WMMS Tiger Times
August 2023
Dear WMMS Families
Welcome to a new school year. We are off to a great start on the first day of school!
Our focus will always be on building positive relationships and creating safe learning environments for our students to thrive socially and academically. We're planning for a great school year filled with opportunities for your student to grow as a student and try new things. We have many clubs and extracurriculars for our students as well as fun nights.
I am excited to start another year at WMMS! There is so much useful information in this newsletter every month, but if you can't find the information you need please reach out. See you soon!
Brandi VanDelft
WMMS Principal
Arrival Information
Students riding buses in the morning are required to unload at the west (front) door. Students who are dropped off enter using the door on the north side of the building (see picture). For those dropping students off, please make sure not to block the bus lane. Pull all the way forward before stopping. If the lane is backed up, please give the buses room to proceed. Walkers or bike riders may enter at either north or west doors. Once entering the building, students are not allowed to leave without permission from the office.
The building opens at 7:10 a.m. Students eating breakfast at school should do so as soon as they arrive in the morning. If your student will be eating breakfast at school, please have them here by 7:30 to give them plenty of time to eat before the 7:43 bell. Those students riding buses that arrive later than 7:30 will be given time to eat breakfast.
After eating breakfast (or as soon as arriving if not eating), students will report to their assigned seating area. Students are separated by grade level. Students are released to their lockers beginning at 7:43 am. First hour begins at 7:48.
Departure After School
School ends at 2:45.
Bus:
Students riding "C" buses (city routes) will report directly to their bus at the end of the school day. Students riding "R" buses (rural routes) will be seated in the commons while waiting for their bus to be called. Students must remain attentive so they do not miss their bus.
Walkers/Bikers/Pick-up:
The pick-up lane is the same as the drop-off lane (north door). After school tends to be more congested. In order to alleviate cars blocking the bus lane after school, there are two pick-up lanes: one along the north side of the building and one on the east side of the building (between KPS and WMMS). See the picture below.
Walkers, bikers, and students being picked up all leave through the north doors. Drivers should remain alert and proceed slowly through the parking lot. Students riding bikes or skateboards should walk their bike or skateboard to the bike path before riding.
$10 Lunch Account Credit
Visitor Management System
In an effort to provide a safer campus at Kirksville R-III we are implementing a new visitor check in system in all buildings this school year. Upon entering ECLC, KPS, RME, WMMS, KHS and KATC you will be prompted to sign in on a kiosk and scan your id. All visitors will need to provide a government issued photo ID, preferably a drivers license, to be allowed further entrance to the building. We thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation as we implement this additional layer of security on our campus as we work together to provide a safer learning environment for all. Please see the information below.
Student Lanyards/IDs
This year all students, once their updated school-issued picture IDs arrive, will be required to wear them on their lanyard each day at school. We will provide the lanyard. All staff will also be wearing their IDs as well as visitors to the building. Student IDs will be used to check out library books and used as a hall pass with our new electronic hall pass system. We will keep you updated as to when these IDs arrive and have been distributed to the students.
Cell Phones & Personal Electronic Devices
In order to protect the learning environment, cell phones and personal electronic devices (including bluetooth enabled headphones/airpods) must be kept out of sight during the regular school hours of 7:43 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Students may use their phones/devices until the first hour warning bell at 7:43. (Principal’s detentions are extensions of the school day and cell phones/devices are not allowed.) The expectation is for students to leave their cell phone and personal electronic devices locked in their lockers. Students are welcome to use our office phones to call home with staff permission. Parents/guardians may always leave a message in the office if they need to reach their student.
WMMS Fall Sports Schedules
Contact Information
WMMS Main Office (660) 665-3793 ext. 0
Our secretaries can help answer most questions. They also will record student absences and can help direct you if you are not sure where to direct your question.
WMMS Assistant Principal (660) 665-3793, ext. 2
Mrs. Cross
WMMS Dean of Students (660) 665-3793
Mr. Brent Cook
WMMS Principal (660) 665-3793, ext. 3
Mrs. VanDelft
WMMS Counselor's Office (660) 665-3793, ext. 4
Mrs. Yoder and Mrs. Shoemaker
WMMS Nurse ((660) 665-3793, ext. 5
Mrs. Playle
PTC
The Parent Teacher Committee "PTC" is the parent organization at William Matthew Middle School. The PTC will assist with several school-sponsored social activities throughout the year and provide minor funding for "extras" at the school.
There is no cost to join! Simply fill out the form below and return it to the school office so we can notify you of meetings or volunteer opportunities. Most communication is by email or phone.
If you would be interested in becoming a PTC leader, have any suggestions, ideas, or concerns please contact William Matthew Middle School at (660) 665-3793 or Jenny Billington at jenny.billington@us.stores.mcd.com.
Fill out a registration form here to be on our mailing/notification list.
CARES Center
Did you know that the Kirksville R-III School District has its very own school-based health center? The CARES Center is located at the northwest entrance of the Kirksville Area Technical Center.
The CARES Center offers Urgent/Walk-in care, preventative care, wellness visits, immunizations (free for Medicaid eligible and uninsured students through VFC and billed as normal for commercial), flu vaccine, sports physicals, point-of-care testing (COVID-19, Rapid Strep and Influenza testing), allergy shots, blood work.
The CARES Center is open 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. If your child is sick during school hours, the school nurse in each building will triage the student's illness (just like always) and then can help coordinate with you to get the student taken care of at the CARES Center. Students must have parental/guardian consent to be seen at the CARES Center.
I Think I Can Foundation
I Think I Can Foundation
The I Think I Can Foundation was formed in 2009 with the mission to provide basic necessities and opportunities to the Kirksville R-III students who otherwise cannot provide for themselves. What started as a way to make sure that no student has to deal with hunger has grown into an awareness that no student should have to deal with low self-esteem.
Please click here to learn more about the I Think I Can Foundation.
Ways to stay connected
TylerSIS Parent Portal: This will allow you to see your student's grades and attendance and is an easy way to email teachers when you have questions. If you have not yet logged in, please contact the middle school office to get started.
Kirksville R-III School App & Rooms: Here is a quick video to get your familiar with our new app and the features you might find handy. https://youtu.be/bbmlN2qOKrQ
Updated Email: Progress reports, grade cards, and monthly newsletters are all emailed home. Let us know if you have a new email address. You are able to update this through the Parent Portal as well.
WMMS Facebook Page: Follow us on Facebook for reminders and updates. @KVWMMS
William Matthew Middle School
1515 South Cottage Grove
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-665-3793