Jaguar Update
Issue #30, Monday, April 4th
West Memorial Junior High Mission Statement
Dear WMJH Parents,
We have many things to celebrate from the past week and many things to look forward to this week. Help me congratulate Coach Daniel Garza for leading the 7th Grade Boys Track team to their first district championship in school history, help me congratulate Ms. Brinkmeyer and her 6th Grade Choir for earning Superior Ratings at the Katy Choral Festival, and help me congratulate our PTSA President Katie Leach for earning the Lifetime Membership Award from Cimarron Elementary!
We also want to thank our parents and students for a very successful first week of STAAR Masters Academy. We had over 80 students attend a Masters Academy tutoring session last week. A huge thank you to our teachers and parents for collaborating to make this work. As the events keep us busy throughout April, we still have a priority on our Masters Academy Tuesday-Thursday tutorial sessions.
We are looking forward to our National Junior Honor Society Induction on Monday night, tennis matches this week, and the opening of soccer season soon.
Mr. Knobbe
What's Happening in Jaguar Country?
Monday, April 4th
7:00 PM NJHS Induction Ceremony
Tuesday, April 5th
3:20 PM Volunteer Reception, LGI
4:05 PM Jag Academy, LGI
5:30 PM Soccer Parent Meeting
Wednesday, April 6th
4:05 PM STAAR Masters Academy
Dine out to Donate Benefitting KISD Education Foundation
Thursday, April 7th
4:05 PM Jag Academy, LGI
4:05 PM STAAR Masters Academy
5:15 PM Tennis v. Memorial Parkway JH at Taylor HS
Friday, April 8th
End of 5th 6 weeks
Regular School Day
3:20 PM Powder Puff Game
Saturday, April 9th
Choir All Region Clinic
Theatre Tech Rehearsal
Coming Soon
April 15 & 18 - Student and Staff Holidays
Congrats to 7th Grade Boys District Track Champions!
Congratulations to our WMJH Record-Breakers at District Track!
7th Grade Girls
Maria F. Lyra Paludo- Long Jump (15'-10")
8th Grade Girls
Elizabeth Brooks- 800M (2:26.85)
7th Grade Boys
Payton Patters - Pole Vault - 9ft tied school record
Payton Patters - 2400M - 8:17 Broke school record from 1996 by 19 seconds (was his first time running it this year)
4x200M - Broke their own school record with a new time of 1:41.67 Jaron Francis, Elijah Butler, Ben Butler, Kayin Martin
4x400 - New School Record 3:54.41 (1999 Previous Record) Jacob Cano, Josh Vera, Brayden Gonzalez, Kayin Martin
Congrats 6th Grade Choir!
2022 WMJH YEARBOOKS! ORDER YOURS TODAY!
WMJH Theatre Presents Snow White on April 22nd and 23rd!
Get Your Snow White Tickets Here!
Please use the following link to purchase tickets http://vancoevents.com/BDVE or scan the QR code below. See you on the April 22nd weekend!
Jag Academy
Our Jag Academy is open for all students in grades 6-8 who need extra help with instruction in math, reading, science or social students after school every Tuesday and Thursday. We have teachers available to offer one on one instruction, tutoring, and assistance in all core content areas.
If students plan on attending Jag Academy, they need to arrive in the library by 4:10 PM and they need to show work at the door that they plan on completing. Students who arrive on time and have work to complete will be given a pass to ride the the late bus. The late bus leaves at 5 PM each Tuesday and Thursday and students need a pass to ride the bus. If students are not attending Jag Academy, they are not eligible to ride the last bus.
Support our 8th Grade Dance
8th Grade Dance – The 8th grade class will continue to fundraise for their 8th grade dance at the end of the year. Please help support the students by participating in events coming up or ordering yard signs. If you are interested in helping plan the 8th grade dance or have questions, email Ashley at ashleyfarley7@icloud.com .
