Words from West

Hello families!

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we have a few important updates. We’re seeking donations of decorations and supplies for our 8th Grade Dance—your support makes it special!

Summer School information is now available, and don’t forget to complete annual online registration for all students for 2025-2026. We also welcome $10 gift cards to help celebrate our amazing staff during Teacher Appreciation Week. Please remember to vote in upcoming local elections, and encourage your student to give their best during standardized testing. Thank you for being such an important part of our school community!

Warm regards,

Ms. Balbaugh

April 22 - 25 - 8th grade Dance payment to Main Office ($15)

April 30 - May 1 - MSTEP Testing ELA (6th & 7th), Science (8th)

May 2 - 6p - 8p - 8th grade Dance ($15 paid in advance)

May 5 - 6:30p - Board of Education Meeting/Workshop

May 6 - No School, Election Day - Vote on GBCS Sinking Fund (Warm, Safe & Dry)

May 7 - May 8 - MSTEP Testing Math (6th & 7th), Social Studies (8th)

May 13 - 6:30p - Evening of the Arts

• Spring Band Concert
• Spring Art Show
• Multi-Cultural Night

May 19 - 6:30p - Board of Education Meeting/Workshop

May 5th - May 9th is Teacher Appreciation week and the PTO at WMS is asking for your donations. We would like to shower our West Middle School staff with $10.00 Gift Cards. If you are able to donate please drop off any $10.00 gift cards to the main office by April 25th. Let's rally together to show the GREAT STAFF at West Middle School how much we appreciate them for all they do!

With the days warming up, students tend to test the limits of what is, or what is not, acceptable for school. Please remind your students of the following:

• No hats or hoods allowed during the school day.
• No crop tops - stomachs should not be exposed at all.
• No shirts with spaghetti straps or visible undergarments. Straps should be 3 fingers wide.
• Clothing should not contain any inappropriate logos/graphics.
• Shorts and skirts should be of an acceptable length
  
• No cell phones/headphones/electronics are allowed during the school day. They should be turned off and put away upon entering the building until the last bell of the day. Confiscated items will be turned into the counseling office for documentation/pick-up
• Students are responsible for the care and upkeep of their own Chromebook. Students should not be touching a device that is not theirs. Chromebooks are an essential part of the classroom and any damages should be reported immediately. If your student intentionally damages his/her Chromebook (or that of a classmate), they will be held financially responsible.

Finally, if your student has a dress code violation, they may choose an appropriate substitute from our clothes closet or call home for a change of clothes.

EVERYONE MUST COMPLETE THE ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR 2025-2026

The 2025-26 online registration for Grand Blanc Schools is now available. ALL Parents are required to complete the annual online registration through your ParentVUE account prior to picking up schedules in August.

• Please click here - https://www.gbcs.org/for-parents/online-registrationenrollment

• Below is a brief summary of login instructions:
• If you have a ParentVUE (or are unsure):
• DO NOT create a new account if you may already have an account because the new account will not allow you to view your student’s information.
• If you have a ParentVUE account but do not remember your login, please call (810) 591-7335 and a staff member will be able to provide your username.
• If you know your username but have forgotten your ParentVUE password, you can click the “More Options” button below the login, then click “Forgot Password,” and the system will step you through resetting your password.

• If you have never activated a ParentVUE account for any of your children:
• Please call (810) 591-7335 to receive an activation key
• Once you have an activation key, go to the site above and scroll down to follow the instructions to create a new ParentVUE account.

• Once you login to ParentVUE:
• 1. Please verify that you are on the Current/Returning Student tab for 2025-2026 (do not create a new enrollment unless your student is new to the district).
• 2. Scroll through each screen to review and update all information on your student(s).
• 3. Electronically sign required forms.
• 4. Review all information then click SUBMIT at the bottom.

The District of Choice application is now posted on our website, www.gbcs.org. District of choice is for new, non-Grand Blanc residents ONLY. If your child is currently a Grand Blanc student, please complete the online registration thru Parent Vue as usual.

For 25-26 Schools of Choice is open for grades K-6 only.

Grades 7 and up will require an Administrative Release. Please use the link below for more information.

M-STEP Testing Schedule – Grades 6-8
All students in grades 6 through 8 will participate in the M-STEP assessments on the following days:

• ELA (6-7) and Science (8):
  Wednesday, April 30
  Thursday, May 1
• Math (6-7) and Social Studies (8):
  Wednesday, May 7
  Thursday, May 8

NWEA Testing – Grades 6-8

• ELA: Wednesday, May 21
• Math: Thursday, May 22

These assessments help us better understand individual student progress and instructional needs. Students have already participated in readiness sessions to help them feel prepared and confident.

Testing Reminders for All Students:

• Use this time to review and practice what you’ve learned.
• Get a good night’s rest before each testing day.
• Eat a healthy breakfast.
• Arrive to school ON-TIME
• Charge your device fully the night before testing.
• Bring your device and be ready to lock all electronics (phones, smartwatches, etc.) in your locker or turn them in to your teacher during testing.

