Words from West
APRIL - 2022
CALENDAR UPDATES
April 15th - NO School - Building Closed - Good Friday
April 19th - 6:30pm (new time), PTO meeting in WMS Library and Zoom (see details below)
April 20th & 21st - Grades 6-8, MSTEP Testing
April 22nd - FUN NIGHT - 6th and 7th grade students only (see details below)
April 26th, & 27th - Grades 6-8, MSTEP Testing
April 25th - 7pm, Board of Education Meeting
May 2nd - 6th - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
May 4th - Late Start - School begins at 10:25am
May 9th - 14th - District Centennial Celebration Week
M-Step & MI-Access
April 20th & 21st
April 26th & 27th
All students will be taking the M-STEP or MI-Access test. Below is the schedule and some tips to ensure a successful testing week:
M-STEP Testing Day Class Schedule:
1st hour: 9:34a - 10:16a
2nd hour: 10:20a - 11:02a
3rd hour: 11:06a - 11:48a
4th hour: 11:52a - 1:29p ***Lunch Schedule Below
5th hour: 1:33p - 2:15p
6th hour: 2:19p - 3:02p
***Lunch Rotation:
A - 11:54a - 12:24p
B - 12:10p - 12:40p
C - 12:27p - 12:57p
D - 12:43p - 1:13p
E - 12:59p - 1:29p
Below are some tips to help ensure successful testing:
- Get a good night's rest
- Arrive to school on-time
- Eat a good breakfast (free breakfast provided daily at WMS)
- Students will need their CHARGED Chromebook and Charger for each day of testing
- Students will need a set of wired headphones and a book to read after test completion
- Relax and do your best!
There will be several days for make-up testing if needed. Please contact your student's counselor if you have questions or concerns.
Screenagers
Have you ever wondered how the digital age is impacting children? If so, you should join us for a free screening of the documentary, ̈Screenagers̈̈ In this documentary, a doctor sets out to determine the best way to implement screens with her female and male children. She documents kid conversations, interviews professionals, provides statistics, debunks "over-scheduled" teens and multi-tasking myths, shows brain research, differentiates her children's habits, details the new "digital divide" and gives strategies for family and screen time.
If you would like to view this film, please fill out the survey below.
To accommodate all the schedules, the viewing window will be from April 20-May 4, and a virtual group discussion is targeted for Thursday, May 5.
Mrs. Julie Williams will be sending you the "ticket" (link) to log on, to the email you list on the survey.
We hope you are able to join us!
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, please see the message below on donations for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Please join us at our next monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 19th at 6:30pm. This meeting will be in person at WMS (come to the main entrance) and also will have a zoom option for anyone wanting to join us remotely. See link below for Zoom login:
Meeting ID: 798 2254 7907
Passcode: BmV754
We have some fun end of the year activities to plan for our students. One quickly approaching is our fun night for our 6th and 7th grade students on Friday, April 22nd. Many volunteers are still needed to make this event happen. Please contact Kari Watkins at
kariwatkins22@yahoo.com if you are able to help.
Don Chapin, PTO President
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Thank You,
GB West Middle School - PTO
$10.00 GIFT CARDS TO ANYWHERE
WE WOULD LIKE TO COLLECT ENOUGH FOR EACH STAFF MEMBER TO RECEIVE ONE!
DROP OFF IN THE FRONT OFFICE UNTIL APRIL 29TH
PTO Fun Night- Friday, April 22!
Next Friday, April 22, our PTO has organized a Fun Night for our students at WMS.
PTO Fun Night is for 6th and 7th grade students only, and will take place from 3-5 p.m. The cost is $10 per student. The cost will include pizza and a water. There will be a DJ and dancing, a movie in the lecture hall, open gym for sports, and students may bring their own board games to play with friends in the library.
This year, students will purchase a ticket to enter PTO Fun Night. Ticket sales will take place on Wednesday 4/20 and Thursday 4/21 during their 6th hour. Students who purchase tickets will receive those tickets the day of the event. No ticket sales will take place the day of the event.
If you would like to volunteer, we would love for you to chaperone! Please contact kariwatkins22@yahoo.com to volunteer!
Thank you for your support of our PTO and your help in making this event a great experience for our students!
EVERYONE MUST COMPLETE THE ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR 2021-2022
The 2022-23 online registration for Grand Blanc Schools is now available. ALL Parents are required to complete the annual online registration through your ParentVUE account prior to picking up schedules in August.
Please click here for “Online Registration”.
Below is a brief summary of login instructions:
If you have a ParentVUE (or are unsure):
· DO NOT create a new account if you may already have an account because the new account will not allow you to view your student’s information.
· If you have a ParentVUE account but do not remember your login, please call (810) 591-7335 and a staff member will be able to provide your username.
· If you know your username but have forgotten your ParentVUE password, you can click the “More Options” button below the login, then click “Forgot Password,” and the system will step you through resetting your password.
If you have never activated a ParentVUE account for any of your children:
· Please call (810) 591-7335 to receive an activation key
· Once you have an activation key, go to the site above and scroll down to follow the instructions to create a new ParentVUE account.
