West Middle School e-Bulletin

Friday, 10/4 - M-STEP Parent Reports sent home with students

Monday, 10/7 - 5 week Grade Check

Tuesday, 10/8 - Panorama Student Perception Survey during Primetime

Wednesday, 10/9 - District-wide Professional Development. No School for Students

Thursday, 10/10 - Cross Country Meet vs Pioneer @ Northridge @ 4 pm

Friday, 10/11 - Picture Re-take Day (See below for more information)

Thursday, 10/24 - Parent Teacher conferences 4 pm - 7:15 pm (sign-up opens 10/18)

Monday, 10/28 - Choir Concert #1 @ 7 pm

Tuesday, 10/29 - Parent Teacher Conferences 4 pm - 7:15 pm (sign-up opens 10/18)

Wednesday, 10/30 - Band Concert #1 @ 7 pm

Our counselors, Mr. Bechtel (A-K) and Mrs. Brooks (L-Z), are conducting minute meetings in primetime. A minute meeting is a brief one-on-one introductory meeting to get to know students and start to build relationships. They'll continue these through this month so that they will have met with each student.

7th grade students working on clay houses in Art class.

West is very excited to bring Volleyball back into the PCCS Gyms this season. Below are a few questions that we are asking the student to fill out in order to prepare for the upcoming season. Please complete the form below and be sure to hit submit in order for Coach Wells to see your intention to tryout. Tryouts are set to begin Thursday October 21st starting at 3:15pm in the West Gym.

TRYOUT SCHEDULE:

8TH GRADERS

Monday, October 21st 3:15-5:15pm

Tuesday, October 22nd 3:15-5:15pm

7th GRADERS

Wednesday, October 23rd 3:15-5:15pm

Thursday, October 24th 3:15-5:15pm

Here is a link to the Season Calendar:

Any questions, please feel free to email Coach Wells. brett.wells@pccsk12.com

Picture Retake Day is scheduled for Friday, October 11th, in the morning. If students are retaking their photos and want to replace their original order with a new one, they simply need to bring the original photo order to Retake Day and give it to the photographer.

The new NJHS advisors for this year will be Mrs. Bazzi and Mrs. Davies. Students and families will be notified the week of October 21st about their acceptance and meeting information. We look forward to a great year in NJHS.

We had our first classes visit the library this week and students were so excited to see all the new furniture and renovations! We're also getting closer to the library being open for individual students to come visit. In addition to all the books that were checked out and delivered this week, we also focused on some quick tips and shortcuts for using Chromebooks. You can check out the video here.

Students and staff also had the chance to pick names for the newly painted book carts in the library. The winning names were announced during Primetime today: Mario (Kart), Libby, Carty McCartface, Trolly Rancher, Bob, and Bulldog Book Buggy. We got some really creative, punny, and funny suggestions!

Last week, we started a conversation about screen time with a video during Primetime. You can see the video here. If you're interested in learning more about the impact of screen time and strategies to address it with your teen, this guide from Common Sense Media is a great place to start. In addition to this article, the links to further resources at the bottom of the page have helpful and specific tips. As a reminder, student devices must stay in lockers during the school day at West.

Mrs. Davies

Librarian

Today, we busted through the wall that leads to the media center and counseling center. We're so excited that beginning Monday, October 7th, students will be able to use this space. As of right now, the office is still a week or two from opening, but it's progress and we're getting closer. :) Take a look at the link below.

Today, Friday, October ​4, 2024 marks the end of the fifth week of the school year. Today also marks the midway point in the first marking period. Please take some time to access your child’s current academic status. This “Academic status check” can provide an opportunity for parents to talk with their student about their individual progress, academic goals and planning for the future. A simple statement like, “Now that we are halfway through the first quarter, how are your goals and plans to do your best coming along?” can get this conversation going. The first marking period ends on Friday, November 1, 2024. First Quarter report cards will be available for parent & student viewing in MI-Star on Friday, November 8, 2024. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Staff contact information can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.

Your student will be bringing home the results of their performance on the Spring 2024 M-STEP, Michigan’s statewide exam.

The Michigan Department of Education has provided a few excellent resources to help families better understand their student's performance.

• How to Read Your Student’s Score Report: Grades 3-8 provides a key to the information you will see on the M-STEP Parent Report.

Whether your student’s scores improved or declined compared to last year, students won’t be affected in a bad way. The scores will be used, as they always have been, to help improve our programs and our schools. As we continue to analyze our students' performance, we will make decisions that will help improve instruction. Over time, each P-CCS graduate will be stronger and better prepared to succeed in the next grade and after high school, in college or post-secondary training, career, and life.

This P-CCS Family Academy focuses on creating effective tools for your child's homework confidence and success. Participants will walk away with tutoring resources, at-home strategies, and the latest homework research. This session is intended for upper elementary and middle school parents and guardians, and will not have activities geared toward children.

**Please note the different dates for each session. Register Here For Homework 101

Session A

Monday, Oct. 7 from 6 -7:30 p.m.

Tonda Elementary - Media Center

46501 Warren Rd., Canton, MI 48187

Session B:

Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Canton Public Library

1200 Canton Ctr Rd., Canton, MI 48188

Questions? Contact eric.stamper@pccsk12.com or 734-582-5699

This policy applies to all "at school" activities in the District, including activities on school property, in a school vehicle, and those occurring off school property, if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school’s control, or where an employee is engaged in school business. Misconduct occurring outside of school may also be disciplined if it interferes with the school environment.

All staff are responsible for assuring support for hate and bias incidents being addressed and for providing support for students and families impacted by an incident. You may access the Hate and Bias reporting form by clicking in this link: Hate & Bias reporting form. You also can obtain a hard copy of the form in your school’s main office.

The system is accessed via a kiosk located in each building’s secure vestibule, adjacent to the main office. Upon arrival, parents and visitors are required to sign in at the kiosk, where the system will screen them against multiple databases to determine building access.

To complete the process, parents and visitors must present a government-issued identification card (a Michigan Driver’s License is acceptable, among other options). The system will scan the barcode on the ID. Parents are encouraged to ensure the information on their identification matches what is entered into MiStar to avoid any potential issues.

Please note that the system is completely confidential, and no information will be shared. School and security officials will only be notified if there is a concern with the scan results. For more information about this system, please click on this LINK.

Classes will not meet in any of the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. P-CCS staff will be participating in professional development on this day. Classes will resume on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

P-CCS students that are not high school students must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or adult family member to be allowed into football games at P-CEP. Middle and elementary school students will be allowed to attend games if accompanied by a high school sibling but they must remain together for the duration of the game. All students will be required to show their school IDs to be allowed to enter the game.

P-CCS is hiring! Support your local schools and community by filling one of our many open positions. The district is in need of teachers, paraprofessionals, security officers, food and nutrition services workers, crossing guards and more. Full and part-time opportunities are available and can be viewed by clicking on this link: Jobs at P-CCS

The School Breakfast Program is available to all students every weekday morning. School breakfast makes good sense - it provides 25 percent of your child's daily nutritional needs and meets dietary guidelines and recommendations.

West Middle School

Principal: Mrs. Cheri Steckel

Assistant Principal: Mr. Patrick Calzone

Dean of Student Support: Ms. Jennifer Haynes

Counselor A-K: Mr. Josh Bechtel Counselor L-Z: Mrs. Stacy Brooks

General Office: Mrs. Tracy Visnaw, Mrs. Lisa McGee, Mrs. Lisa Cambell

Staff Directory: CLICK HERE

Website: https://www.pccsk12.com/our-schools/middle-schools/west

Location: 44401 West Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth 48170

Phone: 734-416-7550