Timberwolf Times
Volume 5, Issue 31 -March 26th, 2023
A Message from Dr. Lowry
Timberwolf Family,
Good afternoon, I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We have several events coming up, as we look forward to the end of our 2022-2023 school year. Be sure to watch the newsletter for updated information weekly...there is LOTS going on this spring!
Our Track teams have their District meets this week. If you haven’t had a chance to go out and support them, be sure to see them this week! We also have both our Boys & Girls Tennis Teams playing at Tompkins. Be sure to check out all things Timberwolf Sports in our newsletter.
As for Fine Arts, our Band and Orchestra programs will compete in UIL this week. Please wish them the best of luck as they have been preparing all year for UIL and are certain to make us proud.
We will be winding down the week with our school Volunteer Appreciation on Friday. We are looking forward to showing our volunteers how much we appreciate all the work they do for our students and staff throughout the year.
Lastly, we are a few weeks away from the 8th grade class celebration, Snow Ball. Please see information below for time/date and how to purchase tickets. If you have an 8th grade student, please make sure you purchase your tickets before the prices go up. Dress code for this event is also listed in the information.
Please enjoy the rest of your Sunday and I cannot wait to see everyone tomorrow!
Have a wonderful week & GO TIMBERWOLVES!
Dr. Andrew Lowry
Principal
WoodCreek Junior High School
This Week in Timberwolf Nation...
Monday, March 27
- Boys & Girls District Track Meet @ PHS 5:00PM
- WCJH PTA Spirit Night @ Tad's 4:00PM-10:00PM
Tuesday, March 28
- Boys & Girls District Track Meet @ PHS 5:00PM
Wednesday, March 29
- Vietnam Veteran's Day
- PTA General Board Meeting @ LGI 10:45AM
- KISD Educational Foundation - Dine Out to Donate
Thursday, March 30
- MLB Opening Day - Wear Astros gear and colors!
- Boys & Girls Tennis vs. TJH @ OTHS
- EF Educational Tours Information Meeting @ WCJH 6:00PM
Friday, March 31
- Cesar Chavez Day
- VIPS CELEBRATION 3:00-4:00PM (see info below)
Saturday, April 1st
- Groove 7:00PM-10:00PM @ Whiskey Cake Katy
A Look Ahead...
Monday, April 3rd
- Autism Awareness Day - Wear Blue
- Start of Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
Tuesday, April 4th
Wednesday, April 5th
Thursday, April 6th
- End of the 5th Six Weeks
Friday, April 7th
- Staff and Student Holiday
INSTRUCTIONS TO COURSE VERIFICATION
Parents/Guardians: It is time to complete the course verification process for the 2023-2024 school year! Your participation is critical to the success of your student. Your student recently completed a Course Plan in SchooLinks which outlines the courses he/she intends to take next school year.
Please review the timeline and instructions for completing course verification.
- Guardians will receive emails from SchooLinks with a unique link that will take guardians directly to their student’s Personalized Plan. This email will include information about approving your student’s Personalized Plan so you can verify courses for next school year.
- Parents will receive a unique link for each child enrolled in grades 6-8
- Emails will be sent from SchooLinks to guardians on 3/20, 3/21, 3/25 and 3/27
- After you receive an email from SchooLinks, you can access your student’s Course Plan immediately using the direct link without the need to login to SchooLinks.
- Even though your student’s Course Plan may cover multiple years, we are ONLY requesting your approval for the courses your student will take in the 2023-2024 school year.
If your student is currently in 6th grade, you are ONLY approving courses for 7th grade
If your student is currently in 7th grade, you are ONLY approving courses for 8th grade
If your student is currently in 8th grade, you are ONLY approving courses for 9th grade
If you would like to REQUEST A CHANGE to any courses for the 2023-2024 school year, leave a comment for your student’s counselor BEFORE you submit the plan.
- For more information, view this video that explains the process of approving your student’s course plan.
March 28th: Course verification window closes. Parents and students will NOT be able to request changes after this date.
