Whittier Parent Newsletter
May 3, 2019
WMS Awards Assembly
Dear Whittier Family,
The Whittier Grade Level Awards assemblies will take place on Thursday, May 23, 2019 in the Cafeteria Gym. As our schedules become filled to the max, we wanted to make sure everyone was notified well in advance of this special day.
Times for each assembly are as follows:
6th Grade 8:45 –9:45
7th Grade 9:50-11:00
8th Grade 11:20- 12:25
Awards that will be presented include:
1) Masonic Student of Today nominees (One student per core team for 6th and 7th Grade/one boy and one girl per core team for 8th grade))
2) ROCKS Award winners
Parents of the Masonic and ROCKS students will be contacted by phone or email so plans can be made to attend the assembly.
3) Students with perfect attendance will also receive a certificate but will not receive a phone call.
4) 4.0 Honor Roll students (4.0 all year)
4.0 Honor Roll students will receive recognition during the assembly but will not receive a phone call.
Thank you so much for sharing your children with us each day. It has been a wonderful year of growth and accomplishments and we are honored to recognize these well deserving Warriors.
Sincerely,
Whittier Faculty and Staff
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Thank you WMS PTO from the Social Emotional Learning Job Embedded Trianing (JET) Team from NYC, Learning and the Brain Conference!
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Principal's Book(s) of the Month
“An invaluable read for anyone who has girls, works with girls, or cares about girls—for everyone!”—Claire Shipman, author of The Confidence Code and The Confidence Code for Girls
In the engaging, anecdotal style and reassuring tone that won over thousands of readers of her first book, Untangled, Damour starts by addressing the facts about psychological pressure. She explains the surprising and underappreciated value of stress and anxiety: that stress can helpfully stretch us beyond our comfort zones, and anxiety can play a key role in keeping girls safe. When we emphasize the benefits of stress and anxiety, we can help our daughters take them in stride.
But no parents want their daughter to suffer from emotional overload, so Damour then turns to the many facets of girls’ lives where tension takes hold: their interactions at home, pressures at school, social anxiety among other girls and among boys, and their lives online. As readers move through the layers of girls’ lives, they’ll learn about the critical steps that adults can take to shield their daughters from the toxic pressures to which our culture—including we, as parents—subjects girls.
Readers who know Damour from Untangled or the New York Times, or from her regular appearances on CBS News, will be drawn to this important new contribution to understanding and supporting today’s girls.
Praise for Under Pressure
“Truly a must-read for parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors wanting to help girls along the path to adulthood.”—Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult
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Grade Level Core Blasts
6th Grade Core Blasts
6-1 Core Blast:6-2 Core Blast:
6-3 Core Blast:
7th Grade Core Blasts
7-1 Core Blast: https://goo.gl/BQZWge
7-2 Core Blast:
7-3 Core Blast: https://www.smore.com/d5yhw
8th Grade Core Blasts
8-1 Core Blast: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BuwFzZ8GCSpdH8-tytNcarLdNRunb48ugeW2RfXR_HY/edit?usp=sharing
8-2 Core Blast: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BuwFzZ8GCSpdH8-tytNcarLdNRunb48ugeW2RfXR_HY/edit?usp=sharing
8-3 Core Blast:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BuwFzZ8GCSpdH8-tytNcarLdNRunb48ugeW2RfXR_HY/edit?usp=sharing
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This week at WMS
6th Grade Orientation- Student Council is Committed
OkNHD
Art Show
Spring Choir Concert
Thank you Norman Arts Council
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General Information
Parent Survey- Your Input is Valued
As you may be aware, each school creates goals on an annual basis. The survey is intended to provide your principal with valuable feedback to ensure that they are focusing their efforts in the right areas. We ask that everyone participates in order for us to achieve our district goal of continuous improvement.
The survey consists of 20 questions and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your survey is anonymous and the only identifying information gathered is the name of your school.
After the completion of the survey, WMS Administration will analyze the results along with the student and teacher surveys that will also be conducted this month.
Middle School Advanced Coursework Information
The following document outlines the procedures for advanced coursework at the MS level. Such as, when students can open enroll or when proficiency exams are needed.
FOR ALL INCOMING 9TH-12TH GRADE NNHS FOOTBALL PLAYERS:
NNHS Football Mandatory Parent Meeting
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
6pm in the NNHS North Gym
Enter at the back Commons entrance.
Registration for Summer Pride Camp, summer nutrition, team camp, and Booster Club dues will be accepted at this time.
