Waite Middle School
Panther Tracks - March 2021
Home of The Panthers
Welcome Waite Middle School Family to our Newsletter!
This is another way to communicate with you; and where we will keep staff updated with information to stay in the know. This newsletter is available in PDF format in our Schoology page & website.
Important Dates
March 12 ~ ELAC @ 3:00pm
March 15 ~ Quarter 4 Starts
March 16 ~ Kick Butts Day
March 17 ~ SSC meeting
Save The Date:
April 1 ~ Minimum Day
Spring Break ~ April 2 - 9
April 21 ~ Spring Pictures & 8th Grade Promotion Pictures
STAFF CALENDAR
Monday, March 8
2:15pm-SLT Meeting
Wednesday, March 10
Rotating Period 2
10:20am-Staff Meeting
11:30am or 1:00pm-Teacher PD
Friday, March 12
Prep Q3 grades; submit no later than Monday, 3/15
Character Trait of The Month - P. A. N. T. H. E. R. S. ~ Notability
Quote of the Month
Administration's Corner!
Greetings Panthers,
March is upon us and this month marks one year in distance learning! We have all come a long way. Together we’ve learned new practices such as zoom, near pod and completing all assignments on-line. Your families have played an important role throughout this time too. They’ve had to learn how best to support you at home. We could not do this work without their help. It hasn’t been easy; however, we’ve been getting it done. The Waite MS staff and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Currently, we are preparing our classrooms for a possible return. We want to be ready once we get the green light to begin hybrid instruction. Classrooms, hallways and common areas are being set up to ensure all safety protocols are intact. Once information is available, an email will be sent to all families with detailed instructions. Thank you for your patience.
Teachers are submitting quarter 3 grades soon. Continue working and submitting assignments. Email your teachers for help. It makes my day when students send me emails requesting help or information. We are ALL here for YOU!
Keep working hard! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nakano
twitter @pantherprincip2
Dear Waite Middle School Family,
March is Women’s History Month: Women's contribution to our society is celebrated. We invite you to celebrate all the special women in your life!
It is also National Nutrition Month which is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.
Please continue encouraging your student to logging into their zoom classes, complete their assignments and communicate with teachers/staff as needed. Also, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email, Schoology or simply call us in the office to assist you further.
Best Regards,
Jenny Amaya, Assistant Principal
Twiiter @jennyaamaya
Semester 1 Virtual Ceremony
Distance Learning Expectations
AVID's Corner
Waite Middle School, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a national college readiness system with a student-centered approach. AVID begins by identifying a cohort of students in the academic middle from groups traditionally underrepresented on college campuses who have great academic potential. These are often students who will be the first in their families to attend college. AVID delivers a demanding college-preparatory curriculum and facilitates student involvement in extracurricular activities. The goal of AVID is for students to enroll and be successful in rigorous four-year post-secondary institutions and become educated and responsible leaders.
In order for students to be selected as part of their AVID cohort, they experience a rigorous selection process, which includes an application, teacher recommendations, and an interview. The AVID elective is a class that meets as often as core subjects like English or math, within the regular school day. The AVID elective consists of several different elements, making students more successful in all their classes. The class is divided into curriculum days, tutorial days and motivational activity days, which include college and career activities, guest speakers from area colleges and local professionals and field trips to local colleges and universities. AVID motivates students and provides the skills and confidence to reach their goals.
Counselor's Corner!
Waite School Counseling Procedures During Online Learning
Dear Parents & Guardians
Our School Counseling program is committed to providing your student with social-emotional support and counseling services while we are currently “online learning”. Students or parents can make appointments via e-email, phone call, text message, or through the Calendly appointment confirmation platform. Counseling services will be provided remotely via phone conference, video conference, or text message (whichever format you and/or your child prefer).
We know this is a difficult time for everyone and we are committed to offering continued support to you and your child/children.
All students are enrolled in the Schoology Counseling Corner to access activities and resources to support students with their social-emotional health and well-being, academic and college-career planning, and other relevant topics to support them during this time.
Please encourage your child/children to access Schoology Counseling Corner and reach out for any help or support. Here is the access code if you would like to join: M2JHZ-P2MT2
Mrs. A. Patricia Sierra, School Counselor
Mrs. A. Patricia Sierra
Google # (562) 373-4645
Waite Intervention's Corner
WAITE Intervention:
At Waite, we are committed to the development of character, leadership and academic excellence to ALL students. To support students who need additional support, Waite has the following interventions in place:
Socio-emotional Support during Distance Learning
Our MSW Intern and Wellness Specialist have created small groups that will focus on growth mindset, healthy coping skills, and support for newcomer students. Students who are eligible to participate in these groups will be invited using our district Panorama SEL data.
Distance Learning Engagement Support
To support students struggling with distance learning engagement our CWA intern will invite students to an attendance group that will focus on both social-emotional skills and attendance.
Academic Support
Our school counselors are messaging students through Schoology to encourage, provide resources, and monitor their progress.
All tutoring opportunities are posted weekly on the Waite Counseling Schoology Page.
Homework Club: Monday, Tuesdays & Thursday, from 2 to 3pm via Zoom
Drop In Homework Help: Monday through Friday 3 to 4pm via Zoom
Tutoring Available
UPCOMING EVENTS
Norwalk Public Library - Resources for Parents
Follow us Social Media
@waite_is-great
@WaitePanthers
@jennyaamaya
Waite Middle School
Email: jamaya@nlmusd.org
Website: www.waitemiddle.org
Location: 14320 Norwalk Blvd, Norwalk, CA, USA
Phone: 562-921-7981
Facebook: facebook.com/waitepanthers
Twitter: @jennyaamaya