Words from West
October / November - 2022
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
October 21 - Picture Retake Day - During the school day
- Retakes are ONLY for those students who purchased pictures
October 24 - Board of Education Meeting, 7:00pm
October 25 - PTO Meeting, 6:00pm - WMS Library
October 25 - Choir and Orchestra Concert (7th and 8th graders)
October 28 - 6th Grade Halloween Dance (details below)
October 31 - Remote Learning Day (1/2 Day)
October 31 - End of 1st Marking Period
November 1 - First Day of 2nd Marking Period
November 1 - Full Day of School,
- Parent Teacher Conferences, Virtual, 4-7pm
November 2 - Half Day of School, Dismissal at 11:29 a.m.
- Parent Teacher Conferences, Virtual, 12:30 - 3:30pm
November 3 - Half Day of School, Dismissal at 11:29 a.m.
- Parent Teacher Conferences, in-person, 5-8pm
November 4 - Half Day of School, Dismissal at 11:29 a.m.
November 7 - Board of Education Workshop, 6:00 p.m.
November 8 - No School for Students, Election Day
- Staff Professional Development
November 23, 24, 25 - No school, Thanksgiving Break
November 28 - School Resumes
IMMUNIZATIONS
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 or waivers.
**STUDENTS NOT IMMUNIZED (or those without a waiver) WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19th
If you have any questions, please call Andrea Smith (810) 591-7335
PICTURE DAY - RETAKES
TEAM T-SHIRTS - FINAL ORDER
6th GRADE HALLOWEEN DANCE
- Friday October 28th, 6:00-8:00pm
- $10 entry fee - prepay in the office between Monday, October 24th and Wednesday, October 26th
- Cost includes the dance, two slices of pizza, water, and Halloween themed treats
- Costumes are allowed but are not required
- Costume guidelines are:
- No blood, no gore, no face coverings, no masks, no demeaning or degrading outfits, no weapons, things that look like weapons, or stuff easily mistaken for a weapon, and no culturally misappropriation or insensitive attire, all dress should adhere to guidelines outlined in the student code of conduct. Costumes must fit properly, and should not pose a danger to self or others.
- Prizes will be awarded for best costumes
- If you need assistance paying the $10 ticket price - please see a teacher or counselor.
**There WILL be a seventh grade dance in February and an eighth grade dance in May.
REMOTE LEARNING DAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 31ST
- 1st Hour - 8:00a - 8:35a (35)
- 2nd Hour - 8:35a - 9:05a (30)
- 3rd Hour - 9:05a - 9:45a (40)
- 4th Hour - 9:45a - 10:15a (30)
- 5th Hour - 10:15a - 10:45a (30)
- 6th Hour - 10:45a - 11:15a (30)
CITIZENSHIP RUBRIC
REPORT CARDS
ATHLETICS
Our Winter Athletic Season is quickly approaching. Click the link below for information regarding winter sports. Wrestling and Girls' Volleyball are the Winter 1 sports offerings, which start on Wednesday, Oct. 19th. Boys' Basketball, Swim and Dive, Pom, and Competitive Cheer take place during our Winter 2 season. More information will come regarding these sports in December.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
All face-to-face and virtual conferences must be prescheduled. Please use THIS LINK to schedule a conference: https://www.myconferencetime.com/gbwms
Tuesday, November 1st:
- Full-day of school for students
- 4pm-7pm - Conferences (Virtual)
Wednesday, November 2nd:
- Half-day of school for students - 11:29 a.m. dismissal
- 12:30pm - 3:30pm - Conferences (Virtual)
- Half-day of school for students - 11:29 a.m. dismissal
- 5pm- 8pm - Conferences (In Person)
Friday, November 12th:
- Half-day of school for students - 11:29 a.m. dismissal
- NO Conferences
BOOK FAIR
The book fair is coming!
We are excited to bring the book fair back this Fall to provide great books for your student.
From October 31st-November 4th, the Library will be open during the school day to make purchases. Thursday, November 3rd from 5:00-8:00pm, families can stop in before or after their parent/teacher conference to shop.
Cash and credit card are accepted. Follow the link below for other details.
WASHINGTON D.C - 8TH GRADE TRIP
We are excited to announce that registration has begun for the annual 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.
The trip will depart on Friday, March 10th, and will return on Monday, March 13th.
