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Westland Middle School

Weekly Update: October 28 to November 1

Westland MiddleSchool Weekly Update: October 28 to November 1

WMS Newsletter Accessiblity

Do you need to see the newsletter in a different language or larger font?

Our digital newsletter can be translated into many different languages and the font can be adjusted so our entire community has access to what is happening in the WMS Wildcat Community!


To adjust your view of the newsletter, click on the "accessibility" button. The button is a circle with figure in it. Once you click the accessibility button, the menu to choose the language or different font size will appear.

Need To See Resources From Weekly Newsletters?

In an effort to keep our weekly newsletter shorter and more concise, previous weekly messages will be on the Westland MS website (Sunday S'MORES from Mrs. Walker)

Ms. Walker's Phone Message: October 28, 2024

Good Evening Westland Families,


I can’t believe we’re already approaching the end of October. It has been a fast start to the year! As a reminder, the end of the marking period is Friday, November 1st. Students, please make sure to check in with your teachers, ask questions, and finish any remaining work this week. Looking ahead to next week, please note there will be no school on Monday (11/4) and Tuesday (11/5).


This week, we want to highlight and thank our Counseling Department and Ms. Lapp for organizing a successful Mental Health Awareness Week. Additionally, we send a special thanks to Mrs. Fischer, Mrs. Cohen, Ms. Lapp, Ms. Jack, and Mr. Bibeault for hosting a fantastic Sixth Grade Parent Night with the PTSA! I’ve received calls and emails thanking WMS for the valuable information shared.


We would also like to recognize Mrs. Belott, counseling secretary and registrar who will be retiring next week. Thank you, Mrs. Belott, for your dedicated service to the counseling department and the WMS community. Wishing you all the best!


Teamwork among school staff is essential in creating a supportive and successful environment for our students. When we work together and let the process grow naturally, great things happen! I truly appreciate the collaboration so far and look forward to more to come for our Westland studens and community.


In this week's newsletter you will also see the following upcoming events:

  • Westland MS Learning Highlights

  • HS County Wide Options offered by MCPS (Grade 8 students)

  • Yearbook Updates

  • Mental Health Awareness Week Highlights

  • SSL Opportunities (Urban Farm Volunteer Event at Loiederman M.S. & Annual Changemaker Workshop)

  • MCPS Lecture Series: Impact of Brown vs. Board of Education decision on MCPS

  • Hearing and Vision Sreening

  • PTSA & Grade 7 Fall Event Weekly sports events at BCC

  • Climate Ambassador Applications

  • Book Wars Information

  • Intramural Sports at WMS

  • Costume Reminders for 10/31

  • Upcoming MCPS Events

  • Weekly Reminders (WMS)

  • Weekly Reminders (MCPS)


All of our communications, and the most up to date information, will also be shared on the WMS website. Additionally, messages with QR codes or zoom information, will have accessible links to click on from your smartphones or tablets. That concludes our message for this week. We look forward to a great week because we are #BetterTogetherWMS. Have a wonderful evening.



Sincerely,

Mrs. Nicole Walker

Principal, WMS

Westland Learning Spotlight!

Mental Health Awareness Week Highlights

Grade 8 High School Options

Westland Book Wars

Westland Intramural Sports

SSL Opportunities

Maryland Emancipation Day 2024

MCPS Webinar: Brown vs. Board of Education

Halloween Costume Guidelines

Westland Middle School Open House

Student Climate Action Council (SCAC)

Yearbook News (from Josten's)

Vision and Hearing Screening (Grade 8)

Chromebook Information

Grade 7 Event

B-CC High School Weekly Athletics Schedule

Celebrations

Snack Stash: Donations Needed

Please Join our WMS PTSA

Westland MS Reminders

Communication at Westland MS

Westland strives to make clear community a priority. We will continue to prioritize communication and share about Westland through multiple venues. Please expect the following from us:


  • Weekly Sunday night Connect Ed phone call @ 6:00 pm from administration with detailed information on activities and upcoming happenings at Westland.
  • Weekly Smore newsletter from administration with detailed information on activities and upcoming events at WMS.
  • Staff members may be utiliziing Remind, as our texting communication app.
  • All updates and liinks will be found on the Westland Middle School Website.
  • Westland Twitter account will be utilized to communicate messages and share news and events with our community. (@EducatorWalker)


We are continuing our work to be more “green” and share as much information as possible with parents electronically. We will notify you with Connect Ed updates when we add or update with new information. But, if you cannot find what you need in this newsletter or on our webpage, please contact the main office and we will be happy to help you!

Counseling Department Information

The Westland Counseling Department is excited for this school year. For more information, please check out the WMS counseling website.

Volunteer for Speak Up Series!

Transportation

Bus Transportation Information for 2024-2025

We have provided the bus stop information for the school year. Please click on the link for pick-up times and drop-off times.

Mental Health and Safety Resources

Montgomery County Crisis Hotlines:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial or Text 988 (for more information click HERE)

  • Maryland Crisis Hotline - 301-738-2255

  • Montgomery County Crisis Center - 240-777-4000

  • Youth Crisis Hotline of Montgomery County - 301-738-9697


Safety and Security Concerns:

  • Safe Schools Maryland Hotline - 833-MD-B-Safe (833-632-7233)

  • Safe Schools Maryland Online Report - Click HERE

  • MCPS Department of Systemwide Emergency Management - 240-740-3066

  • Cyber Tipline - 1-800-843-5678


MCPS "STRONGER STUDENT" - Student Mental Health and Wellness APP

MCPS Resources and Reminders

Updated Guidance for Student Speech and Expression

Dear MCPS Families and Students,


Thank you for a great start to the school year!


