WMS- Aug 1 update

Late-breaking news! We invite parents of students with IEPs to meet with Ms. Serino, principal, and Ms. Mitchell-Lazarus, special education teacher leader via Zoom TOMORROW NIGHT, August 2, 2022 at 7 PM. We will speak about services and supports for students in our Autism Resource Services program as well as students within our general studies.

(This meeting follows the 6 PM meeting designed for new parents.)

Presentation in English with interpretation in Spanish.

Zoom: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/97324643856?pwd=cVpQM0tnMzFycFZxN0JVbHBTQll3dz09

Meeting ID: 973 2464 3856

Passcode: WMSparents

One tap mobile: +13017158592,,97324643856# US (Washington DC)

All 6th graders and any new 7th and 8th graders will be issued Chromebooks this year.

We hope many of you can pick them up before school starts! We have two dates to offer...

• Tuesday, August 16 from 9-12 and
• Friday, August 19 from 12-3

Chromebooks will be distributed curbside by the cafeteria entrance. Please have your student ID number written on an index card to expedite the process.

Students who are unable to attend on these dates will have other opportunities to retrieve their Chromebook at the beginning of the school year.

The MCPS Department of Transportation has released Westland's bus routes for 2022-23. Please review the letter from Mr. James Beasley, Bethesda depot manager, regarding transportation.

Bus Arrival Times Updated August 1

Bus Departure Times Updated August 1

Letter about Bus Transportation

Parents and caregivers of ALL Westland students are invited to join our info session but the discussion will be tailored to folks who are new to Westland. We will present some key information and open the floor to questions.

Tomorrow Night! Tuesday, August 2

or Thursday, August 25

from 6:00-7:00 PM. The sessions will be recorded.

Presentation in English with interpretation in Spanish.

Zoom: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/97324643856?pwd=cVpQM0tnMzFycFZxN0JVbHBTQll3dz09

Meeting ID: 973 2464 3856

Passcode: WMSparents

One tap mobile: +13017158592,,97324643856# US (Washington DC)

In an effort to maximize the educational experience, promote interpersonal connections and minimize distractions and disruptions, Westland's cell phone policy has changed.

• Students may use devices before 8:10 and after 3:00. (same)
• Parents who need to get urgent messages to kids should contact the main office. (same)
• Devices must be stored in student lockers. (new)
• Students may send/receive messages during the 4 minutes before and the 4 minutes after their lunch while standing at their lockers. (new)
• There will be no cell phone use during lunch by any grade levels of students on any days of the week. (new)

Necessary

• A backpack/bag

• A 3-ring binder with locking rings

• Lined paper

• Pocket folders

• A pencil pouch

• Pens, pencils, highlighters

• A set of colored pencils

• Headphones or earbuds

• Non-aerosol deodorant (for PE)

• We supply Chromebook, charger and case

• We supply combination locks

Optional

• A change of clothes for PE. Black, navy, white or gray t-shirts and shorts/pants. PE teachers will sell Westland clothes when school starts.

• A calculator

• A planner/calendar book

• A reusable water bottle

Every year, families need to submit a new application to receive Free and Reduced-price meal benefits.

Please use the link here to submit your application.

https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Please send any updated vaccination or medical forms to our administrative secretary at Mary_T_Howells@mcpsmd.org. She will share them with our health room staff members who first report to work at the end of August.

Westland families! We have recruited some AMAZING colleagues to join our team this fall but we need YOUR help to recruit additional people. We are looking for:

• a computer science teacher

• a 0.7 speech language pathologist

• two special education teachers to support our Autism Resource Services (ARS) program

• a 6.5 hr/day special education paraeducator to support students in various classes (with benefits)

• two 7 hr/day special education paraeducators to support our Autism Resource Services (ARS) program

• two 7 hr/day special education paraeducators to support individual students (no benefits)

• a 4 hr lunch room aide/paraeducator (with benefits)

Please contact Alison_L_Serino@mcpsmd.org with any leads.

Summer MYP Exploration- assigned book (Rick) and online assignments

Each summer, Westland students and staff read a text that explores a compelling issue(s). Students also complete several assignments within an online classroom. This work leads into further school-wide exploration and action in the fall.

Please come by the school between 8:30-3:30 to borrow a copy of the text, Rick by Alex Gino or get it from your local library! Click here. Westland MYP Summer Exploration- book and myMCPS classroom

Summer Math- practice exercises

We encourage Westland students to complete material for the math class they are enrolled in this fall (2022-23) to keep their math brains sharp. Click here. Westland Summer Math practice

Summer Reading- book (of your choice) and reflection (of your choice)

We ask Westland students to read a book of their choice and complete a reflection question of their choice. This will be submitted to English teachers as a homework assignment in the fall. Click here. Westland Summer Reading assignment

Want to get used to the rhythm of a combination locker?

Practice with https://www.hoodamath.com/games/combinationlock.html.

