
West Sylvan Middle School
March 15, 2024
Greetings, West Sylvan families!
We are a week out from Spring Break, and if any families may be leaving for vacations early, please pre-excuse the absences through westsylvanoffice@pps.net, and let Educators know so that there is a plan for any missed school assignments. Our WSMS OBOB team, Sky Lettuce, placed 6th at the Regional OBOB competition (and first place among the public school competitors), and we couldn’t be more proud of all of our OBOB readers who battled it out this year!
This week we started holding our 5th Grade Family Information Nights to introduce our school programs to families with rising 6th Graders. Principal Chapman, from Lincoln High School, joined the evening yesterday to share about how well-prepared our WSMS Scholars are when they arrive at Lincoln High School. From the foundation that we are building in our IB MYP coursework, our growing and thriving performing arts programs, and our talented PIL Lincoln Youth athletes, WSMS Wolves are shining in substantial ways when they go to Lincoln High School. Thank you to Principal Chapman, and the entire LHS team, for all of the support and collaboration!
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jill Hunt, Principal
Ben Keller, Assistant Principal
OBOB Team Sky Lettuce with Dr. Graham
UPCOMING DATES
MARCH
Women's History Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- Sun, MAR 10th ~ Mon, APR 8th: Ramadan
- Wed, MAR 20th: Fifth Grade Family Information Night (going into 6th Gr for 2024-25 school year) / 6-7PM at WSMS
- Fri, MAR 22nd: Afternoon Assembly Schedule (no Advisory class; school begins at 9:15AM as usual)
- Mon, MAR 25th ~ Fri, MAR 29th: Spring Break / NO SCHOOL
APRIL
- Thu, APR 4th: end of 3rd Quarter
- Fri, APR 5th: NO SCHOOL for Students due to Teacher Planning Day
- Mon, APR 8th: first day of 4th Quarter
Next week is Spirit Week!
Please encourage your students to join in the fun!
FUTURE WSMS WOLVES!
FAMILY INFORMATION NIGHTS
For those of you with 5th Graders who are coming to WSMS next school year, there are two scheduled family nights for families to join us for informational meetings. The slideshow presentation from last night, Thursday, March 14th, can be viewed here. The second and final Family Information night will be Wednesday, March 20th from 6:00 - 7:00PM.
We start with some presented materials for families, and then our Packleaders will help guide families as they explore our campus, if they choose. We encourage you to bring your 5th Graders to the night so that they may hear about Middle School, see campus with you, and start to get excited about next school year. Our school teams will also go visit each K-5 feeder school after Spring Break to meet with students at their schools.
Additionally, we have dates when members of our team will go visit the 5th Graders at their schools to talk more about Middle School and answer questions. The dates are here for the scheduled visits:
Thursday, April 17th: WSMS team visits Forest Park and Chapman Elementary classes
Tuesday, April 16th: WSMS team visits Ainsworth Elementary classes
Friday, April 19th: WSMS team visits Bridlemile Elementary classes
8TH GRADE CORNER
With just a few months left in Middle School, we are planning some activities for final memories for our 8th Graders. If changes occur to the District calendar at a later date, we may have to shift some dates, and here is what we are planning currently:
Monday, April 22nd:
8th Grade Panorama Picture
We take a final group picture during 7th period that families can order as a lasting memory of this 8th Grade class of students, before they all move on to High School!Friday, June 7th:
8th Grade Pack Party
Final dance for the 8th Graders together at WSMS *hosted by The Friends of West SylvanTuesday, June 11th:
8th Grade Field Trip to Oaks Amusement Park
Buses take students for a day at Oaks Park, lunch is served there, and we return to the school in the afternoon.Thursday, June 13th:
8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies
At Lincoln High School starting at 6:00PM in their Gym. Families have an unlimited number of guests, as we will pull out both sides of the bleachers for the event.Friday, June 14th:
Last day of Middle School!
Pack party items will happen for students
6TH GRADE FAMILIES
Math placement notifications for seventh grade were sent by your sixth grade teacher this week. Our PPS Math team has very specific new criteria that must be met for advancing to Compacted Math in seventh grade. The graphic below shows the criteria. Students have to meet the following criteria below for advancement to Compacted Math in seventh grade:
Meet proficiency levels on either OSAS Math exam from Spring 2023 or meet proficiency levels on either Fall or Winter MAP Math testing (see below). OSAS scores were mailed home to families in Fall.
AND
Have demonstrated proficiency on all units assessed in sixth grade Common Core (measured by scores in class).
AFFINITY SPACES and RACIAL EQUITY/SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
The following groups and spaces have existed all year and continue to be available to students who share the affinity.
