Words from West
August ~ 2021
A MESSAGE FROM MS. BALBAUGH, PRINCIPAL
It is my pleasure to welcome everyone back for the 2021-2022 school year! We are excited to have students back in our classrooms and hallways, filling them with energy and enthusiasm for learning. We are hopeful you will find the following information helpful as you make plans for the last few weeks of summer, while prepping for a great start to the new academic year.
I am honored to serve as the principal of West Middle School. 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. BURDETTE, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL/ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Welcome back, Bobcats!
We are so excited to get back to school and back to learning! The beginning of the school year is right around the corner. Please remember that school attendance is an important aspect of your student's academic success. If your student is ever to be absent, please call our attendance hotline at (810) 591-8387.
As the assistant principal and athletic director, I work closely with your students on a daily basis to navigate school successfully. We are here for their support and growth. You are an integral part of that success, so please reach out. We are happy to assist in any way possible.
Thank you,
Ross Burdette, WMS Assistant Principal
SCHEDULES AND CALENDARS
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - HALF DAY
Monday, August 30th
- HALF DAY
- School Day Starts at 8:05AM
- Doors open at 7:55AM (students should remain in vehicles until this time)
- School Day Ends at 11:29AM
SCHOOL DAY, DAILY SCHEDULE
- School Day Starts at 8:05AM
- Doors open at 7:55AM (students should remain in vehicles until this time)
- School Day ends at 3:02PM (staggered dismissal starting with sixth grade at 2:58PM)
SAVE THE DATE - SCHEDULE PICK-UP
- **Student schedules will not be released unless registration is complete - See below**
Tuesday, August 17th:
- 9:00AM - 1:00PM
- 4:00PM - 6:30PM
Wednesday, August 18th:
- 9:00AM - 1:00PM
SAVE THE DATE - DROP-IN STYLE "ORIENTATION"
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Representatives from following departments will be available to answer questions for families and students during Schedule Pick-Up on Tuesday, August 17th from 4:00 - 6:30PM.
- Transportation
- 504/Student Advisors
- Special Education
- Team Leaders
- PTO
- Title I
- Counselors
- Easter Seals
- Athletics
- Technology
- Unified Arts/Music
SAVE THE DATE - OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, August 24th:
- 4:00PM - 6:00PM
- Meet teachers and tour the building
**Please be prepared for school pictures and 2020-2021 yearbook distribution
STUDENT LOCKERS
- Each student will be provided their own locker (pending availability or we will have students share a locker if necessary)
- Due to hallway congestion, students will only be allowed to access their locker before first hour, before and after lunch, and at the end of the school day
- Locker assignments and combinations will be provided to students before the start of the school year
- Students will be required to carry their backpack, with supplies, throughout the day
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 17th or 18th code: EVT9WFD7Q
- August 24th code: EVT7V3W6X
- September 17th code: EVT9MSMDJ
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
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
All students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the entire 2021-2022 school year.
- At this time students will be eating lunch in the cafeteria with their peers (five-lunch rotation schedule - see above)
- We are still requesting that all families fill out the free and reduced lunch application for future funding purposes. The application can be found at: www.lunchapp.com or click the link below.
TRANSPORTATION
REGISTRATION - PLEASE COMPLETE PRIOR SCHEDULE PICK UP
EVERY STUDENT MUST HAVE A PARENT/GUARDIAN COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING
- The 2021-22 online registration for Grand Blanc Schools is now available. ALL Parents/Guardians are required to complete the annual online registration through your ParentVUE account prior to picking up schedules on August 17th or 18th
- Please visit gbcs.org and click on “Online Registration” from the homepage.
Below is a brief summary of login instructions:
- If you already 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) 591-7309 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) 591-7309 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 (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.
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 with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Ross Burdette
Athletic Director
(810) 591-7309
Social-Emotional/Academic Intervention
These 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, please fill out the survey at the link below.
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. Over the last year and a half, 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.
VACCINATIONS
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.
If you have any questions, please call Ross Burdette, Assistant Principal at 591-7309
YEARBOOK
2020-2021 Yearbooks will be ready for pick-up during Schedule Pick-Up or Open House.
Yearbooks can also be picked up in the office after August 17th, during normal business hours. There is a limited number of extra copies for purchase (available on a first come basis).
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