Words from West

Dear Middle School Families,

As we approach the holiday season, we want to take a moment to wish all of our families a joyful and peaceful December. Whether you celebrate with family, honor traditions, or simply enjoy the winter break, we hope this season is filled with meaningful moments.

We also recognize that the holidays can be a challenging time for some in our community. Please know that we are here to support your students and families, and we encourage anyone in need to reach out.

As we look ahead to the long break, it’s important to keep our students’ minds engaged. Encourage your child to explore their favorite books, practice their skills through creative projects, or even take advantage of educational apps. A little bit of consistent academic focus can make the return to school smoother for everyone.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We wish you all a safe, happy, and fulfilling holiday season!

Warm regards,
Ms. Balbaugh, Principal

November 27 - November 29 - Thanksgiving Break, No School

December 3 - NWEA Testing - ELA (See growth and goal setting info below)

• Alternate Bell Schedule

December 4 - NWEA Testing - Math (see growth and goal setting info below)

• Alternate Bell Schedule

December 5 - 7p - 8th Grade Winter Band Concert at GBHS

December 6 - 7th grade Dance - 6 - 8p, $10 to attend (prepay in the main office beginning 12/2)

December 6 - Music Day in classrooms - Students pay $2.00 (During Advisory) for FISH families

December 9 - 6:30p - Board of Education Meeting

December 10 - 5:30p - 7p - Holidays Around the World Family Evening

December 10 - 7p - 8p - 6th and 7th grade Combined Band Concert

December 13 - PTO Popcorn Sale at lunch ($1)

December 17 - PTO Meeting at WMS Library - CANCELLED

December 17 - 7p - Choir Concert

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break, No School

January 6 - School Resumes

January 13 - 6:30p - Board of Education Meeting

January 17 - End of 1st Semester/2nd Marking Period

January 20 - No School for Students/Staff - MLK Day

January 21 - No School for Students - Records Day

January 22 - Beginning of 2nd Semester/3rd Marking Period

January 27 - 6:30p - Board of Education Workshop

Between November 20th and December 11th - please donate non perishable food items to room 118 to support our local community and families in need.

Open communication is vital for fostering a positive relationship between adults and the children in their care. Studies indicate that when adults use open-ended questions, students are 35% more likely to engage in meaningful conversations. This helps in developing critical thinking skills and enhances their overall attitude toward school.

Here are some suggestions for open-ended questions parents and caregivers can ask to promote a positive attitude toward learning:

• "What was the most interesting thing you learned today?"

• "Can you tell me about a challenge you faced in class and how you overcame it?"

• "What are your goals for this semester, and how can I help you achieve them?"

• "What subjects do you enjoy the most, and why?

8th Grade Band Concert - Thursday, December 5th at 7:00pm in the GBHS Auditorium.

Follow this link for more information: https://sites.google.com/gbcs.org/wmsband/performance-dates/8th-grade-winter-concert

6th & 7th Grade Band Concert - Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00pm in the WMS Gym.

Follow this link for mor information: https://sites.google.com/gbcs.org/wmsband/performance-dates/6th-7th-grade-winter-concert

• 2 min Parent Video: https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/resource/what-is-map-growth/
• Students will be taking their WINTER NWEA test very soon:
• December 3 - ELA
• December 4 - Math
• Monitor yearly growth
• Advise academic interventions for your child
• January 15th - 1:30-3p - NWEA Growth Party Celebration IN SCHOOL - INVITATION ONLY
• **Students will be invited based on their scores/growth demonstrated on the NWEA test in December

We are excited to announce a special Celebration Day on January 15th from 1:30-3:00pm during school hours. This event honors students who reach their individualized NWEA Growth Goals in both Math and ELA, as set by NWEA, or those who test to proficiency at a 60% level.

To be eligible to attend the celebration, students must meet the required scores in both Math and ELA on the upcoming NWEA assessments scheduled for December 3rd (ELA) and December 4th (Math).

Celebration Activities:

Eligible students will enjoy a variety of fun activities, including:

- An in-school dance

- Open gym

- Board Games

- Movie viewing

Please take time to review your student's individualized NWEA goals with them prior to these important testing dates. This preparation can help them understand and work towards their goals for a successful outcome.

Thank you for your support in encouraging students to reach their goals!

This year at both middle schools our students will be analyzing their NWEA Math and ELA scores, creating goals to improve on them, and creating action plans to do so. Students will be doing this in conjunction with their ELA and Math teachers, along with their WIN Time teachers. It is important for our students to understand where they are academically along with their teachers so we can work together in creating an action plan to help all of our students find success in their education. Children learn better—and faster—when teachers have a clear picture of what students know and how they are growing academically. Using the progress monitoring NWEA assessment three times a year we are able to do this. More than 13 million students in the US and in 140 countries worldwide use the NWEA MAP Growth.

• The NWEA MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This type of assessment challenges top performers without overwhelming students whose skills are below grade level.
• The NWEA MAP Growth uses a RIT scale to accurately measure what students know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing you to track your child’s progress throughout the school year and across multiple years.
• Once your child completes a MAP Growth test, they receive a RIT score. Our students will be using this information to track where they are at and make goals for improvement for their next testing.
• RIT scores have the same meaning across grade levels. If a fourth-grade student and an eighth-grade student have the same RIT score in reading, then they are testing at the same level in that subject. This stable scale allows teachers to accurately measure each student’s academic growth throughout the school year and over time.
• You can use your child’s RIT score to help them meet their goals. You can also ask your child’s school about educational resources that will help them in their areas for improvement.

