Bruin Bulletin
MAY 2023
The Principal's Den
Hello Bruin Families!
The week of May 8 is Teacher Appreciation Week. I know you join me in recognizing how much our Bruin teachers contribute to your child's success and growth at school. We have some special treats planned for our teachers. CPS is providing a way for you to Thank-A-Teacher through this site. Please take a look and let your child's teachers know how much you appreciate all they do for our students.
SOL testing starts May 19. This is our students' opportunity to show what they have learned this year. The schedule of tests in listed below. Please encourage your child to do their best and to be in attendance on the original testing day.
The PTSA is sponsoring our semi-formal dance--a Sneaker Ball, on May 20. The students always love getting dressed up for this special event. Please see specific information in the flyer and details below.
The end of the school year is coming up quickly, but we still have a lot to do at WBMS to finish the year strong! Thank you for supporting our students and school.
Beth Pallister
Principal
Sneaker Ball
The WBMS PTSA would like to thank everyone who came out to support the Bruin Bash. Your support will help towards supporting this year's Sneaker Ball.
The WBMS PTSA is looking for food and drink items, sneaker shoe boxes, and volunteers for this year’s semi-formal Sneaker Ball dance. If you would like to donate items or volunteer, please sign up using this Sign-up Genius link. If we do not have enough chaperones, we will not be able to have the dance. All donated items should be donated to school no later than Monday, May 15 so we can see what items are still needed. Please drop-off items in the main office.
Students do not want to miss this dance as there will be great music, selfie stations, 360 photo machines, loads of fun, prizes, and so much more. The WBMS PTSA will be selling tickets during lunch, and online (at https://wbmsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/853238) starting Wednesday, May 10 thru Tuesday, May 16. Students must have a signed permission slip to attend the dance. The cost of the ticket is $20 which will cover admission and food. Please send your child with cash to purchase their ticket. Information pertaining to the dress code is below.
Students are expected to adhere to all school rules and regulations during the dance. Students must exhibit school-appropriate dance behavior at all times. WBMS administration reserves the right to revoke the dance privilege of any student who does not demonstrate good behavior prior to or during the dance. Students may be denied attendance if they receive administrative disciplinary consequences in the two weeks preceding the ball.
Please see additional dance information and the permission slip here.
Allowed Dress Attire
The WBMS PTSA is seeking a secretary and chair positions for the 23-24 academic school year. If interested, please email westernbranchmiddleptsa@gmail.com.
PTSA Annual Bruin Bash
We'd like to thank businesses who sponsored the event or donated prizes: Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, LIttle Ceasars, Walmart, Dairy Queen, and YardCardQueen
This is your LAST CHANCE to buy a Yearbook! Supplies are VERY Limited. We have extended sales until we run out of copies. So order yours before they are all gone. NO CASH SALES WILL BE ACCEPTED. We only PRE-ORDER our books at https://yearbookforever.com.
The only way to get your hands on a copy of this book is to order NOW! Hurry, these books are FLYING off the shelves!
Yearbooks are expected to arrive in June, and be delivered to your child the week of June 9th.
Thank you for supporting our school!
Summer Programs News
SOL TEST SCHEDULE: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS IN SCHOOL FOR THESE TESTS
Western Branch Middle Study Hall
We offer study hall for students! Please encourage your child to take advantage of this time for one-on-one help with our amazing teachers.
Scan the QR to sign up for Study Hall
Tuesdays-Virtual 4-5pm
(link will be emailed to you via the tutor)
Tuesday and Wednesdays- In Person 3-4 pm
(must have a ride to pick you up or walk home)
Congratulations!
Attendance Matters
Please be sure that when your child is out sick you submit a note within (4) days of them returning. You also have the ability to submit a note in Parentvue especially if you know of an appointment ahead of time. Please encourage your child to make up any missed assignments. Excessive unexcused absences can cause students' grades to fall or even result in truancy proceedings.
As long as your child is healthy, please encourage showing up to class when school is in session.
Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as to connect to their peers and teachers.
If your family or your child needs support, please reach out to our school counselors for help.
The Counselor's Corner
The month of May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
SOL Testing
This month we are also preparing for SOL testing.
Here are some testing taking tips for students:
1. Solve family/friend problems before the testing date.
2. Get a good night's rest the night before.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast the morning of your test.
4. Think positive.
5. Pace yourself. Don't spend too much time on any one question.
6. Use the process of elimination. Try to eliminate (2) answers.
7. Find key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.
8. Answer all questions. Make the most intelligent guess if you don't know the answer.
9. When you finish, go back and check over your answers and be sure you
have answered all of the questions.
