Knightly News

Dear Wilson Staff, Families, and Students,

I want to address a recent social media post regarding a potential threat to Wilson Middle School. After working closely with our district and the Glendale Police Department, we have confirmed that the school mentioned is Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Terre Haute, Indiana, and there is NO threat to our school.

Maintaining a safe and supportive school community is one of our top priorities. If you ever see or hear something concerning, please report it immediately to school administrators, teachers, counselors, district officials, or the Glendale Police Department.

Your vigilance and prompt communication help us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Dr. Alen Akhverdyan

Principal

Woodrow Wilson Middle School

Dear Wilson Middle School Families,

I am reaching out to ask for your support in enriching the experience of our students and staff through our PTA.

Wilson Middle School is a vibrant community where every child’s growth and development matter. To ensure we continue to offer memorable and impactful experiences for our students, we need your help. Joining the PTA for just $10 provides a fantastic foundation, but additional donations are crucial to making our vision for this year a reality.

I really need everyone’s support!

Here’s how your contributions will make a difference and some of the activities we are planning for our students this year:

• Lunch Time Activities: Engaging and fun activities to enhance our students’ lunchtime experience. We’ve purchased lots of basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, and other games so that students can stay engaged and active during lunch time. We need more!

• More School Dances and Events: Creating more opportunities for students to connect and enjoy their time at school. We are planning school dances for our students.

• Movie Nights: Exciting and enjoyable movie nights for students to unwind and socialize.

• Formal Awards Ceremony: A special celebration for our 8th grade students and parents to recognize their achievements.

• Student Recognition Lunches: Acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our students.

• Supplies for Game Day Rallies: Ensuring our gym is equipped for spirited and memorable rallies.

• Veterans Day Assembly: We need balloon columns, a floral wreath, decorations, and more.

• Teacher and Staff Appreciation events in May

• And More: Many additional events and initiatives that will foster a thriving school community.

Our current PTA donations and memberships are NOT sufficient to support these goals. However, I am confident that with the collective effort of our Wilson and Glendale community, we can achieve so much more.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly towards enhancing the educational and social experiences of our students and staff. To make your donation, please CLICK HERE.

You may also send donations directly to our school with checks made out to Woodrow Wilson Middle School.

Let’s come together to provide our students, your children, with the best experiences possible. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your continued dedication to our beautiful school community. GO WILSON KNIGHTS!

Dr. Alen Akhverdyan

Principal

Wilson Middle School

Successful education is the SHARED responsibility of the

parents, students, educators, and the community

In light of the recent earthquakes in our area, we want to emphasize the critical importance of keeping your emergency contacts updated in ParentConnection. This is a vital step to ensure the safety and well-being of your children in the event of an emergency.

As part of our safety protocols, if we need to evacuate to a designated field or another area (on or off campus) and reunite students with their families, we will only release students to individuals listed on the student’s emergency contact list. This means that even if a close relative, older sibling, or neighbor arrives to pick up your child, we will not be able to release the student unless they are listed as an emergency contact.

This policy also applies if you need your child to leave school early for an appointment or another reason. We will NOT release students to walk home on their own, even with your permission. Therefore, it is crucial to list as many trusted individuals as possible—relatives, neighbors, or friends—so that someone can always physically pick up your child from school when needed.

To update your emergency contacts, please log in to ParentConnection at https://q.gusd.net/production/parentportal and ensure that your information is current.

I’m excited to share some fantastic news: our district has been honored by the Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Education as a District of Distinction for 2024! Wilson was specifically recognized for our Armenian and Japanese programs.

A huge thank you to our World Language teachers for their exceptional work and dedication to our dual language programs. Their efforts are truly making a difference!

In today’s interconnected world, proficiency in world languages is more valuable than ever. For our students who speak a second or third language, I encourage you to continue embracing and growing in those languages. The benefits of multilingualism extend far beyond the classroom, opening doors to diverse opportunities and fostering a deeper understanding of different cultures. Keep up the great work and continue to thrive in your language learning journey!

Learn more and share your feedback about school safety!

