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Happy New Year from WMS! Aug 21

A Note from the Desk of Ms. Serino, Westland principal

Happy New Yearfrom WMS! Aug 21A Note from the Desk of Ms. Serino, Westlandprincipal
Westland parents, caregivers and students,


On behalf of the faculty and staff members at Westland, I write to welcome you aboard or welcome you back for this coming school year. We have worked throughout the spring and summer to hire for and plan for an academic program that both supports and challenges students as well as an emotionally safe space where students can take risks, come into their own as early adolescents and have fun!


Our vision is to develop students who are independent, responsible, and productive global citizens.


Our mission, in conjunction with the aims and objectives of the International Baccalaureate Organization, is to engage all students in a challenging educational program in an environment where all students are supported academically, socially and emotionally.


Our core values are academic excellence, kindness, equity, growth, engagement and global mindedness.


Please see the resources below and expect a phone call and newsletter from me every Sunday at 6:15. (Tell your Westland friends and neighbors to look for Smore in the their inbox.)


Looking forward to a wonderful school year with, for and because of our students.


Alison L. Serino, principal

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A MINI DAY for NEW STUDENTS THIS THURSDAY- AUG 24

On Thursday, August 24 from 8:15-12:00 noon, we invite all 6th graders and new 7th and 8th graders to visit our school for a mini day. Students will receive their schedules and meet their teachers during short visits in each class. School buses will run! It is a practice day for our drivers too so please be patient.


This is an event for new STUDENTS only. Sorry to our parents/caregivers!


Students who have attended Westland in the past should NOT attend this event so we can focus on our new students!

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BUS ROUTES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED

Please see the linked letter from the department of transportation as well as the arrival and departure routes.


AM Arrival Routes

PM Departure Routes


Students in our Autism Resource Services (ARS) program will receive letters directly from the department of transportation as those routes are not included here.

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Chromebooks for New Students

If new students/families missed our distribution dates on August 15 or 18, we will assist new students in getting Chromebooks on our mini day on August 24 or on the first two days of school. We will NOT be distributing Chromebooks during Back to School Night.

NEWS FROM OUR PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PTSA)

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT FOR PARENTS THIS THURSDAY- August 24

TWO SPIRIT WEAR/PE CLOTHING OPTIONS- BOTH ONLINE STORES CLOSE SEPT 8

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Westland Gear with Wildcat Logo

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/

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Westland Gear with Progress Flag

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


Visit the store here https://shop.whatsuppromotions.com/westland/shop/product-detail/1005219

FALL ATHLETIC TRYOUTS OCCUR SEPT 12- Forms must be submitted ONLINE before trying out!

KEY RESOURCES TO PREP FOR FALL ATHLETICS

  • 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
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School Supplies

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

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PARENT/CAREGIVER INFO SESSION- JOIN US ON SEPT 11- BILINGUAL

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

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Contact Us

Main Office (240.740.5850)


Counseling/Registrar Office (240.740.5860)

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CALENDAR- NEW EVENTS ADDED IN BOLD

AUGUST

  • Now Through M, 9/11- Fall Athletics online registration through ParentVue- 7th and 8th grade only
  • Tu, 8/24- 8:15-12:00 noon- Mini Day for students new to Westland (MCPS buses will run)
  • Tu, 8/24- 6:30-8:20 PM- Back to School Night for ALL Parents and Caregivers
  • M, 8/28- 8:15-3:00- First Day of School for Students
  • 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
  • Tu, 9/19- 6:40 PM- Parent Mtg about Family Life Health Curriculum- hybrid format- Zoom and in person
  • 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
  • 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