GORILLA GAZETTE MAY 2025

It's hard to believe that we are coming to the conclusion of the 2024 - 2025 School Year. Find details below for the 8th grade End of the Year activities, Chromebook check in for all students, the final G3 field trip of the year, and much more. In addition, a "BIG" Haysville West Welcome to our incoming 6th graders.

Friday, May 16th is the last day of school for the 8th graders. They will end their middle school years with a "FuN DaY"! 8th graders will enjoy a picnic lunch, and spend the afternoon playing games and celebrating with their peers. If you are able to donate, we are in the need of hot dogs, hot dog buns, condiments - ketchup, mustard and relish, individual chip bags, canned pop, bottled water, individually wrapped cookies and/or snack cakes and candy. A "SignUpGenius" will be emailed out to 8th grade parents on Thurs., May 1st asking for donations. If you have any questions please contact the office at 316-554-2370 or email Debbie Wood at dwood@usd261.com. Deliver donations to the HWMS main office no later than Friday, May 9th. The 8th grade "Promotion Parade" is Monday, May 19th starting @7:00pm. The parade starts on the west drive of HW and proceeds around the back of the school through the bus drive where administrators, teachers and staff members will applaud their accomplishments. Students will receive their 8th grade diploma at the end of the parade route.

8th graders are required to have ALL of their outstanding obligations taken care of to participate in the end of the year festivities. Obligations include outstanding fees being paid, Chromebooks, library books, text books and PE locks all being returned in good condition.

Hello 2025-2026 6th Grade Gorillas & Parents/Guardians:

The administrators and staff at Haysville West Middle School would like to welcome you to HWMS. We know the anticipation of attending middle school is both exciting and intimidating. It is our goal to provide you with all the important information you will need to make this transition to middle school a positive and successful experience for everyone. We will be having an informational meeting and open house from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 pm on Monday, August 11th. This meeting is for incoming 6th graders and their families only. There will be scheduled sessions, tours, raffles, an opportunity to meet your teachers, and Gorilla Spirit Gear will be available for purchase.

Our school principal is Mrs. McMullin. The assistant principals are Mrs. Cotton and Mr. Johnson. Email is our major source of communication with parents at the middle school level. Please make sure your email is correct in PowerSchool. Our monthly newsletter, “The Gorilla Gazette”, is the best way to keep up to date on all the activities taking place at the middle school. You can also follow us on Facebook at Haysville West Middle School. If you have any questions, please call HWMS at 554-2370. The office hours are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m.

Sincerely,

The Haysville West Middle School Staff

There will be a traditional Open House for the 2025-2026 7th & 8th graders on Tuesday, August 12th from 5:30 - 7:00pm.

This year we will be recognizing and celebrating our teachers Monday, May 5th - Friday, May 9th. On Thursday, May 8th we will host a "Dessert Bar"! If you would like to help us recognize our teachers we could use your help with the following items: desserts of any kind delivered by 9:00am on Thursday, May 8th. Please contact our HWMS office by Friday, May 2nd at 316-554-2370 to let us know you are willing to help. Thank you in advance for your support of our staff!

Starting July 8th parents can log on to their Parent Powerschool Account and enroll their child/children for the 2025-26 School Year. You will be receiving a USD261 email with instructions for online enrollment. HWMS will be sending an email late July with a School Supply List and other back to school information for next year.

Free/Reduced Information: Families who believe they may qualify for free or reduced lunches will be required to complete an income application form during the enrollment process, the Child Nutrition Application is available on our district website. The District will continue to provide any new information regarding student lunches as it becomes available. Please contact our Food Service Department at 316-554-2219 if you have any additional questions.

If you didn't get a chance to reserve a copy of the 2024 - 2025 HWMS yearbook - "Golden Moments" it's not too late. We have a few extra copies and you can purchase one in the Haysville West main office for $40. Cash, check and charge are all accepted.

Students who pre-ordered their yearbooks will receive them during guided study on Thursday, May 9th. The Yearbook Signing Party is Wednesday, May 15th during Guided Study and students must have their yearbook with them to attend.

Band -The Haysville West band program will present their final concert on Monday, May 12th at 7:00 pm in the HWMS Gym. The concert will include a mix of exciting band music and classic movie themes! In addition to our final concert, on Saturday May 3rd, the 8th grade band will be joining forces with HMS to perform at the Heartland Music Festival in Oklahoma City. They will perform for two judges before enjoying an afternoon at Frontier City.

Choir - 6-8th Grade Choir students will perform their 1980's themed pops concert on Thursday, May 15th at 7:00pm in the HWMS Gym. Performers will be dressed in bright and lively 80's outfits to fit the vibes of our catchy songs! Leading up to the May concert, Silverback Singers will head down to Oklahoma City on Saturday, April 26th for the Heartland Music Festival and an afternoon at Frontier City amusement park.

Orchestra - On Saturday, May 3rd the 8th grade HWMS and HMS orchestra members will travel to Oklahoma City to perform for the Heartland Music Festival. Following that performance they will spend the rest of the day at Frontier City theme park. They have been waiting for this trip for years and are very excited! Then on Thursday, May 8th all HWMS Orchestras will present their final pops concert in the HWMS Main Gym. Everyone is invited!

Students who qualified for the next G3 event with good attendance, good grades and good behavior will get to attend the Wind Surge game on Wednesday, May 14th. A parent permission form will be sent home with these students the first week of May and needs to be returned by the start of the day on Thursday, May 1st in order for them to be able to attend. Students will leave HW around 10:30am and return after the game. Students will eat an early lunch at school around 10:00am.

• Friday, May 9th - ALL students will turn in library books.
• Tuesday, May 13th - 8th graders turn in Chromebooks with charger and case.
• Friday, May 16th - 8th grade "Fun Day"! 8th grade Last Day of School.
• Friday, May 16th - 6th & 7th graders turn in Chromebooks with charger and case.
  
• Monday, May 19th - 8th Grade Promotion Parade - 7:00pm
• Tuesday, May 20th - 6th & 7th graders Last Day of School - 10:40am dismissal.