WBMS Friday Notes
February 12-16
Reflections from Ms. Perkins
WBMS Parents and Guardians –
Like you, this week I received news about another horrific shooting in our schools, and since then my heart and thoughts have been with the victims and their families in the Broward County Public Schools community. It makes me angry and sad to know our youth are struggling with so many things out of their reach.
Media coverage of this tragedy may prompt questions and concerns from your student, and I want to provide resources that may help during these difficult conversations. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, high-profile acts of violence in schools can confuse and frighten students who may feel they, their friends, or their loved ones are in danger. They will look to adults for guidance about how to react, and adults can help by talking with them about their fears. For help with these conversations, please visit this online resource: “Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers.” Please know our school counselors are here if your student needs support.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. The Fulton Schools Safety Team works directly with schools and local agencies to ensure there is a coordinated approach to school safety, and all schools are required to have emergency action plans. Today I met with the administrator over our school’s safety procedures and our School Police Officer to review and scrutinize our local plans to ensure they are proactive, thoughtful, and thorough. We immediately made some adjustments to our procedures regarding locked and unlocked doors and are continuing to seek other ways to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Please help us by reminding your students that if they “see something, say something.” Research shows warning signs occur in more than 80% of violent incidents. Fulton County Schools provides a system for students, parents, educators and community members to report concerns anonymously. The links to anonymously report a threat or tip: safety@fultonschools.org orhttps://asp.schoolmessenger.com/fultonschools/quicktip/
Keeping our students, teachers, and schools safe is the responsibility of everyone in our community. I take safety seriously and value your continued assistance and support in this area. I want you to know that I care for your children like they are my own. Our teachers and staff feels the very same way. We are here to make sure we restore the feeling of school being "back to normal" as quickly as possible. With your help, we can get our children to a place of normalcy even quicker.
In collaboration,
Rebecca Williams Perkins
Principal, Webb Bridge Middle School
Dates To Remember
Feb 19- Holiday- School Closed
Feb 21- Parent Meeting for France, Spain and Italy 2019 Trip
Feb 21- Community Balance Day
Feb 22- 8th Grade Band LGPE
March 1- 8th Grade High School Transition Field Trip
March 1- 7th Grade Dance
Make Up Days
There will be three make-up days:
- February 16
- March 9 (Digital Learning Day- Students will stay home, but still have schoolwork to complete. More info to come)
- March 12
The upcoming President’s Day holiday and Spring Break are not affected, and the school year also will still end before Memorial Day.
We Love Our PTA
SGC Elections
Are you interested in joining the School Governance Council (SGC)? We have 2 Parent/Guardian and 1 Teacher position open for the 2018-2020 school years and we'd love your involvement. If interested, please submit a declaration form by February 23rd. The Council works with the principal in setting the long-term vision and strategy for our school. Joining the SGC is a great way to get involved in the school and have your voice heard! More information is available on the Webb Bridge Website. Elections will be held March 19-23.
SGC Elections Video:
https://vimeo.com/201044382
SGC Parent Candidate Declaration Form:
https://form.jotform.com/80254195664158
SGC Teacher Candidate Declaration Form:
2018 School Governance Council Teacher Candidate Declaration Form
Would you like to visit France, Spain and Italy next June 2019?
Help us celebrate Black History Month with special activities next week!
Monday: Presidents Day
Tuesday: Sock it to Racism- Wear crazy socks
Wednesday: HBCU Celebration- Wear your favorite college gear
Thursday: Hats off to Diversity- Wear your favorite hat, bring $1.00
Friday: BHM assembly and A Celebration of Culture- Celebrate your own culture by wearing something that represents you!
Read Across America Day
Barnes and Noble-My Favorite Teacher Contest
Find out more here- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/my-favorite-teacher
Here's How It Works: Students write an essay, poem, or thank-you letter (500 words or less, in English on 8.5" x 11" white paper) sharing how a teacher has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire them. Each entry should be submitted with the entry form and a parent or legal guardian must sign the entry form acknowledging that they have read the Official Contest Rules.
Each year, participating schools will collect the essays starting in early January and provide them to their local Barnes & Noble store representative by March 2.
What Students Get:The students who author the winning essays, poems, or thank-you letters will receive a certificate of recognition and be honored at their local store during a ceremony for the winning teachers from their schools.
In addition, the Student who authors the winning essay, poem, or thank-you letter for the teacher that wins the “Barnes & Noble National Teacher of the Year” will also receive a $500 Barnes & Noble gift certificate and NOOK device.
