Timberwolf Times
Volume 3, Issue 17 - November 8, 2020
A Message from Mr. Chesser
Timberwolf Family,
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the 3rd six weeks. We will also welcome back 80+ Timberwolf students to campus from KVA. All students will report to first period, and our new to campus students will be invited to a brief orientation by announcement during first period.
In Athletics news: Congratulations to our undefeated, district champs 8C volleyball team! They finished off the season with a two game sweep of the Adams Vikings. Additionally, our football teams will take on rival Katy Junior High Monday and Tuesday at KHS, and girls basketball tryouts begin Tuesday.
In Fine Arts, our Band and Cheerleaders have put together a virtual pep rally for your enjoyment. Check out these talented students in the link below. Our Band, Orchestra and Choir are also working very hard on their winter concerts, which may be subject to the virtual option too. But stay posted for upcoming information on these events in a few weeks.
Lastly, we offer a Welcome Back to Dr. Lowry. We know he spent some great time with baby Wells and the rest of the family. The time was surely a blessing for them.
Have a great week and GO TIMBERWOLVES!
Tim Chesser
Interim Principal
WoodCreek Junior High
This Week in Timberwolf Nation
Monday, November 9
- Start of the 3rd Six Weeks
- Timberwolf Spirit Day - Wear your WCJH Gear!
- 7th Grade Football vs Katy JH at Katy HS
- Virtual Book Fair
Tuesday, November 10
- 8th Grade Football vs. Katy JH at Katy HS
- Virtual Book Fair
Wednesday, November 11
- Veterans' Day
- Virtual Book Fair
Thursday, November 12
- Family Night - No Homework!
- Virtual Book Fair
Friday, November 13
- College Spirit Day - Wear your favorite college's gear!
- Virtual Book Fair
20-21 WCJH Virtual Pep Rally
Gifted and Talented Screening
If you wish to screen for Katy ISD’s Gifted and Talented program for the 2021-2022 school year, Parent Checklist forms are now available in the counseling office.
Request for Additional GT Service forms are also available if you have already been identified as Gifted and Talented in at least one core subject, and you would like to screen for additional core subjects.
In order for your checklist to be considered, it must be filled out completely and signed by your parent/guardian.
The deadline to pick-up, complete, sign, and return each of these forms is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020. The deadline is firm, and no exceptions will be made.
Note: Students may be screened for G/T classes, as long as they were not already screened this school year.
WCJH Library
Please click here for our library procedures to check out library books.
Please keep in mind, these procedures may change depending on the needs of the school or due to a change in guidance from Katy ISD.
WCJH Scholastic Virtual Book Fair!
Shop online from November 9th to November 22th
Shop an expanded selection of books, posters and more online!
To get started follow the steps below.
- Go to https://www.scholastic.com/fair
- Enter WoodCreek Junior High or zip code, and select WoodCreek Junior High to reach the Book Fair Homepage
- Scroll down and click the “Shop Now” button – this will take you to shop online and earn rewards for your school at The Scholastic Store!
Reason 2 Race Spirit Night!
WCJH Choir Spirit Night at Mia's Table
Fall Picture Day Retakes
For in-person students: The photographer will be on the stage in the cafeteria during all lunches. We will call all students who have not had their photo taken yet to have theirs done at that time.
For KVA students: We will have time set aside before school that morning for KVA students to have their photo taken if they have not done so already. For more information and to sign-up for a time slot, please contact MeredithBollich@katyisd.org.
All orders are prepay. Photo Texas does not email proofs. Online orders will be mailed directly to the address provided.
- Type your school name in the search bar at the top of the page and hit enter. (You can also click on the month your school’s photos are being taken and find your school within the list.)
- Click on the logo or View Gallery.
- Enter your email address, and begin your order!
The Prepay Link will only be available for THREE DAYS after Retake Day. After that, you will need to call or email Customer Service for help with late orders. So, place your order today!
We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to take a snapshot of your student’s life! Thank you!
Photo Texas Photography Houston
Have additional questions? Please contact Customer Service: 800.883.6463 or houston@phototexasphotography.com
Learn about our COVID19 protocols. (Not all locations are conducting outdoor shoots as shown in the video. Please speak with your PTP Houston representative for more information.)
WCJH Spelling Bee
Dear Parents,
This year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has developed an online testing platform that will allow WCJH to host a school spelling bee program, whether your children are learning in classrooms or remotely from your homes. In place of our traditional spelling bee program, we will hold one level of competition through online spelling tests. The first step to spelling bee participation is for you to register for the Scripps National Spelling Bee's online testing platform by visiting https://online-test.spellingbee.com.