10. Remember it's okay not to know everything. These tests will have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge.
Progress Reports
The midpoint of the marking period is May 15th. Progress reports will be visible in ParentVue on May 23rd. Parents please continue to monitor your child's academic progress. Please check parentvue weekly to ensure your child is completing assignments in a timely manner.
Summer School
Summer school registration has begun. Summer school is for students that need to take a class in order to be promoted to the next grade. Parents were notified if their child needed to go to summer school. A registration form must be completed in order for a student to attend summer school. Please contact your child’s counselor with any questions.
Option to Expunge
Middle school students who enroll in and successfully complete high school courses (Algebra I, Geometry, or a World Language) may receive high school credit, which counts toward meeting the state-prescribed graduation requirements. The course grades become a part of the high school transcript and are included in the student’s grade point average and class rank.
In accordance with Virginia State regulations, parents of students who take a high school credit-bearing course in middle school may request that the grade be omitted (expunged) from the student’s high school transcript, and the student does not earn high school credit for the course.
Teachers of the above mentioned courses will send information home about expunging grades at the end of the month. Parents must complete a form requesting the grade be expunged before June 2, 2023.
Student Information--Parents, it is imperative that we have current address, phone number and emergency contact information on file. Please update information in Parentvue or contact the school with changes.
School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
Your School Counselors
Mrs. Tonya Edmonds--7th grade counselor and Guidance Director tonya.edmonds@cpschools.com
Mrs. Vicki Moore--6th grade counselor vicki.moore@cpschools.com
Mr. Ray Hines--8th grade counselor ray.hines@cpschools.com
SCA NEWS
Bruin Athletics
Sports and Team Pictures
It's that time of year when we would like to "re-share" the sports ordering process available to athletes and their families.
Sports photos taken throughout the year will be accessible on our website all year long!
Pictures will be available to purchase online four weeks after the photo day.
Please share this, feel free to copy and paste it.
To Order:
Go to www.candidcolor.net
Click on Sports Portraits
Enter your schools online code WBMSM23
Follow the on-screen instructions to order team and individual photos.
WBM Music Programs
BAND UPDATE!
All City Orchestra Friday, May 5th at WBH. Concert begins at 6:30 p.m.
TECH Know
End of the Year Technology Updates
Parents, as we are nearing the end of our school year, please be on the lookout for your child’s Chromebook collection dates. In preparation for this, be sure your child has the Chromebook case and charger, and that the Chromebook is in clean condition. Also, if you received an invoice due to your child’s Chromebook being damaged or lost, please click the link below and scroll to the very bottom of the article for a list of repair or replacement fees. Fees for damaged or lost technology items include: screen replacement $102.00; power cord $37.00; damaged keyboard $44.00; case $20.00.
Also, summer break is a great time for parents to reinforce technology rules. Remember, you are your child’s most important role model. Parents who create a balance with tech by setting boundaries for tech time worry far less about their kids accessing inappropriate online content. Also, get buy-in from your children by them helping to create family tech limits. Undoubtedly, the benefits of technology outweigh the drawbacks, but parental consistent involvement will play a key role in keeping this balance.
https://helpdesk.cpschools.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500009805482
The PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
The PTSA is a volunteer committee made up of parents, teachers, students, and community members. This year committee board is made up of all parents who strive to make an impact in the academic school year by providing financial and physical assistance through sponsorship, volunteering and fundraising. All funds that are generated go directly to helping the staff and students at Western Branch Middle School.
1. Who: Britani Martinez (President), Vacant (Vice President), Latasha Jenkins (Treasurer), Kashena Ogburn (Secretary)
2. What: We come together to assist the staff and students in a multitude of ways. For instance, we can help provide resources, supplies, and chaperones or volunteer helpers when necessary.
3. When: During the academic school year.
4. Where: In, on, and outside of school grounds usually at School or PTSA sponsored events.
5. Why: We understand the importance of coming together for a common goal.
6. How: Through fundraising (hosting functions such as Bruin Bash, selling spirit wear, selling membership etc) sponsorship and volunteering. The PTSA's main objective is to help the students, teachers and the WBMS staff have a successful year and whether it is volunteering in the classroom, providing ideas to help improve the school, establishing workshops, assisting in school activities, purchasing new equipment, helping obtain edible supplies for science experiments or helping obtain classroom supplies, we are ready to assist.
