Watson Mountain Update

We had an amazing Back-to-School Night where we shared our vision for the upcoming school year and all the exciting learning opportunities ahead for your Yeti Legends. In academics, students will focus on developing key skills across subjects. In reading and writing, they’ll engage in workshops, hone their annotation abilities, and explore narrative elements, nonfiction, poetry, grammar, and writing development. In social studies, students will journey through history, from Indigenous Americans to the Civil War, sharpening their inquiry and critical thinking skills.

Math classes will offer engaging challenges, from solving equations to data cycles and proportional reasoning, fostering strong mathematical connections and reasoning abilities. Science will come to life through hands-on labs, including rocket launching and watershed explorations, giving students the chance to apply what they learn to real-world situations. In physical education, students will be exposed to both traditional and new sports, growing their physical, mental, and social health, while also developing leadership through fitness.

Our arts programs are designed to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and innovation. Whether through music, visual arts, or digital literacy, students will have opportunities to develop lifelong skills and passions, from trying their hand at pottery wheels to exploring the world of coding. Throughout the year, we are committed to providing powerful experiences that connect learning to the world around them. Whether they’re leading a concert, engaging in hands-on historical research, or crafting their own narratives, your Yetis are in for a year full of opportunities to grow, reflect, and make their mark on the world.

We’re excited for the incredible year ahead! For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers or visit our school website for videos from our teachers. Also, check out the rich resources below. Go, Yetis!

Be on the lookout for The PEAK, our weekly newsletter, embedded within The Mountain Messenger, that keeps families informed about upcoming assignments and assessments! Starting Friday, September 20, you’ll receive this newsletter every Friday, with an overview of all upcoming formatives and summatives for the following week. The first edition will cover the week of September 23-27 and will also be sent out again every Sunday as a reminder. Beginning Monday, September 23, students will review The PEAK during Advisory to help them organize and plan for their assignments. We highly encourage students to use an agenda to document their tasks and stay on top of their workload. Keep an eye out for The PEAK and help your student stay on track!

Hispanic Heritage Month is just around the corner, running from September 15 to October 15, and we are excited to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and incredible contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities within our school! To kick off this phenomenal month, we introduced two special lessons during Advisory. One lesson highlighted the life and legacy of Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, whose music and spirit continue to inspire, while the other focused on Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic astronaut, whose achievements in space exploration broke barriers and opened doors for future generations.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us to foster meaningful learning experiences for our students. We look forward to continuing these celebrations through Advisory lessons, community events, and other exciting activities throughout the month!

Beginning Monday, September 16, students will have the exciting opportunity to apply for a Specialized Advisory, which includes options like our Morning Show, Yearbook, and Student Leadership Group. Please note that participation is limited, and students will be selected through an application process. Some of these opportunities may also require students to submit a project or product as part of their application. Once selected, students will transition from their current Advisory to their new one. We will ensure that all families are kept informed of any changes. This is an exciting chance for students to engage in activities they are passionate about, so we encourage you to discuss these opportunities with your child!

Starting Tuesday, September 17, we will begin documenting tardies for students arriving late from class to class. During Advisory ("PEAK Time") on Monday, September 16, we will inform students about this process and emphasize the importance of being on time throughout the day. If your student arrives late, their tardiness will be recorded in Phoenix SIS. Tracking this information helps us identify patterns and provide support for any students who may be struggling to get to class on time.

We encourage students to carry most of their materials with them in their backpacks, as time between classes is limited. It will be difficult for students to visit their lockers between every class, and carrying their supplies will help them move efficiently from one class to the next. Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure a smooth and successful school year.

To support our Watson Mountain Yetis in expressing their feelings and tracking their goals, we’re excited to introduce a range of resources designed to help students connect with their emotions. Apps like "How We Feel?" offer an interactive way to document daily feelings and reflect on personal growth. Additionally, students can explore digital journaling apps such as "Daylio" or "Journey," which allow for private reflections and mood tracking. For those who prefer a more tactile approach, traditional journaling can be a powerful tool. Encourage students to use journals to write about their day, set personal goals, and explore their emotions through guided prompts. By integrating these methods, we can provide a supportive environment where students can freely share and manage their feelings while working towards their goals.

We are excited to kick off the 2024-2025 Middle School Intramural Sports program at Watson Mountain! This year, we are offering a different sport each quarter, beginning with 7x7 Flag Football for Quarter 1. Games will be held on Thursdays after school from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the season running from September 19 to October 24. The LCPS Championship will take place on Saturday, November 2, at Heritage High School. All Watson Yeti students are encouraged to join, either by signing up individually or forming a team with 7 to 11 players.

This is a great opportunity for students to get active, have fun, and build teamwork skills. For more details or to sign up, please reach out to our Intramural Sports Coordinator, Mr. Erik Sassak, at erik.sassak@lcps.org Also, check out all of the detailed information here. We look forward to seeing our Yetis on the field!

On Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 10-2:30, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is offering Girls' Tech Day--a free career exploration event for middle school girls--at their headquarters in Arlington VA. Girls’ Tech Day was developed to promote and encourage girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Since its Virginia launch 6 years ago, this program has impacted over 21,000 young women globally. This year, AWS has an exciting lineup to engage students from Northern Virginia through interactive workshops and talks from female tech leaders!

LCPS' Computer Science Office is offering bus transportation to and from the event, and they can accommodate approximately 16 girls from each middle school. Girls will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

WMMS encourages all parents of girls interested in a career in STEAM to review the Computer Science Office's detailed presentation, which includes the link to the registration form. The registration form will close on or before September 19, 2024, so be sure to apply ASAP!

Watson Mountain Middle School is excited to share LCPS's SHINE (Spotlighting Heroes in Education) Award, designed to recognize the incredible work happening at our school. Have you seen a Watson team member go above and beyond or use creative approaches to make a difference? We encourage our community members to nominate these outstanding individuals and help us spotlight what makes Watson such a special place to learn and grow! To get started, click here and help highlight the greatness of Watson!