WEST WILDCAT NEWS

Dear Parents,

This is the final reminder to order your child’s school photos. To ensure your photo package arrives in time for the holiday season, please place your order promptly.

Visit mymiddleschoolpictures.com, select West Middle School, and enter your child’s student ID number as the online code to view proofs and complete your purchase.

Order Deadline: Monday, October 28th

For any questions, please contact Creative Imaging at customercare@cidmphoto.com.

Seven years ago, West Middle School began a partnership with Hero’s Puppy For Life.org to raise money for veterans suffering from PTSD. We use the money raised to purchase service dogs, one year of veterinary care, and service-dog training for the veterans and their animals. This year our goal is to raise $3500.

There are several ways you can support this goal.

1. Attend dine-out nights at Parry’s Pizza. Dates will be advertised in the coming weeks.
2. Purchase baked goods during conferences from our NJHS students and sponsors, who will be selling these items in the main hallway.
3. Attend any boy’s basketball HOME game and purchase concessions outside the main entrance to the gym.

Are you registered to vote this November? Check your registration today at https://www.coloradosos.gov/voter—it only takes 1 minute!

Reminder: Ballot measures that impact your town and your school district will be at the bottom of the ballot after national, statewide, and county measures. Don’t forget to fill out your ballot completely. Measures at the bottom of the ballot have the greatest local impact.

Please join us for our second annual Cultural Festival on Friday, October 25 at WMS from 6:00-7:30 pm, in the cafeteria. This evening event will highlight the beautiful diversity in our community, and feature WMS and CMS student performances, student artwork, and a potluck dinner. If you would like to attend and bring a dish, you can sign up below!

The Food and Nutrition Services Department has moved to a new software program (MySchoolBucks) for all operations. All meals (breakfast and lunch) remain free for all students this year. Families should be encouraged to complete a meal application to take advantage of other benefits offered to them and to support Title I funding in CCSD.

Go to https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home make account for your child. It's going to ask you to pick the school and ask for either your child’s student ID or their birthday. Once the account is created you will be able to add money to their account. Linq is deactivated for the district any money that was left over from last year would have been transferred to their new account.

We are excited to be continuing Community Play Days after a successful first year during the 2023-2024 school year. At the end of quarters 1-3, our entire West Community comes together to be active, to play, and to make connections. Students engage in mixed grade-level groups and have the opportunity to get to know other students and staff.

Our Fall Play Day will feature team building activities, a whole school art project, and a scavenger hunt. We could absolutely use some parent volunteers to help facilitate the art project (no art experience needed) and help with the scavenger hunt. If interested in helping out from 2:00-3:45 on Friday, October 11, fill out this form.

We all know that many of our best memories of school come from the friendships and connections we made and the experiences outside of academics. Creating an event that all 1,000 of our students can participate in at the same time is a massive undertaking, but we know it is worth it. Research shows that students who have a strong Sense of Belonging at school achieve better academically and have a more positive social emotional experience.

We ask you to support our efforts by making sure your student is here at school to be part of the fun! We appreciate your dedication to our Wildcat Community.

Calling all writers, photographers, and graphics designers…Yearbook Club needs your skills! Join us on Mondays after school in A212! Members will receive training and assignments to cover various school activities, take photos, conduct interviews, write stories, and digitally design pages. Your skills will carry you into yearbook at West next year or into yearbook club at your high school. Let’s go!

Are you looking for extra help with homework, studying, and/or class projects? West Middle School offers Homework Help/Study Hall!

• Before School: 8:00am to 8:40am, Mondays - Fridays

• Enter the building through Door 1 and enter the Commons.

• After School: 3:50pm-4:40pm, Mondays - Thursdays; no after school activities on Fridays

• Enter the Commons after the final bell.

• Expectations for Homework Help/Study Hall

• Use the restroom and fill your water before entering.

• Stay in the Commons.

• Bring a charged device.

• Sign in. Find a seat. 1 person per table.

• Keep your phones put away and off.

• Work on school work quietly until dismissal.

At the end of Homework Help/Study Hall… Push in your chair and take all your belongings.

Monday 10/14 - Friday 10/18:

FALL BREAK - NO SCHOOL.

Monday 10/21:

Drama Club after school in room D127.

NJHS after school in the Design Hub.

Yearbook Club after school in room A212.

Math League after school in room B104.

Soccer Club after school with Mr. Clark, Mr. Temple, & Mr. Yemi - meet on the track.

Tuesday 10/22:

Jazz Band after school in room D126.

Just Do It - Young Business Leaders after school in room B102.

Minecraft Club after school in room D111.

Wildcat Orchestra Club after school in room D125.

Spelling Bee Club after school in room A101.

Student Council after school in room C108.

8th Boys Basketball Games @ WMS from 4:00pm-7:00pm.

7th Boys Basketball Games @ Thunder Ridge from 4:00pm-7:00pm.

Wednesday 10/23:

SAGA Club after school in room A214.

Robotics Club after school in D111.

Drama Club after school in room D127.

8th Boys Basketball Games @ WMS from 4:00pm-7:00pm.

7th Boys Basketball Games @ Falcon Creek from 4:00pm-7:00pm.