On September 12, GUSD hosted a Community Conversation about school safety. Watch the recording to learn more about our district’s safety measures. Visit www.gusd.net/Share to share your feedback about how we can improve safety on our campuses.

These conversations are part of our "Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)," our district's strategic plan. Learn more at www.gusd.net/LCAP.

Link to Presentation Video: https://youtu.be/SYGUi_X3mgQ

For Students:

• Teachers will be available to help support you with homework.
• No cell phones are allowed, even after school hours.
• Homework Club and ELL Scholars Circle are not hangout spots; they are intended for students who need assistance with their homework or who need a quiet place to start their homework.
• Please arrange for timely pickup by 4:00 PM if you choose to stay.

For Parents/Guardians:

• Please check with your child to determine how long they plan to stay in Homework Club or ELL Scholars Circle. While help is available until 4:00 PM, most students typically stay for about 25-30 minutes. Confirm with your child when they plan to leave so you can arrange for timely pickup.

Here are the latest standings for our Battle of the Grades Attendance Challenge: 6th graders are in first place with 97.19% attendance, followed by 7th graders at 96.54%, and 8th graders in third with 96.49%. Great job, 6th graders! With two weeks left in September, the numbers are close, so keep coming to school to boost your grade's chances for a Kona Ice Truck party!

Wilson Families:

September is National Attendance Awareness Month! Did you know that chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for both unexcused and excused absences? Students who are chronically absent, on average, miss two or more days of school per month.

Help us improve student achievement by ensuring your child attends school every day they are well enough to participate in activities. Only keep your child home if they are too sick to attend.

Why School Attendance Matters for Middle Schoolers

• Consistent Learning: Regular attendance ensures students don’t miss key lessons and content.
• Skill Development: Daily participation helps build important skills like time management and social interaction.
• Academic Achievement: High attendance is linked to better grades and performance.
• Social Interaction: School provides essential opportunities for peer and teacher interactions.
• Engagement and Motivation: Frequent attendance keeps students engaged and motivated.
• Responsibility: Regular attendance fosters reliability and commitment.
• Future Preparation: Good habits in middle school set a strong foundation for high school and beyond.
• Community Feeling: Attending school regularly helps students feel connected and included.

Join the PTSA today to partner with Wilson teachers and staff in creating engaging and exciting opportunities for our students—your children!

This year, I need PTSA support to plan a formal 8th grade awards ceremony, student recognition lunches, lunch time activities, school dances, and more!

Students: Read at least 10 pages a day! Remember, if you read 10+ pages a day, that’s over 70+ pages a week, which adds up to 280+ pages a month. That means, you’re reading one novel a month, which is pretty amazing if you think about it.

Remember, great things and big things all have small and humble beginnings. Big achievements always start with small steps. Keep on reading your 10 plus pages a day!

Parents: Consider reading the same book as your child and then come together during dinner time to discuss the book. It's a great way to encourage reading and to spend some quality time with the family.

In order to participate in the school’s eighth grade Promotion Ceremony AND eighth grade activities which include awards ceremonies, theme park trips, and other activities, a student must:

1. Earn a minimum of 100 credits in grades 7 and 8 combined.

2. Receive NO more than two (2) Fs in the second semester of the eighth grade year on the semester report card.

3. Receive NO more than four (4) Unsatisfactory (U) citizenship grades during the eighth grade year on the semester report cards. NO more than two (2) Unsatisfactory (U) citizenship grades can be received in the second semester of the eighth grade year.

4. Receive NO more than two (2) suspensions in eighth grade and no more than one (1) suspension during second semester of eighth grade.

Please take some time to review these expectations with your child so that everyone is clear about our promotion policy. I will not be making any exceptions for anyone. We have also reviewed these expectations with all students during our Rules and Expectations Assembly. Counselors will continue to remind students about these expectations throughout the school year and this post will remain in this newsletter all school year under REPEAT NEWS.