Our community is entering a time that may bring challenging emotions and discussions into our schools and we want to ensure that our entire community—students, families, and staff—has the guidance and strategies to navigate these moments together. With the upcoming national election, the first anniversary of the October 7th attack, and the ongoing conflict, it’s important that we prepare for the range of conversations and emotions these topics may evoke.


For students to be their best in school, their learning environments must remain safe, welcoming, and inclusive. As educators, we strive to model thoughtful and positive expression and encourage students to make respectful, informed choices, especially during challenging times.


The new processes for responding to and communicating when faced with incidents of hate and bias, along with the information campaign addressing these issues, have been shaped by input from our community members. School staff and leaders have received these same resources to ensure we are all operating from the same guidance when managing student speech and expression in our schools.


Thank you for your continued partnership in making our schools a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

Respectfully,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Superintendent




Know the guidance for Student Speech and Expression.



Resources to Reduce and Address Incidents of Hate and Bias


High-Quality Curriculum

  • Civic Engagement conversations occur through Social Studies classes, where teachers are provided lessons, guidance, and ongoing professional development. A letter sent from principals and social studies staff provides notification of this work.

  • Attend the Social Studies Curriculum nights to learn more about how Social Studies is taught!

Social Studies Curriculum Night Webinars

The Social Studies team is hosting a series of Curriculum Night webinars for families to learn more about how social studies is taught in MCPS and how its curricula in kindergarten through 11th grade incorporate the history of various ethnic and cultural groups. The webinars will be held from 6:30–7:30 p.m. on the following dates:



To attend, families must register at the above links and a link to attend the webinar will be sent to them.

MCPS Operating Status Updates for 2024-2025

The safety of our MCPS community is critical, and being able to communicate with students, staff, and families during severe weather or other emergencies is of the utmost importance.


Use this link to find all the ways you can connect with MCPS to receive emergency operational information from the school system. The current operating status options for the school district appear on the MCPS website and on individual school websites.


In the event of a change in operational status, this link will provide more information about the MCPS Operating Status options.

Cafeteria News & Secondary School Meals Information

Starting on the first day of school, full breakfasts will cost $1.30, full lunches will cost $2.80, and various ala carte items will be available ranging from $1 to $2.


When students go through the meal line, they will enter their student ID numbers to access their lunch accounts. Funds can be added to student lunch accounts using MySchoolBucks or payments can be made directly to our cafeteria using cash or a check. We will share a link to the monthly menu and specific ala carte offerings during the third week of August, 2023.


No student will be denied a meal if funds are not available on their account. In the event that a lunch account has insufficient funds, the student will still receive the meal and the price will be recorded as a credit which can be repaid at a later date.


It is important to complete the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) form if you have previously, or believe you will qualify for free or reduced meals. If your family qualifies for any level of FARMS support, all meals are free. Apply online at www.MySchoolApps.com

Parent Vue

ParentVUE and StudentVUE is a valuable resource for educators, parents and students. It creates a bridge of communication to relay important information such as homework, tests, upcoming events and grades. It is important for students and parents to check regularly to keep track of assignments and grades. However, grades may take longer to post depending on the assignment. Please be patient with teachers as some assignments may take as long as two weeks to grade.


If you need assistance with setting up your account, please email us. Information is also available on the MCPS website.


Parent/Guardian ParentVUE Support Guide (Annual Verification Instructions on page 24!)


Technology Information and Support for Parents in MCPS

Immunizations

The Maryland Department of Health released updated school vaccine requirements for the 2024-2025 school year.


Families of incoming kindergarten students, new students, and 7th and 8th graders may need additional vaccines to start the school year.



Not sure if your student is up to date? Contact your child’s health care provider or access their immunization records online. Students 18 years old and younger eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may obtain free vaccines through the county’s Immunization Program.

Address Change?

If you are moving over the summer please let our counseling office secretary know at Sara_A_Belott@mcpsmd.org.

Westland Middle School Information

Main Office (240.740.5850)


Counseling/Registrar Office (240.740.5860)


School Staff Directory

CALENDAR- Upcoming Events

OCTOBER

  • Friday, October 18- No School for Students, Professional Day for Teachers

NOVEMBER

  • Friday, November 1 - Marking period 1 end
  • Monday, November 4 - No School for students (End of MP1 Grading)
  • Tuesday, November 5 - No School for students or Staff (Election Day)
  • Wednesday, November 13 - Report Card Distribution
  • Monday, November 25 - Early Release for Students
  • Tuesday, November 26 - Early Release for Students
  • Wednesday, November 27 - School Closed (for Staff and Students)
  • Thursday and Friday, November 28-29 - Holiday (School Closed for Staff and Students)

DECEMBER

  • Monday, December 23-Wednesday, January 1 - Winter Break

Westland Middle School

An IB World School

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/westlandms/
Location: 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD, USA

Twitter /X: @EducatorWalker

Nicole Walker
Westland Middle School is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters