It's the First Week at WMS!

Ride your bike, walk with friends, catch a ride or jump on that neighborhood school bus. We can't wait to see you.

AM Arrival Routes

PM Departure Routes

ARRIVAL: Until 8:00 AM, 6th and 7th graders will gather in the gym (or outside) and 8th graders will gather in the cafeteria (or outside.) Students will report to their homerooms where they will receive useful handouts and their schedules!!!

CHROMEBOOKS: If you don't a Chromebook and charger yet, we will help you get one during your science class or during lunch.

LOCKERS: You will NOT get your hall locker during the first couple days of school. We hope to get them assigned by Friday.

First Day of School- Monday, August 28 is the first day of school. The school day runs from 8:15-3:00. Students will start their day in alphabetical homerooms and then run through their schedules.

PE Clothing Sold during PE- Certain clothing items will be available for sale during PE all week- cash or check made to Westland MS. T-shirts ($15), Shorts ($20), Sweatpants ($25), Hoodies ($30) Clothes that were pre-ordered by August 1 will be distributed to students next week.

Student Town Halls- On Wednesday, administrators will meet with students to review school expectations, discuss upcoming events and to solicit their suggestions for a great year.

Locker Distribution- Students will receive their hall locker assignments by Thursday!

School Photos on Friday- On Friday, September 1, students will take their yearbook/identification card photos during their PE classes.

Labor Day Holiday- Monday, Sept 4th is a holiday. There is no school for students.

Back to School Picnic- Friday, Sept 8th. Rain or shine (we'll move inside if inclement weather.) All families are invited. Many staff members will be present to mix and mingle. Pizza may be preordered or bring your own nibbles. Details coming soon.

Our July online store closed but we've opened another "August" one that will close on Sept 8.

Order Physical Education (PE) clothes or cool clothes to wear around. Items will be delivered to students at school in late September/early October.

(PE teachers will also have some t shirts, shorts and sweats to sell on site when we return to school.)

Visit the store here https://westland2023-2.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Want some Westland options with a progress flag logo? Look no further.

Visit the store here https://shop.whatsuppromotions.com/westland/shop/home

• Athletic Registration Video - A quick video for parents/guardians on how to register their students in athletics.
• ParentVue Guide - A "Quick Guide to ParentVue for Athletics" in English for parents/guardians when registering their students for athletics.
• ParentVue Guide - A "Quick Guide to ParentVue for Athletics" in Spanish for parents/guardians when registering their students for athletics.
• ParentVue Guide - A "How to Guide" for parents/guardians for Getting Started with ParentVUE.pdf
• Care for Kids - A health care program that provides access to health care services for uninsured children in Montgomery County.
• Clinics for Sports Physicals - an annual list released by MCPS Athletics, pricing is subject to change

Necessary

• A backpack/bag

• A 3-ring binder with locking rings or an accordian file

• Lined paper

• Pocket folders

• A pencil pouch

• Pens, pencils, highlighters

• A set of colored pencils

• Headphones or earbuds

• Non-aerosol deodorant (for PE)

• Athletic shoes (for PE)- wear them or leave them in a PE locker

• We supply a Chromebook and charger- you label them!

• We supply combination locks

Optional

• A change of clothes for PE

• A calculator

• A planner/calendar book

• A reusable water bottle

• A case or sleeve for your Chromebook

• A sharpie or labels to label your stuff

We were grateful to talk with/to many of our parents at our zoom, parent orientation on August 17. The slides are here for you to review. We also collected some running questions and have answered them here.

We will host a second, bilingual parent session over Zoom after we are nine days into the school year on Monday, September 11 at 6 PM. Bilingual in English and Spanish!

Join Zoom:

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/97324643856?pwd=cVpQM0tnMzFycFZxN0JVbHBTQll3dz09

Meeting ID: 973 2464 3856

Passcode: WMSparents

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/westlandms/staff/directory/

AUGUST

• Now Through M, 9/11- Fall Athletics online registration through ParentVue- 7th and 8th grade only
• W, 8/30- Town Hall Info Sessions for Students during PE

SEPTEMBER

• F, 9/1- Student ID/yearbook photos taken during PE classes
• M, 9/4- Labor Day Holiday- No School
• F, 9/8- Back to School Family Picnic (PTA Event!) 6-8 PM (No rain date. We'll just bring the party inside.)
• M, 9/11- 6:00 PM- Zoom info session for parents/caregivers (bilingual in Spanish)
• M, 9/11- 6:45 PM- Zoom info session for parents/caregivers of students in our ARS program
• M, 9/11- Due date to submit forms to withhold student directory information
• Tu, 9/12- First Day for Cross Country and Softball Tryouts- 7th and 8th graders only
• F, 9/15- 10/15- Hispanic Heritage Month
• F, 9/15- Vision/Hearing Screening for all 8th graders and 6th/7th new to MCPS
• M, 9/18- Vision/Hearing Screening for all 8th graders and 6th/7th new to MCPS
• Tu, 9/19- Vision/Hearing Screening for all 8th graders and 6th/7th new to MCPS
• Tu, 9/19- 6:40 PM- Parent Mtg about Family Life Health Curriculum- hybrid format- Zoom and in person
• F, 9/22- Safety Day/Team Building Day
• F, 9/22- Early Release Day- Student Dismissed at 12:30 PM
• M, 9/25- No School for Students and Teachers
• Th, 9/28- 6th Grade Team Building All Day (In School Field Trip)

OCTOBER

• Hispanic Heritage Month continues through 10/15
• M, 10/2- Open House for Current Westland Parents- Any time between 8:15-2:40
• Th, 10/5- Cross Country and Girls Softball, Home v. Pyle (Boys play away)
• Tu, 10/10- evening Parent Teacher Association (PTA) mtg with Principal Serino, hybrid

An IB World School

Email: Alison_L_Serino@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/westlandms/
Location: 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD, USA
Twitter: @AlisonSerinoWMS