Words from West
DECEMBER - 2021
CALENDAR UPDATES
December 7th - 10th - Canned Food Drive
December 7th - 5:30pm, PTO meeting in WMS Library
December 7th - 7pm, 6th & 7th grade Winter Band Concert at WMS
December 8th - 6pm, Board Workshop
December 14th - 7pm, WMS Choir Concert
December 17th - 3:02pm, Dismissal - Winter Break
December 18th - January 2nd - Building Closed - Winter Break
January 3rd - 8:05am, School Resumes
January 10th - 7pm, School Board Meeting
A WORD FROM MS. BALBAUGH
We can all attest that this past week/weekend was certainly a roller coaster of emotions for our families, students, and staff alike. We are again asking parents and guardians to take this opportunity to speak with your student about the importance of appropriate social media usage, sharing worries or concerns with an adult, taking school emergency drills seriously, and being kind to one another.
The events that took place in Oxford will have a long-standing impact on us all as community members, families, students, friends, and educators. They serve as a reminder that we must work together, to bear the weight of student/staff safety. As always, we appreciate your efforts in partnering with the school community and I personally want to thank our staff for treating all students as their very own during this difficult time.
West Middle School sure is a very special place,
Ms. Diana Balbaugh, Principal
ATHLETICS
WMS Bobcats! As we wind down the Winter I sports season, we are looking forward to Winter II. If you are an athlete at West Middle School and are interested in Girls Competitive Cheer or Boys Basketball, tryouts are starting soon. Please see below for tryout specifics and remember every athlete MUST have a current year athletic physical to participate in tryouts.
Competitive Cheer Tryouts:
Monday 12/13/21 – 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 12/14/21 – 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Wednesday 12/15/21 – Individual/Group Tryouts – Time TBA
Thursday 12/16/21 – First Practice 4:00pm – 7:00pm with parent meeting following
Boys Basketball Tryouts:
Tuesday 1/4/22 – 3:10pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday 1/5/22 – 3:10pm – 5:00pm
Thursday 1/6/22 – 3:10pm – 5:00pm
***REMEMBER: Athletes are required to be present at all tryout dates and MUST have a current year physical on file with our front office to participate.”
MINDFUL MINUTE
Hello West Middle School Families,
In the month of December, Mindfulness lessons will be centered on Focus, Growth Mindset, and Kindness. Please ask your student what they are learning in their classes.
The mindful room has been very successful and students are utilizing it when they need a break. Many students have reported that the mindful room has helped them reset and return to class.
Our morning mindful minute continues to bring attention to how we are feeling, taking a mindful pause, and reflecting on behaviors and thoughts.
Please reach out if you have any questions,
Jennifer Casper
COUNSELING CORNER
Happy Holidays from the counseling office!
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: https://mi50000457.schoolwires.net/domain/489
- How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings: https://amp.commonsense.org/blog/0049de0d-2e62-48db-bec5-30fd52ac76b5
- Talking to Children about Violence: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EPU4wo8oq7TKpKHDeFtVu1xhX2hOoBft/view
- Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers
BVA TRANSFER - DEADLINE APPROACHING
If you would like to request to be placed on the waiting list to join Bobcat Virtual Learning for next semester, please contact our Counseling Office at (810) 591-7335.
The deadline to request a spot on the waiting list is Friday, December 10. Once we have all of the requests, we will work with Bobcat Virtual Learning and our Deputy Superintendent to determine if there is room for your student to move. A request does not guarantee a move.
LUNCH RECESS
- Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for each day's weather
- All students will be going outside for the first part of their 30 minute lunch
HELP WANTED - WE NEED YOU!
Employment Opportunities: https://www.applitrack.com/gcaps/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=729
AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING
AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION
COVID-19 VACCINATION RECORDS
- If you have chosen to have your student vaccinated against Covid-19 and would like the school to have a record of it, please bring a copy of the student's vaccination card to the Main Office OR scan and email a copy of the card to our office at pwoollco@gbcs.org.
- Please understand that we are NOT requiring this vaccination, but offering you the opportunity to have it documented for school records/potential contact tracing situations.
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