WESTER WEEKLY
May 24 - May 26, 2021
Stay in Touch with Wester Middle School!
Website: https://wester.mansfieldisd.org/
Location: 1520 N. Walnut Creek Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: 682.314.1800
Facebook: facebook.com/BrooksWesterMiddleSchool
Twitter: @BrooksWester
Important Dates:
5/24: 1st - 4th Period Final Exams
5/25: 5th - 8th Period Exam Reviews
5/26: 5th - 8th Period Final Exams, last day of school
ID & Library Fines
Please log in to Skyward and check your student's ID and Library fines.
Students receive 2 IDs for free.
Each subsequent ID is added to the student's Skyward account as a $5 fine.
Parents are able to pay fines using the following links:
Library Fines
https://www.ticketracker.com/store/item?catalogItemId=19416
ID Fines
Wester Summer Workouts
Occurs Monday - Thursday ONLY
Summit Summer Camp Information
Click here to see all of the available Summit Summer Camps
Basketball Camp June 7 - 10
Click here to check out the flyer with detailed information.Brooks Wester Middle School Yearbook 2020-2021
We have a yearbooks left! They will be sold for $40 from Mrs. Rucker in A-5.
There will be a limited amount and once we are sold out, we will not order more.
In this one-of-a-kind year, an abundance of stories and events shaped experiences in and out of the classroom. The Brooks Wester Middle School Yearbook covers all of these and more so your child can look back and reminisce on what made this year most memorable for them.
Click here to to see a video of the yearbook cover.
Explore MISD Summer Programs
Learning is a year-round experience at Mansfield ISD. The district offers a variety of academic and enrichment opportunities for grades pre-K through 12 during the summer.
Some of these opportunities include acceleration courses, academic intervention programs and credit recovery classes. There are also enrichment camps to keep students engaged and summer study suggestions to help students prepare for the upcoming school term.
To view all of the district's summer offerings, please visit the Summer Programs at MISD webpage.
Mansfield ISD Reads!
7th & 8th Grade English/Language Arts/Reading
7th & 8th Grade Pre-AP English/Language Arts/Reading
Independent reading has many benefits:
● Support student’s growth
● Improves vocabulary
● Improves comprehension
● Improves test scores
● Improves writing skills
Letter from MISD Technology
Dear Mansfield ISD Parents and Students:
As we’re nearing the end of the school year, the MISD Technology Department would like to provide you with the important information below regarding student devices.
A lot of this information can also be found on the Technology Department’s updated website. Please take a few minutes to review the page, which includes our updated device handbook and processes pertaining to district-issued devices.
STUDENT DEVICE NEEDS
If your student has any of the needs below, please click the corresponding link and follow the outlined instructions.
My Child is in Need of a District-Issued Device. (Note: Devices will no longer be distributed after May 5 for the current school year.)
My Child’s District-Issued Device is Broken or Not Functioning
Payment for Lost, Stolen and Damaged Devices and Accessories
Only for the 2020-21 school year, accidental damage to devices will not be charged to the student/parent.
Lost, stolen or intentional damage to district-issued devices will be charged to the parent/guardian/student. Once an invoice has been issued to the parent/guardian/student, charges must be paid to the campus bookkeeper or via the PayK-12 online payment system. Invoices will be emailed beginning May 10.
Lost or damaged Chromebook power adapters must be paid for by the parent/guardian/student. Fees must be paid to the campus bookkeeper/secretary or via the PayK-12 online payment system.
* Beginning fall 2021, parents/students will be required to pay for broken, damaged, lost or stolen devices.
DISTRICT-ISSUED DEVICE COLLECTIONS
District-issued device collections will take place at your child’s campus. There will be extra collection dates on June 1 and June 2 for anyone who missed their designated day. Please review the information below regarding specific collection dates and procedures. A comprehensive calendar of the dates is also available here. Note: Students in grades 3-11 (unless otherwise noted) will safely keep their district-issued Chromebooks through the summer and return it in the fall.
Grades 3-11
Students in grades 3-11 (who do not attend a STEM Academy, the Phoenix Academy or Early College High School) will be asked to keep their district-issued Chromebooks through the summer. Next fall, the students will be asked to bring their devices back to their assigned campuses. Please ensure that the device is stored safely and ready to use in the fall.
Non-Traditional Campus Device Collections (Contact campus for times)
Early College High School: Laptop collections will occur on campus May 12-13 for juniors/seniors and May 27-28 for freshmen/sophomores.
Frontier STEM Academy: Device collections will occur on campus May 26-28.
Frontier High School: Device collections will occur on campus May 27-28.
Jerry Knight STEM Academy: Laptop collections will occur on campus May 26-27.
Phoenix Academy: Device collections will occur May 17-28 for all students.
Final Collection Dates
For those who missed their designated days, final district-issued device collections will be held on Tuesday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 2 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts from 1-7 p.m. Devices can also be returned at the student’s campus if prior arrangements have been made with the campus.
Hotspots
Students who no longer need a hotspot for educational purposes for the fall must return their hotspot to their assigned campus.
Student Withdrawals
All students who are withdrawing from the district are required to return their district-issued device(s) (iPad, laptop, Chromebook, hotspot, etc.) to their assigned campus prior to exiting the district. If campus drop-off is unavailable, parents/students may go to the Police and Technology Department lobby area (1522 North Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield, TX 76063 - behind Brooks Wester Middle School) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday. The facility is closed from 11:30 am to 1 p.m. for lunch.
Thank you for your partnership as we address the needs of our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the campus at 682.314.1800.
