WMMS Tiger Times

Welcome to a new school year! The first day of school is almost here, and we can't wait to see all of our students!

Our focus will always be on building positive relationships and creating safe learning environments for our students to thrive. Protecting the learning environment is important to us here at WMMS, and I've included a link to our student handbook which includes our new WMMS expectations matrix focusing on being Respectful, Responsible and Safe. We're planning for a great school year filled with opportunities for your student to grow as a learner and try new things. We have many clubs and extracurriculars for our students as well as fun nights and a 7th/8th grade dance.

Thank you for your patience as we roll out our new student information system, PowerSchool. Student schedules may have slight changes as we work through this process and counselors will be in the building starting August 12th to answer any schedule questions you may have. Be sure to soak up these last days of summer break and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandi VanDelft

WMMS Principal

Students riding buses in the morning are required to unload at the west (front) door. Students who are dropped off enter using the door on the north side of the building (see picture). For those dropping students off, please make sure not to block the bus lane. Pull all the way forward before stopping. If the lane is backed up, please give the buses room to proceed. Walkers or bike riders may enter at either north or west doors. Once entering the building, students are not allowed to leave without permission from the office.

The building opens at 7:10 a.m. Students eating breakfast at school should do so as soon as they arrive in the morning. If your student will be eating breakfast at school, please have them here by 7:30 to give them plenty of time to eat before the 7:43 bell. Those students riding buses that arrive later than 7:30 will be given time to eat breakfast.

After eating breakfast (or as soon as arriving if not eating), students will report to their assigned seating area. Students are separated by grade level. Students are released to their lockers beginning at 7:43 am. First hour begins at 7:48.

School ends at 2:45.

Bus:

Students riding "C" buses (city routes) will report directly to their bus at the end of the school day. Students riding "R" buses (rural routes) will be seated in the commons while waiting for their bus to be called. Students must remain attentive so they do not miss their bus.

Walkers/Bikers/Pick-up:

The pick-up lane is the same as the drop-off lane (north door). After school tends to be more congested. In order to alleviate cars blocking the bus lane after school, there are two pick-up lanes: one along the north side of the building and one on the east side of the building (between KPS and WMMS). See the picture below.

Walkers, bikers, and students being picked up all leave through the north doors. Drivers should remain alert and proceed slowly through the parking lot. Students riding bikes or skateboards should walk their bike or skateboard to the bike path before riding.

All students will be provided a student planner to record their homework, due dates and hall passes. A locker will be assigned to each student upon entering the middle school. Due to student traffic congestion, book bags and heavy coats are not allowed in the classrooms. Students will have to keep backpacks, purses and coats in lockers, so please be sure they are small enough to fit. Backpacks with wheels are not permitted. Students will have access to their locker between each class. Lockers are equipped with a combination lock. Students should not bring valuables to school with them.

Missouri now requires all students entering into the 8th grade to have one MCV (Meningococcal Vaccine) and one Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) prior to school starting.

Please drop off your 8th grader's updated immunization record before the start of the school year.

Please contact our school nurse, Kristi Zentz, with any questions you may have kzentz@kirksville.k12.mo.us

In order to protect the learning environment, cell phones and personal electronic devices (including smart watches/apple watches, bluetooth enabled headphones/airpods, etc.) must be kept in the student’s locker during the regular school hours of 7:43 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (unless allowed by the administration for medical purposes). Upon entering the building, students need to turn their devices off and put them in their backpack, binder, or pocket until the bell rings at 7:43 a.m. where they may store them in their locker. Principal’s detentions are extensions of the school day and cell phones/devices are not allowed. Students are to leave their cell phone and personal electronic devices shut off and locked in their lockers for the entirety of the school day. Students are welcome to use the office phone to call home with staff permission. Parents/guardians may always leave a message in the office if they need to reach their student.

*Repeated cell phone violations may result in students/parents agreeing to a behavior contract and additional disciplinary actions.

Lunch study is a teacher-assigned consequence for students who are not following behavior expectations in the classroom. Students are expected to eat lunch quietly. They may work on any assignments when they are finished. The teacher who assigned the lunch study will contact parents/guardians via email, phone call, or the Rooms app to let them know that their child will be serving a lunch study. Students are not allowed on cell phones or personal electronic devices during this time.

11. Hoods are not permitted to be worn in the building.

Get your online PRIVIT account updated/created here:

https://kirksvilletigers-mo.e-ppe.com/index.jspa

Call the HS office at 660.665.4631 with any questions.

Attendance: We look forward to seeing your child every day! If your child must miss school, please contact the main office (660) 665-3793 before 8:00 to let us know. If we haven't heard from anyone regarding an absence, we will call home to make sure your child is safe. Please turn in any doctors excuses to our secretaries asap.

Scheduling/Student Concerns: Our school counselors are here to help!

Mrs. Kellie Shoemaker (Last Names A-L)

Mrs. Michele Yoder (Last Names M-Z)

Extension 4

Medical Concerns: Nurse Kristi Zentz can help if your child has medical needs or if you have questions about your child's health. Extension 5

Classroom Questions: The easiest way to reach your child's teacher is via email. Click here for a list of emails.

Transportation: If you have a question about your child's bus or about signing your child up to ride the bus, please contact the transportation office at (660) 730-1653.

General Questions: If you are not sure who to contact for your specific question, our amazing office secretaries, Mrs. Pletz and Mrs. Reed, can help answer your question or connect you to the right person.

William Matthew Middle School

1515 South Cottage Grove

Kirksville, MO 63501

660-665-3793