Dear Westland Families,
We had a wonderful week of preservice as our staff returned, setting the stage for a fantastic school year ahead. We were thrilled with the great turnout for New Student Orientation and loved seeing so many families at Back to School Night. A special thanks goes out to our PTSA for the delightful end-of-the-week luncheon—your support means the world to us!
We are excited to see your child on Monday! I always enjoyed eeing students return from summer break, full of excitement for learning, reconnecting with friends, and meeting new classmates.
Before the weekly update. I want to follow up on questions this week about backpacks and how to support their child and the school. As I shared in my last weekly message, I'm excited to follow up with the feedback and questions we've gathered from the school. We have provided tips to start the year in the newsletter section called Backpack and Locker Tips. My goal is to continue sharing tips during the year from lockers to other topics related to the middle school experience.
By keeping backpacks, phones, and other electronic devices in lockers during the school day, we decrease the likelihood of misplaced or damaged belongings. Additionally, students will be able to focus and enjoy class more. We aim to create a more organized and focused environment for all students.
We understand that this is a significant change, and we are committed to helping students transition smoothly. Our staff will be on hand to support students as they adjust to using their lockers more regularly. Our goal is to give everyone a couple of weeks to learn and get comfortable with the new routine. Rest assured, we’re all in this together, and we’re here to make the transition as easy as possible. As always, please reach out if you have questions.
We look forward to seeing our Westland students return on Monday. Thank you for your continued support as we are All Students, All Classes, Each Day. This will be a great school year. Here is your weekly update!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nicole Walker
Principal, WMS
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When: Monday, August 26th from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Who: All WMS
What:This is the first day of school for students. Students arriving before 8:00 will gather out front or, for indoor locations, in the gym (6th and 7th graders) or the cafeteria (8th graders.) Students will refer to posters to find their homeroom locations. Staff will assist students in finding their classroom.
Cell Phone Policy
Students may use their cell phones before 8:15AM and after 3:00PM. Emergency calls may be made in the main office.
Summer MYP Exploration for All Westland Students/Staff
An all-school read (Linked) and online assignments
Each summer, Westland students and staff read a text that explores a compelling issue(s). (This year our issues are focused on repairing a community harmed by anti-semitism.) Students also complete several assignments within an online classroom. This work leads into further school-wide exploration and action in the fall.
Please come by the school between 8:30-3:30 to borrow a copy of the text, Linked by Gordon Korman. You can borrow it for the month of July or the month of August. Or get it from your local library.
Students should join this MCPS classroom for details. MYP Summer Exploration
Summer Learning for All Westland Students
Summer Math- practice exercises
We encourage Westland students to complete material for the math class they are enrolled in this fall to keep their math brains sharp. Login to the MYP Summer Exploration course for additional details.
Summer Reading- novel of your choice and a graphic organizer
We ask Westland students to read a novel of their choice and complete a graphic organizer with basic information about the book. In the first week of school, you will share the assignment with your English teacher and it will count as a homework assignment. You will also use this text for a writing pre-assessment the first week of school. Login to the MYP Summer Exploration course for additional details.
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!)
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.
Important Dates
● Monday, August 26, 2024: Students must provide documentation of required vaccinations or a permitted exemption as explained above by the first day of school or their date of admission. Students who have not received their vaccinations may enter school if they provide evidence of an appointment to be vaccinated by Monday, September 16, 2024, (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission).
● Monday, September 16, 2024: Students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations by this date (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission) must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.School staff are reviewing records and contacting families of students with incomplete vaccination records.
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.
Student Service Learning Hours (SSL)
Further SSL information is available at the MCPS Student Service Learning website. All necessary SSL forms can be found on the homepage of the Student Service Learning website. The Superintendent’s SSL Award will be given to students who meet the high school graduation requirements by the 1st Friday in April of a middle school year. Support your child’s involvement in meeting this graduation requirement by helping them choose meaningful service-learning opportunities, follow program guidelines, and keep accurate records of participation.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how they can find opportunities on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's website: https://mcpsmd.info/4dcN2rO.
Support a Westland Fundraiser- Order Labels
A sharpie works but if you are already going to purchase labels for your kid's water bottle, lunch box, trumpet case, etc. why not support a Westland fundraiser?
25% of Back to School Sale in progress!
Address Change?
If you are moving over the summer please let our counseling office secretary know at Sara_A_Belott@mcpsmd.org.
Westland Middle School Information
Main Office (240.740.5850)
Principal- Mrs. Nicole Walker , Nicole_Walker@mcpsmd.org
Acting Assistant Principal- Ms. Panagiota Tsonis, Panagiota_K_Tsonis@mcpsmd.org
Assistant Principal- Ms. Vernitta Tucker, Vernitta_Tucker@mcpsmd.org
Administrative Secretary- Ms. Terri Howells, Mary_T_Howells@mcpsmd.org
Financial Specialist- Ms. Suzanne Marcou, Suzanne_W_Marcou@mcpsmd.org
Counseling/Registrar Office (240.740.5860)
Counseling Chairperson/6th grade counselor- Ms. Caryn Fischer, Caryn_Fischer@mcpsmd.org
6th Grade Counselor- Ms. Sarah Cohen, Sarah_A_Cohen@mcpsmd.org
7th Grade Counselor- Ms. Laura Williams, Laura_K_Williams@mcpsmd.org
8th Grade Counselor- Ms. Lauren Geissel, Lauren_Geissel@mcpsmd.org
Counseling Office Secretary- Ms. (Sara) Sally Belott, Sara_A_Belott@mcpsmd.org
School Staff Directory
CALENDAR- Upcoming Events
- Thursday, 8/22- 8:15-12:00 noon- Mini Day for students new to Westland (MCPS buses will run)
- Thursday, 8/22- evening- Back to School Night for ALL Parents and Caregivers
- Monday, 8/26- 8:15-3:00- First Day of School for Students
- Friday, 8/30- Student ID/yearbook photos taken during PE classes
SEPTEMBER
- Monday, 9/2 - Holiday (MCPS Schools and Offices Closed)
- Tuesday 9/16- Family Life Meeting: 6:30 pm (zoom)
- Thursday 9/26- Kids Under Construction
Westland Middle School
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/westlandms/
Location: 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD, USA
Twitter /X: @EducatorWalker