We appreciate your support in helping students do their best. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

• 2 min Parent Video: https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/resource/what-is-map-growth/
• Students will be taking their SPRING NWEA test:
• May 21 - ELA
• May 22 - Math
• Monitor yearly growth
• Advise academic interventions for your child
• 1:30-3p - NWEA Growth Party Celebration IN SCHOOL - INVITATION ONLY
• **Students will be invited based on their scores/growth demonstrated on the NWEA
• Growth will be determined by NWEA's prediction of your student's expected growth for Spring

This year at both middle schools our students will be analyzing their NWEA Math and ELA scores, creating goals to improve on them, and creating action plans to do so. Students will be doing this in conjunction with their ELA and Math teachers, along with their WIN Time teachers. It is important for our students to understand where they are academically along with their teachers so we can work together in creating an action plan to help all of our students find success in their education. Children learn better—and faster—when teachers have a clear picture of what students know and how they are growing academically. Using the progress monitoring NWEA assessment three times a year we are able to do this. More than 13 million students in the US and in 140 countries worldwide use the NWEA MAP Growth.

• The NWEA MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This type of assessment challenges top performers without overwhelming students whose skills are below grade level.
• The NWEA MAP Growth uses a RIT scale to accurately measure what students know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing you to track your child’s progress throughout the school year and across multiple years.
• Once your child completes a MAP Growth test, they receive a RIT score. Our students will be using this information to track where they are at and make goals for improvement for their next testing.
• RIT scores have the same meaning across grade levels. If a fourth-grade student and an eighth-grade student have the same RIT score in reading, then they are testing at the same level in that subject. This stable scale allows teachers to accurately measure each student’s academic growth throughout the school year and over time.
• You can use your child’s RIT score to help them meet their goals. You can also ask your child’s school about educational resources that will help them in their areas for improvement.

Student attendance in tutoring sessions is essential for reinforcing classroom learning and addressing individual academic needs. Regular tutoring participation allows students to receive targeted support in areas where they may struggle, build confidence in their abilities, and stay on track with grade-level expectations. Moreover, consistent attendance fosters a structured learning routine, ensuring that students gain the skills and strategies needed for long-term academic success.

Details:

• WHO - ALL students are welcome to attend (Sign up in Library)
• WHAT - FREE tutoring provided by WMS teachers
• WHERE - WMS Library
• WHEN - EVERY Week from 3:05pm - 4:10pm
• Monday
• Wednesday
• Thursday

Spanish Lab is a virtual help session hosted by Sra. Weldon a few times each month on Wednesday evenings from 8:00-8:30 pm. Students are welcome to join this Google Meet at any point during the optional 30-minute session for extra support and help with their Spanish class. Please come with specific items, questions and concepts to practice during this time.

Google Classroom Code to Join the Meet: 5pelbz3

Scheduled session dates:
April 30, 2025
May 7, 2025
May 21, 2025

• Counselors at WMS are available to assist your child with social, emotional, and academic concerns. Counselors are also able to assist families with community resources. If you have any concerns with your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to counselors for assistance.

• For your convenience, we have listed many resources on our counseling office website found under “For Students” and then "Counseling Office" on the WMS homepage.

• GBCS will hold a summer school session this year. For those students recommended to attend, you will receive an email invitation by the end of April. Summer School is by invite/need only.

  Tentative Summer School Schedule

  
  

  Please be aware that this schedule may be subject to change. As of now, the district will be holding summer school as follows:

  5 weeks of K-8 Summer School June 23 - August 7, 2025

  Monday - Thursday, 8:30-12:30 (Students)

  
  

  • Week 1, June 23 - 26
  • Off June 30 - July 4
  • Week 2, July 7 - 10
  • Week 3, July 14 - 17
  • Off July 21 - 24
  • Week 4, July 28 - 31
  • Week 5, August 4 - 7

  
  

  
  

Alateen is a support group to help young people affected by someone else's substance abuse. We are extremely careful to protect each other's anonymity.

Alateen members learn:

• Alcoholism/addiction is a disease
• They can detach themselves emotionally from the user's problems while continuing to love the person
• They are not the cause of anyone else's drinking , drug use, or behavior
• They cannot change or control anyone but themselves
• They have resources with which to develop their own potential, no matter what happens at home
• They can build satisfying and rewarding life experiences for themselves

If your student is affected by someone else's drinking or substance abuse, please call Mrs. Douglas at (810) 591-7339 to learn more about this group!

Easterseals School-Based therapists are master's level clinicians who are credentialed to provide services through counseling, psychology and social work. Clinicians address common issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, self-harm, trauma, truancy, poor social skills, suicidal thoughts/behaviors, substance use and attention deficit disorder. Referrals are being accepted and can be made by teachers, school-based counselors, principals, parents, and providers.

We are lucky to have Easterseals therapists working from West Middle School each day! If you feel your student needs some additional supports, please reach out to our counselors at (810) 591-7335 for more information.

The official calendar for next year has been released. Please see below, or visit our district website at www.gbcs.org to view.

West Middle School Main Office:

Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 3:30PM

Website: https://www.gbcs.org/Domain
Location: 1515 Reid Road, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-7309
Facebook: facebook.com/gbwms

Athletics/Main Office 591-7309

Counseling Office 591-7335

Counselor (A-K) 591-7338

Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339