Wildcat News
2020-2021
In this newsletter you will find...
- Principal's Message
- Semester Exam schedule
- School Board Thanks
- Benchmark Testing information
- Yearbook information
- Important information for 8th graders and their parents
- COVID reminders
- Upcoming events
Principal's Desk
This week marks the end of the 1st semester for the 2020-2021 school year. Our first semester had many things to be proud of in academics, athletics, and fine arts. However, what I’m most proud of is our students’ and teachers’ drive to overcome and continue to forge ahead. During this semester we have had challenges and loss, both in school and at home. However, students, teachers, and our Wayside Family have continued to persevere. In all this, we have been able to show why being a student at Wayside is an advantage in achieving a successful future.
As we head into the 2nd semester we will continue to uphold high expectations for all students and help them achieve their academic and personal goals. Our mission is to prepare students for their future by building relationships and helping students realize their full potential. We cannot do this without your support, and we appreciate your partnership in making Wayside Middle School a wonderful place for your child to grow.
Sincerely,
John Fahey
Principal
“Wayside Middle School: Our Teachers are the Advantage”
Semester Exams this week. See the pdf below for the schedule.
February Interim Benchmark Assessments
Your student will take the Interim Benchmarks, which will be administered online, utilizing the TEA Interim STAAR Assessment platform. The purpose of this assessment will be to evaluate where your student is in his/her learning progress, as well determine if he/she is on track towards performing well on future assessments, including the STAAR and End-of-Course Exams.
During Interim Benchmarks, in-person learners need to be present in class and remote learners are required to join the live TEAMS call in order to complete the assessment on the days assigned.
There will be three days that we have “shut down testing.” This will allow the campus to work out logistics and give the student a feel for actual state testing days. Testing done on the non-shut down days will be completed in the regular classroom during the student’s regular class period.
Below are the Interim Benchmarks testing dates.
6th Grade:
Feb. 16th: Math- Shut Down Testing
Feb. 23rd: Reading
7th Grade:
Feb. 2nd: Writing
Feb. 19th: Math
Feb. 24th: Reading- Shut Down Testing
8th Grade:
Feb. 9th: Social Studies
Feb. 10th: Algebra 1
Feb. 11th: Science- Shut Down Testing
Feb. 17th: Math
Feb. 18th: Reading
Attention 8th Grade parents- scheduling information below
8th Students have been working on “High School 101” lessons. Students will complete interest questionnaires to consider Career and Technology Education (CTE) pathways and electives based on their interests. As well, Counselors have been meeting with 8th grade students through Advisory class to complete 4 year plans for high school. This includes course selection for 9th grade. Please review and sign your student’s 4 year plan. Students must return signed 4 year plans to their Advisory teacher by Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, as well as signing electronically. Parents must add their signature through their Skyward Family Access and students through their Skyward Student Access.
This link will take you to the high school course description handbook, and the video below walks you through a PowerPoint presentation.
January 25: Virtual CTE Showcase
Link goes live at 6:30 pm can be accessed here: https://www.emsisd.com/PersonalizedCourseSelection
· Recordings will be posted to EMS ISD’s Hollenstein Career and Technology Education (HCTC) website
January 25: High School Preview Nights for Current 8th Grade
· Links go live at 6:30 pm and can be accessed here: https://www.emsisd.com/PersonalizedCourseSelection
· Recordings will be posted to the district website under Pioneer Expo
April 29: current 8th graders Skyward Arena/Schedule Request Dates
May 17-21: Course Change Requests
· All incoming freshmen and returning high school students
Additional information is available on our district guidance counseling website under 4-Year Planning Tools. Please contact your student’s counselor for any questions or concerns you may have.
Self Screening
#EMSPROUD
COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @wildcats_wms
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
Semester Exams - January 13 - 15, 2021
Early Release - January 15, 2021
Early Release - February 12, 2021
John Fahey, Principal
Kayla Livingston, Assistant Principal (A-L)
Andrea Lasher, Assistant Principal (M-Z)
Wayside Middle School
Website: http://www.emsisd.com/waysidems
Location: Wayside Middle School, Old Decatur Road, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Phone: 817-232-0541
Twitter: @wildcats_wms