WEST WILDCAT NEWS

We cannot express how grateful we are to each one of you for your patience, support, cooperation, donations, and networking abilities to raise $72,173.26 for our community during the Wildcat Challenge! So many of our students were able to participate in our celebration day or learn about wildcats! A special thank you goes out to Katie Rasmussen and Jessica Sebold, our Fundraising co-chairs, who were the liaisons between our school, the vendor, and all the cash! We literally couldn't and wouldn't do this without you! If you're interested in getting involved, we've got tons of tasks for you, too! Get cleared to volunteer here!

If you're not sure yet, please consider learning more about opportunities at our Family Conference Night coming up soon. Save the date (to save the date)!!! Conference signups are going to be made public via email on September 19th at 6pm. Don't delay, sign up on that day. Conferences will be held on the following dates, but you won't get an appointment if you don't reserve a spot! Please note, you only need to sign up for one of the dates.

• September 26th from 4pm-8pm

• October 30th from 4pm-8pm

• November 1st from 8am-12pm, or virtually 12:30pm-4pm

We're so excited for you to come and learn about what your children are learning, and how they are showing us their knowledge. You can also check their status any time by using PowerSchool and Schoology. If you log into my.cherrycreekschools.org, click on the PowerSchool icon and check grades, missing assignments, and attendance. When you click on the Schoology icon, you can click on your name on the upper right, select the dropdown and select your child to can see Weeks at a Glance, homework assignments, and resources. Parent hack: These tools are useful in engaging your child in more elaborate conversations when you ask them what they're learning at school and they tell you "nothing".

Finally, we're not just about keeping you updated on academics, we want you to know that your child's safety and sense of belonging are of upmost importance to us! If your child has questions, comments, and/or feedback about what we can do to help make their experience at West better, please have them reach out to a Trusted Adult! We're so grateful for this partnership, and look forward to working with your family and you all year!

Wishing you well,

Rachel Langberg

Assistant Principal

The Wildcat Challenge Fundraiser is a wrap! What an unbelievable showing by our community! We demolished our goal of $65,000 by tallying $72,173.26 in donations! Thank you so much for your support!

THANK YOU to Katie Rasmussen and Jessica Sebold - co-fundraising chairs who lead the Wildcat Challenge, Amanda Bennett - our Volunteer Coordinator for recruiting and aligning the team of parent volunteers, Wade Nedved our Communications guru for keeping us all in the loop, as well as our West Middle School's very own: Barb Hilinski, Rachel Langberg, Caroline Rose Wheeler, and Monica Garcia.

The funds will be used to better our students’ experience this year at West. Teacher grant applications are opening soon, here are a few things the PTCO was able to do last year with your generous donations.

Please follow WMS PTCO on Facebook to hear the stories of how your donations are being put to use this school year.

Garry Roseman

WMS PTCO President

Wednesday, September 25th

Orders can be placed online now, and all purchases will be mailed directly to students' homes. Visit mymiddleschoolpictures.com and select West Middle School to view the packages available and place an order. Parents or guardians can contact our photographer at customercare@cidmphoto.com with any questions about school photos.

Calling all writers, photographers, and graphics designers…Yearbook Club needs your skills! We’ll teach you the skills you need to produce the West Middle School yearbook. 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.

Our first WMS Partnership for Academically Successful Students (P.A.S.S.) meeting for the 24-25 school year will be this Monday, September 16th, beginning at 6:00 pm, here at WMS in the Commons.

This time provides our WMS families an opportunity to connect with our WMS administrative team, various WMS staff members, and one another, with a specific focus on engaging with our families of color in our WMS community.

A light dinner will be provided and we will share information about our school data, including feedback from our students, and a draft of our Unified Improvement Plan that is required bi-annually by the Colorado Department of Education.

We will have a PASS meeting each quarter this year.

We hope to see you on Monday evening.

Monday, 9/16:

PASS Meeting @ WMS from 6:00pm-7:30pm.

No Yearbook Club.

NJHS Meeting after school in the Library.

Tuesday, 9/17:

Track Meet vs Laredo @ WMS - Field Events start at 4.

Spelling Bee Club after school in room A101.

Student Council after school in room C108.

Wednesday, 9/18:

Math League after school in room C105.

Thursday, 9/19:

MAKEUP Track Meet @ WMS - Field Events start at 4.

• Please join us to support your friends and to enjoy some Kona Ice!!

Friday, 9/20:

No school for K-12.

Saturday, 9/21:

District Track Meet @ Legacy Stadium from 8:00am-2:30pm.