Once you login to ParentVUE:
1. Please verify that you are on the Current/Returning Student tab for 2022-2023 (do not create a new enrollment unless your student is new to the district).
2. Scroll through each screen to review and update all information on your student(s).
3. Electronically sign required forms.
4. Review all information then click SUBMIT at the bottom.
Please call if you do not have access to a computer or have any questions about registration.
Museum for All
MINDFUL MINUTE
Have you noticed your student using mindful strategies while at home? Ask you son/daughter about the morning mindful minute!
In preparation for a GB Board of Education meeting, WTV students created a video featuring the mindfulness initiative at WMS. Please see what we are up to with mindfulness in the link below!
Please reach out if you have questions about our school's initiative!
AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
If you would like to learn more about autism and inclusion, visit https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-month
Perry Center Centennial Celebration
The Perry Centennial Celebration is shaping up to be a fun and history-filled family event! The celebration is Saturday, May 14th from 3-7pm. There will be Perry tours & history, Alumni meet-ups, food trucks, lawn games, music and more!!! Visit the Centennial Celebration page on Facebook for more information.
Recycle Day 2022
Looking for a way to properly dispose of your Hazardous Waste, Electronics, Paint or other materials? Attend Genesee County’s Recycle Day!
Saturday, May 14th (10AM-2PM); Tuesday, June 21st (2PM-6PM); Tuesday, July 19th (2PM-6PM); and Tuesday, August 23rd (2PM-6PM)
Carman-Ainsworth Middle School, 1409 W Maple Ave, Flint, MI 48507
Items Accepted at Recycle Day:
- Aerosols
- Automotive Fluids
- Batteries (household/auto)
- Biomedical Sharps (in rigid/sealed container)
- Corrosives (acids/bases)
- Electronics (all kinds)
- Fire Extinguishers
- Fluorescent Bulbs & Tubes
- Mercury
- Oil-Based & Latex Paints/Solvents
- Pesticides & Herbicides
- Prescription Medication
- Propane Cylinders (up to 3o lbs. each)
- Reactives & Oxidizers
- Smoke Detectors
Items Not Accepted at Recycle Day
- 55 Gallon Drums of Waste
- Agricultural Tires & Waste
- Ammunition
- Appliances
- Commercial Tires & Waste
- Compressed Gas Cylinders (other than propane)
- Construction Materials
- Explosives & Fireworks
- Garbage & Yard Waste
- Industrial Tires & Waste
- Paper for Shredding
- Radioactive Materials
- Tires
- Weapons
PARENT SURVEY
Each year we survey our parents in the Spring to gain a better understanding of their experience at our school. As we are often reviewing policies/procedures and implementing new ideas, it is important for us to have this feedback to use in our decision-making.
Below is the link to our parent survey.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this.
SUMMER SCHOOL INFORMATION
Please see the image below for Summer School Information.
- WMS will be reaching out to families of qualifying students
- If you receive an invitation, or are contacted, please ACT FAST
- WMS only has 90 available spots available
COUNSELING CORNER - SCHEDULING
A few updates from the Counseling Team:
- Course Request Sheets are all in and we will begin the process of scheduling for next school year. We will do our best to honor any special requests however, that information is due to us by the end of April.
Counselors at WMS are available to assist your child with social, emotional, and academic concerns. Counselors are also able to assist families with community resources. If you have any concerns with your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to counselors for assistance. For your convenience, we have listed many resources on our counseling office website found under “Quick Links” on the WMS homepage.
POSITIVITY PROJECT
SEL (Social and Emotional Learning)
As part of our response to the COVID 19 Pandemic, staff at Grand Blanc West Middle School have been working to provide increased levels of support, as well as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) opportunities, for students.
SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. Our focus this year has been on effectively identifying student needs and making connections.
It is possible your child may be referred to the SEL Team for support through the use of a universal screener known as the SRSS. The SRSS is completed by teachers 2-3 times per school year to help identify students that may benefit from additional social/emotional support within the school setting.
Once a child is referred for possible SEL support, the student’s assigned adult, counselor or school social worker will make contact with your child. This contact will be a general check in to better discern how the student is doing with current school demands–academically, socially, and emotionally. In the event that the SEL team, counselor or social worker feels that there is a need for additional intervention or support, outside of what is already being provided, they will contact you directly and/or provide a group support opportunity for your student. Permission slips are sent home for group participation and we would appreciate your signature-approval, to help us support your student.
If you have questions or have observed needs presenting outside of school, please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s counselor or social worker.
Thank you!
DISTRICT OF CHOICE
The District of Choice application is now posted on our district website, www.gbcs.org. Anyone who has moved out of the Grand Blanc boundary this school year, incoming siblings of current District of Choice students, and any new incoming out-of-district students must apply for District of Choice.
All applications must be completed and submitted electronically to GRAND BLANC COMMUNITY SCHOOLS by 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 24, 2022 with previous two years of behavior to be considered complete.
Grand Blanc West Middle School
West Middle School Main Office:
Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 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
Important Phone Numbers
Athletics/Main Office 591-7309
Counseling Office 591-7335
Counselor (A-K) 591-7338
Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339