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Good Evening Westland Families,
This is Mrs. Walker, and here is the Westland Weekly Update for March 3, 2025.
I can’t believe we are already entering the month of March! As we approach the midway point of the third marking period, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students over the past few weeks.
Our winter sports season has come to an exciting close, and our students have shown great dedication and teamwork. We also had fantastic participation in the Westland Spelling Bee, and four of our choral students proudly represented us in the county honors choir. Congratulations to the Westland Jazz Band and Advanced Choir for their outstanding performances alongside the Silver Creek and BCC Music Departments!
To round out the week, students in Ms. Hausknecht's class showcased their creativity and strategic thinking in a Tic Tac Toe competition. They designed their own boards and game pieces, putting their skills to the test in a final match with Mr. Katz competing against the student champion. This was a great display of interdisciplinary learning, blending art, strategy, and competition!
What an exciting couple of weeks it has been, and I look forward to more great moments ahead. Thank you for your continued support in celebrating and encouraging our students!
In this week's newsletter you will see the following upcoming updates and events:
- Student Service Learning Opportunities (March 2025)
- Westland MS Highlights
- WMS Talent Show (Save the Date)
- 2025 Sustainability Poster Contest
- A Message From Freed Photography
- Girls Up (Summer Opportunity)
- School Social Work Week
- B-CC News (Athletics news)
- Westland MS News
- WMS Resources
- MCPS Community Resources and Events
Our communications, and the most up-to-date information, will also be shared on the WMS website. Additionally, messages with QR codes or Zoom information will have links to access the information if you are viewing this message on your smartphones or tablets.
That concludes our message for this week. We look forward to a great week because we are #BetterTogetherWMS. Have a wonderful evening!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nicole Walker
Principal, WMS
The Division of Sustainability and Compliance holds an annual poster contest to increase awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability, energy conservation, waste reduction, and responsible recycling. Students and staff are invited to participate in the contest, and then to vote online to determine the winning entries in the spring.
Complete the Sustainability Contest Entry Form to enter.
Read about Contest Guidelines.
Counseling Department Information
The Westland Counseling Department is excited for this school year. For more information, please check out the WMS counseling website.
Bus Transportation Information for 2024-2025
Montgomery County Crisis Hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial or Text 988 (for more information click HERE)
Maryland Crisis Hotline - 301-738-2255
Montgomery County Crisis Center - 240-777-4000
Youth Crisis Hotline of Montgomery County - 301-738-9697
Safety and Security Concerns:
Safe Schools Maryland Hotline - 833-MD-B-Safe (833-632-7233)
Safe Schools Maryland Online Report - Click HERE
MCPS Department of Systemwide Emergency Management - 240-740-3066
Cyber Tipline - 1-800-843-5678
MCPS "STRONGER STUDENT" - Student Mental Health and Wellness APP
National Association of School Psychologists:
MCPS Operating Status Reminders for 2024-2025
The safety of our MCPS community is critical, and being able to communicate with students, staff, and
families during severe weather or other emergencies is of the utmost importance.
Use this link to find all the ways you can connect with MCPS to receive emergency operational information from the school system. The current operating status options for the school district appear on the MCPS website and on individual school websites.
In the event of a change in operational status, this link will provide more information about the MCPS Operating Status options.
Cafeteria News & Secondary School Meals Information
Starting on the first day of school, full breakfasts will cost $1.30, full lunches will cost $2.80, and various ala carte items will be available ranging from $1 to $2.
When students go through the meal line, they will enter their student ID numbers to access their lunch accounts. Funds can be added to student lunch accounts using MySchoolBucks or payments can be made directly to our cafeteria using cash or a check. We will share a link to the monthly menu and specific ala carte offerings during the third week of August, 2023.
No student will be denied a meal if funds are not available on their account. In the event that a lunch account has insufficient funds, the student will still receive the meal and the price will be recorded as a credit which can be repaid at a later date.
It is important to complete the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) form if you have previously, or believe you will qualify for free or reduced meals. If your family qualifies for any level of FARMS support, all meals are free. Apply online at www.MySchoolApps.com
Parent Vue
ParentVUE and StudentVUE is a valuable resource for educators, parents and students. It creates a bridge of communication to relay important information such as homework, tests, upcoming events and grades. It is important for students and parents to check regularly to keep track of assignments and grades. However, grades may take longer to post depending on the assignment. Please be patient with teachers as some assignments may take as long as two weeks to grade.
If you need assistance with setting up your account, please email us. Information is also available on the MCPS website.
Parent/Guardian ParentVUE Support Guide (Annual Verification Instructions on page 24!)
Immunizations
The Maryland Department of Health released updated school vaccine requirements for the 2024-2025 school year.
Families of incoming kindergarten students, new students, and 7th and 8th graders may need additional vaccines to start the school year.
Not sure if your student is up to date? Contact your child’s health care provider or access their immunization records online. Students 18 years old and younger eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may obtain free vaccines through the county’s Immunization Program.
Address Change?
If you are moving over the summer please let our counseling office secretary, Mrs. Montano Rivas know at Alva_B_MontanoRivas2@mcpsmd.org
Westland Middle School Information
Main Office (240.740.5850)
Principal- Mrs. Nicole Walker, Nicole_Walker@mcpsmd.org
Assistant Principal- Mrs. Lauretta Beckett, Lauretta_D_Beckett@mcpsmd.org
Assistant Principal- Mr. Ryan Bibeault, Ryan_P_Bibeault@mcpsmd.org
School Administrative Secretary- Ms. Vanessa Brooks, Vanessa_M_Brooks@mcpsmd.org
Attendance Secretary- Mr. Kenneth Sanchez: Kenneth_R_Sanchez@mcpsmd.org
Main Office Secretary. Angela Reyes: Angela_D_Reyes@mcpsmd.org
Financial Specialist- Mr. Pearson Chambers: Pearson_T_Chambers@mcpsmd.org
Counseling/Registrar Office (240.740.5860)
Counseling Chairperson/6th grade counselor- Ms. Caryn Fischer, Caryn_Fischer@mcpsmd.org
6th Grade Counselor- Ms. Sarah Cohen, Sarah_A_Cohen@mcpsmd.org
7th Grade Counselor- Ms. Laura Williams, Laura_K_Williams@mcpsmd.org
8th Grade Counselor- Ms. Lauren Geissel, Lauren_Geissel@mcpsmd.org
Counseling Office Secretary- Mrs. Alva Montano Rivas, Alva_B_MontanoRivas2@mcpsmd.org
School Staff Directory
Westland Middle School
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/westlandms/
Location: 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD, USA