NNHS Tryouts
Tryouts for the following sports teams:
Boys Basketball - May 6, 7, and 8 at 4:00pm
Volleyball - May 13, 14, and 15 at 4:30pm
Baseball - May 7 at 7:00pm
Immunization Clinic
Total Wellness will be at your Whittier on May 16, 2019, 11:45 AM to 2:45 PM, to provide vaccinations to 6th grade students in preparation for the 7th grade. Available vaccines will include TDAP, HPV9, and Meningococcal ACYW. Parents please complete and sign the provided consent form if you wish to take advantage of this convenient service. Total Wellness accepts all major insurance plans. Vaccinations are also available for students insured through SoonerCare as well as students who are uninsured.
The TDAP vaccination is required by State law for all students before entering 7th grade. Please confirm with your pediatrician that your child has had this shot. If they have not, this clinic is an excellent time to get it and save yourself some hassle at the start of next year. If your student has had it already, please make sure that Nurse Osborn has received a copy of it. Do not hesitate to call Nurse Osborn or email her with any questions.
*DOCUMENTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NEWSLETTER
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Parent Resources
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Reminders
WOW Week Information
Whittier Outdoor Week (WOW) is a longstanding tradition in the 8th grade. It's a rite of passage symbolizing our 8th graders' readiness to say goodbye to middle school and hello to high school. The activities of WOW are meant to educate our students in a different way...getting them (mostly) outdoors and into new situations with new people...kind of like they will experience in high school! This year, WOW will be May 14-17th.
We cannot do WOW without volunteers! Would you consider signing up?
The students will be divided into 12 different groups. Due to large numbers of students and activities, please understand that your volunteer slot will not likely be with your child. If you are planning on an all day slot (like at the lake or the 45th Infantry, please email Mrs. Esker and she will try to match you up with your student.) A lot of the volunteer needs are behind the scenes. You can sign up for one day or multiple days.
Moms, dads, grandparents, older siblings who are college students--ANYONE can volunteer. We could not accomplish WOW without you! Thank in advance for all of your help.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Esker, 8th grade team leader, at leahe@norman.k12.ok.us
Here is a link to sign up to Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DAAAA2FA4FB6-whittier2
Students will be bringing home permission slips on Monday. These, along with the $30 fee, are due back to Overtime teachers on Friday, May 3. Scholarships are available; please fill out the back of the form if you need to apply. All 8th grade students and teachers will be attending WOW Tuesday through Friday, May 14-17. Grades will be given for each activity, so students who miss any of the WOW days will be required to do makeup assignments to replace those grades. Here is a link to the permission slip.
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Whittier PTO
Join PTO
All parents/guardians/grandparents and teachers are invited to join WMS PTO.
Memberships are only $5! Any questions you have can be emailed to Aimmee Bradley at abradley@saintmarknorman.org. We hope to see you on May 19th at 12:00!
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Important Dates
End of Year Calendar
Mon. 5/6 - BOGO Book Fair
6th Grade ROCKS assembly
Final JET Week
Tues. 5/7 - BOGO Book Fair
7th Grade ROCKS Assembly
Warrior Store at Lunches
Final JET Week
Wed. 5/8 - BOGO Book Fair
8th Grade ROCKS Assembly
Booster Club Meeting (5:00)
Final JET Week
Thurs. 5/9 - BOGO Book Fair
8th Grade Egg Drop during Science Classes
Talent Showcase Rehearsals
Fri. 5/10 - BOGO Book Fair
Grade Level Team Meetings
Lost textbook letter in the mail and forms to C. Hicks
Talent Showcase during Explos (1,2-3,4-6,5,7-8) adjusted schedule
Mon. 5/13 - Fast Pitch and Cross Country Parent Meeting (6:00)
Tue. 5/14 - WOW Activites for 8th grade Students
6th and 7th Grade Volleyball Tryouts at NNHS(6:30-8:30)
Wed. 5/15 - WOW Activities for 8th grade Students
- Senior Recognition Day, 4:45-6:00
Thur. 5/16 - WOW Activities for 8th grade Students
Fri. 5/17 - WOW Activities for 8th grade Students
Mon. 5/20 - FINALS (Teacher Discretion)
Tues. 5/21 - FINALS (Teacher Discretion)
Adjusted Schedule: OT End of Day (Locker Cleanout)
Wed. 5/22 - FINALS (Teacher Discretion)
Adjusted Schedule: OT End of Day (Yearbook Distribution)
Thurs. 5/23 -
Finals Test Grades posted by 8:35 AM
AWARDS Assemblies, Adjusted Schedule https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MAM1Co0bfPhws4RYi7YxH9LydffV9MPIC4g8IS8giPI/edit?usp=sharing
- Yearbook Signing
Fri. 5/25 - Summer 2019
Whittier Middle School
Website: http://www.norman.k12.ok.us/middle-school-whittier/home
Location: 2000 West Brooks Street, Norman, OK, USA
Phone: 4053665956
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whittierwarriors/