Wilbanks Middle School Newsletter

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Wilbanks Middle School Parents and Guardians,

Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope you and your families enjoyed a restful and joyful winter break. As we step into 2025, we are excited to welcome our students back for a new semester filled with opportunities for growth and learning.

As we embark on the second semester, I want to emphasize our collective commitment to fostering strong attendance and academic excellence. These next few months will be crucial as we prepare our students for State Testing in April and May. Consistent attendance is key for academic success, and we encourage you to work with your child to establish a routine that supports their learning.

To ensure that our students are focused and engaged in their studies, we will be implementing extra measures to provide additional support in the classroom. Our dedicated teachers are excited to create dynamic lessons that will challenge and inspire our students as they strive to perform their best.

In the spirit of the New Year, I encourage each student to strive to be the best version of themselves in 2025. Whether it’s in their academics, extracurricular activities, or personal growth, small steps can lead to significant achievements. Together, let’s set positive goals and work diligently to reach them.

We are grateful for your continued partnership and support. Please stay connected with us through our school website and social media channels for updates and important announcements. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.

Here’s to a successful second semester at Wilbanks Middle School!

Sincerely,

Chris Chitwood
Principal
Wilbanks Middle School

JANUARY 13

• Book Club Meeting after school until 5:00 p.m.

JANUARY 14

• FCA Meeting at 7:15 a.m. in the Art Room
• Boys Soccer tryouts at Ninth Grade Academy, 3:45-6:00 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 15

• Basketball vs. Jefferson - Boys at SHMS at 4:30 p.m.; Girls away at 4:30 p.m.
• Boys Soccer tryouts at Ninth Grade Academy, 3:45-6:00 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 16

• Chorus All-State Second Auditions
• Boys Soccer tryouts at Ninth Grade Academy, 3:45-6:00 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 17

• Book Club Meeting after school until 5:00 p.m.
• Boys Soccer tryouts at Ninth Grade Academy, 3:45-6:00 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 18

• Basketball Region Tournaments Begin

JANUARY 20

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday - No School

JANUARY 21

• Girls Soccer tryouts at Wilbanks Middle School, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)
• Baseball tryouts at Wilbanks Middle School, 3:45-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 22

• Girls Soccer tryouts at Wilbanks Middle School, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)
• Baseball tryouts at Wilbanks Middle School, 3:45-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 23

• Girls Soccer tryouts at Wilbanks Middle School, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 24

• Swim Team - Middle School Championship at Home

JANUARY 27

• Girls JV Soccer tryouts (8th grade only) at Ninth Grade Academy, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)
• Golf tryouts at Apple Mountain Golf Course, 4:00-5:15 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 28

• FCA Meeting at 7:15 a.m. in the Art Room
• Golf tryouts at Apple Mountain Golf Course, 4:00-5:15 p.m.
• Girls JV Soccer tryouts (8th grade only) at Ninth Grade Academy, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 29

• Girls JV Soccer tryouts (8th grade only) at Ninth Grade Academy, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Must have physical on file.)

JANUARY 30

• Soccer at Jefferson, girls at 5:00 p.m., boys at 6:15 p.m.

JANUARY 31

• Book Club Meeting after school until 5:00 p.m.
• Gifted Referral forms are due today.

January is Gifted Referral Month for Habersham County Schools. Individuals wishing to refer a student will need to complete a Gifted Program Referral Form and provide performance data along with samples of student work in support of the referral. A team of educators will review student data and referral information to determine if formal evaluation for gifted services is warranted.

The referral form, qualification requirements, and information regarding gifted services are available on the Gifted Program website. The website link is located under Departments on the Habersham County Schools website (www.habershamschools.com). Forms may also be requested by email at mcantrell@habershamschools.com or by phone at 706-754-2110, Ext 128. Referral forms should be submitted to the child’s school or to the Gifted Program Coordinator. The deadline for referrals is January 31.

Enero es el mes de referencia para superdotados para las escuelas del condado de Habersham. Las personas que deseen recomendar a un estudiante deberán completar un Formulario de recomendación del programa para superdotados y proporcionar datos de desempeño junto con muestras del trabajo del estudiante para respaldar la recomendación. Un equipo de educadores revisará los datos de los estudiantes y la información de referencias para determinar si se justifica una evaluación formal de los servicios para superdotados.

El formulario de referencia, los requisitos de calificación y la información sobre los servicios para superdotados están disponibles en el sitio web del Programa para superdotados. El enlace al sitio web se encuentra en Departamentos en el sitio web de las Escuelas del Condado de Habersham (www.habershamschools.com). Los formularios también se pueden solicitar por correo electrónico a mcantrell@habershamschools.com o por teléfono al 706-754-2110, extensión 128. Los formularios de referencia deben enviarse a la escuela del niño o al Coordinador del programa para superdotados. La fecha límite para las referencias es el 31 de enero.

Picture day proofs were distributed to students on December 13. Please see below for ordering instructions.

1. Go to nelsonsanders.gotphoto.com

2. Enter the personal access code (this code is printed on the proof or use the QR code on the proof).

3. Order your favorite photos!

Note: Picture Day was August 27 and Retake Day was September 24, 2024.

Please visit us on our newest platform, our very own Wilbanks Middle School YouTube Channel. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification button to keep informed with the latest updates.

https://www.youtube.com/@WilbanksMiddleSchool

The Book Club at Wilbanks Middle School is a part of the Tome Student Literacy Society (Tome Society). Tome Society serves students in grades 2-12 by providing a diverse menu of digital student competitions; an annual book award list of new, clean, fun-to-read children's and young adult literature titles; student book club activities; curriculum materials for educators; and the TomeCon annual conference for both students and educators. All activities promote self-esteem, leadership skills, character ethics, and nurture critical thinking, creativity, and imagination in the digital age.

• Jan. 13th, Jan. 17th, Jan. 31st
• Feb. 3rd, Feb. 7th

FFA Motto

Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

Order your yearbook today! They are only available while supplies last.

Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School

3115 Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway, Demorest, GA 30535

(706) 894-1341

INTERNET/SOCIAL MEDIA:

WEBSITE: https://hwms.habershamschools.com/

INSTAGRAM: @wilbanks_ms