The Warhawk Weekly
#WestISBest #WarhawksLEADtheWay Volume 1, Issue 17
The Home of the Warhawks - West Middle School
Website: usd497.org/west
Location: 2700 Harvard Road, Lawrence, KS, USA
Phone: (785) 832-5500
Facebook: facebook.com/westmswarhawks
Twitter: @westwarhawks
----------------------Principal's Message --------------------
From the Desk of Dr. Kempf
Warhawk Families,
This past Monday at the Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education meeting, Dr. Lewis provided a plan to move all hybrid kids to full in-person learning starting March 29th. There have been many questions asked of me since the announcement and I assure you that I will have answers soon. Building planning has begun to make this a smooth transition and the district is planning more communication to parents. There will not be an enrollment option for parents to change their student’s learning mode.
Along with full in-person learning starting in March, we are also are getting into enrollment time for next school year. In planning for the 2021-2022 school year, we will not offer students remote or distance learning options at West Middle School. The Kansas Department of Education has been firm in communication that distance learning must be completed through an accredited virtual school. This information is vital to parents that still want distance learning options.
There will be a lot of communication over the next several weeks on several upcoming topics and transitions. As always, you can email administration or student services or call the main office for clarification and updates.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kempf
---------------------School Information----------------------
HELP DESK - The All-School Play!
The all-school play, Help Desk by Don Zolidis, will be available on YouTube starting Friday, February 26th at 7:00 PM. Visit the Junior Players website (https://www.wmsjuniorplayers.com/) for the link. It will only be available for 48 hours.
The cast features 30 kids from all three grade levels, and they're great.
Admission is free, but donations will be gently and lovingly encouraged.
Warhawk Gear Now Available to Order Online
Hello, West Families! COVID-19 may have all of us learning from a distance (whether it's 6 feet or miles apart) but it's still a great day to be a Warhawk! School spirit is one way for us all to feel a little more connected to our school community until we can be together again in person. You can get your West gear at the Warhawk Shop which is now available for browsing online! If you see a design that you like, use the order button to email me with what you'd like to buy. After receiving your order, I will reply with your order total, payment instructions, and arrange a pick up time. Get your Warhawk spirit on (even from home)!
You can browse the Warhawk Shop here: https://sites.google.com/usd497.org/warhawkshop/home
Yearbook Information
You can purchase a WMS yearbook up until March 1, 2021. Cost is $25.
Link: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/
School code: 12815
If you missed getting a school photo taken you may upload one of your own also.
Upload images here: http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=yearbook2021
Restorative Practices Seminar for Parents
Virtual Restorative Practice Parent Night - The Wave of the Future!
Experience what your middle school students are learning to use through participation in a "Talking Circle."
When: February 23 or 24th
Time: 6:45-7:45 p.m.
For more information please contact Dawn Downing - 785-330-2360 or ddowning@usd497.org
------------------Student Successes------------------------
Hendrix Emerson - Piano Stylings for Ovation!
The final featured act in the Ovation! USD 497 Virtual Talent Show is something we can all probably relate to right now…the “Zoom Blues,” a parody song! Performed by Jenna Gaston (12th grade, FSHS), Julia Ruddy (10th grade, FSHS) and Olivia Evans (11th grade, FSHS) with the piano stylings of Hendrix Emerson (6th grade, WMS, in red sweatshirt in photo), this song will make you laugh, sigh and reminisce about the good ol' days when we interacted in person. Watch these talented students perform in the virtual event on Friday, Feb. 12 at 7pm. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2MmfRuF
-----Lawrence Schools Foundation
---------------------Notable Quotables----------------------
QOTW - Quote of the Week
"We are all changing the world bit by bit."