Z: Mrs. Douglas, pdouglas@gbcs.org (810) 591-7339
Counseling Office: (810) 591-7335
STUDENT MEDICATIONS
Please drop off student medications to the WMS office Monday through Friday between 9:00AM – 3:00PM. The office is closed for lunch between the hours of 12:00PM – 1:00PM.
All medications need paperwork filled out prior to drop off.
Prescription medications require a doctor signature.
All forms can be found on the Grand Blanc website www.gbcs.org/domain/64. If you have any questions please contact: Mrs. Woollcott at 591-7309 or pwoollco@gbcs.org.
IMMUNIZATIONS
According to Michigan law, all students must be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases or have a current year immunization waiver to attend Grand Blanc West Middle School. Your student’s health care provider and/or the Genesee County Health Department can provide the required Immunizations or waivers.
If you have any questions, please call Matt Adams, Assistant Principal at 591-7309
Grand Blanc West Middle School
West Middle School Main Office:
Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Closed daily for lunch 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Website: https://www.gbcs.org/Domain/19
Location: 1515 Reid Road, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-7309
Facebook: facebook.com/gbwms
Other Important Phone Numbers
Athletics/Main Office 591-7309
Counseling Office 591-7335
Counselor (A-K) 591-7338
Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339