Transition from Pre-AP to Advanced Course
Click here to view the Pre-AP to Advanced Rebranding Presentation
Beginning in the Fall of 2021, the title of Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) courses will change. In the 2021-2022 Course Catalog, these courses will be referred to as Advanced. For example, if a class was previously called Pre-AP Geometry, it will now be named Advanced Geometry. The change is in name only; the curriculum and related services will remain the same. The Advanced title more closely aligns course titles with the strong programming MISD already has in place and clearly identifies and defines the courses as advanced in content.
7th Grade Mathematics Only: Grade 7 Advanced Mathematics will continue to be an accelerated course where students will be expected to master both the 7th and 8th grade state standards and curriculums during the student’s 7th grade year and prior to subsequent enrollment into Algebra 1.
Should you or your student have any questions about the new course names or existing services, please contact your campus grade level counselor or the Advanced Academics Department at 817.299.4388.
Update to MISD COVID-19 Quarantine Protocols
Please read the following message from MISD and discuss with your student the significance of wearing their mask appropriately while on campus.
As Mansfield ISD continues to assess the data pertaining to COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, the district is experiencing a decline in confirmed cases, indicating numbers are trending in the right direction. Additionally, as a district, we remain vigilant with a focus on the safety and health of the MISD community as any new recommendations are made.
By utilizing data and following district values, MISD has decided to modify its quarantining criteria for students and staff members. Beginning April 19, the start of the Sixth Six Weeks grading period, students and staff members who are consistently and properly masked while being exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will not have to quarantine.
The use of masks as a mitigating factor for quarantining was thoroughly evaluated. By comparing data with surrounding areas that do not quarantine properly masked individuals, seeing the increasing number of staff members who are able to receive the vaccine if they desire, and keeping our social distancing and hand washing protocols in place, the district believes this approach will not compromise the safety and health of students, staff members and families.
We understand this decision also comes during the window to switch learning modes for students to in-person learning or to virtual learning. Please keep in mind that the window to switch modes of instruction is open now through Friday, April 2 at 11:59 p.m. Transfers submitted during the noted window will take effect on April 19. Those interested in transferring must log in to their Skyward Family Access account to submit the form. Specific instructions are available here.
MISD will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any updates as necessary. Thank you for your continued support as we work together for the safety of the community.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
- Follow the MISD Counseling Dept on Twitter @misd_counseling
- Stay up to date with MISD Guidance and Counseling
MISD School Board Approves 2021-22 Calendar
Mansfield ISD’s academic calendar for the 2021-22 school year has been approved.
The last day of school for students will be Thursday, May 26, which falls before the Memorial Day holiday.
View the full 2021-22 calendar for other important dates and holidays.
Student ID Badges
- Health and safety are a priority at Wester.
- In order to conduct contactless transactions in the library and cafeteria, Wester students will begin wearing IDs when they return to campus this year.
- Students must wear their ID, on a lanyard around their neck or attached by a clip, at ALL times while on campus.
- This year we will provide students with 2 IDs.
- Replacement ID cards are $5.
Dress Code Reminders
Common dress code infraction reminders. We will go over dress code reminders this next week. (From the MISD Student Handbook):
- Halter, tube, crop, and tank tops, as well as tops with large armholes and muscle shirts are not allowed. Additionally, all shirts/blouses/tops must cover cleavage, the entire back, and midriff.
- Spandex, tights, leggings / jeggings, and yoga style clothing will be allowed only if they are worn under pants, shorts, shirts, and skirts that are fingertip length front and back all the way around.
- Jeans with rips/shreds/holes are permitted as long as the rips/shreds/holes are below the fingertips when arms are by the student's sides.
- Pajamas, bathrobes, and or sleepwear are not allowed.
- For all dress code information, see page 45 of the MISD Student Handbook.
Reminder: No Food Deliveries/Drop Offs
Student Nutrition: Menus & Virtual Learner Meals
For the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, all children up to age 18 and adults with special needs up to age 21 will be able to receive one free breakfast and lunch meal every school day.
The free meals are being made possible due to waivers placed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that extended the free summer meals program to ensure all children have access to nutritious food.
In-person learners at all Mansfield ISD campuses will access their meals as usual during their designated meal periods at no cost. Second meals, additional entrees, sides and snacks will be available for in-person learners to purchase.
Virtual learners and all other individuals will be able to receive the free meals curbside at specific locations on every school day. View more information about times and locations.
The free meals were originally scheduled to end on Dec. 17. The program has since been extended to last through the last day of school for students on May 26.
MISD COVID-19 Web Page
Mansfield ISD is committed to opening school buildings with guidelines that prioritize public health and protect students and staff to the greatest extent possible.
In addition to that commitment, the district also understands the need for transparency as we face this global pandemic together.
MISD has created a web page with the purpose of tracking COVID-19 cases within the district. The data provided includes the number of lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and the recovery status of those cases by campus.
View the COVID-19 case data web page here.
The information will be updated daily. Cases will also be communicated via email directly to the employees and parents of affected facilities.
Need to Update Information in Skyward?
Follow these steps to update information in Skyward:
- Log into Family Access
- Click on My Account (top right corner)
- When the Account Settings screen opens, there is place for their email address and up to three phone numbers. (Please note – Each parent/guardian can enter one email address to receive communication via Skyward Message Center.)
- Once changes are made, click Save.
If the parent/guardian is unable to log into Family Access, there are a couple options.
1 – Use the Forgot Your Password link from the Family Access login page
2 – Email misdregistration@misdmail.org