Please join us to support your friends and to enjoy some Kona Ice!!

20% of the proceeds will be going to our Unified Sports Program

*Kona Ice will be served from 8:00am-10:45am*

Monday, 9/23:

7/8 Boys Basketball Begins.

Yearbook Club after school in room A212.

Tuesday, 9/24:

Wildcat Orchestra Auditions from 3:45pm-4:45pm.

Spelling Bee Club after school in room A101.

Student Council after school in room C108.

Wednesday, 9/25:

Picture Make-Up Day.

Math League after school in room C105.

Thursday, 9/26:

CCHS Spirit Bus @ WMS.

Conferences - In Person @ WMS from 4:00pm-8:00pm.

Friday, 9/27:

No after school activities or late buses.

Middle School Choirs Fall Festival @ Overland High School from 9:00am-4:00pm.

CCHS Homecoming Game - buy tickets here!

Saturday, 9/28:

STEAM-A-Palooza @ CCIC @ 9:00am - 12:00pm OR 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Please see our athletics schedule below!

ATTENTION ALL TRACK PARENTS!

We have rescheduled last week's cancelled track meet for September 19th AT WEST. Due to a busy transportation schedule, this will be a home track meet with only West participants. Falcon Creek will run their own home track meet, and we will compile the times to determine event winners.

The meet will start no later than 4:30 and is expected to finish by 6:30. Thank you for your patience as we ran through the logistics of a late season cancellation!

ALL track athletes have there District Track Meet on Saturday, September 21st! We want to wish them a good luck! Don't forget to go and support your friends!

We will have Basketball tryouts on September 23rd and September 24th after school! Please see or email Coach Grant if you are a 7th grader, or Coach Eyolfson if you are an 8th grader!

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.

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

• Cereal Boxes
• Magazines

Thank you Wildcats!

Dear Parents and Families,

As we progress through the school year, we want to highlight the important role of being a trusted adult for students. A trusted adult is someone who provides a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions.

To be a trusted adult, it is important to manage our reactions during interactions with children, think carefully about what to say (or not say), and know when to seek help from others. It is also important to stay alert for signs that a student might be struggling emotionally, such as noticeable changes in behavior, withdrawing from friends, expressing hopelessness, or mentioning self-harm or suicide. If you observe any of these signs, please reach out to our mental health team for guidance. We are here to support.

Remember, you don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. The key is that the conversation is happening, no matter how challenging the topic may be. In these conversations, it is important to remain calm and accepting. If a heavy or sensitive subject arises, practice active listening and empathy. It’s also helpful to offer hope and reassure the child that coming to you was the right choice.

As mentioned previously, the mental health team at West Middle School is always available to help you and your child. On Friday, September 6th, our entire staff participated in Trusted Adult training. As a community, we all share the same goal which is ensuring the best for our students. If a child chooses you as their trusted adult, I hope you take pride in that important role.

In closing, I encourage you to think about the impact of being a trusted adult in your child’s life and how this connection can deeply influence their well-being. Together, we can build a supportive community where every student feels valued, heard, and safe.

The WMS Counseling and Mental Health Team

Dear Students and Families,

As we start the new school year, we want to remind everyone about our dress code to ensure a positive and focused learning environment.

• Shorts Length and Fit: As many of our students have grown since last year, please ensure that shorts are of appropriate length and fit. Shorts should not hang too low or be too short, as they need to be comfortable while remaining suitable for the school setting.
• Language and Symbols: Be mindful of the language and symbols on clothing. It’s essential to avoid any messages that could be distracting or offensive, as we aim to maintain a respectful environment for all.
• Hats and Hoods: Students may wear hats and hoods inside the building, but please ensure they do not interfere with classroom activities, cause disruptions, or be used to conceal earbuds.

Just a reminder that cell phones and earbuds should be in backpacks or lockers from 8:50-3:45.

We encourage parents and guardians to work with their children to ensure their clothing meets these guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns about the dress code or encounter any issues, please get in touch with the Deans for assistance.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Shirley Lia & Kari Kusek

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.

Health and Wellness Reminders from CCSD Health Services

More information can be found at The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

How Sick is Too Sick? / (¿Qué tan enfermo es demasiado enfermo?)

The best way to remain healthy and prevent illness from spreading is through good handwashing habits (washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, blowing nose, sneezing/coughing, and before/after eating), getting vaccinated for preventable diseases, and staying home when sick!

Stay home when sick!

