Wildcat Tales

Wildcat Families,

My Good Thing for this week is seeing all of our students back on campus and hearing their Good Things from their Thanksgiving break.

We have 2 weeks left in Semester 1. The time is flying by! We will have MAP Middle of the Year Testing on Monday (periods 1, 3, 5, 7) and Wednesday (periods 2, 4, 6, 7). Our basketball pep rally is Tuesday. Be sure to look at the bell schedule linked below for the changes in our schedule.

Please note: Early Dismissal for December 19 has been moved to 1 p.m. The changes have been made on the bell schedule.

We encourage out Wildcats to continue Rippling Kindness the next 2 weeks and into the winter break. As a family, find ways to share kindness with others and then celebrate and reflect with your child on their acts of kindness. We will be announcing the following acts next week during announcements!

Day 1: Write a Positive Note
Write an encouraging note to a classmate, teacher, or staff member and leave it for them to find.

Day 2: Help a Classmate
Offer to help a classmate with schoolwork, carry their books, or assist with a task they’re struggling with.

Day 3: Say Thank You
Thank a staff member, such as a custodian, cafeteria worker, or bus driver, for their hard work and kindness.

Day 4: Compliment 3 People
Give sincere compliments to at least three people throughout the day.

Day 5: Include Someone New
Invite someone who may feel left out to join your group during lunch or an activity.

Day 6: Clean Up Without Being Asked
Pick up trash around the school or help tidy a shared space like a classroom or hallway.

Day 7: Be a Door Holder
Hold the door open for others throughout the day and greet them with a smile.

Day 8: Share a Treat
Bring or share a small snack or treat with someone who could use a pick-me-up.

Day 9: Write a Thank-You Card
Write a heartfelt thank-you card to a teacher or mentor who has made a difference in your life.

Day 10: Spread Encouragement
Create a kindness poster or sticky notes with uplifting messages and place them around the school to brighten others’ days.

To launch you into the weekend: Wildcats, remember your 4 P's-Prompt, Prepared, Productive, Polite and know that you belong here. Make it a great day and go Cats! 💙🐾

Carly Woolery

WGMS Principal

6-All City Choir at MHS 6 and 7:30 p.m.

7-WGMS Choir Christmas Concert at HHS 2 and 7 p.m.

9-Periods 1,3,5,7 MAP testing - see Bell Schedule below

10-Holiday/Basketball Pep Rally - see form below

10-"Holiday Hijinks" Performance by Advanced Theater WGMS Cafe 7-8 p.m.

11-Periods 2,4,6,6 MAP Testing - see Bell Schedule below

13-Winter Dance hosted by WGMS StuCo - WGMS Cafe 7-9 p.m. see graphic below

16-December School Board Meeting

16-Wildcat Tech & Design Expo WGMS Cafe 6-7 p.m.

16-WGMS Band Winter Concert @ MHHS 6:30 p.m.

19-Early Release at 1 p.m.

19-End of 3rd 6 weeks

20-Teacher Exchange Day - No School

23-Jan. 1-Winter Break

1-3-Winter Break

6-Work Day-No School for Students

7-Pink Day-No School for Students

8-Return to school

9-YES Program Virtual Parent Preview for 7th and 8th grade - see below

20-MLK Day - no school for students and staff

11-8th grade dinner dance 7-10 WGMS Cafe

12-8th grade party (TBD)

9-11-Middle of the Year MAP (ELA, Math, Science)

17-19 - High School Credit Course Semester Exams

10-7th and 8th RLA STAAR

15-6th RLA STAAR and 8th Science STAAR

17-8th Social Studies STAAR

22-Algebra I EOC

29-7th and 8th Math STAAR

30-6th Math STAAR

This month, we’re challenging students to reflect on their experiences and take responsibility for how they choose to learn and grow from these experiences. We are partnering with you to grow and develop your child’s sense of responsibility. As you reflect as a family, celebrate your accomplishments, identify areas you may want to improve, and consider new ways to serve others in the days ahead.

