Bruin Bulletin
November 2022
The Principal's Den
Hello Bruin Families!
We are thankful!
During this season of thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for everyone who has helped keep our students safe, healthy, connected and learning as we started the new school year.
The Principal's School Community Council is a group dedicated to making Western Branch Middle the best it can be. This group will meet virtually several times during the year to discuss ideas, issues, and plans for WBM. We need the voices of parents/guardians, teachers, students, and vested community members to ensure this group is inclusive and effective. If you are interested in being a part of this committee, please complete the form below.
Principal's School Community Council Form
Thank you for partnering with us to help your child learn, thrive and succeed.
Beth Pallister
Principal
WBM TEACHER OF THE YEAR: MRS. L. HANCOCK
High School Academies Information
High School Academies Information Nights. Chesapeake Public Schools is proud to offer three high school academy programs to students throughout the district: 1) International Baccalaureate program at Oscar Smith High School, 2) Governor’s STEM Academy at Grassfield High School, and 3) Science and Medicine Academy at Deep Creek High School. Families of current 8th-grade students interested in applying to any of these academy programs for the 2023-24 school year are encouraged to attend an information night. Several in-person options and one virtual Q&A session are available. Registration is required for the virtual session.
The application window for all three academies opens Thursday, December 1, 2022, and closes Friday, December 16, 2022. Applications will be available on our district academy webpage.
ROAR
WORLDS
OF
WORK
Absences
Directions for reporting absences via ParentVue can be found on this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSg7J0yy1uI
Electronic Devices Policy
Parents, we need your help. Please remind your child about the WBM cell phone policy.
Cell phones can be a distraction and disruption to the learning environment.
Students may not possess, or carry on their person, cell phones, smart watches, or ear buds/headsets. Students must turn off and secure their cell phones and electronic devices in their lockers during the school day. If a student is found with or using an electronic device during the school day, the student is subject to a disciplinary consequence. Please see the Student Handbook for additional information.The Counselor's Corner
NOVEMBER OBSERVANCES
November is Native American Heritage Month.
Veteran's Day Holiday is November 11th.
During the month of November we will recognize World Kindness Day on November 14th. Students and staff are asked to wear blue on that day.
GUIDANCE LESSONS
SEL lesson topics for the month of November will include tolerance, kindness, and conflict resolution.
REPORT CARDS
The end of the first nine weeks is quickly approaching. Please check grades on ParentVue and encourage your child to complete any missing assignments by November 7th. Report cards will be available in ParentVue/StudentVue on November 16th.
The school counseling department would like to wish all of our families a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with you and your children!
School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. School Counselors can help students by providing:
- individual student academic planning and goal setting
- school counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
- short-term counseling to students
- referrals for long-term support
- collaboration with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
- advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
- data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges
Your School Counselors
Mrs. Tonya Edmonds--7th grade counselor and Guidance Director tonya.edmonds@cpschools.com
Mrs. Vicki Moore--6th grade counselor vicki.moore@cpschools.com
Mr. Ray Hines--8th grade counselor ray.hines@cpschools.com
Bruin Athletics
Winter sports are just around the corner! Our winter sports are boys and girls basketball, cheerleading, and wrestling. We will have tryouts for basketball and wrestling this month. Girls tryouts are on Nov 9th, 10th, and 14th from 3:10-5:30 pm. Boys basketball tryouts are on Nov 16th, 17th and 18th from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. Wrestling tryouts start on Nov 16th and will end on Nov 21st. The time for wrestling tryouts are TBD. Athletes wishing to tryout for winter sports must have a CMSL sports physical on file. The physical form is on our school website and in the main office
The Western Branch Middle football team is UNDEFEATED! Come on out and support our TEAM! Football Playoffs start on Monday Nov 7th at 5:30 pm at WBH and the championship game is on Monday Nov 14th at 6:30 pm at WBH.
Visit our school calendar for game dates.
We encourage the purchase of season passes since it's very cost effective.
Annual Athletic Passes are available for purchase online only using the GoFan website. Passes available for purchase include:
Student Annual Pass – $20
The Student Annual Athletic Pass provides admittance to any VHSL or CMSL regular season games in Chesapeake, including CMSL tournament games. The $20.00 price includes the service fee for GoFan. Students will redeem their passes using their smartphones at each eligible athletic contest.
Adult Annual Pass – $40
The Adult Annual Athletic Pass provides admittance to any VHSL or CMSL regular season games in Chesapeake, including CMSL tournament games. The $40.00 price includes the service fee for GoFan. Guests will redeem their passes using their smartphones at each eligible athletic contest.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our athletic director: Ray Hines.
WBM Music Programs
In November, the WBMS Choir will kick-off their "TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" raffle. They will also be preparing for their annual holiday concert that will be on Tuesday, December 20th at 6:30 PM and will feature an array of holiday favorites. We hope you are able to join us for this celebration of the holiday season!
Greetings Parents,
The goal of this letter is to formally introduce who we are and what we do.
The PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
The PTSA is a volunteer committee made up of parents, teachers, students, and community members. This year committee board is made up of all parents who strive to make an impact in the academic school year by providing financial and physical assistance through sponsorship, volunteering and fundraising. All funds that are generated go directly to helping the staff and students at Western Branch Middle School.
1. Who: Britani Martinez (President), Vacant (Vice President), Latasha Jenkins (Treasurer), Kashena Ogburn (Secretary)
2. What: We come together to assist the staff and students in a multitude of ways. For instance, we can help provide resources, supplies, and chaperones or volunteer helpers when necessary.
