Timberwolf Times

Good afternoon Timberwolves!

The start of school is only 10 days away and this week I get to welcome our teachers and staff back as we continue to prepare for the school year. I can assure you that our WCJH staff is incredibly excited about the 23-24 school year as many of them have already been here preparing their rooms for our students.

On August 11th , we will host our New Timberwolf Orientation in the morning (see flyer below for details) and 7th/8th grade schedule pick-up in the afternoon. In the evening we will conclude our day with our start of year Howl-A-Palooza celebration for all students. It is going to be an exciting and unforgettable school year and I am looking forward to it!

Timberwolf Times is our weekly community newsletter where we share many important pieces of information throughout the year in addition to celebrating the many wonderful things our students and staff do each and every day. Please make sure you don't miss it every Sunday afternoon!

Our doors are always open; we invite you to join us as we prepare your students for a successful future. I wish everyone a great year and I cannot wait for the weeks ahead!

GO TIMBERWOLVES!

Dr. Andrew Lowry

Principal

WoodCreek Junior High

Join our remind groups for important text updates.

• 6th Grade - Text the message @wcjhwolf30 to the number 81010.
• 7th Grade - Text the message @wcjhwolf29 to the number 81010.
• 8th Grade - Text the message @wcjhwolf28 to the number 81010.

We are looking forward to having our students back in the building again on Friday, August 11th. Below are the order of events and details for Friday. Additionally, traffic and parking will be challenging around WCJH. Please arrive early and carpool, if possible. Parking will be available in the back and on the streets around WCJH.

For individuals who are unable to attend on Friday:

Parents can view each child’s schedule in the HAC starting August 14th by 8 AM. Click on the Home icon, then Week View Tab. Toggle to the Week of August 14th. Students can view their schedule by logging into MyKaty Cloud and searching for the Schedule tile.

“How-To Guide” for Parents on the Home Access Center (HAC)

Need to know how to view a report card, student grades, or other information? Check out our how to guides on the Home Access Center or click below.

Furthermore, all students will receive their official schedule on the first day of school (Wednesday, August 16th).

Friday, August 11th

~PTA WILL BE HERE ALL DAY SELLING SPIRT WEAR~

Timberwolf Trekl - New Timberwolf Orientation

(Incoming 6th Grade Students & New 7th/8th Grade Students)

Orientation for Last Names A-K 9:00-10:00 AM

STUDENTS report to the MAIN COMPETITION GYM

PARENTS report to the CAFETERIA

Schedule Pick Up for all New Students 10:00-10:30 AM

LAST NAMES A-K - SCHEDULE PICK-UP IN MAIN COMPETITION GYM

LAST NAMES L-Z - SCHEDULE PICK-UP IN CAFETERIA

Orientation for Last Names L-Z 10:30-11:30 AM

STUDENTS report to the MAIN COMPETITION GYM

PARENTS report to the CAFETERIA

Wolfpack Walk - Returning 7th & 8th Grade Schedule Walk

8th Grade - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

SCHEDULE PICK-UP IN MAIN COMPETITION GYM

7th Grade - 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

SCHEDULE PICK-UP IN MAIN COMPETITION GYM

Howl-a-Palooza - 6:00-8:00 PM- All School Dance

*TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE FOR $5 DURING TIMBERWOLF TREK & WOLFPACK WALK*

All Grades are Welcome to Celebrate from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: WCJH Cafeteria

Drop-Off: Front of School

Pick-Up: Front of School & Back of School

Tickets: $5.00 (Purchase Online [CLICK HERE] or at Door)

Wednesday, August 16th

First Day of School

Wednesday, August 23rd

6th Grade Open House 6:00PM - Parents Follow Student Schedule and Meet Teachers

Wednesday, August 30th

7th & 8th Grade Open House 6:00PM - Parents Follow Student Schedule and Meet Teachers

Dear Katy ISD Parents and Guardians,

The first day of school is fast approaching and Katy ISD parents can Power Up for Back to School by taking note of two important dates:

***MANDTORY COMPLETION PRIOR TO PICKING UP SCHEDULE ON AUGUST 11th.***

A new student is defined as a learner who is new to Katy ISD and has never attended a school in the District, or a previous Katy ISD student that withdrew and is re-enrolling. A current student is any student actively enrolled during the 2022-2023 school year.