- IMPORTANT: The Course Plan is a plan only and not a guarantee of your student’s actual schedule. Your student’s schedule will be communicated before the Fall semester after scheduling has been completed.
If you have any difficulty using the unique link that you received from SchooLinks, do not worry! Simply login to your student’s SchooLinks account and view their courses for the 2023-2024 school year. If you need to request a change to any course, please email your child’s CURRENT grade level counselor.
- 6th Grade Counselor: MeghanEMccarthy@katyisd.org
- 7th Grade Counselor: AieshaBMercadel@KATYISD.ORG
- 8th Grade Counselor: JessamyneYClay@KATYISD.ORG
JH Health TEKS and Parent Opt-In Consent
In accordance with Texas Education Code 28.004 and Senate Bill 9, junior high students will receive instruction on the required health TEKS specific to human growth and development, abuse prevention, and violence prevention.
Under Texas Statute, parents/guardians must choose to “opt-in” for their student to participate in the lessons that address the topics of human growth and development, abuse prevention, and violence prevention.
On Monday, March 27, 2023, parents/guardians will receive information via email on how to view associated lessons and record their decision for student “opt-in” of these lessons.
Below are the windows for both the parent opt-in and when lessons will be taught:
Parent Opt-In Window: Monday, March 27, 2023 – Thursday, April 6, 2023
Instruction Window: Monday, May 1, 2023 – Friday, May 19, 2023
Advisory & STAAR Prep
We made some changes to advisory as we prepare for STAAR and our last six week’s of school. Essentially, we are refocusing and utilizing advisory better academically.
Advisory will be utilized as a time for study hall, tutorial sessions, enrichment sessions (STAAR Targeted Advisory) or silent reading.
Students will be expected to store all electronic devices in their backpacks at the front of the room (Similar to STAAR testing).
Teachers are still permitted to request students to make-up work, attend tutorials, complete re-test and receive enrichment. The growth and success of every child is a priority at WoodCreek Junior High and this change is being made to help focus our students' attention on academics and school. Advisory is part of our instructional minutes, and we will be taking advantage of this time as we head into the end of our school year.
STAAR Targeted Tutorials
The growth and success of every child is a priority at WoodCreek Junior High. We will be hosting STAAR targeted advisories beginning the week after Spring Break. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students to extend their learning, and to make meaningful connections with content as they prepare for the upcoming STAAR assessment(s). Students that are selected to attend, will receive more information from their content teacher.
2022-2023 STAAR TESTING
As required by House Bill 3261, STAAR will be administered online beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The STAAR online testing platform offers all students multiple online tools to support the testing process. In addition, the STAAR assessments no longer have time limits. Students are expected to complete STAAR tests in about three hours; however, any student who needs additional time may continue testing until the end of the school day.
STAAR ONLINE PRACTICE TESTS
Parents are encouraged to access the Practice Tests Login located on the Texas Assessment website to explore practice tests. Practice Tests Login is found under the section How to Help Prepare Your Child. Log in as a Guest to view the assessment options.REPORT BULLYING AND HARASSMENT
Katy ISD and WCJH is committed to providing every student with a safe and supportive learning environment free from bullying and harassment.
Reports of harassment, bullying, and cyberbullying are taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated. Harassment, bullying (including cyberbullying), and retaliation are not tolerated and shall result in disciplinary action as defined in the Katy ISD Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct.
Students or parents may report an alleged incident of bullying, orally or in writing, to a teacher, school counselor, principal, or other District employee. Students or parents may also submit an anonymous report using the KatyISD SpeakUP app.
Katy ISD Bullying Prevention and Student Support Information
https://www.katyisd.org/Page/4123
Katy ISD SpeakUp Information
STUDENT DEVICES FOR CHECK-OUT
As with other devices with an internet connection, the Chromebook enables students to log in to MyKaty Cloud to access campus resources including Canvas, encyclopedias, informational databases, and other learning tools.