Cell phones must be in a backpack, deactivated (turned off - vibrate/silence is not considered off) and their use is strictly prohibited on campus. Any device that is on, activated, in use, or openly displayed, will be confiscated and held in the office. Guardians are urged not to telephone or send text messages to students and students are not to use the phone during the school day for any reason. Cell phones are not to be used for video/photo purposes on school grounds at any time.

Students violating this policy will receive consequences including before/after school detention, parent-administrator conferences, phone confiscation (parent will need to sign phone out), and for repeat offenders, the students cell phone will be kept in the principal's office during school hours.

We want time spent in school to be about real life social interactions, conversations, and play!

Wilson Parents: I need your help and support on this.

Parents, your partnership is crucial in fostering responsible social media use and managing screen time at home. At Wilson, we instill in our students the importance of the THINK acronym before engaging online.

THINK prompts reflection, which is one of our Wilson Way virtues: Is what they're posting TRUE? Is it HELPFUL? INSPIRING? NECESSARY? KIND? If not, it's best left unshared, sparing them from potential scrutiny and negativity.

In an era dominated by technology, finding balance between screen time and real-life engagement is paramount. Excessive social media and phone usage can exacerbate anxiety, cyberbullying, and academic challenges.

You, as parents, wield significant influence in guiding your children toward a healthy balance. Foster open dialogue about technology, establish boundaries that prioritize face-to-face interactions, physical activity, and quality family time. Together, we can nurture mindful digital citizenship and well-being among our students.

Let us please recommit to safe driving practices in and around our schools. Drop-off and pick-up at schools is never fun, can oftentimes be stressful, and traffic is usually an issue, but we really must slow it down to keep our students safe. Give yourself extra time in the morning, and drive safely.

Students will enter/exit through three locations: front of the school, auditorium gate, and Verdugo gate (behind the school).

Drive through lane: Students may be dropped off using the drive-through lane on Monterey Road. Do not drop off students in front of the auditorium, which will cause traffic to build up. Drive forward and use the drop off lane.

Do NOT enter the staff parking lot. Do NOT drop off students in the parking lot.

Attention Wilson Parents and Students: If students want to park and lock their bike or scooter in our designated bicycle racks on campus, they must register it with Dr. Akhverdyan and wear a helmet at all times while riding. Make sure your helmet is properly fitted, and wear it according to manufacturer directions. Helmets provide protection from potentially life-threatening head injuries.

We’ve noticed an alarming increase in unsafe riding behaviors among students using electric bikes and scooters, including excessive speeds, dangerous maneuvers, and riding without helmets. This is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. I don’t ever want to call a parent to tell them their child has been involved in an accident.

Safety is our top priority. While we will contact parents directly when specific students are identified, we want to address this as a broader concern affecting many students.

Please ensure that all riders are adhering to safety guidelines, including wearing helmets at all times and following safe riding practices. Your cooperation is essential to keep our school community safe.

If you have a child who is riding their bike to school, please also talk to them about bicycle safety. Refer to the DMV page to learn more about bicycle safety by CLICKING HERE.

Students: Fill out the registration form below and turn it in to the main office.

• The cafeteria offers breakfast and lunch daily. All students can receive one FREE breakfast (before school or at snack) and one FREE lunch daily.
• No outside food deliveries.
• Students can bring their own snack/lunch to school.

Zero Tolerance for Hate Speech: Hate speech, defined as abusive or threatening language targeting individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, religion, disability, gender, or sexuality, is strictly prohibited. This includes any behavior that disrupts the educational environment or causes psychological harm.

Disruption to the Learning Environment: Hate speech disrupts the educational experience by fostering a climate of fear and division. This not only affects the targeted individuals but also negatively impacts the overall sense of community and safety in the school for all students and staff.

Consequences and Intervention: Students found engaging in hate speech will receive counseling and education. Persistent or severe violations will lead to disciplinary actions, including suspension. Parents will be notified of such incidents.

Fostering a Supportive Community: Building a sense of community and togetherness is crucial for creating a safe and inclusive school environment. We will achieve this through classroom education, cultural celebrations, and providing information and education to all community members, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported.

Wilson Middle School provides a supportive environment that fosters academic success, social responsibility, creativity, and reflective thinking in all students.