Words from West
September / October - 2022
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
September 26 - Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
September 26 - Student Council Applications available for pick up
September 30 - Student Council Applications are due
October 3 - 7 - Spirit Week Dress-Up Days (dress-code still applies)
- Monday - Pajama Day
- Tuesday - Favorite Team/Jersey Day
- Wednesday - Breast Cancer Awareness (Wear Pink)
- Thursday - WMS Team Color Day
Team 2 - Purple
Team 3 - Orange
Team 4 - Green
Team 6 - Pink
Team 7 - Blue
- Friday - Bobcat Colors/Spirit wear Day (Red, Black, White)
October 5 - District Count Day
October 7 - Homecoming (1/2 Day of school)
- Student Dismissal at 11:29a)
October 10 - Board Workshop, 7:00 p.m.
October 21 - Picture Retake Day - During the school day
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 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, 5-8pm
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 Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
November 8 - No School for Students, PD for staff
WMS PHONE NUMBERS - IMPORTANT CHANGE
- ATTENDANCE HOTLINE - 591-8387
- Athletics/Main Office 591-7309
- Counseling Office 591-7335
- Counselor (A-K) 591-7338
- Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339
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
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
ATHLETICS
- Information about volleyball tryouts and wrestling conditioning will be coming soon! PLEASE be sure your child has a sports physical on file in order to participate
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.
HALF DAY SCHEDULES
Monday, October 31st
- REMOTE HALF DAY SCHEDULE
- Log into Google Meets each hour via Google Classroom
- 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)
Friday, October 7th
- HALF DAY - In PERSON
- School Day Starts at 8:05AM
- Doors open at 7:52AM (students should remain in vehicles until this time)
- School day ends at 11:29AM
YEARBOOK
- Last year's yearbook is still available for purchase for $40 in our main office.
- Order this year's 2022-2023 Yearbook online at Jostens.com
- Yearbook staff are looking for pictures from football, basketball, and cross country. Please email pictures to Mrs.Perdue at aperdue@gbcs.org
SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH
On the back of each ID tag this year, you will see the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, website, and crisis text line. This is readily available to anyone who may need it. We will now use this as our ‘yellow ribbon card’ which carries the message - we are here to help!
If you or your student are in need and don’t know how to ask for help, the card/ID badge can be taken to a counselor, teacher, clergy, doctor, parent, or friend and say: “I need to use my Yellow Ribbon.” This will signal to us the needs of the student. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor.
Break the Silence - End the Stigma - It’s OK to Ask 4 Help!
**PICK UP AND DROP OFF** ONE WAY IN & ONE WAY OUT ONLY - DO NOT PARK IN THE LOT
Our pickup and drop-off lanes were not originally designed to accommodate the increased number of parent vehicles we have been seeing the last two years.
TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE AND TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF, we will NOT BE ALLOWING FAMILIES TO PARK in the parking lot prior to drop-off and during pickup (unless the adult driving is planning to come into the building).
Pickup and drop-off will use FOUR MOVING LANES ONLY!
- THREE lanes in the loop (closest to the building)
- ONE driving lane in the parking lot (closest to the building)
- (See Map Below)
Officer Wolschleger, or a designated school official, will be working the cross-walk during these times.
Thank you for your help with this small adjustment, that will improve the safe arrival and departure of students and staff.
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.
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
Social-Emotional/Academic Intervention
Intervention 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, Jennifer Casper or a counselor is ready to speak to you!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Hello West Middle School Families,
We hope the first month of school was positive for your child as we 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
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.
If you have any questions, please call Matt Adams, Assistant Principal at 591-7309
POSITIVITY PROJECT
Our students began Advisory Period on Tuesday, September 13th.
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