PARENT-TO-PARENT WORKSHOPS

  Prime Time of Morgan County is sponsoring a Parent-To-Parent workshop.  Parent-To-Parent is a nationally recognized video based program that empowers and enables parents.  The goal of the program is to help parents develop competence, confidence, and commitment to guide their children through the adolescent years. 

  The Passage Group was founded in 1988, by Bill Oliver.  Its mission is to network, connect, and train parents to be a barrier between children and the pervasive influence of the “Toxic Culture.”  We believe that when it comes to raising children in today’s society, schools can help, churches can help, and social services can help, but nothing can replace the power and influence a parent has on the behavior of their child.

  The workshop sessions will be held on Thursdays, Sept. 18 and 25, 6:30-8:00 P.M., or Saturdays, Sept. 20 and 27, 10:00-11:30 A.M.  For more information, contact Prime Time of Morgan County, (765) 342-1013, or pick up a brochure in the WMS office.

AFTER-SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELP PROGRAM

  West Middle School’s after-school Homework Help Program will begin, Tuesday, September 2.  Students whose parents have given them permission by signing and returning the program form are available to participate.  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.  Homework Help sheets are available in the office, see Mrs. Forler, or call (765) 342-6628.

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, remediation programs, or the Homework Help program after school. 

FREE BREAKFAST DURING I.S.T.E.P.

  Free breakfast will be offered on all ISTEP+ days; beginning, Tuesday, September 16, through Friday, September 19.  Friday, Sept. 19, will be a make-up ISTEP+ day.  Breakfast will be served 6:45 – 7:20 A.M. in the WMS cafeteria.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL

ISTEP+ ANNOUNCEMENTS

 ISTEP is Tuesday, September 16, Wednesday, September 17, and Thursday, September 18.

·          Get a good night’s sleep before each testing day.

·          Eat breakfast.

·          Attend school every day during ISTEP+.

·          Bring a pencil.

·          Bring a library book.

·          Finish all tests.

·          Take your time

·          Check answers.

·          Study measurements.

·          Know multiplication tables.

·          With the writing portion, go through all of the writing steps, do brainstorming, organize, and check your work.

·          With the writing portion, write as much as you can write.  One paragraph is not enough.

·          With the reading comprehension, read the passage first, then write the answers to the questions after you have read the story.

·          With the reading comprehension, look for answers from the details in the paragraph.

·          Study vocabulary.

·          Be able to read a ruler.

·          With the math sections that are not multiple choice, show all of your work in detail.

·          Check your arithmetic.

·          Use educated guessing and logic; eliminate down to two possible right answers.

·          Make sure your answer is reasonable.

·          When you are finished with a section, go back and recheck your answer.

·          Make sure you are bubbling in the right answer for the right question.

·          Read questions carefully, and follow directions.

·          Don’t get frustrated on the first problem.

·          On the Applied Skills portion, read the directions, follow through, go back and reread the directions.

·          Taking the ISTEP+ test is kind of like participating in an event that you want to win.

·          With ISTEP+, we all need to win for ourselves and for our school.

·          We need to be the best we can be.

Good Luck!!

2008-09 STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

  The West Middle School Student Council representatives have been chosen by their peers, during Success class.

6^th gr.-  Kaylea Albertson, Trey Deaton, Kaeli Fluke, Sydney Gravelin, Cody Jones, Jenny Marlow, Montana Mudd, Baylor Payne, Miranda Dean, Molly Piercefield, Carrie Schnaiter, Sheila Stephens S. Brock/ T. Thompson, and Cheyenne Wigal.

7^th gr.-  Jessica Bastin, Lucas Brak, Noah Davis, Valarie Ferguson, Elizabeth Galloway, Heather Johnson, Terra McKinney, Austin Clark, Courtney Thacker, Shelby Nelson, Ellen Rexing, Allison Simmons, Kameron Wells, and Scott Fleener.

8^th gr.-  Destiny Bellinger, Jayme Able, Karla Broyer, Chelsea Pickard, Ashley Daniel, Adam Frisbie, and Sarah Hinesley.

  Congratulations to all the new Student Council representatives.

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.