3. When: During the academic school year.
4. Where: In, on, and outside of school grounds usually at School or PTSA sponsored events.
5. Why: We understand the importance of coming together for a common goal.
6. How: Through fundraising (hosting functions such as Bruin Bash, selling spirit wear, selling membership etc) sponsorship and volunteering. The PTSA's main objective is to help the students, teachers and the WBMS staff have a successful year and whether it is volunteering in the classroom, providing ideas to help improve the school, establishing workshops, assisting in school activities, purchasing new equipment, helping obtain edible supplies for science experiments or helping obtain classroom supplies, we are ready to assist.
In closing, team work makes the dream work, or as Mrs. Pallister says, “Together, Everyone, Achieves, More."
We are need of parent volunteers for a variety of positions and events. Please see the flyer below, or use this Sign-Up Genius link to volunteer to help our amazing teachers and students.
We are hosting a fall treat for our teachers. Please see the flyer below to donate items, or use this Sign-Up Genius link.
Yearbook
STAY in the KNOW
We are proud to show-off all the great things happening at our school!
The Western Branch Middle website is updated several times each week. Register for update notifications by visiting cpschools.com/wbm/subscribe. Also, please consider joining
our WBMS social media accounts (Twitter: @BranchMiddle and Instagram: wbm_bruins). We will use these accounts to showcase our students, teachers, and programs.
Another resource to help stay informed is our PTSA. We have a supportive and active PTSA, so
whether you want to lead a committee or support your child through membership, we hope you connect with the PTSA. You can also follow them on Facebook by joining https://cpschools.com/wbm/wbms=ptsa
Finally, we network with parents through our Parent Advisory Council. This group of parents is the first to hear about the latest news in Bruin Country. To participate, please contact Mrs. Kasper in the main office at 638-7920.
Library Media Center News
Did you know that all Chesapeake Public School students have access to Chesapeake Public Library electronic resources?
Click the link: https://chesapeakelibrary.org/cps-student-tools
Scroll Down and Select: Middle School Students
Click: Libby by Overdrive
Enter: CPS Student ID number
Enter 4 numbers for the Password: birthday 2 digit month and 2 digit day (example for birthday June 3: 0603)
Students can search all Chesapeake Public Library ebooks and check out up to 6 per month. Happy Reading! Please e-mail Mrs. Waggoner if you have any questions on Chesapeake Public Library access. michele.waggoner@cpschools.com
Happy Reading!
We are a Purple Star School
Honoring our Veterans
November is a traditional time for Thanksgiving and family celebrations. It is also the month our nation observes Veterans Day and Military Families Month. We honor our past and present veterans, in gratitude for their willingness to serve in the United States Armed Forces and have sacrificed for the common good. During Military Family Month, we thank military families for supporting our service members, the military mission and our nation.
Our nation pays special tribute to our deployed forces and their families who are separated during the coming holiday season. Military life imposes unique demands on the family, such as separations, shifting roles, losing friends, as well as frequent relocation to new communities and schools. During difficult times the military family demonstrates sacrifice, resiliency and courage.
Western Branch Middle School’s administration, faculty, staff and student population hold our veterans and military families in high esteem. This school and community is thankful to you and your families for your dedication, service and sacrifice to our great nation.
Military Families Workshop. This military family workshop will allow parents to take part in a presentation on Building Resilience in Children while students in grades 1-8 are invited to participate in a presentation on the Nature and Prevention of Bullying. The event will be held at Camelot Elementary on Thursday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. and you can pre-register here. More information is available here.
New Chesapeake Public Schools Dress Code
Clothing must cover all undergarments; straps are okay
Length of shirts must at least meet the top of pants; no crop tops
Sleeveless tops must be connected by straps
Bottom lengths must be at least mid-thigh high
Ripped clothing must not have exposed skin above mid-thigh
Headwear generally not permitted; exceptions have been added (approved by principal)
Open toed shoes, sandals, slides and Crocs are now permitted; designated spaces require appropriate footwear (i.e., PE, science labs, Tech Ed classes, or wherever necessary)
TECH Know
A Snapshot of Blended Learning in Bruin Country
Not too long ago, blended learning was a whisper within our brick-and-mortar educational walls. Now, it’s a resounding and powerful rallying cry in our classrooms and throughout our halls. The blended learning model is a style of teaching that integrates technology/digital media with what we all recognize as traditional teaching – face-to-face - direct instructor-led teaching. Simply put, blended learning combines active, engaged online learning with active, engaged offline learning. Blended learning shines a spotlight on student centered learning with students working collaboratively and independently on learning objectives. Most importantly, this model provides the opportunity for our students to gain some control over time, place, path, and pace. Of course, blended learning can look differently from classroom to classroom. Still, writing about it doesn’t even give you a sneak peek into an English, math, science, history, or elective class, but clicking this link will. Video of Blended Learning at WBMS. . .
We encourage you to review the student handbooks with your child.
Harris Teeter Together in Education
Link your Harris Teeter card!
Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands.
Harris Teeter has donated over $32.4 million to Together In Education schools since 1998! When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to.
There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn!
Any customer with a VIC card can link their card to a school.
Please use this link:
Thank you to these businesses and community partners who contribute to our school!
We'd love to have additional community partners. Please contact the school for more information.
Western Branch Bruins
Website: https://cpschools.com/wbm/
Location: 4201 Hawksley Drive, Chesapeake
Phone: 757-638-7920
Twitter: @BranchMiddle