What's Up @ West

• Principal's Message
• Important Dates
  
• Shout Outs
• Kindness Matters at West
• Annie Jr.
• Lockers
• Attending Afterschool Sporting Events and Performances
• Outside Food Policy
• West Supply Needs

• Literacy Acceleration
• Smudge
• Mental Health Groups
• Counselor's Corner
• lots more
  

Dec. 5-7: Annie Jr. performances

Dec 6: No School (PD)

Dec. 12: Early Release

Dec. 16: Choir Concrt

Dec. 18: Orchestra Concert

Dec 23 - Jan 3: No School (Winter break)

This week WMS hosted Mrs. Straube, from Winter Park, Florida. Mrs. Straube is an eighth-grade math teacher who was given the opportunity to visit any middle school in the country. Mrs. Straube chose West Middle School. While she was here, she observed classes and spoke to administrators and staff about all the great things we are doing at West. A few of her observations were as follows: teachers focus on connecting with students, teachers are creative in how they engage students, teachers co-teaching in effective ways, and last but not least, "you've got some Teacher of the Year in your building.

West Middle School Student Council hosted a Spirit Week and Food Drive this past week. Each day had a theme to dress up and a requested food item to donate to ICA Food Shelf. Many students and staff members participated in both dressing up and donating to make it an overall huge success!

Thank you West Community!

Please consider joining us to cheer on our incredible students during one of the Annie performances. If you’re interested in volunteering during a performance, please take a moment to check out our sign-up form.

Tickets are on sale for Annie Jr! Show Dates are 12/5, 12/6 and 12/7

If you’re interested in helping, sign up here.

As winter is approaching, we will be encouraging scholars to use their lockers to store their belongings. This will keep things safe and collected. Many items get left throughout the school and the lost and found grows quickly. Unclaimed items are donated.

At West, we love that our students are excited to stay after school to cheer on their friends during performances and sporting events. However, we do not have staff available to supervise students after school. Therefore, any student wishing to attend an event must be escorted by a parent.

All students are expected to leave campus at 3:15 PM and return for the event with a parent. Students are not permitted to stay on campus and wait for their parents to arrive, as this creates a safety issue due to the lack of supervision.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our students safe!

At Hopkins West Middle School, parents are NOT permitted to bring outside food for their students, and students are NOT allowed to order food from outside the school during school hours. This policy ensures fairness and consistency for all students, as it prevents disruptions and maintains a focused learning environment. Students are welcome to bring lunches from home, but any food brought in from outside will be held and given to students at the end of the day.

If you would like to have lunch with your child you are allowed to bring outside food. We simply ask that you call the school in advance and let us know which day and lunch period you will be having lunch with your child.Once we have this information we will reserve a location for you and your child to have lunch.

We are in need of the following supplies and hope that families can help:

• White board eraser refills
  
• white board cleaner
  
• reams of copy paper
• Scotch tape refill rolls
  
• Facial tissues
  

You can find our List on Amazon and donations can be dropped in the Administration office with Miss Joyce.

Thank you!

At West we know that strong literacy skills are essential for all students to reach their full potential. That is why we are using Lexia PowerUp in all our Language & Literature classes. This program is designed to accelerate students' literacy levels through a personalized experience that is engaging and aligned with the science of reading. We want to ensure that when students leave West they have the reading and critical thinking skills necessary to meet the demands of high school curriculum and beyond. Goal is 60-135 minutes a week! (see the attached flyer for more info)

Students NEED wired headphones (USB-C)

Smudge has been busy working in classrooms and loving every minute of it. In Ms. Ireland's class, Smudge got to show off her artistic side and completed her first painting! She even picked the colors herself. Smudge hopes everyone has a safe and relaxing break!

A big thank you for all your donations so far for Smudge's treats and gear! Your generosity is greatly appreciated by dog and humans alike!🐶"

Smudge Wishlist

WMS is fortunate to work with Relate Counseling Center to provide opportunities for growth for our students! Please see the attached flyers and connect with your students' counselor or social worker if you are interested in your student participating in a small group on one of these topics.

Earlier this week, the district sent an email inviting families to share feedback on the new cell phone policy, required by recent Minnesota legislation. We’d love to hear your thoughts on cell phone use at school and how we can create a balanced, effective policy. The survey takes about 10 minutes and is open until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 27. Check your email for details!

We are excited to share our first newsletter of the 24-25 school year. Please see the attached PDF to learn more about the importance of sleep for adolescents and how you can support healthy sleep habits for your student. If you have any follow-up questions or if you would like to suggest topics for our monthly newsletter, please reach out to us at laura.stark@hopkinsschools.org or correne.larsen@hopkinsschools.org.

Thank you so much to families who have donated supplies to support our notebook practices in the science department. We are grateful for your generosity and support. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, there are still items left on our wish list! If you are willing and able to contribute, please check out this amazon wish list to help resupply our classrooms.