For New Students:

Before beginning the online registration process for new students, it is recommended that parents have the following documents ready to upload:

• Proof of Residence: A utility bill (light, water or gas), purchasing paperwork or lease agreement. If a lease agreement or purchasing paperwork is provided at the time of registration, a utility bill must be provided within 30 days of occupancy.
• Official Birth Certificate or Passport of Student
• Government-issued Identification Card of Person Registering Student
• Proof of Immunization
• Report Card or Transcript at Recently Attended School

Registration is very simple and can be completed by clicking the Online Registration icon found on Katy ISD’s home page.

If you have questions, please contact Betty Covert, WCJH Registrar- bettytcovert@katyisd.org

If you need technology assistance, please contact the Parent Tech Center https://www.katyisd.org/Page/7645

The Katy ISD Technology Department is excited to host back-to-school webinars for parents and guardians. Join us to learn more about student registration, classroom applications, Home Access Center, devices, Canvas, Family Technology Support, and more. The webinars and will be offered the following dates and times:

Join via Zoom.

Tuesday, August 8th 6:30 PM - https://katyisd-org.zoom.us/j/86998557618
Thursday, August 10th 6:30 PM - https://katyisd-org.zoom.us/j/87918904308
Tuesday, August 15th 1:30 PM - https://katyisd-org.zoom.us/j/85044057853

Technology Support:

Family Technology Resources & Support - Great information and orientation for district technology and how to receive support.
Password Self Service Tool - Using this tool, you can retrieve your username and/or reset your password using a verification code.
MyKaty Cloud - Portal for all district applications including HAC and Canvas.

Notices were mailed to parents of all 6th grade students in need of updated immunizations at the end of the last school year. Documentation for the following required shots can be emailed to brittanykemery@katyisd.org, faxed to 281-644-1861 or dropped off in the front office. Remember to keep a copy for your records.

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): Tdap is required for all students entering 7th grade if at least 5 years has lapsed since the last dose of a tetanus containing vaccine (DTap, DPT, DT). If 5 years have not elapsed since the last dose of a tetanus containing vaccine at entry into 7th grade, then this dose will become due as soon as the 5 year interval has passed. Td is acceptable if Tdap is medically contraindicated.
• Meningococcal Vaccine: One dose is required for all students entering 7th grade.
• Varicella Vaccine (chickenpox): Two doses are required, with the first on or after the first birthday and the second dose prior to entry in the 7th grade (unless a parent or physician statement of disease is on file).

THANK YOU to those who have already forwarded this information. Keep them coming to ensure that your student will able to pick up his/her schedule!!!

All students enrolled in Katy ISD must be in compliance with state required immunizations. Immunization requirements can be found on the Katy ISD Health Services Immunizations page. Texas Vaccine Institute will be offering the following dates and times for any student enrolled in Katy ISD, insured or uninsured, to receive the necessary required immunizations for school entry:

DATES:
August 9, 10, 11, 15 and 16

TIMES:
9:00AM–12:00PM; 2:00PM–5:00PM

LOCATION:
Katy ISD Professional Development Annex
6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy, 7749.
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

COST:

• 1 vaccine: $15
• 2 vaccines: $25
• 3 vaccines or mor: $30
  Accepting credit/debit cards or cash
  

BRING:
Personal immunization record and insurance card if you have insurance. Parent Notification of Immunization Due form completed by your campus nurse.

For additional information you may contact the Health Services Department at 281-396-2629.

English Language Arts (ELA) classroom libraries offer independent reading material that supports the English Language Arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Parental consent is required for secondary students to check out books from their ELA classroom library. Parents may provide consent via the KISD Parent Option Portal located in MyKaty cloud. If parents do not provide consent via the KISD Parent Option Portal, their secondary student will be unable to check out books from their ELA classroom library. This is in addition to the Library Book Notification. A brief video instruction for accessing the KISD Parent Option Portal in MyKaty cloud can be found here.