6th Grade Immunizations
Letters were sent home to 6th grade students who will need immunizations before 7th grade. Documentation for the following 7th grade required shots can be submitted to the clinic through the last day of school. Remember to keep a copy for your records. If not received by the last day of school you can send copies over summer. It not received by schedule pick up in August, your student will not be able to get their class schedule. Class schedules will be held until immunizations have been updated. Please call the School Nurse, Becky Barrera at 281-237-6425 for any questions.
v. Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): Tdap is required for all students entering 7th grade if at least 5 years has lapsed since the last dose of a tetanus containing vaccine (DTap, DPT, DT). If 5 years have not elapsed since the last dose of a tetanus containing vaccine at entry into 7th grade, then this dose will become due as soon as the 5 year interval has passed. Td is acceptable if Tdap is medically contraindicated.
v. Meningococcal Vaccine: One dose is required for all students entering 7th v. Varicella vaccine (chickenpox): Two doses are required with the first on or after the first birthday, and the second dose prior to entry in the 7th grade, unless a parent or physician statement of disease is on file.
vi. Additional information regarding these immunizations including exemptions from immunizations can be obtained through the Texas Department of Health website: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/
Shot documentation needs to be stamped or signed by the validating facility or be on the facility letterhead. The document must include the month, day and year the vaccine was given. **** Computer print outs are valid only if the administering facility has stamped/signed the print out. *** Please keep a copy for your records when submitting them to the WMJH Clinic.
Katy ISD Student and Staff Covid-19, Strep, and Flu Testing
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: 5801 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road, Katy, TX 77493
Eligibility: All Katy ISD students with a valid student identification. Katy ISD employee dependents (spouse and/or children) covered by the Katy ISD health insurance plan and members of the employee’s household, are also eligible for a free COVID-19 test. A Katy ISD health insurance card that lists the enrolled dependents is required.
COVID-19, Strep or Flu Student Appointments: Click on the yellow APPOINTMENT link on the https://url.avanan.click/v2/___www.katyisd.org___.YXAzOmthdHlpc2QyOmE6bzo0ODMwYjRkODBiMTFlZGYxYzE3MDI4OTYyMGUxNmJkYzo1OjQwMzY6MjAyMjI3MWI3ZmU2N2MzYjkxNGFjZWMzMWM5NDJmNjYxM2JiMjJlMjk5YzBlOWFkMmE4NWRiNjgzMmQ5ZjNjNjp0 homepage to schedule
Permissions Slips Available On-Site
COVID-19, Strep or Flu Staff Appointments: Staff and their dependents/household members do not require appointments.
Have other questions about COVID testing? Take a moment to check out the Katy ISD COVID Testing Center’s FAQs here.
Fine Arts Updates
Fine Arts Event Calendar
Musical Season is upon us! We encourage the Katy community to attend our amazing fine arts productions that are held across the district. For a current list of fine arts performances, please click on the following link for information: https://www.katyisd.org/dept/finearts/Pages/Calendar.aspx
Note: For ticketed campus held events, please contact the local campus or program.
Junior High Cheer Camp 2022
Junior High Cheer Camp will be held June 7- 9, 2021 at the Leonard Merrell Center. A detailed schedule of events will be provided to junior high cheerleaders following tryouts in March. The March try-outs are for junior high students interested in participating in cheerleading for the 2022-2023 school year. Attendance at the cheer camp on June 7 through June 9 is mandatory to be a member of the 22-23 cheer team if selected.
Bullying Survey
The district is collecting information through student surveys on bullying and cyberbullying to develop action plans to address student concerns regarding bullying/cyberbullying. The window to complete the survey will be April 5-April 21, 2022. Parents also can opt-out from completing the survey. We will provide you with the links to complete the Bullying Survey and Opt-Out Form on Tuesday, April 5th.
WMJH Link for Course Selection Information
Notice – Junior High Algebra I Placement for 2022-2023
Students who are enrolled in 7th Grade Math KAP or KAP/GT, who make a 70 or better course average for the year, will be enrolled in Algebra I in the eighth grade.
Students who are enrolled in 7th Grade Math KAP or KAP/GT, with a course average of below 70 for the year, wishing to take Algebra I in eighth grade, must register to take the Credit by Exam for Eighth Grade Mathematics. A score of 80% or better is required on the Credit by Exam for eligibility for Algebra I in eighth grade. The deadline for requesting CBE is May 6, 2022 for the July 11-14 testing window.
