WELCOME TO WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL   West Middle School welcomes all students and parents.  We look forward to helping each student have a happy, successful 2008 - 2009 school year.   The weekly issues of the News and Notes are devoted to presenting important information to parents, students, and staff.  The News and Notes will be distributed each Friday during Success Class.   Please feel free to call the school at 342-6628, if you have any questions or concerns.  Mrs. Suzie Lipps is West Middle School’s Principal, and Mr. Gary Dean is the Assistant Principal / Athletic Director.      NEW STAFF AT WEST MIDDLE   West Middle School welcomes several new teachers for the 2008-09 school year.  They are:  Mrs. Connie Harden, Technology; Ms. Jessica Mitchell, Reading; Mrs. Linda Brinegar, Media Specialist; Ms. Gina Lawson, Language Arts; Mr. Scott Miller, Band, and Mr. Doug Reynolds, Special Education Resource.      I.S.T.E.P. + TEST PREPARATION   The Indiana Department of Education requires all sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to take a standardized test that measures English, reading, and math skills: this test is called the I.S.T.E.P.+ test, or the Indiana State Test of Educational Proficiencies.   I.S.T.E.P.+ is very important for West Middle School students.  The test is used in helping to determine if:   ·          Students’ scores meet state standards. ·          Students should be promoted. ·          Students should be recommended for remediation and special programs, such as Saturday School and After-school Homework Help. ·          Students should be recommended for placement in academic classes. ·          Our school meets state standards. ·          Our school qualifies for extra state funding.     It is very important that students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade be present for the testing on September 16, 17, and 18.  Please refrain from scheduling any appointments or vacations the week of September 15.   The Indiana Department of Education has parent and student guides available through their website.  The guides give helpful information about preparing your student for the test.  The guides also explain the type of skills used during the testing process.  The website is accessible by using the following address: http://www.doe.state.in.us     Beginning the first week of school, West Middle School staff members will be actively preparing students to take and pass the ISTEP+ test.  All students will be participating in ISTEP + preparation activities in their success, math and language arts classes.   West Middle School strongly encourages students to do their best on the I.S.T.E.P.+ test.  Students are expected to read the test carefully and answer test items completely and carefully.  Students who give their best effort will be rewarded by receiving test scores that accurately reflect good effort and special incentives throughout the building.   Students who choose not to take the test seriously, or do not put forth serious effort on the test, will face consequences.  Students, who do not pass specified standards on the I.S.T.E.P.+ even though they have adequate ability, may be required to participate in remediation programs or the Homework Help program after school.  Some may be required to participate in special Saturday School programs.  Others may be considered for retention.

WEST MIDDLE ON THE WEB   You’ll find school maps, information about upcoming events and copies of the News & Notes/Weekly Calendar and many other items of interest on West Middle School’s web page.  You can contact staff members via e-mail at this site.  Our address is:                      http://msdadmin.scican.net/wms/   WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL’S ONLY SCHOOL-WIDE 2008-09 FUNDRAISER     West Middle School’s ONLY Fundraiser this year, will be a school-wide Spirit Shirt Sale.  West’s Staff encourages each family to purchase at least ONE shirt.  The student, parent, or grandparent, who wears the Spirit Shirt to a home sporting event, will receive FREE  ADMISSION.  (Events that are excluded are Jr. Mid-State and Tournament events).  WMS Spirit Shirts are on sale for $30.00 during school hours.  West Middle School’s goal is to sell 700 shirts.  Again, there will not be trinkets, candles, candies, jewelry, wrapping paper, or any other typical fundraiser item to sell this year.  West’s goal is for every staff member and every family to purchase at least ONE SHIRT.  Money collected from this drive will go toward student activities and student programs.       FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS   Any M.S.D. of Martinsville student who received free and reduced lunch at the conclusion of the 2007-2008 school year will be automatically carried on the free and reduced lunch roster at the start of this school year.  However, these students must renew their applications by Saturday, September 13.   This deadline is for reapplying without an interruption in benefits or their names will be removed from the free and reduced lunch roster.  Parents are reminded to fill out all areas that apply.  Please sign and return the application that is sent home with the student the first week of school.  Applications are available in the student Open House packets, and in the West Middle School office.   ATHLETIC PASSES NOW ON SALE IN THE OFFICE     Save money by purchasing an All-Sports ticket for athletic events at West Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year.  The All-Sports tickets will allow ticket holders to attend home games/meets for the entire school year.  All-Sports tickets are not accepted at most tournaments or special events. The prices are: ·          Family Ticket - for all family members - $80.00 (best buy) ·          Adult Ticket - $45.00 ·          Student Ticket (K - 12) - $25.00     ATHLETIC EVENT  SCHEDULES   To view 2008-09 Athletic events’ schedules, please go to: http://msdadmin.scican.net/wms/   then choose the Athletic button.   All students participating in athletic events MUST HAVE a current physical on file with WMS.  Physicals must be dated May 1, 2008, or later to be accepted.