Thursday 10/24:

Brain Bowl after school in room B205.

6th Boys Basketball Begins.

Friday 10/25:

No after school activities or late buses.

WMS/CMS Culture Night @ WMS from 6:00pm-7:30pm.

Please see our athletics schedule below!

Track season is officially over! If your student was a member of this year's track team, please make sure you've paid the participation fee of $60 in West Middle School Revtrak, or your student can bring cash to the Bookkeeper's window. Thank you!

The boys' basketball season is here, and we’re thrilled to have your 7th and 8th graders on our team representing West! Here are a couple of important reminders:

1. Please ensure that your athletics form is filled out. You can pick one up at the Dean's office or find it online under the athletics tab. Once completed, please email it to cwheeler@cherrycreekschools.org.

2. Don’t forget to log into West Middle School Revtrak to pay the basketball fee for your grade.

Thank you, and let's have an amazing season!

West Middle School offers a variety of opportunities for students to engage in athletics, after school activities and clubs. We encourage all students to pursue their interests and passions through extracurricular activities. The more involved a student is within their school, the better they will achieve and feel connected.

Please be sure to talk with your student about staying after school and communicating with you about which club/activity and days your student plans on staying after to participate. After school activities run from 3:45 to 4:40 Monday – Thursday. Late buses are available for students who are already assigned to a bus, and depart at 4:45 PM. Those who do not take a bus and participate in an after school activity are expected to be picked up no later than 5:00 PM.

Students are encouraged to participate in clubs and activities that interest them. Research has shown that students who complement their academics with extracurricular experiences often enjoy school more and connect with their peers and teachers through more positive interactions. In addition, clubs and activities provide opportunities for students to express their creativity in a variety of ways. Students should listen to the announcements and check the building rotators for sign-up information, start dates, and times.

Colorado Jr. Thescon is coming to the Convention Center Downtown on December 12.

• A one-day event filled with engaging theatre activities and opportunities to showcase talents.

• Registration due to Mrs. Brickley October 31.

• Open to any interested student, even if you are not in drama or the play this semester.

• More info at bit.ly/wmsdrama or see Mrs. Brickley

If you are willing or able, please donate the following items to Ms. Migliaccio or Ms. Genzer:

• Cereal Boxes
• Magazines

Thank you Wildcats!

WMS Families,

As the first quarter draws to a close and we start fresh after the Fall Break, WMS Counselors will be gearing up to talk with our students about their Pathway of Purpose encompassing the age-old question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As CCSD continues to build out industry certificated pathways for High School students at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC), we work backwards into Middle School to give 6th-8th graders the knowledge, skills and abilities to explore post-secondary pathways such as college, certificated programs, military or the world of work. Check out this recent 9News story highlighting the great work our teachers and students are doing at the CCIC $100,000 Award for Class and Community Work. At WMS and into High School, students will be using the Naviance digital platform (located in their student portal) to engage with the lessons and will culminate in the development of your child’s MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan).

Themes and standards to be learned will be centered around: Self Discovery, Success Skills, Learning and Productivity, Pre and Post Assessment Results, Financial Literacy and Career Knowledge.

We’re looking forward to lots of great conversation around finding a Pathway of Purpose and hope the conversation extends to your dinner table over the next few months!

What Are Restorative Practices?

Restorative practices represent an important alternative to traditional discipline methods, which can sometimes fail to benefit students and may not effectively teach lasting lessons. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, restorative practices emphasize understanding, empathy, and accountability, helping students reflect on their actions and their impact on others. By fostering open dialogues among students and staff, we aim to address the root causes of conflicts and promote healing and relationship-building.

We are happy to say that we have implemented many restorative conversations at West Middle School with great success. These practices support our core values of community, respect, and a sense of belonging. Restorative conversations empower students to take ownership of their behavior in a constructive way. By engaging in these discussions, we not only resolve conflicts but also help students develop critical skills in empathy and communication. Together, we can cultivate a safe and supportive environment where all students can thrive and learn valuable lessons that extend beyond the classroom. If you would like further information about restorative practices, please feel free to reach out to the Dean’s Office.

Transportation is required by CDE Regulations to account for all students on the bus and unauthorized passengers are not permitted. However, the Transportation Department recognizes that circumstances may arise, e.g. a family emergency, parents out of town, etc., when a student needs to ride home with another student on a one-time only basis. The student must get off at the assigned stop of the student they are riding with (no exceptions).

Make sure to fill out and turn in the linked Permission Slip to the Dean's office no later than 9:00 AM on the requested ride date. Forms can be printed and handed to the Dean's Assistant. Hard copies of the form can be picked up from the Dean's office if they are needed but must be picked up prior to the day they need to ride a different bus. No emails will be accepted. If there is an emergency, please call the main office at 720-554-5180.

We have a new member of the Wildcat family because Nurse Brenna had her baby! Until she returns, Nurse Hilary Mengel will be covering the clinic. Hilary has filled in as a substitute nurse here in the past and took a long-term assignment last school year at Cherry Creek High School, so you may have met her before! She loves being here at West and is excited to partner with our staff to support our students.