Please see your student's Social Studies teacher for more information. Please note there is a limited number of seats on the trip. Seats are filled on a first come first serve basis. So don’t delay, sign up right away.
MINDFULNESS UPDATES
Mindfulness Lessons are in full swing at WMS!!
I am currently visiting 2nd and 3rd hours. Each lesson lasts about 20 minutes. Our topics have included what is mindfulness, paying attention to our posture, mindful listening, mindful breathing and emotions. Two mindfulness practices that you could try at home are:
- Listen to the sounds around you for 2 minutes, then notice how you feel
Mindful Breathing –
- Place your hands on your belly or chest, pay attention to your breathing noticing inhales and exhales for 2 minutes, notice how you feel
The Mindful Room is also open. It is a space where students can opt to take a break and regulate their emotions. The mindful room is open 4th, 5th, and 6th hours. When students come to the mindful room they have many choices including problem-solving with me, drawing, or moving. Students also have to opportunity to use mindfulness tools with me.
We also have been practicing the Morning Moment to PAWS at West Middle School. This is a daily announcement that begins at 8:07am. The purpose of the pause is to give students the opportunity to get themselves ready for the school day.
Each day has a different theme - P.A.W.S.:
Monday – Presence – What is present right now?
Tuesday – Attention – Where is your attention?
Wednesday – Willingness – What are you willing to do?
Thursday – Social and Self Awareness – What do you notice about yourself and others?
Friday – Classroom teacher choice
If you have questions about Mindfulness, please contact Jennifer Casper at jcasper@gbcs.org
Thank you for partnering with us by asking your student how they experience mindfulness support during the school day!
WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL - PTO
Hello Parents and Guardians,
The WMS PTO exists to support and enhance the experience of students and staff at West Middle School. We accomplish this in a variety of ways, all of which require funds!
With fundraising being limited the past few years, we are asking all parents to consider donating $20 to the PTO. With just $20 from everyone, we will be able to plan fun events for students, support teachers and staff, and meet needs as they arise. Donations can be dropped off in the form of cash or check (made out to Grand Blanc Community Schools) to the main office marked PTO or you can use the convenient school pay option and just click on the link below.
Thank you for your support of our students and staff. As always, please join us at our monthly meetings announced in the newsletter (the next one is Tuesday, October 25th at 6:00pm), or send an email to let us know how you would like to be involved.
Don Chapin, PTO President
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Also students must be in attendance during the school day in order to attend any after-school functions, including sports.
ATTENDANCE AWARENESS
Did you know students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% of the school year? That is only two days a month! Please let us know if you need assistance getting your child to school; we are happy to partner with you!
#SchoolEveryDay
AFTER SCHOOL SUPPORT - TUTORING
WHERE - Room 225
SPANISH LAB - VIRTUAL SUPPORT
Spanish Lab is now available to all students who would like extra help or practice in any/all levels of Spanish. It is a VIRTUAL help session that students will be able to join through the Spanish Lab Google Meet from home (Classroom Code: QGK3DZD). Mrs. Weldon will host these sessions every Tuesday evening from 7:30-8:00 PM and students are welcome to drop in at any point during this time and stay for a few minutes or the entire session for extra assistance as needed.
REMINDERS
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH - Free Meal Program Has Ended - Please Read Carefully!
** Everyone must complete the 2022-2023 online meal application, which is available on the district’s website on the Dining Service page. Paper applications are no longer available. ALL meal applications must be completed online at the link below:
https://www.gbcs.org/diningservices
If you do not qualify for free or reduced meals, you may begin depositing money into student accounts at any time to prepare for the cost of school lunches next year.
Information on meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year is as follows:
Breakfast Meal Price $1.75
Lunch Meal Price $2.75
Completing an application is the only way to be considered for free or reduced meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please take action now.
For assistance, please contact our Food Service Department at (810) 591-6674 or (810) 591-6928.
POSITIVITY PROJECT
During Advisory each Tuesday, students will learn about the Positivity Project.
- The Positivity Project empowers America’s youth to build strong relationships - and to understand, appreciate and exemplify the character strengths in us all.
- Throughout the next few weeks, students will explore and learn about Teamwork, Open Mindedness, Integrity, and Creativity.
Grand Blanc West Middle School
West Middle School Main Office:
Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 4:00PM
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
ATTENDANCE HOTLINE - 591-8387
Athletics/Main Office 591-7309
Counseling Office 591-7335
Counselor (A-K) 591-7338
Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339