In closing, team work makes the dream work, or as Mrs. Pallister says, “Together, Everyone, Achieves, More."
Please help support the WBMS PTSA. The PTSA is seeking new members. Want to join but don’t know how? Please go to wbmsptsa.memberhub.com and join. Don’t feel comfortable joining electronically, please email westernbranchmiddleptsa@gmail.com and we will help you. You can also join by filling out PTSA form in the office and leaving cash/check .
Please also follow us on Facebook on the Western Branch Middle School PTSA page.
Last Chance for Yearbooks. We only have about 30 left!
Library Media Center News
Russell Memorial Library offers a variety of activities for middle and high schoolers. From poetry to paint night, there's always something fun at the public library! Starting June 26th, Mondays are Dungeons and Dragons game nights, perfect for beginners! On August 8th, test your skill and play against your friends on the Gamer Bus! And don't forget to keep reading all summer long with our Slay the Stacks challenge: https://chesapeake.beanstack.com/reader365
Click Link Destiny - follettdestiny.com
Select Western Branch Middle School
Click Log In
Student Password Code: 2 digit bday, 3 lower case letters month, 2 digit year, ! (exclamation mark)
Example: June 3, 2009 password: 03jun09!
Feel free to email Mrs. Waggoner michele.waggoner@cpschools.com with any questions.
We are a Purple Star School
Welcome Our Military and Family Life Counselor!
Hello,
My name is Natasha Ewa, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW, LCSW-c) and I am a Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC) at Western Branch Middle School. First, I would like to thank you sincerely for your service.
My role at Western Branch Middle School is to support active-duty children and families (and parents) by providing non-medical, short term, solution-focused counseling services. This type of short-term counseling is intended to address issues that your child and family may experience across your military lifestyle. This includes but is not limited to helping the family cope with normal reactions to the stressful situations that deployment, reintegration and other military life challenges can create.
With parental consent, I can provide support to your youth in both individual and group settings. The service is free and confidential except for State and Department of Defense duty to warn and mandated reporting mandates.
I also invite you to visit the Military Onesource website for additional information on the program at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-and-family-life-counseling/child-and-youth-behavioral-military-and-family-life-counselors/.
Also, feel free to contact me at the number provided below if you have further questions about the program and how I can assist you and your family.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with your child.
Natasha Ewa, MSW, LCSW, LCSW-c
Military and Family Life Counselor
757 - 759 - 2802
New Chesapeake Public Schools Dress Code
Clothing must cover all undergarments; straps are okay
Length of shirts must at least meet the top of pants; no crop tops
Sleeveless tops must be connected by straps
Bottom lengths must be at least mid-thigh high
Ripped clothing must not have exposed skin above mid-thigh
Headwear generally not permitted; exceptions have been added (approved by principal)
Open toed shoes, sandals, slides and Crocs are now permitted; designated spaces require appropriate footwear (i.e., PE, science labs, Tech Ed classes, or wherever necessary)
Electronic Devices Policy
Parents, we need your help. Please remind your child about the WBM cell phone policy.
Cell phones can be a distraction and disruption to the learning environment.
Students may not possess, or carry on their person, cell phones, smart watches, or ear buds/headsets. Students must turn off and secure their cell phones and electronic devices in their lockers during the school day. If a student is found with or using an electronic device during the school day, the student is subject to a disciplinary consequence. Please see the Student Handbook for additional information.We encourage you to review the student handbooks with your child.
ROAR
See Something, Say Something
Thank you to these businesses and community partners who contribute to our school!
We'd love to have additional community partners. Please contact the school for more information.
STAY in the KNOW
We are proud to show-off all the great things happening at our school!
The Western Branch Middle website is updated several times each week. Register for update notifications by visiting cpschools.com/wbm/subscribe. Also, please consider joining
our WBMS social media accounts (Twitter: @BranchMiddle and Instagram: wbm_bruins). We will use these accounts to showcase our students, teachers, and programs.
Another resource to help stay informed is our PTSA. We have a supportive and active PTSA, so
whether you want to lead a committee or support your child through membership, we hope you connect with the PTSA. You can also follow them on Facebook by joining https://cpschools.com/wbm/wbms=ptsa
Finally, we network with parents through our Parent Advisory Council. This group of parents is the first to hear about the latest news in Bruin Country. To participate, please contact Mrs. Kasper in the main office at 638-7920.
Western Branch Bruins
Website: https://cpschools.com/wbm/
Location: 4201 Hawksley Drive, Chesapeake
Phone: 757-638-7920
Twitter: @BranchMiddle