The WMS Connection

West Families,

Welcome back to a new school year!

We were so excited to start the school year. The building is far too quiet without the hustle and bustle of students in the building. It was a wonderful start to a new year. It was fun seeing students start to acclimate to their schedules, lockers, and school procedures, as well as getting to see familiar faces and to meet our new 6th graders.

Every month you will receive a new "The WMS Connection" newsletter through email. I try really hard to use this as my main form of communication in order to cut down on the number of emails you receive from West Middle School. Please take the time to click on the link in the email so you are up-to-date on all of the happenings at West. This first newsletter is a little bit longer in order to provide essential information for a successful school year.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance at any time this year! We are here to help!

Thank you for your partnership,

Gwynne Chase- Principal

• 9/27- 2 hour early release, students are dismissed for the day at 12:25

• 10/3- Virtual Conferences, 3:30-7:30 (you will receive separate communication specifically about this a couple of week prior to 10/3)
  
• 10/8- In-person Conferences, 3:30-7:30
  

Here is the 2024/2025 District Calendar for your reference!

Dropping your student(s) off:

• Enter and exit off of Spencer.
• Please do not drop off on 10th Ave. This interferes with bus drop-off.

• Students will remain in the front vestibule until 6:30 when the front doors are unlocked.
• From 6:30-7:20, students may enter the building, but will be held in the commons area outside of the auditorium.
• At 7:20, we will open doors for all students to access the rest of the building.

*If a student has arranged to meet with a teacher before school, they just have to show a staff member a note or email on their iPad to be let through.

The school day begins at 7:45. If your student arrives late, they must check in at the Greeter's Desk at the front door.

Students are dismissed for the school day at 2:25 pm.

Guardians who pick-up, must either do so from the main parking lot (just like drop-off in the morning) or on 10th Avenue, but after all of the busses have left (2:35 or later).

Cell Phone/Personal Electronic Use:

As a friendly reminder, we have a school-wide structure in place for our students at West regarding cell phone use and other personal electronics.

Here is the specific language from our student handbook:

Electronics

Students receive a district issued device for academic use. Personal electronic devices are prohibited for use in classrooms. Students may use their personal electronic devices during passing times and while at lunch only.

Independent texting, gaming, streaming services and participation in social media in class are strictly prohibited. Violations will be addressed.

Personal electronic device examples include, but are not limited to: iPad, Laptop, cell phones, eBooks, tablets, headphones, microphones, earbuds, air pods or smart watches.

Electronic devices are strictly prohibited in locker rooms and bathrooms at any time. If an electronic device becomes a distraction in any school environment, it may be confiscated and school policies will be enforced.

Your support is appreciated to remind your student(s) of this expectation. We value each minute for focused instruction and learning for the entire class period. If there is an immediate need to get a hold of your student(s) please call the office, 952-496-5752 . Thank you for your partnership in this matter.

Food and Drinks:

Because we are trying to avoid spills, continual clean up, unwanted guests (think ants and rodents), and distractions in our learning environments, we have rules around food and drink at West.

There is No food or drink (other than water) outside of the cafeteria during the school day. If a student is seen walking around the halls with food/drink before school, they will be asked to go to the cafeteria to finish.

If students are seen in the halls or classroom with food/drink during the school day, they will be asked to go to the office to finish.

If a student needs a snack during the day and it is outside of lunches, they can visit Student Services and ask a student support staff for a small snack. They will eat the snack in Student Services before returning to class.

For additional information regarding Shakopee Middle Schools, please visit our Student Handbook.

All Shakopee Public Schools staff, students and family members have the opportunity to participate in the 2024 fall flu shot clinic led by Homeland Health Specialists.

Four (4) vaccine options will be available:

• Quadrivalent flu shot
• FluMist (limited supply)
• Senior Dose (limited supply)
• COVID

For more information or to sign up, please click on this LINK: FLU SHOTS.

Canvas is the official Learning Management System (LMS) for Shakopee Public Schools. Canvas is primarily used at grades 6-12. Teachers at the secondary level use Canvas for sharing information and resources with students, posting assignment, giving assessments, communicating with students through daily announcements.

As an observer in Canvas, parents can see course materials, grades, feedback students receive on their assignments, and view a calendar that shows due dates for all of their classes.

Go here to learn how to connect with your child's account as an observer. If you need help retrieving a pairing code (necessary to connect), email your child's advisor or email the technology help desk (parenthelp@shakopee.incidentiq.com) to retrieve a code.

If your child ever needs assistance with acquiring clothing, personal hygiene, or school supply items, they can visit our Saber Nation Station. All items are free. All district Saber Nation Station's are made possible through generous donations.

There is a donation box just inside West's front entrance.

We post a lot of the wonderful things happening at West on our X Page. Follow us at @ShakoWest.

The Virtual Student Library Card partnership ensures all K-12 students have access to digital and print resources from the Scott County Library.

Information will moved down here if it is repeated from a previous edition of The WMS Connection.

• Attendance: In order to report an absence or if your child(ren) will be late to school.
• Call the attendance line: 952-496-5753 (this is a 24 hour line, leave a message at any time, it gets checked continuously throughout the day)
• Enter an absence online through Parent Portal. This is a helpful guide on how to do this: Parent Portal Absence Reporting Guide

• West Middle School Website

• 2024/2025 District Calendar

• Shakopee Middle Schools Student Handbook
• Middle School Lunch Menu
• Do you need Tech Support? Tech Tools link
• Health Services
• Winter Weather Guidelines

• Activities Information: ShakopeeSabers.com, Saber Activities Flyer
• Community Education Catalogs and Registration

• Scott County Family Resource Centers: Provides families with connection to services, resources, information, and support.

Now Hiring Part-Time/Full-Time Paraprofessional Positions, Food Services and more

Training is provided, job share responsibilities and weekend/summer/school breaks off. Click here for a list of positions and to apply.