Medication in School:

Just a friendly reminder that middle school students are not permitted to carry medication, even over the counter medications. No medication is permitted to be shared with other students at any time. If your student needs to take medication during the day, please contact the nurse at 720-554-5117 to set up a plan.

COVID Tests:

Following another wave of COVID, the government is offering more free COVID-19 tests that can be ordered through the mail: Covid Tests

CCSD Family Resource Guide:

Please see the attached family resource guide for food, clothing, housing, mental health resources and more!

District Library Services will be adopting a new sloth mascot (stuffed, not live 🙂) and we need a name, so we are having a Student & Staff Mascot Naming Contest!

If your student is going to be absent, you must call the WMS Attendance line to report the absence at 720-554-5110 (last name A-L) or 720-554-5111 (last name M-Z). For any student who is marked Tardy or Unexcused Absent during the school day, automated phone calls will go out at 10am and 4pm daily.

• If you feel an error was made in your child’s attendance, please contact the WMS attendance clerk at 720-554-5109.

• Parent/ Guardians are now able to update Additional Contact info in their https://my.cherrycreekschools.org/ accounts by clicking on the Guardian Tile.

  
  

  Some things to keep in mind:

  • If a Household 1 Parent/Guardian has not completed Parent Forms, they will not have access to the Guardian Update tile.
  • Household 2 will only be able to access this tile if they have a 2nd household setup in PowerSchool. If they need to create a 2nd household, please see the Admissions section on the District Website. On the left menu, they will need to click on the link titled “Change/Update/Verify Address or Household Info."
  • Changes made through the update tile will be visible in PowerSchool within minutes.
  • Occasionally, parents will not see their students listed when logging into the Guardian Update tile. Refreshing the screen will correct this issue.

You can pay your student's fees by visiting the West Middle School Revtrak page or you may send your student with cash to the bookkeeper. Regrettably, we are unable to accept checks.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please see the below message regarding the new CCSD Volunteer/Partner Process. If you are currently volunteering or plan to volunteer in the future, please complete the online volunteer form. It should only take a few minutes to complete. We want to thank you in advance and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.

New Colorado legislation has prompted greater need to screen and document volunteers in our schools. Therefore, beginning January 2022, we must ensure that every volunteer completes a brief application to support activities in CCSD schools. This information will be automatically linked to the Raptor System. The good news is they only need to complete this form once per school year, and it will meet the requirement to volunteer in all CCSD buildings.

To access the form, please click on the following link: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NzU0OmVuLVVT

Definitions

• Volunteers are guests who are supporting students, completing tasks, and under the immediate supervision and direction of District licensed personnel.

• Visitors are guests who are solely entering the building to conduct business such as participate in a meeting, eat lunch with their student, or attend a school sponsored activity.

The safety and security of our students and staff remains our top priority. Every person entering our buildings must have a District ID or a badge printed from the Raptor System.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Get your West Spirit Gear!

Store link: WMS Sideline Store

Remember, a portion of all proceeds return back to West Middle School to support our students -- so thank you Wildcat families!

Dear Families,

This email is to serve as an important reminder for students to carry their bus card when riding the bus. Students without a bus card will experience longer wait times on the bus and/or could be denied a ride home from school if they cannot be identified. Please see below for more specific details and information on how to replace your student’s bus card if necessary.

MORNING BUS ROUTES TO SCHOOL

All students will be provided a ride to school in the morning regardless of whether they have their bus card or student ID. If a student does not have their bus card, the student will be directed to the back of the line and the following process will take place:

1. Student will be asked to provide their student ID.
2. Bus driver will check student ID and manually load student in system.
3. If the student cannot be found in the system or the information contradicts the student ID or what the student is saying, the bus driver will call Dispatch.

AFTERNOON BUS ROUTES FROM SCHOOL

*Students must ride the bus home to which they are assigned.

In the afternoon, if a student does not have their bus card, the student will be directed to the back of the line and the following process will take place:

1. Student will be asked to provide their student ID.
2. Bus driver will check student ID and manually load student in system.
3. If the student cannot be found in the system or the information contradicts the student ID or what the student is saying, the bus driver will take the following action appropriate for primary and secondary level students.

• Bus driver will call security/administrator at the school to identify the student.
• If a school staff member is unable to identify student or respond in a timely manner, the student’s ride will be denied, and the student must contact a parent for a ride home.

ALL FOOTBALL GAMES at LEGACY STADIUM AND STUTLER BOWL are $6.00 each and AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY or with Credit or Debit at the Gate. NO CASH is accepted at the Gate. Middle School students should be accompanied by an adult, when attending CCHS football games. Please use the link below to purchase tickets ahead of time.

Oct. 14, 2024 - Oct. 18, 2024

Oct. 21, 2024

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sky Vista Middle School

4500 S. Himalaya Street

Aurora, CO 80015

Oct. 23, 2024

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Cherokee Trail High School

25901 E. Arapahoe Road

Aurora, CO 80016

Click here for more information abou Voices of Color (formerly District P.A.S.S.)

Oct. 24, 2024

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Student Nutrition Center

14270 E. Briarwood Avenue

Centennial, CO 80112