Wildcat families,

This week, our students will take the Middle Of Year (MOY) iReady assessments in reading and math on Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 8:05am. Please ensure your child arrives on time to school each day. These assessments will show your child's progression thus far this school year. I ask that you remind your child to do his/her very best as it will determine if your child needs additional support in either subject area.

Our wrestlers host Southern Middle Wednesday beginning at 4pm. Students staying for the match must have a ride here by 5:30pm. Tryouts for boys soccer and volleyball take place this week. For more information, visit our athletics section (below).

The end of the 2nd quarter/1st semester is January 26th. There is a teacher workday January 27.

I hope you all take time to enjoy the MLK Jr holiday, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus Tuesday.

As always, it's a great day to be a Wildcat.

Take care,

JW

In collaboration with The Country Bookshop, our school will be hosting an author visit from Steve Sheinkin on January 25th for all of our students, staff and any parents who would like to attend. All 8th graders will attend the presentation at 8:50AM and all 6th and 7th graders will attend the presentation at 9:50AM. THANKS to a generous grant from Authors in Moore Schools, Sandhills Community College and well-known author, Alan Gratz, all of our 8th graders will be receiving a free copy of Sheinkin's newest book, Bomb: Graphic Novel. All 6th and 7th graders have received a book order form from their ELA teachers. If your family would like to purchase a copy of the book, please return the form with payment by Wednesday, Jan. 18th. Students who purchase books will have an opportunity to meet the author and have their books signed after the author event.

Weekly Athletics Schedule

Jan. 18 - Wrestling HOME vs Southern Middle

Jan. 21 - Wrestling Conference Tournament @ Crains Creek Middle

Boys Soccer Tryout Information

Coach Eury & Coach Pennington will hold tryouts on January 17th, January 19th, & January 20th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm on the Wildcat soccer field. Tryouts are closed to all parents. Pickup will take place in the staff parking lot near the soccer field. Please wear appropriate clothing (shorts, t-shirt, soccer cleats) and have a water bottle.

Final rosters will be decided and posted on the WPMS website under "Athletics" on the night of January 20th.

Girls Volleyball Tryout Information

Coach Wallace & Coach Freeman will hold tryouts on January 17th, January 19th, & January 20th in the gymnasium. Tryouts are closed to all parents. Pickup will take place in the front of the school. Please wear appropriate clothing (shorts, t-shirts, gym shoes) and bring a water bottle.

Please see the following times below for volleyball tryouts.

January 17th: 3:00pm - 4:00pm sixth grade, 4:00pm - 5:00pm seventh grade, & 5:00pm - 6:00pm eighth grade. Students must be picked up at the end of their assigned session. Seventh & eighth grade students may stay and wait until their time slot by completing homework/classwork or go home and come back.

January 19th & January 20th: 3:00pm - 6:00pm. All students in all grades attend the full tryout time.

Final rosters will be decided and posted on the WPMS website under "Athletics" on the night of January 20th.

Please acknowledge the MCS Student Code of Conduct in Parent Portal.

Instructional (including the encore fees) and technology fees can be paid online, or students can bring in cash or check. Contact Ms. Mullen, our bookkeeper, if you have any questions.

Dogs are not allowed on campus. If your dog is in your car during our morning and/or afternoon carline, we ask that you ensure your dog is restrained when your child exits or enters the car.

Don't forget to review the dress code with your child. In particular, students must wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid thigh with opaque (non-see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides. Clothing must cover undergarments, and breasts, genitals and buttocks must be covered with opaque (non see-through) fabric. For more information, visit the MCS Student Code of Conduct.

Bus Transportation Information: Students are not allowed to ride a bus in which they are not assigned. They can only ride their assigned bus.

• Routes: Transportation can be viewed on Parent Portal (web browser only, NOT the app). Here you can verify your child's transportation information.
• Communication: Please continue to contact the call center (910-947-5861) for any concerns or questions about your student's route.

The MCS middle school final grades are calculated as follows:

• For a single semester course, a student’s final grade shall be determined based on the final exam 15% of the final grade) and the grade for each nine-week marking period (each marking period representing 42.5% of the final grade).
• For a year-long course, a student’s final grade shall be determined based on the final exam (15% of the final grade) and the grade for each semester (semesters are the average for two nine-week marking periods with each semester representing 42.5% of the final grade).
• Middle school students taking high school courses will be graded using the Grade 9-12 formula.

***ELA, math and science (8th) will use the EOG as the final exam. For courses without an EOG (6-8 SS, 6-7 SCI, and encore classes), the final exam will be determined and created by the teachers. World History and Math 1 follow HS guidelines. Here is the link to the grading policy for the district.

• PTSO General Business Meetings and Parent Informational Sessions. Mark your calendars and join us to learn how we all can support our students.
• Our PTSO is raising money for a flag pole and flag for our ball fields. Please reach out to one of our officers (see below) if you would like to help.