Student attendance in tutoring sessions is essential for reinforcing classroom learning and addressing individual academic needs. Regular tutoring participation allows students to receive targeted support in areas where they may struggle, build confidence in their abilities, and stay on track with grade-level expectations. Moreover, consistent attendance fosters a structured learning routine, ensuring that students gain the skills and strategies needed for long-term academic success.

Details:

• WHO - ALL students are welcome to attend (Sign up in Library)
• WHAT - FREE tutoring provided by WMS teachers
• WHERE - WMS Library
• WHEN - EVERY Week from 3:05pm - 4:10pm
• Monday
• Wednesday
• Thursday

Spanish Lab is a virtual help session hosted by Sra. Weldon a few times each month on Wednesday evenings from 8:00-8:30 pm. Students are welcome to join this Google Meet at any point during the optional 30-minute session for extra support and help with their Spanish class. Please come with specific items, questions and concepts to practice during this time.

Google Classroom Code to Join the Meet: 5pelbz3

Scheduled session dates:
December 4, 2024
December 18, 2024
January 15, 2025
January 29, 2025
February 5, 2025
February 19, 2025
March 5, 2025
March 19. 2025
April 16, 2025
April 30, 2025
May 7, 2025
May 21, 2025

Clinic will be 8 weeks long, starting on January 7th and ending on February 27th.

Cost is $80.00 per player and they can choose either Tuesday or Thursday 5-6pm at the Henry Ford Genesys Health Club

8th Grade students will soon begin working on their EDPs (EDP stands for educational development plan). The EDP process is part of Grand Blanc's career education curriculum. Career education activities include goal writing, interest inventories, learning about careers in demand, high school scheduling, and a visit from the high school counselors. Xello is the main program we use for career education, and an informational video can be viewed at https://help.xello.world/en-us/content/Get-Started/Xello-Families/GS_Families.htm. The video is about 5 minutes long and can be found under "Your Child’s Xello Experience" and then by clicking "grades 6-12."

Alateen is a support group to help young people affected by someone else's substance abuse. We are extremely careful to protect each other's anonymity.

Alateen members learn:

• Alcoholism/addiction is a disease
• They can detach themselves emotionally from the user's problems while continuing to love the person
• They are not the cause of anyone else's drinking , drug use, or behavior
• They cannot change or control anyone but themselves
• They have resources with which to develop their own potential, no matter what happens at home
• They can build satisfying and rewarding life experiences for themselves

If your student is affected by someone else's drinking or substance abuse, please call Mrs. Douglas at (810) 591-7339 to learn more about this group!

Easterseals School-Based therapists are master's level clinicians who are credentialed to provide services through counseling, psychology and social work. Clinicians address common issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, self-harm, trauma, truancy, poor social skills, suicidal thoughts/behaviors, substance use and attention deficit disorder. Referrals are being accepted and can be made by teachers, school-based counselors, principals, parents, and providers.

We are lucky to have Easterseals therapists working from West Middle School each day! If you feel your student needs some additional supports, please reach out to our counselors at (810) 591-7335 for more information.

Pertussis (also known as whooping cough)

Pertussis can be a very serious illness and is on the rise in Michigan. The disease is caused by a bacteria that is spread through sneezing and coughing.

• Pertussis can spread easily among susceptible household members and in group settings such as schools, workplaces, and sports teams.
• Adolescents and adults are also at risk for infection since vaccine protection decreases over time.
• The time between exposure to the bacteria and disease symptoms is usually between 7 - 10 days, but in rare cases, it can take up to 3 weeks.

Symptoms:

• In the early stage of illness, pertussis can resemble a common cold. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, mild dry cough, and low-grade fever.
• After about 1 to 2 weeks, more serious “coughing spells” develop that can last for more than a minute and result in difficulty breathing.
• At the end of a coughing spell, the cough may make a high-pitched “whooping” sound as they try to catch their breath.
• Sometimes the coughing will cause vomiting. Between spells, they usually feel well.

Recommended actions:

For people of all ages, call your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms:

• Unusual cough lasting 7 days or more (with or without a “whoop”)
• Cough that comes in bursts (intermittent)
• Vomiting after coughing spells

Treatment and Prevention:

• Pertussis can be treated or even prevented with antibiotics if detected early or before the disease has started.
• If you develop any of the symptoms described above, stay home from school and contact your doctor immediately. Please also inform the school office of any illness.

• Antibiotics prevent the spread of disease.

• Antibiotics are recommended for all household contacts of a pertussis case and for other close contacts, regardless of vaccine status.
• Close contacts are people who have had face-to-face exposure within three feet of a pertussis case, or have had direct contact with their respiratory, oral or nasal secretions.

• Close contacts with cold-like symptoms should stay home and be evaluated by their healthcare provider. If pertussis is suspected, they should stay home from school and other activities until completion of 5 days of antibiotics.

• Hand hygiene, cough etiquette, Immunization and boosters are important prevention methods. Contact your Dr. to make sure you are up to date.

Mrs. O’Mara and Mrs. Fredrick

GBCS District Nurse Consultants

West Middle School Main Office:

Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 3:30PM

Website: https://www.gbcs.org/Domain
Location: 1515 Reid Road, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-7309
Facebook: facebook.com/gbwms

Athletics/Main Office 591-7309

Counseling Office 591-7335

Counselor (A-K) 591-7338

Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339