The 2023-2024 Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct can be found here. Significant changes include moving information from the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct to the Student Handbook. Electronic acknowledgment of both handbooks are included with Annual Student Update.

Mandatory disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) placements for first-time offenses of e-cigarettes or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). (Students are no longer sent to the DAEP “on the subsequent vaping infraction” due to legislative changes in HB 114 that add e-cigarettes and THC as specific mandatory placements.)

Over the past year we have gained feedback from community members, staff and administration about concerns of student cell phone use impacting their learning during the instructional day. From this feedback we as a campus have developed a student cell phone/earbud policy for the 2023-2024 school year. This has been designed to remove barriers to learning, improve engagement in the classroom and to minimize student safety concerns. Below we have outlined the policy in its entirety which includes when and where students can and cannot use their devices during the instructional day. This document also outlines the possible discipline consequences for misuse of their devices during the instructional day. We are looking forward to the school year and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your cooperation.

Each student will receive an ID card that will also serve as their SMART tag card. For eligible bus riders, this will allow them to badge on and off the bus. For those that are not eligible, we want all students to have a SMART ID in case of emergencies: ex: a campus is being forced to relocate due to an emergency (reunification)

ID REPLACEMENTS FOR WCJH WILL BE $5.00

Students will receive ID, lanyard and plastic sleeve with purchase. Information on how to purchase will be forthcoming.

** It is imperative that students have their ID’s when riding the bus. Although we will still transport eligible students, a student without an ID will slow down the loading process significantly.

Transportation Contact: Any concerns or questions related to SMART tag can be directed to your students Assistant Principal.

It’s almost that time of year! Students will have the opportunity to request a locker. Please watch for more details to follow in Timberwolf Times.

Don't forget you can join WCJH PTA online! Not only can parents join but students, neighbors, businesses, family, and friends can join as well. Just like last year, there will be monthly drawings for yard signs, gift cards, and spirit wear. The membership helps support the programs and events that help enhance students' experiences at school. Join now! PTA Membership — WoodCreek Junior High PTA (wcjhpta.com) Thank you for your support!

Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact membership@wcjhpta.com.

*If you purchased school supplies through the PTA that includes one membership.

BAND Families!

Welcome to the 23/24 school year and the WCJH Timberwolf Band! While we periodically use email to communicate, our primary mode of communication​‌ is Remind; please join our parent Remind group using the appropriate method below. Please note: these groups are for parents/guardians ONLY.

First-Year Band (6th grade)

Follow this link: http://rmd.at/wcjhfybpar

OR

Text "@wcjhfybpar" to 81010

Performing Bands (7th/8th grade)

Follow this link: http://rmd.at/wcjhpbpar

OR

Text "@wcjhpbpar" to 81010

All Returning Students

The Summer Band Blowout is coming up soon (Aug. 8-10, details in signup)! We expect ALL available 7th/8th graders to attend. Please sign up using the link below if you have not already done so.

https://forms.gle/qRXe1AnGzQBGrPTR7

Follow us on Instagram as well! @WoodCreekJrHigh

Mission Statement: WoodCreek Junior High, in partnership with the community, parents, and students, will provide a safe, positive, engaging learning environment that is devoted to empowering each student to become a productive, responsible, respectful citizen while achieving academic excellence.

Website: https://www.katyisd.org/WCJH
Location: 1801 Woodcreek Bend Lane, Katy, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 234-0800
Facebook: facebook.com/woodcreekjrhigh/
Twitter: @WoodCreekJrHigh

Dr. Andrew Lowry - Principal

Karla Beek Assistant Principal - Student Support

Lauren Merriman Assistant Principal - 6th Grade

Ryan Saam Assistant Principal - 7th Grade

Derek Ankney Assistant Principal - 8th Grade

Jessie Clay Counselor - 6th Grade

Meghan McCarthy Counselor - 7th Grade

Aiesha Mercadel Counselor - 8th Grade

Instructional Calendar 2023-2024 Click Here

Lunch Menus Click Here

Bus Transportation Click Here

Student Code of Conduct Click Here

Registration Information Click Here