The Wildcat Chat
What's Happening at Willard? | April 30, 2021
Make Up MAP Testing This Monday
On Monday, May 3, students who need to make up either their reading or math Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests may do so by going to meet.google.com at 9:00 a.m. Once there, they will type in the code WMS-Pickering. Assistant Principal Steve Pickering will be able to get them stared on their growth assessment. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Pickering.
Thank Your Teachers Today
This past week, many of our families recognized our fabulous Willard teachers. This week, Alison Meyer and Ian Jardine Jr. recognized Ms. Hoyler for pushing them to be their best selves. Annika Cortez provided her shout out for Ms. Hoelscher because she has a way of easily explaining complex material. She makes learning accessible and encourages her scholars to ask questions along the way. Maya Tawney shared that Ms. Tahir's positive attitude encourages students to try new things. This allows them to grow—which is fantastic! Please take time this week to recognize one of your amazing teachers. Get started by completing our Willard Teacher Shout Out Form.
Teacher Appreciation This Week
This week, Monday, May 3 to Friday, May 7, we will be celebrating our teachers for our annual Teacher Appreciation Week extravaganza. As part of our daily recognition activities, we would like to provide gift card drawings. If you are interested in donating a gift card, please fill out our Sign Up Genius and drop off your gift card at Willard Middle by Monday, May 3. In addition, think about sending a virtual card to your teachers this week; make sure to include specific reasons what he/she is a phenomenal teacher.
Talent Tuesday | Group #2
This past Tuesday, our Student Council Association (SCA) presented the second Talent Tuesday. For the next two weeks, many of our Wildcats will be showcasing their talents for their fellow comrades. Jeremy Tomy, Joelle Kinsey, Joslyn Bennet, Kabi Prasanna, Liya Hagos, Mansi Ginne, Nivedh Rao, Raegan Howard, and Rishik Vanga offered us a look into their amazing animation, singing, cooking, instrument playing, and magic tricks. This week's winner was Kabi Prasanna for his mind-blowing animation skills. To check out their outstanding talents, please watch this video.
In addition, the first week's grand prize winner was Asmita Kodityala with her phenomenal artwork.To check out the Talent Tuesday, Week 1 amazingness, click here. Great Job!
SCA's Virtual International Day
We are fortunate to be surrounded by such diversity, and we want to be able to highlight our Wildcat families in our first-ever SCA Virtual International Day. Showcase your unique culture by participating in this worthwhile event. For Willard's Virtual International Day, submit a video talking about your culture, and your video could appear in our montage presentation! To apply, please fill out this form.Then, use this flipgrid to record your video. Students have until Friday, May 14, to apply!
Music Program T-Shirt Pick Up
Students will be able to pick up the guitar and chorus music program t-shirts on Monday, May 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Willard Bus Loop. This socially-distanced event requires parents/guardians to place a sign in the car window that includes: the student's first and last name, teacher's name, and class block.
Both distance and hybrid students who have provided their sizes and program fees will be able to pick up their shirts. If you are unable to pick up the shirt at this time, please communicate with your child's teacher in order to set up another pick up opportunity.
If students would still like a shirt and have not provided their shirt size and/or program fees to his/her teacher, there may still be an opportunity to do so. Please reach out to your child's music teacher for further details.
Autism Acceptance Month Video
Emotions Summit—May 2 to 5
STEM Camp—Deadline May 1
The Center for Leadership and Diversity in STEM has shared a last minute opportunity with our scholars. They will be offering virtual STEM camps for both middle and high school students in July. This unique program offers students currently in 6th and 7th grade (middle school program) and 8th and 9th grade (high school program) the opportunity to participate in hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities taught by West Point Academy faculty and cadet mentors. The application is due tomorrow, May 1. To get started, click here.
Leadership Summer Retreat
The Morven Park Center for Civic Impact is thrilled to offer two virtual youth leadership opportunities this summer. Rising 7th and 8th graders can participate in the Morven Park Youth Leadership Retreat and rising 9th graders in the Morven Park/Loudoun County Parks and Rec Youth Leadership Institute. Both programs are free and applications are open. Rising 7th and 8th graders can find information and the application at: www.MorvenPark.org/application. Rising 9th graders can find the application at: https://lfportal.loudoun.gov/Forms/prcsmorvenpark.
New Links for Chromebook Repairs
Starting Monday, April 19, students participating in 100% distance learning will now receive on-site chromebook support at Willard Middle School. Local hardware repair centers, such as the one found at Freedom High School, will no longer be used.
For non-hardware issues that could be resolved over the phone, please continue to call the Technology Support Center at 571-252-2112. For hardware issues that require device repair, please schedule an appointment using this Willard-specific link: http://bit.ly/WMS-REPAIR
Course Recommendations
We want to ensure that all of our students are prepared for success in the level of courses they choose. For students who request to Level UP or Level DOWN from that which was originally recommended by the current teacher, we want to keep the door open for your decision. Parents, please complete this form if you wish to make a change to your scholar's course request for the 2021-2022 school year.
The deadline for all changes is Thursday, June 24. No changes will be accepted after this date.
Please feel free to contact your scholar's school counselor with any questions or concerns!