SAVE THE DATE: 8TH GRADE CELEBRATION
8th grade Panoramic Picture Information
Coming Soon...Tuesday, April 11th
Volunteer Appreciation for ALL that YOU do!! WCJH VIPS CELEBRATION
WCJH PTA SPIRIT WEAR NOW ON SALE
Lunch with a Counselor
Click here to RSVP - https://forms.gle/21WoETq6WfK5X8cx6
PURCHASE YOUR 2022-2023 YEARBOOK
Don't Forget to fill out the form to Claim Your 2022 BOOK!!
Once we have your information and verify your purchase, we will deliver yearbooks to students at school, or arrangements will be made according to the information given in the form.
All books must be claimed by May 5th. Any books not claimed after May 5th will be considered for sale. Information will be announced in May.
This is your last chance to claim your yearbooks. Again, all unclaimed books will be available for purchase at the end of this school year.
EF Educational Tours
ATTENTION ALL CURRENT 6TH GRADE PARENTS
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR DRIVERS
MAKE SOMEONES DAY!
TUTORIAL SCHEDULE 5th SIX WEEKS
WCJH PTA FUNDRAISERS/SPIRIT NIGHTS
TAD's 3/27/23
FIIZ Drinks 4/3/2023
BB's Spirit Night - 4/12/23
SAVE THE DATE FOR GROOVE 2023
Autism Awareness Day
SAVE THE DATE "KISD" VIPS BREAKFAST APRIL 28th
THANK A VET! MARCH 29th VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
MARCH 31ST: CESAR CHAVEZ DAY
RAINES ACADEMY CDL STUDENT TRAINING AND LICENSING PROGRAM
Just A Friendly Reminder...
WHAT IN THE WIDE WORLD OF WC SPORTS
WCJH TENNIS SCHEDULE
INFORMATION ABOUT BOYS SOCCER TRYOUTS
INFORMATION ABOUT GIRLS SOCCER TRYOUTS
WCJH PTA HAS A NEW WEBSITE
WCJH PTA has a brand new website! PTA is still working to get all areas up and running, but feel free to check out all of the latest updates! We are looking forward to a great 2022-2023 school year!
JOIN PTA!
Don't forget you can join WCJH PTA online! Not only can parents join but students, neighbors, businesses, family, and friends can join as well. Just like last year, there will be monthly drawings for yard signs, gift cards, and spirit wear. The membership helps support the programs and events that help enhance students' experiences at school. Join now! PTA Membership — WoodCreek Junior High PTA (wcjhpta.com) Thank you for your support!
Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact membership@wcjhpta.com.
*If you purchased school supplies through the PTA that includes one membership.
2022-2023 Bell Schedule
Sign up for Important Updates - Join Remind
Join our remind groups for important text updates.
- Incoming 6th Grade - Text the message @wcjhwolf30 to the number 81010.
- 6th Grade - Text the message @wcjhwolf29 to the number 81010.
- 7th Grade - Text the message @wcjhwolf28 to the number 81010.
- 8th Grade - Text the message @wcjhwolf27 to the number 81010.
Contact Information
Mission Statement: WoodCreek Junior High, in partnership with the community, parents, and students, will provide a safe, positive, engaging learning environment that is devoted to empowering each student to become a productive, responsible, respectful citizen while achieving academic excellence.
Website: https://www.katyisd.org/WCJH
Location: 1801 Woodcreek Bend Lane, Katy, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 234-0800
Facebook: facebook.com/woodcreekjrhigh/
Twitter: @WoodCreekJrHigh
WCJH Administrative Team
Dr. Andrew Lowry - Principal
Karla Beek Assistant Principal - Student Support
Ryan Saam Assistant Principal - 6th Grade
Derek Ankney Assistant Principal - 7th Grade
Lauren Merriman Assistant Principal - 8th Grade
Melissa Hardy Counselor - Student Support
Meghan McCarthy Counselor - 6th Grade
Aiesha Mercadel Counselor - 7th Grade
Jessie Clay Counselor - 8th Grade
School Information
Instructional Calendar 2022-2023 Click Here
Lunch Menus Click Here
Bus Transportation Click Here
Student Code of Conduct Click Here
Registration Information Click Here