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, ext. 3058.

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.

8^th GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

  Millions of caring parents have trusted World Strides to help enrich their children’s lives through their unique hands-on learning experiences.  World Strides Leaders have the right blend of local and historical expertise to bring history of Washington, D.C. to life.  Martinsville’s East Middle and West Middle Schools have planned their trip to Washington D.C. for Saturday, May 30, 2009, through Monday, June 1, 2009.  The non-refundable registration fee of $79 is due by Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008.  The cost of the trip is $929, quad occupancy.  Eighth grade students interested in participating should pick up an information packet in the front office. 

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

  West Middle School’s front office is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 7:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M., and Fridays, 7:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.   West Middle School’s phone number is (765) 342-6628.

EARLY RELEASE

  Martinsville schools will be released at 11:45 A.M. on Tuesday, September 30, due to Professional Development for staff.  Transportation is provided as normal.  Lunch will be served before the students are released.  There will be no after school homework help and no activity bus on PBA day.

NEW PHONE SYSTEM

  West Middle School has a new phone system.  After dialing, 765-342-6628, we encourage the public to listen to the ‘prompts’ and choose accordingly.   Below is a list of ‘prompts’ for your convenience:

‘0’ – Operator                

‘1’ – Absence/Attendance

‘2’ – Clinic                               

‘3’ – Cafeteria

‘4’ – Library                            

‘5’ – Office

‘6’ – Athletic Director/Asst. Principal

‘7’ – Principal                          

‘9’- Staff Directory

  HOMEWORK HELP CANCELLED DURING ISTEP+ WEEK

  Homework Help will not meet next week, September 15 - September 19, because of I.S.T.E.P testing.  Each day, make sure to eat a nutritious breakfast and go to bed early so that you are physically prepared to do your very best on these important tests.

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

  Free breakfast, for all students, 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!!