Click the link below for information about how to access the market at West Middle School.

West Middle School Market and Resources info.docx

Please do not hesitate to contact West Middle School Counselors, Social Workers or Administration if you have any questions about accessing the Market on site.

Is your scholar part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or an ally looking for a way to get involved with advocacy? Recommend that your scholar signs up for GSA to learn more! GSA will meet once per week during What I Need time (students sign up during CREW for these sessions each week) - students can sign up to attend for just one week, or can attend weekly for the rest of the year.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile Traits are a key part of the IB program’s holistic approach to education, focusing not just on academic achievement but on developing well-rounded individuals. For middle school students, these traits encourage curiosity, empathy, and responsibility—qualities that help them become active, engaged global citizens. Traits such as inquirers, communicators, and risk-takers promote critical thinking, collaboration, and a willingness to explore new ideas, while caring, open-mindedness, and reflection foster a sense of respect and self-awareness. By nurturing these traits, the IB program helps students build strong character and the skills necessary to navigate and contribute to an increasingly complex world. Parents can be confident that this approach equips their children with the tools for success, both in school and beyond.

At West, students interact with Learner Profile traits in many ways. Our school’s social contract of “Be Kind, Be Brave, Be a Scholar” encompasses all of the Learner Profile Traits. Students use these traits in academic assignments and reflections. Every month, we focus on a particular Learner Profile trait in Crew; for example, November’s trait is “communicator.” Teachers nominate Students of the Month based on this trait, and these students are celebrated at monthly class assemblies.

For more information, check out this video, which WMS students viewed at the beginning of the school year, or contact Jen Poncelet, our IB coordinator (jennifer.poncelet@hopkinsschools.org).

More information can be found here.

Read here for the most recent details from the email sent by the Athletics Department.

Alpine Ski Club: For scholars grades 3-6, No race experience is needed, all you need is the ability to ski in control and our coaches will teach you the foundations of racing. Community education sign up is now open, so please use this link: Hopkins Alpine Community Education Program - Hopkins Community Education.

Questions? Contact coaches Jason Langlie (JasonLanglie@gmail.com) or Maria Eaton (Mariachristine2@gmail.com)

• Open-enrolled families (families who live outside the Hopkins School District): if you have a fall 2025 kindergartner, you will need to complete an Open Enrollment Application for your child by January 15, 2025.
• Hopkins School District resident families: please submit a K-12 Student Enrollment form for your fall 2025 kindergartner — even if you are already attending Hopkins Preschool.
• Find enrollment forms online, visit HopkinsSchools.org/enroll.

20% your online purchase. Includes clearance!

NOW – Wednesday December 4th

Order here Use code: THANKS24

*20% off in person sales included (Excludes Letter Jackets)

Are you the caregiver of a child who transcends traditional binary gender roles?

We are offering a supportive, ongoing group for parents and caregivers to ask questions, share ideas, and support one another. Some children may identify as transgender, gender fluid, non-binary, gender queer, gender expansive, or simply move through the world in a much more gender free type of way.

This is for all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school, and beyond). Laura Jensen, Hopkins Schools LGBTQ+ Community Liaison will facilitate the meetings. This is not a group to debate the issue, rather for parents looking to support their child.

Questions? Email Laura.Jensen@hopkinsschools.org

Dates for Remainder of 24-25 School Year:

Dec. 19; Jan. 23; Feb. 27; Mar. 27; Apr. 24; May 22; June 26. 5-6:30 p.m

North Middle School, 5-6:30 p.m. Room 506 (use side parking lot, Door R)

Questions? Email Laura.Jensen@hopkinsschools.org

Items or activities not administered or sponsored by the district but might be of interest to your family.

They are back providing dental care for people of all ages at myHealth For Teens & Young Adults on Wednesday November 27th 9-4pm

Have you heard of an app called "Docket?" Docket gives Minnesotans with a MN Immunization and Information Connection (MIIC) record a digital option to securely access their immunization history. The app is available on the Apple App store, Google Play, or visit this link Docket.

Read more about it here.

Hello!

My name is Erika Manley. I am the parent of a 5th grade student at Glen Lake Elementary and 7th grade student at West Middle School. If you are the parent or caregiver of a child with a disability, we wholeheartedly welcome you to our next coffee event.

ALL families at any educational stage in The Hopkins School District (pre-school to high school) are welcome.

Date: Friday, December 13

Time: 9-10:30am

Place: Basecamp Coffee & Provisions

14635 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka

Topic(s): To be posted soon.

Principal email: serita.mattei@hopkinsschools.org

Website: https://west.hopkinsschools.org/
Location: 3830 Baker Road, Minnetonka, MN, USA
Phone: (952) 988-4400
Facebook: facebook.com/hopkinswjh/