ACTIVITY BUS ROUTES

 

  The Activity Bus runs Monday through Thursday on normal scheduled days.  It does not run on PBA days, when students are dismissed at 11:45 A.M. or any other early release day.

Paragon – check at beginning of school year for bus number

                Park by basketball courts at West Middle School at 4:25 P.M., leave at 4:30 P.M., goes to the high school and leaves the high school at 4:35 P.M.  Take West Middle School students for Brooklyn to their bus at the high school

                Follow Gray St. to Ohio, turn left and go to 37, cross 37, go through 37 at Burton Lane to Taco Bell and Southview Drive (if needed).  Return to 37 South.  Follow 37 to Legendary Hills, turn back north to motel, turn right and to Jordan Road, to Liberty Church Road, and back to 37.  Turn left and go to Old 37 (if there are students up toard the forestry, go to turn-around at State Police home and back to new 37) – if not, go up hill to Paragon Road.  Turn right and take Paragon Road to Paragon.  Stop at the IGA store and Paragon Elementary School.  Go back to 67 North, making stops along 67 North where necessary.  Go into Wigal Addition at Hynsdale, on down 67 and back to Martinsville.

 

Centerton and Brooklyn – check at beginning of school year for bus number

                Go to East Middle School at 4:25 P.M., leave at 4:30 P.M. and go to the high school.  Leave the high school at 4:35 P.M.

                Follow Gray Street to Garfield to the 39 Bypass, turn left to 67 North to Lake Edgewood through lower road to Wilber Road.  Turn right on Wilber Road to 67 North.  Go north on 67 (letting off students wherever they live along the highway), to Mason Lane.  Turn onto Mason Lane and go to Robb Hill Road, turn right to the Shell Station and Quick Mart.  Cross 67 to Centerton School (if no students live in Centerton, leave this stop off).  Go back to 67, north to Brooklyn.  Stop at the 4-way stop in the center of town, at the school.  At the 4-way stop north of the school.  Go back to 67, south and stop at Observatory Hill Road, if needed.  Go back to Martinsville.

               

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PRICE INCREASE

 

There is an increase in breakfast prices for all schools in the district.  Prices for the 2008-2009 school year are listed below..

 

·          Student Breakfast is $1.25

·          Adult Breakfast is $1.50

·          Reduced price breakfast will remain $.30

 

STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY

  To provide greater opportunity for student success in the classroom, students need to be accountable for several important  aspects of their education at West Middle School.  If students are diligent in completing their responsibilities, their achievement level will increase, and teachers’ classes will be managed effectively, so that greater learning is possible for all students.

 

·          Attend school every day.

·          Arrive to class promptly.

·          Arrive to class with required materials.

·          Act appropriately at all times.

·          Write all assignments in Agenda Book.

·          Complete and turn in all assigned homework.

·          Study for quizzes and tests.

·          Maintain passing grades in all subjects.

·          Pass ISTEP+.

·          Show respect for school property.

·          Display respect for other people.

·          Keep lockers clean.

·          Return borrowed textbooks and library books.

 

 

RESPECTING OTHERS

 

  West Middle School staff feels strongly that all students and their differences should be respected and valued equally by all students, faculty, and parents.  It is expected that students at West Middle School treat one another at all times with respect.  Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.  This includes, bullying, name-calling, andput-downs, whether physical or verbal.  West Middle School’s goal isfor students to always feel comfortable and safe about their learning environment here at West Middle School.

 

 

AFTER-SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELP PROGRAM

  West Middle School’s after-school Homework Help Program is for students whose parents have given them permission by signing and returning the program form.  The immediate goal for the Homework Help Program is for the student to have extra help and supervision doing his/her homework.  Homework Help is Monday through Thursday, from 2:30 - 4:00 after school (H.H. will not meet on PBA, early release days).  Students will meet in the cafeteria, where they will complete homework given that day.  A printed assignment sheet that lists all homework from every teacher will be given to students at the Homework Help Program.  Students should have all or most of his/her homework completed before he/she leaves school.  The Homework help permission slip is attached to this packet. 