Asian Student Union: meets weekly on Fridays during Advisory
Black Student Union: meets weekly on Wednesdays during Advisory
Black Excellence Group: (RESJ partners) meets weekly on Thursdays during Advisory
Students Organizing for Leadership (SOL)/LSU: meets weekly on Tuesdays during Advisory
Gender/Sexuality Alliance: meets weekly at lunch
Neurodivergent Affinity Group
Equity
No Place for Hate: meets monthly
BUS BEHAVIOR REMINDERS
Our bus drivers write referrals for any misbehavior, and then school Administrators address those behaviors with students and inform families of the referrals. Riding the bus is a privilege, and not a right, so if students cannot follow the bus rules, we do have to move toward assigned seats and ultimately, bus suspensions, if behaviors persist we do move toward bus suspensions. A student who is suspended from riding PPS Transportation then would need to be transported to and from school by family members. Here is the link of all expectations so that you may also review these at home.
LOST & FOUND SPRING CLEANING
It’s time for a Spring Cleaning! The Lost & Found is spilling over! Thanks to our helpful ISC students, it stays as neat as possible, but there are many items that need to be reunited with their owners. Any items that remain unclaimed will be donated over Spring Break.
STUDENT HEALTH SUPPORTS
Unfortunately, some students start to experiment with illegal substances as early as Middle School. While our school does not encounter many students who are engaging in these activities at school, vaping and use of THC edibles are becoming even more common in Middle School-age students. The challenges with both vaping and THC edibles is that they are often packaged in a way where they are hard to identify. Our district teams have a variety of health supports here, if you are seeking help for your student or need additional resources for support. Here are some tips for staying aware at home:
Know who your student’s friends are, and stay in contact with their families so that you can communicate about any items.
Establish processes at home for checking your student’s room and backpack for anything they should not have.
Initiate conversations with your student about drugs to see what they are thinking or feeling related to drugs.
Stay aware of sudden physical changes in your student (weight loss, dilated pupils, slurred speech, loss of appetite)
FREE TUTORING FOR ALL
PPS has created a tutoring option for all students to access! The information is here for how students may access tutoring support through the new PPS partnership with VarsityTutors through their school Chromebooks.
YEARBOOK ORDERING 2023-24
Our Leadership class, with Ms. Lacaden, is hard at work creating this year’s Yearbook for WSMS. All sales of yearbooks will be pre-ordered directly through an outside company, and will not be purchased through the school. To pre-order this year’s book, go to: yearbookordercenter.com and enter the code 6339. Pre-order cost is $30. The price will increase as we get closer to the deadline. PRE-ORDER TODAY to get the early pricing!
MARCH IB MYP LEARNER PROFILE TRAIT
OPEN-MINDED
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
FOR 8TH GRADERS ONLY: MYP COMMUNITY PROJECT
After completing community service hours through their Block classes during the first semester, 8th Grade students at West Sylvan are set to begin the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) Community Project, which is an essential component of the MYP curriculum and a capstone project of students’ Middle School education.
The MYP Community Project is a student-led and collaborative project that aims to encourage students to explore and reflect on real-world issues within their local community. This project enables students to apply their learning from their prior service and different subjects to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration.
The project has four main components: investigating, planning, taking action, and reflecting. Students begin by identifying a real-world need within their community that they are passionate about and wish to address. They then conduct thorough research to better understand the issue and its possible solutions. Next, students will develop a plan of action to address the issue, which may involve organizing events, raising awareness, fundraising, or other forms of community engagement. Finally, students take action and reflect on their learning and the impact of their project.
~ Community Project Timeline ~
Investigating: 2/8 - 3/14
Planning 3/15 - 3/22
Taking Action 4/4 - 4/25
Reflecting/Prep 5/2 - 5/TBD
Expo May - TBD
Throughout the project, students receive guidance and support from their Advisory teachers, who ensure that their project aligns with the principles and values of the MYP. We believe that the MYP Community Project is an excellent opportunity for our students to develop essential skills and become active, responsible, and compassionate members of their community. We encourage you to engage with your student about the importance of service as they work to make a positive impact in their community.
This year, students will have the opportunity to share their projects with their peers and educators in the MYP Community Project Exhibition, which will take place during the 4th Quarter. They will be assessed based on the Community Project assessment criteria and graded through their Social Sciences classes. This project will be worth 10% of both their 3rd and 4th Quarter grades. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Translation available: Español / Tiếng Việt / Русский / 中国人
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
Throughout the year, we have still had patterns of late buses to/from WSMS. If you need to contact Transportation in the afternoon because a route is taking longer than expected, please call this hotline to get real-time status on your child’s bus route:
Child Missing Line
503-916-6901
Press '2' when prompted
FRIENDS OF WEST SYLVAN is parent/family organization that supports Scholars and Staff and fosters community connection through fundraising and volunteer opportunities. Join the mailing list and stay connected with other families!