Letters to parents about this process will be distributed to students on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
Students who are enrolled in 7th grade Academic Mathematics who wish to accelerate their math instruction may take advantage of the district’s Credit by Exam (CBE) process for the 8th grade curriculum. Students must score 80% or better on the CBE to access Algebra I in eighth grade. The deadline for requesting CBE is May 6, 2022 for the July 11-14 testing window.
Contact Ms. Fierro, 7-th Grade Counselor if you would like more information.
Please click on the link below to go directly to the WMJH Counseling course selection website. Everything you need all in one place.
AP Human Geography Summer Bridge Program
The AP Human Geography Summer Bridge Program (Summer Bridge Course) is available to rising ninth-grade students during the summer of 2022. The purpose of the program is to increase enrollment and support student success in the course by providing foundational knowledge and skills. Grant funds will cover the cost of student participation.
Students entering 9th grade in the fall of 2022 who select AP Human Geography during course selection are strongly encouraged to complete the Summer Bridge Program. The program consists of an online skills component and a writing workshop. The program does not impact GPAs. AP Human Geography teachers will maintain summer office hours to assist students enrolled in the program. Eighth-grade Social Studies teachers will distribute flyers to eighth-grade students and encourage participation in the Summer Bridge Program as appropriate.
Katy Virtual School
Katy Virtual School (KVS) online classes are a way for secondary students to acquire graduation credits and/or expand their learning opportunities through paid, online supplemental high school credit courses during the summer and school year.
KVS courses:
- Provide flexibility in scheduling.
- Allow students to get ahead on credits.
- Provide opportunity to access courses that are not offered on the home campus.
- Help students moving into Katy ISD from outside Texas to meet graduation requirements.
- Courses are developed and taught by Katy ISD teachers.
KVS offers over 45 approved College Board Advanced Placement (AP), Katy Advanced Program (KAP) and academic level courses. The cost is $200 per semester with reduced or no fees for students identified as economically disadvantaged. Courses are also approved by the NCAA for student initial eligibility.
Registration opens February 1, 2022, for summer 2022, fall 2022 and spring 2023. Questions can be answered through your home campus counselor, Katy Virtual School FAQ, or email katyvirtualschool@katyisd.org.
SECONDARY SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer school registration for students currently in 6th - 12th grades will open in the spring semester. Students interested in taking high school original credit courses may register through the Katy Virtual School (KVS) beginning on February 1, 2022. You can visit the KVS website for more information and see the additional information included below under Katy Virtual School. Junior high and high school credit recovery course registration will open in mid-May 2022. More details will be available in January.
SpeakUp App
Library Book Information
Parents of secondary students may be notified via email if their child checks out a Young Adult Fiction book from the campus library. This optional notification is available if a parent elected to receive the library notification when filling out the online Return to School Enrollment update in August. If a parent did not elect to receive the library notification, parents may contact the registrar’s office at their home campus if they need to make a change and request the notification.
Parents of elementary and secondary students may also download Katy on the Go app to review the books that their student has checked out.
Partner with Parents App
Katy ISD values the continued partnership with our parents to ensure our students have access to the finest instructional resources available. The PWP Online Book Review app has been expanded to include review options for all Instructional Resources. Parents/Guardians with concerns regarding an Instructional Resource (i.e. Instructional Materials, Library Books, Internet/Online Materials) that may be in violation of Board Policy EF Local that pertains to the “pervasively vulgar" standard, are encouraged to fill out an online review form via the Partner with Parents (PWP) Instructional Resource Review app available on MyKaty cloud. To access the PWP app, log in to MyKaty using your Katy ISD ID number and password. Parents/guardians will use the same ID and password used to log into the Home Access Center (HAC).
FREE MEALS, THE SOCIOECONOMIC INCOME FORM and FREE & REDUCED MEAL APPLICATION
In preparation for the new school year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on April 20 that all schools will be allowed to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of eligibility, through June 30, 2022. While meals are free to everyone, it is important to still fill out a Free and Reduced Meal Application, as you may qualify for other benefits and discounts. Additional benefits may include:
Free
Pre-K programs
Use of musical instruments for band and orchestra
Career and Technical Education certification exams
Summer Meals
Discounted
Summer school tuition
Advanced Placement exams
SAT and ACT test fees
College application fees
Career and Technical Education fees
Free and Reduced Meal Benefit Applications are available online at SchoolCafe.com. To deposit funds online for a la carte purchases, please visit Pay N’ Go.