Our Wire Cats attended their first Robotics Competition on November 23. Maximo, one of the team members, said this about the Saturday competition, "It was fun, and I would do it again. It is very complicated.” Maximo can’t wait till the robotic kit comes in!

The Wire Cats consists of 7th and 8th grade WGMS students. They meet each Tuesday after school. If you are interested in joining the Wire Cats, email carly.woolery@midlothinaisd.org or sarah.driessner@midlothianisd.org.

Great job, Wire Cats!

Mrs. Mooney is our December Capturing Kids' Hearts Champion!

Her students say she makes math fun and teaches in a way that they can understand. By consistently doing Good Things every day in every class, Mrs. Mooney fosters meaningful relationships that empower her students to thrive and succeed. 👏🏼

* Each must have a tag with date.event.name.

For Example: 9-26volleyball8thSCornwall

** Pictures and videos are subject to review and approval by yearbook advisor

Need help checking your student's grades and missing assignments? Our Tech Apps teacher Mr. Sanchez put together this quick video to show you how!

What is a Wildcat Parent Volunteer?

We are a group of Wildcat parents who donate goodies to the Walnut Grove staff once a month. This is usually in the form of breakfast, lunch, and snacks for all staff on campus.

How can you help?

There are a few ways you can help.

1) You can sign up to be a donation supporter. A donation supporter is for our families who cannot necessarily be away from their home or office during the school day but want to be part of the WPV group. Monthly, we would send out a request for donations. This is usually sent via Venmo and the funds are used to purchase meals and snacks for that month's event.

2)If you have free time and like to be more hands on, you can sign up to help us decorate the designated area for that month. This is usually done in the front office conference room. We arrive on campus around 10:30 AM and are typically wrapping up around 1:10 PM. You would not have to commit to the whole time slot. We decorate and then help serve the food, restock between lunches, etc. Any amount of time you are able to give is greatly appreciated.

3) Do you own a business and want to get your name out to Walnut Grove teachers and staff? We would love to partner with you and have you sponsor a meal for us that month or even sponsor only the drinks or a dessert option for the month.

We have lots of ways for you to be involved. If this sounds like something you would like to participate in, please complete this Google Form and we will add you to our group communication.

Thank you so much for your interest in joining the Wildcat Parent Volunteers.

Medication forms must be updated every school year. Please download forms here and submit to your campus nurse before the first day of school August 14. You can email Nurse Berry at Mandy.Berry@midlothianisd.org.

Dear MISD Parents,

Safety and security are a top priority in MISD. As an added layer of student safety, vape sensors have been installed throughout all MISD secondary campuses serving grades six and above. The installation of the sensors supports legislative requirements set forth by House Bill 114 that went into effect with the start of the 2023-24 school year. The new law takes a strong stance on prohibiting the possession and use of vape devices at school.

Any student who possesses or uses a vape device of any kind on school grounds is subject to disciplinary placement in DAEP and the student's ability to participate in extracurricular activities could be impacted. The law also requires the district to notify School Resource Officers (SROs) about violations. Vape device use of THC is subject to felony drug charges. Parents may reference Texas Health and Safety Penal Code 481.002(26) for more information.

Installed sensors are equipped with tamper detection software and should not be touched. This includes throwing anything at the sensors. Students will be held accountable and subject to disciplinary consequences in accordance with the district’s Student Code of Conduct policy if they tamper with a detection device.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to keep our students safe. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

Sincerely,

Midlothian ISD

4 P's: Prompt, Prepared, Productive, Polite

Character Traits: Respect, Integrity, Pride

Carly Woolery, Principal

M'kale Kennedy, Assistant Principal

David Fontenot, Assistant Principal

Email: carly.woolery@midlothianisd.org
Website: https://wgms.midlothianisd.org/
Location: 990 N Walnut Grove Rd, Midlothian, TX, USA
Phone: (469)856-5700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalnutGroveMS

Instagram: @wgmswildcats
Twitter: @WGMSWildcats