FAMILY RESOURCES
(not sponsored by WSMS or PPS)
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS
COMMUNITY DONATION DRIVE
Youth Charity League, a volunteer organization for families that want to make a difference in their community, is partnering with Lemonade Project to collect stuffed animals for foster children. The stuffed animals can be new or like-new. Here’s your chance to clean out your closets and find a new and loving home for your stuffed animals!
The collection box will be in the Counseling Office
from Thursday, February 1st through Friday, March 22nd
COUNSELING SUPPORTS
Counselors are best reached and contacted via email. Please refer to the following list for your School Counselor by grade.
VOLUNTEERS
Interested in Volunteering and Being More Involved?
Become an approved PPS volunteer by following the information here. Once your application is approved, please contact the Main Office to see how and when you can be of service. Our Friends of West Sylvan organization also regularly shares ways to get involved on campus, specifically to volunteer in the Library, monitor hallways, help in the Main Office, help in classrooms, and do recess duty.
EARLY STUDENT PICK-UP
Please make every effort to pick up students before or after their grade-specific Lunch period (see below). Once students are scattered around the field playing at recess, picking up during Lunch recess becomes more timely for all involved. Please do not call or text your student to tell them you are here or to tell them to come to the Office. If a student uses their device to check a text and/or answer a phone call, their phone will be confiscated.
6th Grade LUNCH: 11:37 AM ~ 12:07 PM
7th Grade LUNCH: 12:31 PM ~ 1:01 PM
8th Grade LUNCH: 1:25 PM ~ 1:55 PM
~ SCHOOL DOORS OPEN AT 9:00AM DAILY ~
Breakfast is available in the hot lunch room at that time. With the colder weather, we are having students who are dropped off early sit in the hot lunch room until 9 a.m. so that they are not sitting in the cold outdoors. Students with Choir before school (appears as period 0 on StudentVue), start school at 8:00 AM each day. Students should ring the bell upon arrival.
CHROMEBOOK REPAIRS
Ms. Crombie accepts Chromebooks for repairs between 10:00AM - 3:00PM each day. Damaged devices are picked up for repair each Friday, and are usually returned the following Friday. A loaner Chromebook can be issued to students in the meantime. Remind and encourage your student to take care of their Chromebook, and keep them in protective cases. If they don’t have a protective case, the school can provide one. Chromebooks are used for class assignments daily. Students will need to charge their device each night and bring their charged Chromebook to school each day. We do not have enough loaners to give to students who forget their chromebooks. Students and families will be responsible for paying for replacements for lost chargers throughout the 2023-24 school year. They will be ordered through PPS OTIS, and cost $12/each.
CHROMEBOOK ACCESS UPDATE
The district IT office has removed access to any non-US based web pages. This is to project student privacy. In addition, students will not be able to access my.pps.net outside of the United States from now on. If this provides a hardship, please contact Ms. Crombie and she will help you ask for an exception.
STUDENT ID CARDS
Please remind your students to bring and wear their school ID daily. We’ve shared out many ways that our students can be safe by displaying their IDs throughout the day through our Advisory videos. IDs are used on campus for quickly identifying students (this is especially helpful for Substitutes). Students use them to check out library books and to buy hot lunch. Bus drivers also look for student IDs to be sure that students are on the correct route.
FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES
We do NOT allow students to order items directly from delivery services throughout the day, as they are inviting strangers to our campus, and we have no way of monitoring what they are delivering. There is an unfortunate option where students can order illegal items, such as VAPE devices through delivery services. Students are reminded of this school policy regarding food delivery services when it is violated, and items are held in the office for end-of-day pickup. Family members are also notified when this occurs.
MONTORING SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY
ELECTRONICS POLICY
WSMS is a cell phone free zone from 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM daily. We request and advise all families to keep scholars’ cell phones at home during the school day. If a scholar brings a cell phone to school, they will be expected to store their turned-off phone in their locker throughout the entire school day (including lunch periods). Important messages can be sent to our main office via email (westsylvanoffice@pps.net) or phone, and will be forwarded to your scholars. Please do not call or text your student. If your scholar chooses to use their cell phone, smart watch, air pods, tablet, et al, the device will be confiscated. If your scholar uses their device to check a text from and/or answer the phone from you, their phone will be confiscated. Not only will their phone be confiscated, it shows you do not find this school rule important. This sets a bad precedent.
POLICIES - HANDBOOKS - GUIDELINES
CONTACT US
MAIN OFFICE
(503) 916-5690
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ PRINCIPAL'S SECRETARY
[Staff / Substitutes / Financial]
Jerda Solonche
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ SCHOOL SECRETARY
[Students / Attendance / Enrollment]
Kirsten Crombie
West Sylvan Middle School
Website: www.pps.net/westsylvan
Location: 8111 Southwest West Slope Drive, Portland, OR, USA