• If your student is not feeling well enough to take part in their usual activities, due to illness symptoms, they should stay home.
• If your student needs to be picked up from school, have a plan in place to pick them up as soon as possible.

Fever

• Defined as a body temperature over 100.4° F.
• Students may return to school after being 24 hours fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen).

Vomiting/Diarrhea

• Students may return to school 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea unless it is caused by an illness that requires them to stay home longer.
• If your student has a medical condition that causes them to have a baseline of spit-up, reflux, or loose stools regularly, notify your school nurse, so we can best support your student's success.

Cough

• Remind students to cough into their elbow, this helps keep the hands clean from illness and can decrease the spread of illness.
• Keep your student home if the cough is severe or uncontrolled.
• If a cough lasts longer than 2 weeks, we encourage checking in with your healthcare provider.

Lice

Signs of lice:

• Itching of the scalp, presence of live lice, eggs attached to the hair shaft, and/or small pinpoint scabs at the base of the hairline.
• If live lice are present, students may remain in school until the end of the school day; however, they cannot return until after receiving an approved pediculicide treatment per CDPHE guidelines.
• Reminder: lice is a nuisance and not a public health concern.
• This means it is not a reportable infectious disease, as it does not spread disease.
• It is not due to poor hygiene habits.
• We do not send notification letters home when cases of lice are present.
• We do not perform routine classroom-wide lice checks.

Vaccines

• Many childhood/school-aged illnesses can be prevented by receiving routine vaccines. Talk with your provider or school nurse for more information.

Wishing all students, parents/guardians, and staff a healthy school year!

Cherry Creek School District Health Services Department

Meet Nurse Hilary!

As you may know Nurse Brenna will be leaving soon on maternity leave. Until she returns, Nurse Hilary Mengel will be covering the clinic. She will be in the clinic sporadically as we approach Nurse Brenna's due date to get to know the students and West. 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. A fun fact she shared about herself is that she is in the stage of life where any and all pictures of her include her kids! 🙂

COVID Guidelines

In March 2024, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its respiratory virus guidance for people with COVID-19. The guidance is simple and aligns with guidance for other respiratory viruses, including flu and RSV. Stay home until your symptoms improve and you have been fever free (without medication) for 24 hours. When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next five days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. People most at risk for severe illness, including those older than 65 years and people with weakened immune systems, may want to consider more precautions.

Clinic Tip

Please talk with students who get their period about keeping backup menstrual products and an extra change of clothes in their locker or backpack to be used if needed. Menstrual pads are supplied in all female restrooms as well as the clinic.

New books for the new year!

West Middle School library has lots of new books! Be sure to send your student to the library to check out our new titles from classics like The Secret Garden and The Hobbit, to the latest award-winners like Front Desk and The Eyes and the Impossible.

E-Books, Magazines and Audiobooks!
Fall break will be here before we know it! Did you know you and your students have access to the Sora Digital Library, which contains 30,000 ebooks, audiobooks and magazines chosen specifically for our Cherry Creek students and staff. Click here to watch the How to use Sora Video.

Core Value: Equity

We recognize that not all students receive equitable educational opportunities based on factors such as race, disability, gender, geography and socio-economic status. It is our role to break down these barriers and provide fair access to all. We believe in giving all students the support and opportunity they need to forge a pathway of purpose. We must incorporate equity into every part of our district to create meaningful, positive change.

• CCSD Libraries serve as equity engines for schools through aligned, coordinated, and professionally managed collections, programming, and instructional support.

• We regularly review our district and school programs and make bold changes to ensure they are inclusive, safe, and fair.

• CCSD Libraries provide every student with “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” ~ Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, through which they can see themselves, view the world outside their lived experiences, and step into and explore different pathways.

• We create & lead a culture of literacy for our schools and actively invite ALL students, staff, and community members to participate.

Upcoming Events:

• Meet Colorado Young Adult Authors - Tuesday, September 17th from 6pm-8pm at Koelbel Library More info here & Registration is required.

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.

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.

Sep. 17, 2024

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Location:

Cherry Creek Innovation Campus

8000 S. Chambers Road

Centennial, CO 80112

Click here for more information!

Sep. 18, 2024

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Location:

Overland High School

12400 E Jewell Avenue

Aurora, CO 80012

Click here for more information!

Sep. 20, 2024

September 28th, 2023

9:00am - 12:00pm OR 1:00pm-4:00pm

Cherry Creek Innovation Campus

8000 S. Chambers Road

Centennial, CO 80112

Click here for more information!