 

 CELL PHONES & ELECTRONIC ITEMS

  It is MSD policy that students should not use cell phones, mp3 players, IPods, and/or CD players during school hours.  Cell phones should be turned off and kept inside the student’s locker.  This policy is in place to eliminate distractions in the classroom.

 

WEST MIDDLE’S ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN

  West Middle School adopted an Anti-Bullying Campaign in the spring 2008.  Bullying is an aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength.  Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, kicking, threatening another, teasing, name- calling, excluding from a group, or sending mean notes or e-mails.   

  Bullying can have serious effects on children who are bullied.  These children are more likely than their peers to be depressed, lonely, and have low self-esteem. 

    If a student is being bullied, he or she needs to talk to parents, teachers, or an adult whom he/she respects.  Students who are being bullied should not blame themselves for the bully’s actions, and if students act confident, by holding their head up, standing up straight, making eye contact and walk in confidence, a bully is less likely to single out that student.

  Placed in the front office is a BULLY BOX with COMMENT CARDS.  Students who feel they are being bullied should fill out a card and place it in the box for the situation to be handled by school personnel.

  West Middle School’s purpose is to educate students about the various forms of bullying and the steps they can take to stop bullying.       

  Another goal is to eliminate any form of “bullying” at West Middle School and to continue to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment.

 

PICTURE DAY

  School pictures will be taken during Science class on Wednesday, September 10.  Students should bring the picture form with the payment enclosed that day.  If parents choose not to purchase pictures, the student must have their picture taken for the yearbook and West Middle School I.D.

 

 

SCHOOL TRAFFIC AND PARKING AREAS

  Please note that the area in front of the school and the area immediately behind the school, between the school and football field, is for BUS TRAFFIC ONLY from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  The parking lot beside the cafeteria is designated as STAFF PARKING AND STAFF TRAFFIC ONLY.  For the safety of our students who gather in this area in the morning waiting for school to open, please refrain from pulling into this lot to drop your children off before school.  We ask your cooperation in helping to keep our students safe from traffic related accidents.

 

 

SAFETY CONCERNS FOR  STUDENTS

  For their safety, students SHOULD NOT be in the side parking lot walking, running, or biking, etc. before or after school.  Teachers and staff park in the lot and are concerned with the safety of our students.  As school is dismissed, students are to go leave in a quick manner.  Students are not allowed to simply “hang out” at school after 2:20 P.M.  Only those students who are staying with a teacher, coach, or sponsor as a supervisor are allowed to stay.

 

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING ABSENCES

  If a student is absent from school, his/her parent should call school the day of the absence, before 9:30 A.M.  If the school has not been notified, an automated phone call will call the parent to make them aware of the tardy, and or absence.  Please send a note, or a Doctor’s excuse with the student, the day the student returns.  Otherwise, the absence becomes an unexcused absence.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

• Wednesday, August 13- Students’ First Day of School

• Monday, Aug 18-21- 7 & 8 Volleyball Try-Outs, 2:30 P.M.

• Monday, August 18- Tennis Parent Mtg., 7:00 P.M. @ East

• Thursday, August 21-  FB vs. Terre Haute 5:30 P.M. - H

• Monday, September 1- NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

• Wednesday, September 10- Picture Day/Science Class

• September 16, 17, 18- ISTEP+ Testing Days

• Tuesday, September 30- Progress Report distribution

• Tuesday, September 30- PBA, Early Release, 11:45 A.M.

• Thursday & Friday, October 23 & 24- Fall Break

 

NO JEWELRY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS

As stated in the West Middle School Agenda Book and the West Middle School Parent/Student Handbook, for safety reasons, jewelry is not to be worn by any student who is enrolled in physical education class or by students who participate in athletics.  This safety rule pertaining to jewelry includes, but is not limited to, pierced earrings, finger rings, nose rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.  All students areexpected to follow the safety rules.

 

USE OF SCHOOL LOCKERS

  Lockers are provided for the convenience of the student.  Students, for safety and security reasons, SHOULD NOT SHARE LOCKERS, GIVE OUT COMBINATIONS, OR TAMPER, WITH OTHER STUDENTS’ LOCKERS.  In addition to the regular school lockers, students will be issued a gym locker and lock when they are enrolled in physical education class and/or when they participate in a school sport.  When used correctly, lockers provide a fairly safe storage place for personal property.  Students are not permitted to place a personal lock on any locker, unless approved by the principal.  Students who lose their lock are required to purchase a new one for $5.75 from Mrs. Browder or Mrs. Voland.

 

WEEKLY CALENDAR:  AUGUST 11 – 24, 2008