The Weightman M.E.O.W.
Monthly Events Of Wildcats: March 2019
Wildcat Band @ FSU
#WildcatsMakingADifference!
Odessy of the Mind
Principals Message
Continuous Improvement Planning
To ensure we are prepared for the different components of your Success Planning process, we are looking for parent input about our school. I ask that you complete a five question survey to better help us align our focus to the supports our families need. Survey: https://tinyurl.com/y2jcu24s
Starting 4th Quarter, March 25, 2019, there will be a change to our Wireless Communication Device (WCD) policy at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School. A Wireless Communication Device (WCD) includes: cell phones, tablets, electronic readers, telephone paging devices and/or other web-enabled devices of any type.
Students will be permitted to bring WCD's; cell phones and other devices on campus (just as they have been) however, during school hours (8:30am - 2:50pm) cell phones and other devices will need to be silenced/powered off and placed in student book bag. Students will not be permitted to carry their WCD's on them. Students will be allowed to access their WCD's (cell phones and other devices) during their lunch time. Teachers may, at their discretion have students use their personal devices for academic reasons. Upon completion of the lesson, students will be expected to silence/power off the device and placed back into their book bag.
The change in policy is to reduce the distractions/disruptions in the classroom, the virtual interactions among the student body, as well as, keep the focus of our campus on student learning. When families need to communicate with their students, they are welcome to call the front office (813) 794-0200, and we will get a message to the student. In addition, if your student needs to contact a family member, we are equipped with over 100 phones on our campus that students will be permitted to use, when appropriate.
I know that this is a change for our community. I ask that you respect this decision as it has been made with your students' best academic interest in mind.
Campus Activities:
Our 7th graders
Track Try-Out Infromation
What you need to do/bring:
1. Physical completed on FHSAA form EL2 by a Doctor - MUST BE DATED! We cannot accept any other physical forms.
2. Parental Release Forms completed:
a. Pasco County Athletic Participation Form - MUST BE NOTARIZED!!!!!!!!!!
b. Consent and Release from Liability Waiver
c. Concussion and Heat Related Consent and Release from Liability
d. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Consent and Release from Liability
3. A ride home (no later than 5pm)
*If you have turned in this paperwork for any other sport, including cheerleading, we have it and you do not need a new one. Students will not be able to participate unless all of the above is completed.
Track Coaches:
Head Coach- Girls: Coach Vaile
Head Coach- Boys: Coach Ackett
Asst. Coach: Coach Nipps
Asst. Coach: Coach Mine
If selected for the team, there are participation fees:
- If 1st team selected this year: $50
- If played one team or Cheer: $30
- If played on two or more (one & Cheer): No fee
- There is no fee for tryouts.
National Junior Honor Society
National Junior Honor Society Applications are now available on our school website and in the back office. Has your student been at TEWMS at least one semester? Did they make at least a 3.5 GPA in semester 1 of this school year? Do they like to help others? If so, they should apply for our TEWMS Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. NJHS is a service organization designed to recognize students for their leadership, service, character, citizenship, and scholarship. Only 100 students will be accepted. Applications are due March 13. Late applications will NOT be considered. Those who are already NJHS members do NOT need to reapply. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Abercrombie via email.
State Testing & District End-of-Course (EOC) Exams
The FSA Writes will be administered in the first week of April to all students. This state test will be paper-based for 6th grade and computer-based for 7th and 8th grade. More information to come soon.
The State of Florida has designated May as the month for State Testing and End-Of- Course (EOC) exams to be administered to students. We will be administering the following from May 1 to May 25:
- FSA Reading
- FSA Math
- 8th Grade FCAT Science
- Civics EOCs
- Algebra EOCs
- Geometry EOCs
- District EOCs: ALL electives, US History, 6th & 7th Science
Coming soon, during the 2019-2020 school year:
Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, Pasco County Schools is implementing a monthly, two-hour early release schedule. Early release days will be the second Wednesday each month beginning in September 2019, except for January 2020, when it will be on the third Wednesday. There will be no early release days in August or May.
Early release days allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned to student needs and district and school priorities. We are confident that this additional learning time for teachers will increase effective instruction and lead to higher student achievement. Another benefit is that teachers will not have to complete professional development during student class time, thereby decreasing the requirement for substitutes.
Parents with childcare concerns have options provided by our PLACE program, and we will be working with private daycare facilities to develop a list of other choices. Students already enrolled in PLACE programs will be able to stay the extra two hours without additional charges. Current morning-only PLACE students may attend in the afternoon without charge. We are developing a package option for students not currently enrolled in PLACE to attend on early release days, and these students will not be required to pay the registration fee. Parents who have a last-minute need for their children to attend PLACE also may register at any time prior to the early release day that care is needed. The daily drop-in fee and registration fee will apply.
Bus transportation will be provided two hours earlier than usual for students who are transported on regular school days. The same routes and stops will be used. Please watch for more details in future Pasco Parent Press editions, on the district website, and on social media. We also will communicate directly with all families.
Upcoming Events:
- March 1: 5th grade Pep Rally, 10am
- March 4, 5 &6: 7th Grade Field trip to United Skates
- March 5: Band Rehearsal w/ Mr. Scott, 3-7pm
- March 6: Student Celebration, 9:20am in Cafeteria
- March 6: Opportunity Hall, 3-4:30pm in Media Center
- March 13: NJHS Applications are due to Ms. Abercrombie
- March 13: CLAW leadership day, 11-12pm @ WCHS
- March 13: Student Club Day, Activity Bell Schedule
- March 13: Opportunity Hall, 3-4:30pm in Media Center
- March 14: Special Olympics Cycling @ WCHS, 10am-2pm
- March 15: Intermediate Band Workshop @ Disney, 5am -10pm
- March 15: PTSA Campus Event
- March 16 - 25: Spring Break
- March 25: No School for students, Teacher Planning Day
- March 27: Opportunity Hall, 3-4:30pm in Media Center
- March 28: SAC Meeting, 9am in Community Conference Room
- March 29: Renaissance Field Trip, Cheetahs team
Thomas E. Weightman Middle School
Website: tewms.pasco.k12.fl.us
Location: 30649 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-0200
Facebook: facebook.com/TEWMSPrincipal
Twitter: @TEWMSPrincipal