In addition, to ensure Katy ISD qualifies for eligible funding from the state during the extended free meal period through June 2022, Katy ISD is asking all parents to complete the Socioeconomic Income Form two-part questionnaire in the Annual Student Update. Submitting the questionnaire information will support Katy ISD in qualifying for additional state dollars to support our students’ continued academic and personal success during the upcoming school year.
Katy ISD Operational Staff Challenges
Katy ISD is Hiring!
Bus drivers, food service, custodial, repair teams, teachers, aides, and more!: bit.ly/ApplyKatyISD
Health Services
All students enrolled in Katy ISD must be in compliance with state required immunizations. Immunization requirements can be found on the Katy ISD Health Services Immunizations page.
Katy ISD Health Services Department has partnered with Texas Vaccine Institute to offer low-cost immunization opportunities for our students who may need state required vaccines for school attendance or who may want to take advantage of receiving the optional Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine or the Flu vaccine.
WHEN: April 7, 2022
TIME: 2 – 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Professional Development Annex Building
Texas Vaccine Institute provider information:
WHO: Accepting insured and uninsured
PRICE: $15 for one immunization; $25 for two, $30 for three or more for the REQUIRED STATE IMMUNIZATIONS
BRING: Campus nurse provided “PARENT NOTIFICATION OF IMMUNIZATION DUE" form, child’s personal immunization record, insurance card if insured. Accepting cash/credit/debit cards.
OPTIONAL VACCINES: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (5+ yrs.) at NO COST, provide insurance card if insured.
ELEMENTARY SUMMER SCHOOL
Eligible elementary students may attend one of the following summer elementary programs. Elementary campus counselors will be in contact during the spring semester to confirm student eligibility. Elementary summer school is offered by invitation only.
ESL/Bilingual Program
English Language Development Program
HB 4545 Accelerated Learning for students in 5th grade.
Elementary summer school questions may be directed to elementarysummerschool@katyisd.org.
NEW ELEMENTARY BELL SCHEDULE: 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Katy ISD Graduation Schedules
SPRING GRADUATION
Legacy Stadium Graduation Schedule
- 6:00 p.m: Legacy Stadium Parking Lot Gates Open
- 6:30 p.m: Campus Staff Arrival at Designated Stadium Gate
- 7:00 p.m: Legacy Stadium Gates Open for Graduates & Guests
- 8:00 p.m: Graduation Ceremony Begins
In the event inclement weather is severe and impacts the scheduled evening ceremony, the graduation ceremony will be rescheduled to 9:00 a.m. the following day at Legacy Stadium. However, every effort will be made to ensure the 8:00 p.m. evening ceremonies remain on schedule.
Inclement Weather Rescheduled Legacy Stadium Graduation Ceremony
- 7:00 a.m. Legacy Stadium Parking Lot Gates Open
- 7:30 a.m. Campus Staff Arrival at Designated Stadium Gate
- 8:00 a.m. Legacy Stadium Gates Open for Graduates & Guests
- 9:00 a.m. Graduation Ceremony Begins
WMJH Administrative Team
Astrya Richard, Student Support Assistant Principal
Richard Franco, 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Evelyn Lopez, 7th Grade Assistant Principal
Marci Radke, 6th Grade Assistant Principal
Pamela Ruderman, 8th Grade Counselor
Pearl Fierro, 7th Grade Counselor
Nathaniel Welch, 6th Grade Counselor
Helpful Resources
Katy ISD Instructional Calendar: https://www.katyisd.org/Documents/Calendars/Instructional_Calendar_2021-2022.pdf
Pay N' Go: https://katyisd.revtrak.net/
Lunch Menus: https://www.schoolcafe.com/menus
Katy ISD Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct: https://www.katyisd.org/dept/legal/Documents/Discipline%20Management%20Plan.pdf