Wangenheim Middle School
9230 Gold Coast Dr. San Diego, CA 92126 #(619) 605-2250
Wangenheim Wildcat
Joke of the Day:
Q: How is an English teacher like a judge?
A: They both give out sentences.
Please join- NO place for HATE
Virtual Coffee with the Principal
Virtual Back to School Night
Attendance:
Starting Monday, September 14th, you will start receiving phone calls/emails to say if your student was marked absent from one or more periods. So when upon receiving these calls/emails and you feel that this absence is an error, please check your parent portal and email the teacher to discuss this absence.
Need Power School?
Parents, please keep checking your Parent Portal for information on your students’ grades and attendance. If you are having problems getting into your parent portal or you need help in creating a parent portal, please email wmssec@sandi.net, and we will create an account for you and email you the information.
The grading period for the first progress ends on October 2nd. Parents can view the progress on parent portal on October 9th.
Wildcat Parents, we need you!
You can join the PTA online! https://jointotem.com/ca/san-diego/wangenheim-middle-school-ptsa/join
Please enjoy this fun version of "Zoom Where it Happens" created by Farragut PTA in Culver City, CA...
Please Welcome Honseng (Hon) Tu - Music Teacher
About School Life
Are there any embarrassing teaching moments you're willing to share?
My students will eventually come to know that I love telling stories. Once upon a time, I had to videotape myself teaching a lesson to 4th-grade clarinet students for a project at SDSU. This was when I was training to become a teacher. After recording this lesson, my classmates would then watch the video and give me critical feedback on how I did. Luckily, we were all assigned a group to help with the recording process. You know that feeling when you get teamed up with your best friends for a project? Well, that happened. It was not a good thing.
Anyway, I began teaching the lesson with my friends videotaping me from the back of the classroom. Did I mention that these students have only been playing clarinet for a few days? Well, I didn't know that.
So, they began playing.
Have you ever heard those seals and sea lions barking at SeaWorld? It kind of sounded like that (really awesome kids, though). Once they finished playing what I think was "Hot Cross Buns [I still wonder to this day]," I stood there. I had a blank expression on my face with literally no idea what to say. My friends were laughing hysterically, and one of them could barely breathe. The video footage was mostly her shaking uncontrollably from laughter. Thanks, Jessica. After probably about thirty seconds of seriously awkward silence (it felt like thirty minutes), all I could say was... "Okay! Moving on!"
I did not get a good grade for that assignment.
About the Students
How do you remember all of your students' names?
Every year (when classes are in person), I challenge myself to remember every student's name by the second week. To hold myself accountable, I leave a box on my desk and ask students to put the names of songs into it. Then, on a specific day, I have to name every single student from memory. If I fail the challenge, I have to draw a song from the box, learn it, and sing it in front of the class. Although I've only lost once (I mispronounced the name), the students usually enjoy picking the worst possible songs that are clearly out of my vocal range. Back in 2016, the song I had to sing was "Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj. Yeah, I even rapped.
About Life Outside of School
What would the students be surprised to find out about you?
I love food. I dig learning about the cuisine of other cultures. I enjoy talking about it and can do it for hours. The majority of the things I read, watch, and listen to (other than music) usually involve food. The final reason why I like food is that it brings people together. Having a meal with friends, family, or even students during lunchtime is one of the delights in life that I enjoy.
About Nothing — Just for Kicks
In which Hogwarts house would you be sorted?
Definitely Slytherin, no question. First, I will say that snakes are among my favorite animals. I actually was about to study to become an exotic veterinarian before I made the decision to be a teacher. Usually, people assume my reason for choosing Slytherin is because it's the house that contains the majority of the antagonists from the Harry Potter universe. Although true, I'd like to say that many of the traits of a typical Slytherin student can be good! They value ambition, determination, and resourcefulness. As the students will eventually realize, I tend to exhibit all three of these traits (sometimes a bit too much, I'm working on it, okay?).
Counseling Corner
The counselors, Ms. Doan and Ms. Paige, are working hard to reinvent our Counseling program to serve students virtually. We are getting into classes by doing introductions right now with the 6th grade classes and will be pushing in to PE classes with some social-emotional lessons for students of all grade levels throughout the semester.
We are always available for students and parents via phone, email or scheduling a meeting - please see the "Contact" page on our website for how to reach us.
If you DO NOT want your student to participate in any counseling support, please complete this google form.
We know that these times may be bringing about higher levels of stress and anxiety so we wanted to share some FREE resources for you to practice mindfulness at home.
- Inner Explorer: https://innerexplorer.org/
- Breathe: free app that generates guided meditations according to your reported mood/symptoms
- Gratitude Happiness Journal: free app for daily journal entries, daily motivation quotes, and positive affirmations
- Calm: Mindfulness app for beginner and advanced users which includes guided meditations, mindfulness programs, sleep stories, relaxing music, soundscapes, breathing exercises, and stretching exercises
- Stop, Breathe, Think: free mindfulness and meditation app
- Smiling Mind: Mindfulness/Meditation for all ages
Don't forget to join our Wangenheim Counseling classroom. Use code 66uoout. We will be providing school-wide information through the classroom - important announcements, resources, etc. No homework involved!
Website: https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/wangenheimcounseling/home
Technology Resources for Students:
Here is the general link that you can also click on video links in other languages: https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/instructionalcontinuityit/technology-support-for-families/video-tutorials_1
Signing into online platforms/Clever/Canvas:
Google Classroom:
More on Canvas:
Log into Zoom:
Zoom Issues:
Google Meet:
Need a Device?
If your student already has a device that is not working or is broken, please DO NOT return it to your school. Instead, contact the Online Learning Support Line at 619-732-1400. The support technician will provide directions for exchanging your student device if it can’t be fixed during the call.
Need Help Connecting to the Internet?
Please contact the SDUSD Family Support Line at (619) 260-2460 to learn about the multiple internet service options available. Dedicated agents are standing by, ready to assist. Bilingual-Spanish assistance is available. Hours of operation are 7 am - 6 pm Monday – Friday & 8 am - 12 pm.