Words from West
December 2022 / January 2023
A Message from Ms. Balbaugh
We are asking that you have frequent conversations with your student about work ethic, behavior, and motivation as it relates to turning in completed/quality assignments and making good choices. Please check your Parent Vue account and/or Jupiter on a regular basis as these frequent grade and communication "checks" can and do make a difference!
Please continue to encourage your child if they are struggling and compliment their efforts when they are successful! Incentives, recognition, and encouragement go a long way in building self-confidence in the classroom!
On behalf of the entire West Middle School Staff, we would like to wish you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season,
Thank you for partnering with us,
Ms. Balbaugh
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
December 12 - 7pm - Board of Education Meeting
December 13 - 7pm - Choir Concert - WMS
December 19 - January 2 - NO SCHOOL Winter Break
January 3 - School Resumes
January 9 - 7pm - Board of Education Meeting
January 12 - "Dentists R Us" - Mobile Dentist at WMS
January 13 - Remote Learning (Half Day)
January 16 - NO SCHOOL (MLK Day), Building Closed
January 17 - 6pm - PTO Meeting, WMS Library
January 20 - End of 2nd Marking Period and 1st Semester
January 23 - NO SCHOOL (Staff Records Day)
FISH FOOD DRIVE
Thank you for the generous donations for the FISH food drive and FISH family gifts. The food is packed and ready for delivery to help GB families this Holiday Season.
A Special THANK YOU to Mrs. Perdue's Life Skill's Class and WMS Student Council for helping collect, sort, and pack all of the donations.
DRAMA CLUB
QUIZ BOWL
Please arrange for transportation to pick you up by 4:10. If you have questions see Mr. Malys or Mrs. K.J.
ATHLETICS
TIPS FOR ILLNESS PREVENTION
• If you or your child gets sick with flu-like illness, district policy requires your child to stay home from school for 24 hours after a fever or diarrhea is gone. The fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs that can cause illnesses.
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
BOBCAT VIRTUAL LEARNING
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 16. 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.
WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL - PTO
Hello Parents and Guardians,
The WMS PTO exists to support and enhance the experience of students and staff at West Middle School. We accomplish this in a variety of ways, all of which require funds!
With fundraising being limited the past few years, we are asking all parents to consider donating $20 to the PTO. With just $20 from everyone, we will be able to plan fun events for students, support teachers and staff, and meet needs as they arise. Donations can be dropped off in the form of cash or check (made out to Grand Blanc Community Schools) to the main office marked PTO or you can use the convenient school pay option and just click on the link below.
Thank you for your support of our students and staff. As always, please join us at our monthly meetings announced in the newsletter (the next one is Tuesday, January 17th at 6:00pm), or send an email to let us know how you would like to be involved.
Don Chapin, PTO President
ATTENDANCE AWARENESS
Did you know students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% of the school year? That is only two days a month! Please let us know if you need assistance getting your child to school; we are happy to partner with you!
#SchoolEveryDay
AFTER SCHOOL SUPPORT - TUTORING
WHERE - Library
SPANISH LAB - VIRTUAL SUPPORT
Spanish Lab is now available to all students who would like extra help or practice in any/all levels of Spanish. It is a VIRTUAL help session that students will be able to join through the Spanish Lab Google Meet from home (Classroom Code: QGK3DZD). Mrs. Weldon will host these sessions every Tuesday evening from 7:30-8:00 PM and students are welcome to drop in at any point during this time and stay for a few minutes or the entire session for extra assistance as needed.
REMINDERS
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH - Free Meal Program Has Ended - Please Read Carefully!
** Everyone must complete the 2022-2023 online meal application, which is available on the district’s website on the Dining Service page. Paper applications are no longer available. ALL meal applications must be completed online at the link below:
https://www.gbcs.org/diningservices
If you do not qualify for free or reduced meals, you may begin depositing money into student accounts at any time to prepare for the cost of school lunches next year.
Information on meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year is as follows:
Breakfast Meal Price $1.75
Lunch Meal Price $2.75
Completing an application is the only way to be considered for free or reduced meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please take action now.
For assistance, please contact our Food Service Department at (810) 591-6674 or (810) 591-6928.
POSITIVITY PROJECT
During Advisory each Tuesday, students will learn about the Positivity Project.
- The Positivity Project empowers America’s youth to build strong relationships - and to understand, appreciate and exemplify the character strengths in us all.
- Throughout the next few weeks, students will explore and learn about Teamwork, Open Mindedness, Integrity, and Creativity.
Grand Blanc West Middle School
West Middle School Main Office:
Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 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
Other Important Phone Numbers
ATTENDANCE HOTLINE - 591-8387
Athletics/Main Office 591-7309
Counseling Office 591-7335
Counselor (A-K) 591-7338
Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339