What Teachers Get:The winning teachers will be recognized at a special event at their local Barnes & Noble store and will receive a special award acknowledging their achievement as well as additional recognition and praise from their community. The five regional winning teachers will each receive a $500 Barnes & Noble Gift Card. The winner of the "Barnes & Noble Teacher of the Year" award will receive $5,000 and will be recognized at a special event at a Barnes & Noble store. The winning teacher's school will receive $5,000 as well.
Pennies for Patients!
http://events.lls.org/pages/ga/WebbBridgeMiddleSchool-2018
Jr. Beta Club and Student Council are actively involved in collecting loose CHANGE and Bills are welcome too for the Pennies for Patients. Last year we raised over 3,000.00 and this year our goal is 4,000.00. Please bring in your CHANGE and place it in the containers in the cafeteria.
Parent University- February
2/27- Mindfulness
Please join us for our next Parent University with Laurie Grossman from Inner Explorer on February 27th for a parent workshop at 9:30 AM. Laurie will be explaining her work with Mindfulness and help expound upon our new WBMS Mindfulness program.
2/28- Helping Middle School Students Transition to High School
Eighth Grade Parents you’re invited to join us on February 28, 2018 from 6:00-7:00 PM at Webb Bridge Middle School in the cafeteria for information regarding decisions and challenges associated with transitioning from middle school to high school. This meeting will provide an opportunity for parents to learn more about high school course offerings and requirements, how to make the best decisions for classes, and the importance of social support.
2/22
Middle School to High School Transition Night for 8th Grade Parents- Course Registration & Scheduling for 2017-2018, Alpharetta High School Auditorium
Parents of current 8th grade students zoned for Alpharetta High School are invited to attend this informational presentation regarding course registration and scheduling for the 2018- 2019 school year (Bring your student’s Course Request Verification Form!).
6:00 PM – 6:20 PM Curriculum, Graduation Requirements & School Overview
6:20 PM – 6:45 PM Academic Course Option Panel (English, Math, Science and Social Studies; Advanced Placement; TAG)
Session #1, 6:50 PM – 7:10 PM
Session #2, 7:15 PM – 7:35 PM
Session #3, 7:40 PM – 8:00 PM
SESSIONS: (Choose one activity per session)
- Academic Course Option Panel (English, Math, Science and Social Studies)
- Advanced Placement – AP Government/Politics U.S. & AP Human Geography
- TAG (Talented & Gifted) Information
- Special Education/IRR Information
- World Language
- Career Technology
- Fine Arts
- Activities Fair--Clubs and Sports (Cafeteria)
*Private school students and parents as well as any other prospective students and parents are also invited to Transition Night; enrollment information will be discussed and course registration materials will be distributed.
Did you miss our last Parent U?
Fulton County Student Media Festival
Milestones Testing
The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through high school.
Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Students in grades 3 through 8 take an end-of-grade assessment in English Language Arts and mathematics while students in grades 5 and 8 are also assessed in science and social studies. High school students take an end-of-course assessment for each of the ten courses designated by the State Board of Education.
Our Fulton County Schools Assessment Department has released the official testing dates for the EOG and EOC Milestones Testing for the Spring.
April 12 – EOG Writing- 6,7,8
April 16- EOG ELA 6,7,8 (all students except students taking the 9th grade Literature Honors EOC course)
April 18- EOG Math 6,7,8 (all students except students taking an EOC Math course)
April 23- EOG Science 8th grade ONLY (except students taking an EOC Physical Science course)
April 24- EOG Social Studies- 8th grade ONLY
*Makeups for EOG will be rolling
April 25- EOC- 9th grade Lit
April 26- EOC- 9th grade Lit
April 30- EOC Geometry
May 1- EOC Physical Science
May 3- EOC Algebra
For additional information and resources regarding the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (EOG and EOC), please follow this link:
Clubs and Athletics
Jr. Beta Club
Our next meeting will be on March 14th at 8:00am in the cafeteria. Remember meetings are mandatory. If for some reason you are unable to attend, please make sure you contact us via Edmodo or email. Don't forget National Beta Week (see info below).
National Beta Club Week - March 5th-9th
Join us as we celebrate National Beta Club Week. We will be sponsoring different events throughout the week to bring awareness to our awesome club.
Monday, 3/5
We will empty recycle bins, clorox surfaces in classrooms and around the school, and help teachers pick up around the school. Join us at 8 to help!
Tuesday, 3/6
Wear your Beta T-shirts or Beta colors (black and gold) to support Beta; meet us at 8:30 on the 100 hall to welcome your fellow students to school!
Wednesday, 3/7
Wear your hat to show your Beta Spirit! We'll sponsor a $1 Hat Day for the whole school. We donate all proceeds to a charity we vote on.
