OCTOBER 2020
Whittier Middle School Wolverines
PARENT REMINDERS:
--Please pick your students up by 4:10 pm if they are not on the bus or not in activities
--Please do not drop off items for your student at school. We are trying to keep our contacts to a minimum
WHITTIER PRIDE
Coming Up...
October, 28 - End of 1st Quarter
From the Principal's Desk
We know that with fall comes change. The air changes, the leaves change, the time change. With change always comes some excitement and some nervousness. We know this year has been full of all kinds of change for everyone. We just completed our first virtual conferences and they were successful. We were able to google meet or phone call with many of you. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! As we transition into these next few months, our goal is to minimize the change that has taken hold of our lives.
A reminder that Schoology is the consistent platform we use. Your children use this every day in their classes, and this is the platform they will use if they need to learn from home as well. This program has videos from teachers, posted assignments, and explanations of lessons. Your teachers have worked incredibly hard to make sure they are keeping students at home and in school educated. As a parent you can access these accounts. If you have any questions about this, please email your child’s teacher and they can help you.
As the weather turns colder, also please remember that breakfast does not start until 8:30 and 8:40 is when the doors open. Only inclement weather will change this. This procedure is the same as last year as well. This year it is even more imperative we follow these guidelines as we want to keep students safe by keeping them apart as much as possible. Students will be outside until the first bell rings at 8:40 on almost all days.
Thank you so much for trusting us to keep your children safe. We know how different this year has been. Moving into fall and winter, we will continue to try to minimize change and focus on how best to help your children learn. Take care; stay warm; and stay healthy.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance Procedures
We must receive a call from a parent/guardian or the student may bring a note to the attendance office in the morning to obtain this pass. Students should pick up this pass in the morning to avoid a delay in leaving for the appointment.
Students must keep this pass with them and have it available to show staff members as they leave class and exit the building. They must also obtain a new pass upon returning to school to gain admittance back to class.
** Students must come to the Attendance Office to check back in when they return. Not checking in will cause your attendance to be incorrect.
Important Guidelines for students and parents to follow:
· Please have notes and calls in to the office by 8:45 AM. This will get your student out of class in a timely manner and avoid the last minute rush of coming to the office to get a pass. Students should NOT carry a note with them all day then bring it to the office on the way out.
· Student must always check into the office anytime they come into the building after the start of first period (even if it is in between two periods).
· When leaving a message on the voice mail, speak clearly and leave your name, student’s name, a contact number and the reason for their absence.
· When sending notes please include your child’s last name. Often last names differ from the parents. Also be sure the note is dated.
· When excusing your child for appointments please advise us of the time they are to leave the building, NOT the appointment time. We will not let them leave until the time you indicate.
· Notes and calls in question will be verified. Please make sure we have your current contact information up to date.
· Voice mail is available 24 hours a day for Attendance: call 367-4279.
Thank you for helping us keep your child’s attendance accurate by following these guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns about attendance, please contact Stephanie at 367-4279 from 7:30-4:00.
ATHLETICS
IMPORTANT WHITTIER GAME DAY EVENT INFORMATION:
Sioux Falls School District Mode of Operation: TIER 3
Middle School Specified Event Attendance (Football, Volleyball and Cross Country):
Adult Spectators:
Home and Visiting Team Spectators: Limited to 2 passes per rostered participant. Each rostered participant will receive 2 spectator passes prior to each event for their household. This spectator pass will allow bearer to attend that specific sport event (example pass will only allow bearer admittance into a volleyball contest and will not allow admittance into football or cross country) in the SFSD. No replacement passes will be issued.
Staff Spectators:
Staff ID will not work at the Middle School level to gain admittance. Staff member must be included in the two spectator passes.
Elementary, Middle and High School Student Spectators
Elementary, Middle and High School aged students may only attend if they are included in the two spectator passes. If these students attend, they will need to sit with their parent.
0 to Kindergarten Aged Children Spectators:
0 to Kindergarten aged children may only attend if they are included in the two spectator passes and/or permits issued. If these children attend, they will need to sit with their parents.
Athletics Information
If your son/daughter will be a 7th or 8th grade student for the 2019-2020 school year, Whittier Athletics wants them! Whittier Athletics offers Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Gymnastics, Wrestling, & Track & Field.
If your son/daughter would like to participate, they need to have a PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION. PLEASE SEE THE FOUR (4) ATTACHMENTS PROVIDED THAT WILL GIVE VALUABLE INFORMATION REGARDING WHITTIER ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION. PLEASE DO NOT DELAY AND SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Lastly, please bring your PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION FORM TO THE WHITTIER OFFICE in order for it be on file and to ensure your son/daughter is eligible for the first practice and/or competition of the season.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
It starts with you! Be loud, be proud, be positive! Go Wolverines!
Chris Janisch
Physical Education / Athletic Coordinator
Whittier Middle School
Sioux Falls School District
(605) 367-7620