Tiger Ambush

Students and Parents -

I can't believe that summer is already starting to wind down. We are in full swing here at the school preparing for a great year. This midsummer 'Tiger Ambush' update has all the information you need to know about what is new and what to expect. We tried to answer all your questions and think of what you may be wondering, especially our new families. Be sure to read this one ALL THE WAY THROUGH 😜. For those of you new to our school, I send these updates (called The Tiger Ambush) out every Sunday for the week. It is your one stop shop for everything you need to know for that week at Western Pines. I will start them before the first day of school on Sundays, but for now, here is a mid-summer update. I look forward to seeing all of our NEW students at Schedule Pickup on August 8th. For all of our returning students, I look forward to seeing you on the first day of school, August 10th.

Stay safe!

Your Principal,

~Mr. Preddy

August 8th - NEW Student Schedule Pickup (anytime between 2:30 - 5:00pm)

August 10th - First Day of School - Be on Time!

August 22nd - Coffee with the School Counselors (more information coming soon)

August 24th - 4:30pm - 5:30pm - Locker Rental Night (for student and parent)

September 7th - Open House for parents (details coming soon)

For those of you new to WPMS - this section will have all the dates you need to know every week!

6th Grade Assistant Principal - Mrs. Jimenez (liz.jimenez@palmbeachschools.org)

6th Grade School Counselor - Mrs. Hurtado (melinda.hurtado@palmbeachschools.org)

7th Grade Assistant Principal - Mrs. Stuart (christina.stuart@palmbeachschools.org)

7th Grade School Counselor - Mr. Shields (ryan.shields@palmbeachschools.org)

8th Grade Assistant Principal - Mr. Krupa (james.krupa@palmbeachschools.org)

8th Grade School Counselor - Mrs. Bednarek -(lori.bednarek@palmbeachschools.org)

Student Services Secretary - Ms. Chaney (shelbie.chaney@palmbeachschools.org)

Counselor's Office Secretary - Mrs. Bosco (gisela.bosco@palmbeachschools.org)

ESE Coordinator - Ms. Schwab (terri.schwab@palmbeachschools.org)

ESOL Coordinator - Mrs. Jimenez (liz.jimenez@palmbeachschools.org)

School Tech Coordinator (Chromebooks) - Mr. Delgado - (walter.delgado@palmbeachschools.org)

Choice Academy Coordinator - Mrs. Jimenez (liz.jimenez@palmbeachschools.org)

WPMS Transportation (Bus) Coordinator - Mrs. Stuart (christina.stuart@palmbeachschools.org)

School Data Processor (Registration) - Mrs. Navarro (martha.navarro@palmbeachschools.org)

School Treasurer (info on obligations) - Mrs. LeBlanc (tammi.leblanc@palmbeachschools.org)

Principal's Secretary - Mrs. Bennett - (robin.bennett@palmbeachschools.org)

Principal - Mr. Preddy - (philip.preddy@palmbeachschools.org)

We have A LOT of school ROAR shirts, but we will sell out quickly, so be sure to get your shirts this week! See all information below. Buy a shirt for everyday and then you do not need to worry about school clothes. Remember, Western Pines' attire is the preferred clothing for Dress Code. Please email Robin.bennett@palmbeachschools.org to make sure we have the sizes you need before you come.

Our Dress Code is below.

Parents and Students -

I asked a committee of teachers to come together and review our current dress code and offer recommendations for next year. The group worked tirelessly to come up with a new and improved dress code for next year. I then brought the dress code to our School Advisory Committee which unanimously approved of it as well. After that I spoke with Student Government about the new dress code as the student leaders of our school.

As we move into next year, I want you to have the information EARLY so you can plan accordingly. What I would like everyone to know is that my goal is to reduce as many distractions as possible as we keep a safe and orderly campus. With that in mind there have been some adjustments to the dress code.

Here are a few things that are NEW:

• PE Uniforms may ONLY be worn during PE
• Logos may not be larger than 2 inches on any clothing (tops, bottoms, and hoodies/jackets)
• This helps to make school about learning and less about who is wearing what brands of clothing
• This also helps save parents money when purchasing school attire
• No basketball shorts
• Students may now wear T-Shirts or Polos (solid color)
• Students may wear any solid color for tops and bottoms
• Hoodies must follow the dress code of shirts (solid in color, no logos bigger than 2 inches)

⚕️⚕️For those students in our Pre-Medical Academy - Required Scrubs can be ordered by calling (561) 795-9696. You can click here for SCRUB ORDERING INFO only. All other school attire is purchased directly at the school. ⚕️⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

I appreciate your support for the few changes in the dress code. My desire is that Western Pines is a school all students can come to without worrying about what they are wearing. A detailed dress code also helps parents to save time in the morning with their preteen trying to decide what to wear.