• Turn to the right to the first number.
• Turn to the left and pass the first number once. Land on the second number.
• Turn to the right to the last number.,

Because Westland is getting a BRAND NEW ROOF this summer, we cannot host orientation sessions in person. We hope that ALL 6th graders and 7th and 8th graders new to Westland can Zoom with us at 6:00 PM on Aug 10 OR Aug 16.

Zoom: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/82676768961?pwd=qHAL9WlunWxM-s49alO9xbdNHlxxNb.1

Meeting ID: 826 7676 8961

Passcode: wildcats

One tap mobile: +13017158592,,82676768961# US (Washington DC)

In early September we will hold tryouts for our softball and cross-country teams. (There is no middle school baseball in Montgomery County Public Schools.) Tryouts are limited to 7th and 8th graders. Practices and games/meets are held on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons.

The athletics registration portal will not open for middle school athletes until August 15 but we want to make people aware that physical evaluations are required prior to the first day of tryouts.

Resources to assist with the online registration process can be found here. Forms are available here. Resources in Spanish are available here. Additional information regarding middle school athletics registration can be found here.

On Thursday, August 25 from 8:15-12:00 Noon, we invite all 6th graders and new 7th and 8th graders INSIDE the school. Students will receive their schedules and meet their teachers during short visits in each class.

Parents and caretakers are invited to join Westland teachers IN PERSON on the evening of Thursday, September 15 from 6:30-8:30 for our Back to School Night. We will publish a schedule for you to see each of your child's teachers for brief introductions.

Teachers will also publish introductory videos for parents to review at their convenience.

If you are moving over the summer please let our counseling office secretary know at Sara_A_Belott@mcpsmd.org.

Main Office (240.740.5850)

• Principal- Alison Serino, Alison_L_Serino@mcpsmd.org

• Assistant Principal (6th grade and half of 8th grade M-Z)- Jason Jefferson, Jason_A_Jefferson@mcpsmd.org

• Assistant Principal (7th grade and half of 8th grade 8 A-L)- Natasha Alston, Natasha_S_Alston@mcpcmsd.org

• Administrative Secretary- Terri Howells, Mary_T_Howells@mcpsmd.org

• Financial Specialist- Suzanne Marcou, Suzanne_W_Marcou@mcpsmd.org

Counseling/Registrar Office (240.740.5860)

• Counseling Chairperson/7th grade counselor- Caryn Fischer, Caryn_Fischer@mcpsmd.org

• 6th Grade Counselor- Lauren Geissel, Lauren_Geissel@mcpsmd.org

• 7th Grade Counselor- Ashley Harper, Ashley_Harper@mcpsmd.org

• 8th Grade Counselor- Laura Williams, Laura_K_Williams@mcpsmd.org

• Counseling Office Secretary- (Sara) Sally Belott, Sara_A_Belott@mcpsmd.org

AUGUST

• Tu, 8/2- New Parent Info Session- 6:00 PM Zoom (bilingual Spanish/English)
• Tu, 8/3- Parent Info Session about Special Education- 7:00 PM Zoom (bilingual Spanish/English)
• W, 8/10- Sneak Peek Orientation for new students- 6:00 PM Zoom
• M, 8/15- Online Athletic Portal for 7th/8th graders opens
• Tu, 8/16- Chromebook Distribution for new students- 9:00 AM- 12:00 Noon
• Tu, 8/16- Sneak Peek Orientation for new students- 6:00 PM Zoom
• F, 8/19- Chromebook Distribution for new students - 12:00- 3:00 PM
• Th, 8/25- Mini Day Orientation for new students- 8:30 AM- 12:00 PM in person
• Th, 8/25- New Parent Info Session- 6:00 PM Zoom (bilingual Spanish/English)

• M, 8/29- First Day of School for Students- 8:15-3:00

SEPTEMBER

• M, 9/5- Labor Day Holiday
• F, 9/9- Student Photos Taken at School
• W, 9/14- Early Release Day- Students dismissed at 12:30 PM
• Th, 9/15- Back to School Night for Parents- 6:30-8:30 PM in person (intro videos will also be available)
• W, 9/21- After School Mix and Mingle for Sixth Graders- 3-4:30 PM
• M, 9/26- No School for Students/Teachers
• W, 9/28- Sixth Grade MYP & Team Building Day
• Th, 9/29- After School Mix and Mingle for Seventh Graders- 3-4:30 PM
• Th, 9/29- Cross Country and Boys Softball at Silver Creek, Girls Softball Home
• F, 9/30- MYP-focused learning
• F, 9/30- Early Release Day- Students dismissed at 12:30 PM
• F, 9/30- 8th Grade Bowling Outing, 12:30-2:30 PM

An IB World School

Email: Alison_L_Serino@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/westlandms/
Location: 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD, USA
Twitter: @WestlandPrinc