Tiger Ambush
September 24, 2023
What's going on at The Pines...
September 25th - NO SCHOOL - Fall Holiday
September 26th - Million word challenge reward at lunch
September 26th - Suicide Prevention for Parents @ 6pm
September 28th - SECME Club Kickoff Meeting (see flier below) NEW
September 29th - Day of Awesomeness
October 6th - Last day for Reading Counts Quizzes for Extra Credit Card
October 6th - College Friday - Wear your College Shirt or College Jersey
October 9th - Picture Day - Must be dressed in dress code - info forthcoming
October 12th - End of First 9 week marking period
October 13th - Teacher Work Day (NO School)
October 16th - Beginning of 2nd Nine Weeks
October 17th - Showcase of Schools for Choice Programs at Fairgrounds
October 19th - SAC Meeting 4:30PM
October 23rd - 27th - Red Ribbon Week
November 1st - Teacher Professional Development Day (NO School)
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Athletics:
September 19th - Boys Baseball against Polo Park (@WPMS)
September 20th - Girls Softball @ Crestwood
September 21st - Girls Softball @ Wellington Landings (Makeup)
September 21st - Boys Baseball @ Crestwood
September 22nd - Girls Softball against Osceola Creek (@WPMS)
September 26th - Boys Baseball against Osceola Creek (@WPMS)
September 27th - Girls Softball against Polo Park (@WPMS) (Makeup)
September 28th - Boys Baseball @ Lake Shore
September 29th - Girls Softball against Wellington Landings (@WPMS)
October 2nd - Boys Baseball against Wellington Landings (@WPMS)
October 3rd - Girls Softball @ Polo Park
October 4th - Boys Baseball @ Polo Park
October 5th - Girls Softball against Crestwood (@WPMS)
October 6th - Boys Baseball against Crestwood (@WPMS)
October 9th - Girls Softball @ Osceola Creek
October 10th - Boys Baseball @ Osceola Creek
October 12th - Boys Baseball against Lake Shore (@WPMS)
From our Principal, Mr. Preddy
Parents -
Did you know that a large portion of our on campus conflicts with students stem from problems which started on the cell phone and social media outside of school? It is a big problem. I am writing to empower you to take back control of your child's cell phone. I highly doubt they own it or pay the bill. This is simply something you let them borrow or use. I have had so many conversations with parents who say "I don't know my child's phone passcode or passwords" or they say "my kid won't give me their phone." IT IS NOT THEIR CHOICE.... it is your choice. I promise you from my many years in the school business, that if you don't take control of these things now, it will affect your child later, when it is possibly too late. Also I implore you to do spot SURPRISE checks of your child's phone. It is best to check it when they are in the middle of using it, then they don't have time to hide things. Check their deleted messages. Check their deleted photos. Most importantly, set up parental controls. If you do not have parental controls, then I highly suggest having your child charge their phone in YOUR bedroom at night. Remember, when we were kids we did not have these devices in our face 24/7. We didn't have other students secretly cyber bullying us. Take some time and have this conversation with your child. Blame it all on me! Mr. Preddy said I would be surprised by what I might see spot checking your phone. Our children simply are not developed enough to handle the responsibility of this device all on their own.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and taking back control of your child's phone!
Click here to see how to set up parental controls on the IPHONE
Click here to see how to set up parental controls on the ANDROID
Picture Day Info
Picture Day Info
Want to advertise on our fence?
Western Pines Business Partnership Opportunity.
Help support our school and get more customers.
If you or someone you know owns a local business and are interested in purchasing a banner for the fence, please contact Mr. Krupa for pricing and details! James.Krupa@palmbeachschools.org. It will be hung on the fence in our parent drop off loop.
Shirts are back in stock!
Be sure to order on palmbeach.schoolcashonline.com!
Update on the MILLION WORD CHALLENGE
Western Pines is very proud to announce that over 100 students met the first milestone in the Million Word challenge, even more than last year. We are excited to celebrate these amazing readers with an ice cream sundae party on Tuesday, September 26th during lunch time. The students will also have a paw with their name on it displayed in our Million Word hallway as well as a special pin for their lanyard. If your child has not yet reached 100,000 words, don't panic! Any student who reaches 100,000 past the deadline can still earn their pin. Teachers will be running these reports at regularly scheduled deadlines.
Our next milestone in the Million Word Challenge is to read 250,000 words by November 15th. Please encourage your child to keep reading and taking Reading Counts quizzes with their language arts teacher. The average middle school student reads 200 words per minute. At this rate, a student could read 250,000 words in 20.8 hours. Easy!
Benefits of Reading from the NECSA Website
- "Children who read 20 minutes a day/5 days a week are exposed to 1.8 million words in one school year. Compare this to students who read 5 minutes per day – they will be exposed to 282,000 words per school year."
- "Reading helps foster empathy – a child experiences “walking in someone else’s shoes.”
- "Children are exposed to different ideas and cultures."
- "Reading also improves critical thinking."
- "Reading increases knowledge of correct syntax and grammar, along with robust vocabulary knowledge, resulting in improved writing skills."
- "Students who read 20 minutes per day score significantly higher on standardized tests of reading."
- "Reading with your child, or having them read independently before bed, can help them to relax and wind down from their day."
