West Middle School Newsletter
Week of April 1
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING DISTANCE LEARNING
Distance Learning Plan (March 30 - April 3 )
Students, we have posted learning plans for the week of March 30, 2020. Find the plans at our DeSoto ISD Distance Learning website. (www.DeSotoISD.org/DistanceLearning) Students and families with questions should contact their child’s teachers directly.
Count Every Texan, Especially Our Children
The census may only happen once every ten years, but it will impact the lives of the Texans every day.
Federal funding directed to Texas is directly related to the Census. The more accurately we count everyone, the more accurately the federal government will disperse the resources we need to fund public education, nutrition, and health care programs. An undercount of just 1 percent could cost our state tens of millions of dollars each year. As the Census kicks off, let’s work together to shape our future by counting every child in Texas. Make sure to complete the Census yourself and remind your friends and neighbors about the importance of their responses.
PSAT 8 College Board Scores
INTERNET ACCESS
If you DO NOT have internet access, qualifying families can get free internet services from Spectrum or Comcast.
- Spectrum Free WiFi (60 days free): Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. For the full directions and information, click here
- Comcast Free WiFi (60 days free): Apply online on the Comcast Website here for access to the Internet Essentials plans.
If you are unable to receive the free services listed above and do not have access to the internet, please email checkout@desotoisd.org about your situation and we will work to secure a WiFi hotspot for you. Unfortunately, we do not have these currently and will be working to secure them.
TECH SUPPORT
GOOGLE ACCOUNT ACCESS
Students will need to have access to their google accounts and emails. Most students have the following set-up for their Google accounts. If a student has issues, they should email helpdesk@desotoisd.org.
Email address: firstname.lastname@desotoisd.net
Password: First initial (capitalized), Second initial (lowercase), Student ID number, exclamation mark (i.e. Ab12345!)
Starting Wednesday, April 1st, Ruby Young, Cockrell Hill, and Woodridge will be open for service. The Food Truck will stay at Amber Terrace for Breakfast and Lunch.
For a map of the open sites and times, go tohttps://desotoisd.nutrislice.com/menu/
Sites and Times of Operation:
The Meadows Elementary: 9 AM - 1 PM M-F
Frank Moates Elementary: 9 AM - 1 PM M-F
DeSoto High School- Freshman Campus Side: 9 AM - 1 PM M-F
Starting Wednesday, April 1st:
NEW PERMANENT LOCATION- Amber Terrace DECA- Food Truck: 9 AM - 1 PM M-F
NEW PERMANENT LOCATION- Woodridge Elementary: 9 AM - 1 PM M-F
NEW- Ruby Young Elementary: 9 AM - 1 PM M-F
NEW- Cockrell Hill Elementary: 9 AM - 1 PM M-F
Interesting Poetry Facts
- The most popular poetry form in the world is the Haiku
- The longest poem in the world is the Indian epic Mahabharata
- The shortest poem is ‘The Shortest and Sweetest of Songs’ by George MacDonald. It has just two words – “Come Home.”
- The oldest poem is the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh
- Poetry can increase your vocabulary
- World Poetry Day is March 21st
K-12 Social-Emotional Wellness Checks
Students who were receiving small group or individualized counselor or social- emotional learning support (SEL) will receive a 1-1 check-in with a member of the SEL team (Campus Counselors, Behavior Coordinators, ACE coordinators, or NEXT Generation Gear UP Coordinators).
Outcomes of these check-ins will include wellness checks, review of the social emotional skills that students were focused on prior to the break, and review of current grades
Nursing Resources
Our campus Nurses are available to help field any school related health question. Students who are considered medically fragile or those who were interacting with their campus nurse on a regular basis will have a weekly wellness check with their nurse.
Online Backpack Access
Access to all instructional resources HERE
Username: firstname.lastname
Password: capital first name initial, lowercase last name initial, student ID #, and an exclamation mark
Example Student: Abby Brown ID#12345
Username: Abby.Brown
Password: Ab12345!
What You Need To Know About Hand washing
DeSoto West Middle School
Website: http://westms.desotoisd.org/
Location: DeSoto West Middle School, North Westmoreland Road, DeSoto, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 230-1820