Thursday, 3/8 (No School for students)
Share how you lead through serving others by submitting your photo to bit.ly/betapics. (Kindness Bingo)
Friday, 3/9 (Digital Learning Day- Students have school from home)
Do an act of service for someone in our community. Share a photo to bit.ly/betapics.
FBLA
This week 15 students took part in the FBLA State Leadership Conference through online testing events. Results will be revealed at the conference in Perry, GA on February 27.
Any student who would like to join FBLA for our Spring 2018 months, please see Dr. Oravetz in Room 120. The organization meets monthly. Our next chapter meeting will be Friday, March 16 at 7:45 a.m. in the Media Center.
Chess Club
Webb Bridge Process to Performance After School Acting Classes
Thursdays 4:15-5:45 This session will work on improvisation, scene study, physicality, character development, and audition techniques. Students will also work on one-act plays. This is a phenomenal class to work skills as well as gain stage experience!
For more information: www.buildingcharacter.org
email: info@buildingcharacter.org
Please Support PTA
Dear Jaguar Families,
It’s never too late to donate! Please click on the link below to make a tax deductible contribution to the PTA and help fund programs in your child’s school.)
Meetings and Public Comment
Webb Bridge’s School Governance Council meets in the morning one Friday each month in room 116; our next meeting is March 16th @ 7:30 in the PLR room. We will be discussing the Strategic Plan for 2018 and beyond. We will be asking for staff, parent, and community input on the strategic plan through a Parent University and a form on Friday Notes (starting after our January meeting).
We hold a Public Comment period starting at 7:30 AM. Please feel free to attend and help us start our planning! If you cannot come to issue public comments, please fill out the form below.
WBMS Strategic Plan- Draft
Please Support Our Business Partner!!
Rising 9th Grade Parent/Player Meeting (Class of 2022)
Dear Parents of Future 9th Grade Raiders,
Please join us for an Informational Meeting about the upcoming 2018 Raider Football season: Thurs, 2/8/18 at 7:00pm in the AHS Auxiliary Gym (enter through the main gym, and go downstairs; the Aux Gym is through the tunnel connected to the main gym).
In addition to introducing our outstanding Coaching Staff, we will discuss:
· The Raider Football Program (Tradition, Mission and Objectives)
· The 2018 Spring & Summer Practice Schedule
· 2018 Registration
· Opportunities to get involved in our Raider Family
We look forward to seeing you all there—parents and players are encouraged to attend. Please share this email with other families who might be interested in Raider Football.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact
Head Coach Nichols (nicholsj@fultonschools.org),
Brian Leonard, Touchdown Club President (BRIAN.LEONARD@ericsson.com),
Lisa Kaplan, Touchdown Club Secretary (mlkaplan4@me.com).
Go RAIDERS!
Lost and Found
All lunch boxes and water bottles need to be put near the cafeteria on the left side entering the café, and will be donated or thrown away the last day every week.
All items in the lost and found next to the clinic will be donated or thrown away on the 15th of every month.
All Items of value: glasses, electronics, jewelry etc. should be given to the front office.
Low Cost Internet
Get assistance with low-cost internet providers for your student’s Surface by clicking this link:
http://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
This link has a listing of various programs in our area offering low cost internet connectivity for qualifying families.
As always, please exercise caution when reviewing options and choose what will work best for your income and family’s need.
2017-2018 School Year
First Semester
August 1 – 4 ........................................... Preplanning for teachers
August 7......................................................... First Day of School
September 4........................................Labor Day (schools closed)
October 6 ......................................Teacher Workday (students off)
October 9 ......................................Columbus Day (schools closed)
November 20 – 24.............. Thanksgiving Holidays (schools closed)
December 21 ....................................... Last Day of First Semester
December 22 – 29 ...........................Winter Break (schools closed)
Second Semester
January 1 – 3.....................................................................Winter Break (schools closed)
January 4.......................................................................Teacher Workday (students off)
January 5................................................Professional Development Day (students off)
January 8...........................................................................First Day of Second Semester
January 15...........................................Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (schools closed)
February 16*..................................................................................... Snow Makeup Day
February 19 ....................................................President’s Day Holiday (schools closed)
March 9*.........................................................Snow Makeup Day- Digital Learning Day
March 12.............................................................................................Snow Makeup Day
April 2 – 6 ..........................................................................Spring Break (schools closed)
May 24.................................................................................................. Last Day of School
May 25.......................................................................................................... Post Planning
May 28...............................................................Memorial Day Holiday (schools closed)
* Designated as inclement weather make-up days (if needed).
Our School Release Days
These are the dates approved through the RFF process as part of School Governance. WBMS students will NOT attend school on the following dates:
September 1, 2017
October 5, 2017
January 16, 2018
March 8, 2018