What's new with Watkins Middle?

• This Wednesday, 2/19, students will be taking the winter benchmark for MAP ELA testing. The Math test will take place next week. We have reduced these testing dates from three to two, so this set of assessments will be the final MAP tests of the year. Please encourage your student to take their time and do their best. WMS will be operating on an amended testing schedule for this day.
• Parents of 8th grade students please review this informational letter on our violence prevention assembly next Monday 2/24.
• Winter sports athletes should be receiving individual communications from their coaches regarding end of season awards recognitions.
• Softball tryouts for both 7 & 8 grade teams will start Monday 2/17, 3-6 pm in MS gym.
• Seventh and eighth grade students interested in running track this spring had the opportunity to sign up during lunches last week. Any parent seeking information can contact head track coach Mr. Westbrook directly. lwestbrook@laca.org
• Color Guard clinics have started for any student interested in performing with the 2025 Marching Warriors and Color Guard! Any 8th Grade student interested in learning more or participating should contact guard instructor Nicole Kinlin at nkinlin@laca.org.
• The second, and last, round of conferences for the 24-25 school year will take place Thursday, February 20th. Sign ups are live.
• On Friday February 28th the PTO will sponsor the 6th & 7th grade Valentines dance. Admission to the dance is $5 and open to WMS students only. This dance is a behavior incentive for students. Beginning February 1st until the day of the dance, any student with OSS, ISS, or two hour detentions may be ineligible to attend.
• Have you missed any previous newsletters? You can always look on our school website to find archived newsletters to catch up on all things Watkins Middle School.

This month's topic is flexibility. The ability to adapt and pivot in the face of set backs is always a difficult skill for middle schoolers to master. Take a look at this month's executive function focus info graphic here.

Please click the link below for all of your athletic ticketing and scheduling needs.

Hometown Ticketing

• Varsity Ticket events are $7 up to 1 hour before the event. At the gate tickets are $8 (use of a card includes a fee at the gate). Middle School tickets are $5.

• All athletes should enter and exit the building through the 600 hall (Door 7) entrance before and after practice each day.

• 2/19 MAP ELA testing
• 2/20 Conferences
• 2/24 8th grade violence prevention assembly
• 2/25 MAP Math testing
• 2/27 WMS Symphonic Band concert- 7pm @WMHS Auditorium
• 2/28 6th/7th grade Valentines Dance 6-8pm
• 3/13 Math Night (5-7pm)
• 3/19-20 8th grade C-tech trip

Bus concerns:

We ask that you please contact the Transportation Department directly at 740-927-5901 with any concerns about your student’s bus (late arrival or other issues). Their phones are manned 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, and they have direct contact with all buses.

Attendance:

Please call the 24 hour WMS attendance line at (740) 927-6807 to report student absences. This voicemail box is available 24/7 and messages are retrieved on school days between the hours of 7:00am through 3:00pm.

If your student will miss school due to a pre-planned absence, please complete this Trip/Vacation Authorization Form.

Email: jball@laca.org
Website: https://wms.swl.k12.oh.us/
Location: 8868 Watkins Road Southwest, Pataskala, OH, USA
Phone: (740)927-5767
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gowatkinsmiddleschool
Twitter: @WatkinsMiddle