Once you have registered, I will be able to assign the qualifying test to your child. Your child must complete the test before the given deadline, and these tests can be taken on any device with a web browser, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The top 30 students will move on to compete at our WCJH Spelling Bee. Our school champion will then move on to represent WCJH in the Katy ISD regional spelling bee program, which also may include online tests in lieu of in-person spelling bee events.
The first step to spelling bee participation is to register at online-test.spellingbee.com. Please register at your earliest convenience as I will begin assigning tests to students soon. If you have already registered in the online testing platform for another child, you can log in to your account and add an additional child to that same parent account. There is no need to register a different email address for each child in your household.
--> THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH.
- Website to register a student: https://online-test.spellingbee.com/
- Step-by-step video on how a parent can register a student: https://youtu.be/htXzjpnMijc
Please reach out to me if you have any questions about our school spelling bee program. I look forward to having your child compete to represent our school!
- Amanda Keeter, Spelling Bee Sponsor
WoodCreek Athletics
Boys' Basketball Tryout Information
Important Information About Attending District Athletic Events
Katy ISD Community,
As we continue into our fall seasons, it is critical that we remain diligent in following our Covid-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines. Fans at all competitions are still required to social distance and follow Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-29 related to face coverings. We have developed a plan to allow up to 50% capacity at all of our athletic venues. It is critical to maintain social distancing at all times. Each family group may sit together, but must maintain appropriate social distancing from all other groups.
At Rhodes and Legacy Stadiums, it is important to sit in the section where your ticket is assigned. Once in those assigned sections, the responsibility falls on the spectators to spread out and maintain proper distance from one another. If a section appears too full, we will close the section and verify the tickets of those patrons currently seated in the section.
At campus events where sections are not marked, the responsibility falls on the spectators to spread out and maintain proper distance from one another. Observing games the past few weeks, we have noticed more and more spectators gathering in the middle of the seating areas.
While we do not want to reduce capacity at any of our venues, we will take this precaution with any campuses and/or stadiums struggling to adhere to the safety protocols we have in place. Maintaining social distance and wearing a face covering are two of the most critical components to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Per the University Interscholastic League (UIL), schools not following these guidelines are subject to sanctions, including suspension of contests or discontinuation of public access to games by the local UIL District Executive Committee and/or the UIL State Executive Committee.
Your cooperation is appreciated,
Katy ISD Department of Athletics
Katy ISD Virtual Art Gallery
A highlight for staff working at the ESC is the student artwork displayed on the bulletin boards throughout all of the hallways. In past years parents have been invited to bring family members and tour the art on display, taking photos of their child’s artwork.
This year, rather than family groups entering the ESC, the Fine Arts Department has created a virtual art gallery. The virtual art gallery is a stellar example of how challenges such as COVID can lead to new and improved ways to celebrate student achievement and recognize the success of our teachers.
Water Bottles
Please encourage your child to bring their own water bottles from home. They can still refill water bottles using the fountains. We do give students water bottles on an as-needed basis but we need to ensure we maintain a good supply. Thanks Timberwolves!
Student ID's
If your child has lost their ID, they can purchase a new one by scanning this QR code and completing the form.
Yearbook Ads
To learn how you can celebrate their journey, see the flyer by clicking here or visit the Jostens website by clicking here.
From the WCJH Counseling Team
Would you like to learn more about the WoodCreek Junior High counseling team? Are you interested in hearing more about the services our counseling department has to offer? Would you like to discover some helpful parenting resources? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should visit the WCJH Counselor Website by clicking this link or on the picture below: https://woodcreekcounselor.weebly.com/
*NEW* FREE COVID TESTING FOR KATY ISD ENROLLED STUDENTS
Katy ISD is offering enrolled students free COVID-19 testing services beginning on Monday, November 9th at the Katy ISD Agricultural Sciences Center at 5801 Katy Hockley Cut-Off Rd.
Hours:
Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
To help expedite free student COVID-19 testing, while practicing social distancing at the testing site, Katy ISD has established a Student COVID-19 Testing Sign-Up Form that allows families to secure an appointment time for their student(s). A direct link can be found on the Katy ISD homepage.
