Westland Middle School

Weekly Update: October 7 to October 11

WMS Newsletter Accessiblity

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Our digital newsletter can be translated into many different languages and the font can be adjusted so our entire community has access to what is happening in the WMS Wildcat Community!

To adjust your view of the newsletter, click on the "accessibility" button. The button is a circle with figure in it. Once you click the accessibility button, the menu to choose the language or different font size will appear.

Need To See Resources From Weekly Newsletters?

In an effort to keep our weekly newsletter shorter and more concise, I am not going to add the resources that appear every week on the Westland MS website (Sunday S'MORES from Mrs. Walker)

Ms. Walker's Phone Message: October 7, 2024

Good evening, Westland Families,

This is Mrs. Walker, proud principal and here is the weekly update for October 7, 2024.

What an incredible week of learning and growth! From witnessing our WMS community's strength during this week’s building issue to watching our students engage and learn from the Afro-Peruvian cultural performance, it’s clear how dedicated each of you is to fostering a strong and vibrant community here at Westland.

We have already reached the halfway point of Marking Period 1. Interims progress reports were available to parents and students through ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Friday October 4th. Households without any active ParentVUE account will receive interim progress reports via USPS.

All students this school year are required to complete two different county created lessons on the Student Code of Conduct and the Culture of Respect. Students will receive 3 SSL hours for completing the courses.Please check in with your student to make sure they have finished these courses. The courses can be found on Canvas if they still need to finish.

Additionally, we will have a homeroom schedule on Friday 10/11, where students will receive MCAP testing information and will receive their student ID cards.

In this week's newsletter you will see the following:

Resharing the MCPS Message from Dr. Taylor, MCPS Superintendent
Westland Academic spotlight
Highlights from our Latina Legacy Conference and Rompe Cajon assembly
8th Grade team /PTSA partnership with cupcake wars
Speak up series
Weekly sports events at BCC
Upcoming MCPS Events
PTSA Upcoming Meeting Information and Updates
Weekly WMS reminders and upcoming events

I also want to acknowledge that some of the items mentioned this week may feel repetitive, but with so much happening in the world, it’s important that we revisit them. I recognize these are challenging times. Please know that I, along with the entire WMS team, are here to support you and your Westland student. Whether you have questions or just need space to process, we’re here for you.

That concludes our message for this week. Thank you for your continued support as we are All Students, All Classes, Each Day. Have a wonderful evening!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nicole Walker

Principal, WMS

Message from Dr. Thomas Taylor, MCPS Superitendent

Updated Guidance for Student Speech and Expression

Dear MCPS Families and Students,

Thank you for a great start to the school year!

Our community is entering a time that may bring challenging emotions and discussions into our schools and we want to ensure that our entire community—students, families, and staff—has the guidance and strategies to navigate these moments together. With the upcoming national election, the first anniversary of the October 7th attack, and the ongoing conflict, it’s important that we prepare for the range of conversations and emotions these topics may evoke.

For students to be their best in school, their learning environments must remain safe, welcoming, and inclusive. As educators, we strive to model thoughtful and positive expression and encourage students to make respectful, informed choices, especially during challenging times.

The new processes for responding to and communicating when faced with incidents of hate and bias, along with the information campaign addressing these issues, have been shaped by input from our community members. School staff and leaders have received these same resources to ensure we are all operating from the same guidance when managing student speech and expression in our schools.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making our schools a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

Respectfully,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Superintendent

Know the guidance for Student Speech and Expression.

Staff, students, and families must know the rights and guidelines for students to express views on issues important to them.

Guidelines for Students
Español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Resources to Reduce and Address Incidents of Hate and Bias

See the steps taken and plans for this school year to reduce and address Hate-Bias
español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
Visit the new Responding to Incidents of Hate-Bias website.

High-Quality Curriculum

Civic Engagement conversations occur through Social Studies classes, where teachers are provided lessons, guidance, and ongoing professional development. A letter sent from principals and social studies staff provides notification of this work.
Attend the Social Studies Curriculum nights to learn more about how Social Studies is taught!

cial Studies is taught!

WMS Academic Spotlight

Rompe Cajón

Latina Legacy Conference 2024

Grade 8 High School Options

WMS Speak UP! Series

Cupcake Wars is Back (8th Grade Event)

MCPS SSL Opportunity

B-CC High School Weekly Athletics Schedule

MCPS Social Studies Curriculum Nights

B-CC Cheer & Poms Youth Clinic

Instrumental Music and Choral Concert (SAVE THE DATE)

Snack Stash: Donations Needed

Westland PTSA General Body Meeting (10/8/24)

Westland PTSA Information and Updates

Westland MS Reminders

Communication at Westland MS

Westland strives to make clear community a priority. We will continue to prioritize communication and share about Westland through multiple venues. Please expect the following from us:

Weekly Sunday night Connect Ed phone call @ 6:00 pm from administration with detailed information on activities and upcoming happenings at Westland.
Weekly Smore newsletter from administration with detailed information on activities and upcoming events at WMS.
Staff members may be utiliziing Remind, as our texting communication app.
All updates and liinks will be found on the Westland Middle School Website.
Westland Twitter account will be utilized to communicate messages and share news and events with our community. (@EducatorWalker)

We are continuing our work to be more “green” and share as much information as possible with parents electronically. We will notify you with Connect Ed updates when we add or update with new information. But, if you cannot find what you need in this newsletter or on our webpage, please contact the main office and we will be happy to help you!

Bus Transportation Information for 2024-2025

We have provided the bus stop information for the school year. Please click on the link for pick-up times and drop-off times.

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!)

Technology Information and Support for Parents in MCPS

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.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones may not be used at school during the instructional day (8:15AM – 3:00PM). Cell phones, and electronic devices, including earbuds and headphones, must be turned off and stored in students’ lockers during the school day.

Students may use their cell phones before 8:15AM and after 3:00PM. Emergency calls may be made in the main office.

Student Backbacks (and bags)

WMS will require students to leave their backpacks in their lockers through the school day. Students are able to visit their lockers between classes to switch out materials if necessary. We have listed tips in this week's edition and look for more in future weekly updates.

Address Change?

If you are moving over the summer please let our counseling office secretary know at Sara_A_Belott@mcpsmd.org.