As always, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

~Mr. Preddy

Update:

After some feedback from parents.... there has been a slight adjustment to the Dress Code below. Students may wear elastic waistbands, as long as they are not basketball shorts, sweat pants, or sweat shorts. Khaki type shorts, denim type bottoms, etc. are allowed to have an elastic waistband. This was amended to help accommodate students of all different sizes and body shapes :). Please make sure that students adhere to our Dress Code starting the first day of school. Students out of Dress Code will receive a warning and then consequences. Thank you.

Dress code below ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

Reminder that ALL backpacks MUST be clear or mesh for school safety.

Walmart and Amazon both have clear and mesh backpacks in stock.

Please see below for the 2023 - 2024 School Supply Lists

6th grade parents - unlike Elementary school, students do not bring in their supplies to a teacher. They keep their supplies in their backpacks and lockers once lockers are rented. If you are donating some general supplies to teachers (tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizer, etc. you can bring that in on the first day of school). Lockers will be rented at a later date once students settle in to their daily schedules and find what they think is the best spot for their locker.

Please see below for info on coming to the school, picking up your schedule, and mapping out your classes. This is for NEW students to WPMS (6th graders and all new students in other grades). Returning students can check their schedule in SIS before they come to school on the first day. Anyone (NEW or Returning) can also come on this day and purchase shirts, gear, lanyards, etc. You are encouraged to get your shirts before this date as some sizes and colors will sell out.

Parents

Just a reminder that if you have an incoming 7th grade student they MUST have an up to date Health Examination / Immunization form with the (TDAP) immunization. Incoming 7th grade students must have the health requirements necessary for school attendance. Your child will not be given a class schedule if he/she does not have the updated form turned in BY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

If your child is not up to date with the 7th grade requirements, call your child's Dr. Office for an appointment ASAP. Please bring the form in as soon as you have them; PLEASE do not wait.

This is only for 7th grade students.

Questions? Please email martha.navarro@palmbeachschools.org or call 561-792-2504.

Thank you for understanding and adhering to this state and county requirement.

School Bus Information

All students (new and returning) who plan to ride the bus this school year, MUST register. Directions on how to find your bus stop and how to register can be found here. Click on the transportation instructions link. Parents, please be sure that your child knows the correct Route # and bus stop. It may be different than last year. Student ID's will be scanned when students enter and exit the bus this year for safety and security. Students will be allowed on the bus for the first few days without an ID until schools have the opportunity to issue one. Students may only ride the bus that they have been assigned and may only get off at their designated stop. Students are not allowed to ride home with other students.

Bus route related bus questions: (561)-357-1110

School related bus questions: christina.stuart@palmbeachschools.org

In years past, we have had White, Maroon, and Gold Days.... each of those days starting with a different period of the day. This year we are moving to a 6 period rotation. Each day will start with a new period. For example, the first day of school will start with the student's 1st period class. The second day of school will start with the student's 2nd period class and so on. On a "Second Period Day" the rotation will be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 and on a 4th Period Day, the rotation will be 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3. This gives every class the opportunity to start the day and end the day. It also helps with early releases for sports. Don't worry, we will help our students know what period we are starting the day with and help them throughout the day. Below is our rotational schedule for the year. Whatever number appears on that date, is the period we start with for that day.

ALL students (including 6th grade) are responsible for this small assignment and it will be their first grade in the Language Arts Class. Please see below.

Morning and After school registration forms are available in the front office. Stop by Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM to register.

Morning school begins 8/10/23 through 5/30/24 from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM (Monday thru Friday)

Afterschool begins 8/28/23 through 5/16/24 from 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM (Monday through Thursday Only). There is a nominal fee and it varies by month.**

Tutoring and a variety of clubs and activities will be available.

If you have any questions please to contact Shelbie Chaney at shelbie.chaney@palmbeachschools.org or (561) 792-2519

Parents - in order to continue to provide a safe campus, please be sure to adhere to the State Statute below. Students may not be on campus before 9:00 am or after 4:30 pm unless they are part of a school sponsored activity. Supervision is not provided outside of those times. We do have morning care and afterschool programming available - please contact Mrs. Jimenez for more information liz.jimenez@palmbeachschools.org.

The Pride of the Acreage

Website: https://www.palmbeachschools.org/WesternPinesMiddle
Location: 5949 140th Avenue North, Westlake, FL, USA
Phone: (561) 792-2500
Facebook: facebook.com/WesternPinesMSOfficial
Twitter: @philippreddy