COVID-19 Self-Reporting APP - Notifications & Information
The District has a COVID-19 Reporting System in place to allow staff, students and parents to self-report if they have received a COVID-19 positive test result. The self-reporting system enables the District’s Emergency Management team to conduct contact tracing, as well as call and notify individuals in Katy ISD buildings who may have been directly exposed to the infected person. A general email notification is also sent to campus staff and families whenever the district is informed of a potential “indirect” COVID-19 exposure in their building. Receipt of the general notification alone indicates that the recipient was not in close contact to the COVID-19 positive case reported for their building.
Many school personnel and other staff are teaching and working on Katy ISD campuses and facilities. Should there be a potential COVID-19 exposure on any campus or facility, a general notification is sent to staff at the work site impacted, by 5:00 p.m. on the day in which the self-report was submitted. Staff who may have been directly exposed because of failed COVID-19 safety protocol will be notified directly by a member of the Risk Management Department.
Parents will only begin to receive applicable campus-based general notifications when students return to schools for the in-person instructional option. Parents of students who may be involved in fine arts or athletic activities on campuses right now, may receive a general notification through Rank One (athletics) or Charms (fine arts), ahead of the September 8 reopening, if the District is informed of a potential exposure at their campus.
Students and staff may report positive COVID-19 results using the COVID-19 Self Reporting app on MyKaty Cloud.
Note About School/Athletic Bus Transportation & Rules
Students may only ride the bus they are assigned to at this time. Due to COVID 19 protocols, students will not be allowed to bring a note to school to ride the bus home with a friend. Parents may call transportation services for further inquiries on this matter.
Also due to COVID-19 protocols, students who normally would ride a bus to/from an athletic or other UIL/Extracurricular event have the opportunity to opt out and have a parent transport them instead. If you choose this option for your student, please click here to fill out the form.
Bus Rules for 2020-2021
- Mask/Face covering should be worn on the bus and the bus stop, until further notice.
- Observe the same conduct as in the classroom including cell phone use.
- Enter the bus and immediately go to the assigned seat.
- Talk in a normal tone of voice.
- Remain seated and facing forward in the assigned seat until time to exit the bus.
- Keep head, hands, feet, and other objects to oneself; do not tamper with bus equipment.
- Use acceptable language; obscene, profane, unacceptable language and/or gestures are prohibited.
- Refrain from eating and/or drinking on the bus; keep the bus clean.
- Refrain from throwing objects within the bus or out of the windows.
- Follow all rules outlined in the District’s Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct, as well as safety rules established by the driver.
- Arrive at your bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled stop-time and wait a safe distance from where the bus stops. 5 giant steps away from the stop is a good rule.
- When the bus arrives, do not approach it until the bus has come to a complete stop. Form a single line and board the bus. Go directly to a seat and sit in a safe position. If seats are equipped with seatbelts, they must be worn at all times as required by law.
- When it is time to get off of the bus, wait until it comes to complete stop before getting up from your seat.
Legacy Parent Academy
The November topic for the Parent Academy is "Navigating Emotional/Behavioral Concerns for Your Child" The session will be held on Wednesday, November 11th via zoom. Please click here for more information and to register.
Contact Email and Questions
Be sure to visit the Katy ISD Smart Restart page often, as the district updates it frequently with the latest information about KVA, In-Person school, Athletics, Fine Arts, Safety Protocols, links to newsletters and more.
General Questions
Katy Virtual Academy Questions
Special Education Questions
Sign up for Important Updates - Join Remind
Join PTA
Click here to join the WoodCreek Junior High PTA!
Contact Information
Mission Statement: WoodCreek Junior High, in partnership with the community, parents, and students, will provide a safe, positive, engaging learning environment that is devoted to empowering each student to become a productive, responsible, respectful citizen while achieving academic excellence.
Website: http://www.katyisd.org/campus/WCJH/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 1801 Woodcreek Bend Lane, Katy, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 234-0800
Facebook: facebook.com/woodcreekjrhigh/
Twitter: @WoodCreekJrHigh
WCJH Administrative Team
Dr. Andrew Lowry Principal
Tim Chesser Assistant Principal - Student Support
Lauren Merriman Assistant Principal - 6th grade and 8th grade M-Z
Stephanie McDonald Assistant Principal - 7th grade and 8th grade A-L
Jodi Slaughter Counselor - 8th Grade
Brittany Waddell Counselor - 7th Grade
Jessie Clay Counselor - 6th Grade
School Information
Instructional Calendar 2020-2021 Click Here
Lunch Menus Click Here
Bus Transportation Click Here
Bus Schedules Click Here
Student Code of Conduct Click Here
Registration Information Click Here