Water and Swimming Safety
Hello Parents:
Water safety is so important for everyone raising children in South Florida, that’s why we are sharing the “Be Water Smart” booklets produced by the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County. Inside the booklet, you will find great safety tips as well as locations where you can get swim lessons.
Here are the links for versions of the booklets in English, Spanish, and Creole. The booklets were produced by the Drowning Prevention Coalition and its partners.
Thank you
http://l.sdpbc.net/pfgt0 - English Booklet
http://l.sdpbc.net/j6vvb - Creole Booklet
http://l.sdpbc.net/7chn5 - Spanish Booklet
http://l.sdpbc.net/z6rg8 - QR Codes
Western Pines Word of the Day
This is 10% of your final ELA grade so make sure you are studying (see flier below for more information).
Word of the Day:
10-2: Then (a time) vs. Than (comparison)
10-3: Plagiarize - using someone else's work and acting as if it is yours
10-4: Counterclaim - something that the opposing side of an argument might state
10-5: Pseudo - a prefix meaning fake
10-6: Transitions - in essays, transitions help connect ideas together
Quiz Monday, October 9th.
Important Title I Information
Parent and Family Engagement Plan Summary (English)
Parent and Family Engagement Plan Summary (Spanish)
Parent and Family Engagement Plan Summary (Creole)
Parent and Family Engagement Plan Summary (Portuguese)
School Parent Compact (English)
School Parent Compact (Spanish)
School Parent Compact (Creole)
School Parent Compact (Portuguese)
Western Pines Title I Schoolwide Plan
Click HERE for the School District of PBC Parent / Family Involvement Plan
Plan ahead - Annual Sport Calendar below
Clubs, tutoring, sports, and other info below
Before and Afterschool Clubs, Tutoring, Etc.
Parents and Students -
Click on the link below to see all the extra curricular (non-athletic) activities we have to offer. If you are interested in your child being a part of any of these, please contact the sponsor by email. We make a flier for a lot of them, but here it all is, in one spot.
Get involved!
NEW Daily Schedule this year
In years past, we have had White, Maroon, and Gold Days.... each of those days starting with a different period of the day. This year we are moving to a 6 period rotation. Each day will start with a new period. For example, the first day of school will start with the student's 1st period class. The second day of school will start with the student's 2nd period class and so on. On a "Second Period Day" the rotation will be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 and on a 4th Period Day, the rotation will be 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3. This gives every class the opportunity to start the day and end the day. It also helps with early releases for sports. Don't worry, we will help our students know what period we are starting the day with and help them throughout the day. Below is our rotational schedule for the year. Whatever number appears on that date, is the period we start with for that day.
Morning Care and Afterschool
Morning and After school registration forms are available in the front office. Stop by Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM to register.
Morning school begins 8/10/23 through 5/30/24 from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM (Monday thru Friday)
Afterschool begins 8/28/23 through 5/16/24 from 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM (Monday through Thursday Only). There is a nominal fee and it varies by month.**
Tutoring and a variety of clubs and activities will be available.
If you have any questions please to contact Shelbie Chaney at shelbie.chaney@palmbeachschools.org or (561) 792-2519
Campus Safety
School District of Palm Beach County Student and Family Handbook
Please click here for a letter from our Superintendent, Mr. Mike Burke welcoming all students back to school with a handy print out of school calendar dates.
Also, please click here for access to the School District of Palm Beach County 2023-2024 Student and Family Handbook.
Who to turn to
6th Grade Assistant Principal - Mrs. Jimenez (liz.jimenez@palmbeachschools.org)
6th Grade School Counselor - Mrs. Hurtado (melinda.hurtado@palmbeachschools.org)
7th Grade Assistant Principal - Mrs. Stuart (christina.stuart@palmbeachschools.org)
7th Grade School Counselor - Mr. Shields (ryan.shields@palmbeachschools.org)
8th Grade Assistant Principal - Mr. Krupa (james.krupa@palmbeachschools.org)
8th Grade School Counselor - Mrs. Bednarek -(lori.bednarek@palmbeachschools.org)
Student Services Secretary - Ms. Chaney (shelbie.chaney@palmbeachschools.org)
Counselor's Office Secretary - Mrs. Bosco (gisela.bosco@palmbeachschools.org)
ESE Coordinator - Ms. Schwab (terri.schwab@palmbeachschools.org)
ESOL Coordinator - Mrs. Jimenez (liz.jimenez@palmbeachschools.org)
School Tech Coordinator (Chromebooks) - Mr. Delgado - (walter.delgado@palmbeachschools.org)
Choice Academy Coordinator - Mrs. Jimenez (liz.jimenez@palmbeachschools.org)
WPMS Transportation (Bus) Coordinator - Mrs. Stuart (christina.stuart@palmbeachschools.org)
School Data Processor (Registration) - Mrs. Navarro (martha.navarro@palmbeachschools.org)
School Treasurer (info on obligations) - Mrs. LeBlanc (tammi.leblanc@palmbeachschools.org)
Principal's Secretary - Mrs. Bennett - (robin.bennett@palmbeachschools.org)
Principal - Mr. Preddy - (philip.preddy@palmbeachschools.org)
Western Pines Middle School
Website: https://www.palmbeachschools.org/WesternPinesMiddle
Location: 5949 140th Avenue North, Westlake, FL, USA
Phone: (561) 792-2500
Facebook: facebook.com/WesternPinesMSOfficial
Twitter: @philippreddy