WMMS Tiger Times
August 2022
Dear WMMS Families
Welcome to a new school year! The first day of school is almost here! We have been busy getting classrooms ready and we can't wait to see you!
This month we have student schedule pick up dates/times (see below) and our 6th grade orientation & luau where 6th graders are welcome to join with their parents/guardians to hear more about middle school, meet their teachers, and have some fun! We'll have water games outside so come prepared!
Our focus will always be on building positive relationships and creating safe learning environments for our students to thrive. Protecting the learning environment is important to us here at WMMS and I've included a link to our student handbook with our new cell phone policy. We're planning for a great school year filled with opportunities for your student to grow as a learner and try new things! We have many clubs and extracurriculars for our students as well as fun nights every quarter.
I am excited to be here at WMMS and I'm counting down the days to August 23rd! There is so much useful information in this newsletter that will be sent out every month but if you can't find the information you need please reach out. Soak up these last two weeks of summer break and see you soon!
Brandi VanDelft
WMMS Principal
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
Mr. James
WMMS Principal (660) 665-3793, ext. 3
Mrs. VanDelft
WMMS Counselor's Office (660) 665-3793, ext. 4
Mrs. Yoder and Mrs. James
WMMS Nurse ((660) 665-3793, ext. 5
Mrs. Playle
Student Locker Information
All students will be provided a student planner to record their homework and due dates, etc. A locker will be assigned to each student upon entering the middle school. Due to student traffic congestion, book bags and heavy coats are not allowed in the classrooms. Students will have to keep backpacks, purses and coats in lockers, so please bure sure they are small enough to fit. Backpacks with wheels are not permitted. Students will have access to their locker between each class. Lockers are equipped with a combination lock. Students should not bring valuables to school with them.
Bus
Students new to the district or who have a new address should call transportation at 660-665-7774 to sign up or update their bus information.
6th-grade students may have new bus pick-up and drop-off times. Please contact transportation with any questions.
Forms
At the beginning of each year, we ask that families complete several forms to help us update phone numbers, addresses, emergency contact information, health information, and permissions. We will have these available in paper form at the schedule pick-up days, but you are also able to update much of this online through the TylerSIS parent portal. If you have previously had an account, that should still be active. If you have not logged in before, contact the office and we can help you get started.
Here is a list of the forms you will need to update each year:
- Student Information/Contact Information
- Health/Emergency Form
- WMMS Permissions
For help accessing the online Parent Portal, call 660-665-3793.
8th Grade Immunizations
Missouri now requires all students entering into the 8th grade to have one MCV (Meningococcal Vaccine) and one Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) prior to school starting.
Please drop off your 8th grader's updated immunization record before the start of the school year.
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.
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.
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.
Fall 2022 Season Information
Get your online PRIVIT account updated/created here:
https://kirksvilletigers-mo.e-ppe.com/index.jspa
Call the HS office at 660.665.4631 with any questions.
MS Tryouts/Practices
MS HEAD COACH CONTACT INFO
MS Volleyball- Laurie Waddle/Maddie Jatczak
8th Grade-Laurie Waddle
7th Grade-Maddie Jatczak
Tryouts Wednesday, August 17
3:00-4:30 PM
MS Softball-Nick Totta
Tryouts Monday, August 15
Northpark
3:15-5:30 PM
MS Cross Country-Alicia Wollmering
awollmering@kirksville.k12.mo.us
Parent Meeting August 15, at 6:30 PM on the outdoor patio attached to KHS
Practice starts August 15th-19th & 22nd 7:00-8:00 PM
Starting August 23rd all practices will be at 3:00 PM
MS Football-Brad Parsons
Practice starts Monday, August 15 3:00-5:00 PM
Pickup/Dropoff at the MS
MS Cheer-Lacey Gordy/Cora Howell
Practice starts August 15th 3:00-4:30 PM in MS Commons
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.
Download our School App: 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