Message from Mr. Carlson Greetings West Students and Families, Today concludes our 2nd week of school and students and staff are settling into our new routines. We had pictures this week and also did our first two fire drills. We've enjoyed the nice weather which has allowed us to get outside for recess after lunch and do all of our PE classes outdoors. Things have probably felt a little different for everyone involved with school but it has been great to interact with our learners and see high levels of engagement in learning activities! Save the Date: Conferences October 13: 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. October 14: 8:15 a.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Did You Know? Academic Enrichment Canvas Page
For more information, please contact Clarice Jorenby
Media Center Canvas Course Please make sure your students are enrolled in the WMS Media Center Canvas Course. You will find tutorials for requesting books, downloading ebooks, book recommendations and more updates throughout the year.
Distance Students: Media Center Book Pick Up If you are a distance student, you can place books on hold through the Destiny Catalog and pick up your holds at the main entrance of the school on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Please note that all requests will need to be made by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday in order to pick them up on Friday.
Hybrid Students: Media Center Checkouts and Book Holds If you are a Hybrid Student, Mrs. Scott will be coordinating with your Flex teacher to schedule days that she will bring books to your classroom for you to browse and check out. If you have a book you know you'd like to read, please watch this tutorial for instructions to place a book on hold through the Destiny Catalog. Mrs. Scott will deliver your book to your Advisory/Flex teacher when it is available (even on days she does not come to your classroom for book check out).
Technology Help Requests In alignment with health and safety best practices, the District Technology Office has put in place an appointment system to better serve technology needs. This system is to be used by both staff and students. The first step to making an appointment is to create a helpdesk ticket: Please take note of the Helpdesk ticket number. You will need it when making an appointment. After creating a helpdesk ticket, please make an appointment by going here:
There are some issues with iPads that may be solved quickly, and do not need an appointment. Examples are forgotten passcodes, iPad won't charge, WiFi issues, etc. For these types of issues, students can make arrangements with their teacher to visit the Tech Hub in the Media Center.
Attendance Guidelines Distance Choice Students must attend their Virtual Advisory each morning for attendance to be taken by their advisor. Advisors will then enter the attendance information into Skyward. Individual teachers will reach out to students and households if there is a pattern of attendance and/or engagement issues. Hybrid
Automated absence notification calls and emails will be sent to households after 12:00 p.m. Parents/Guardians will either need to submit an absence reason into Skyward or call the attendance line to clear up the unexcused absence.
Parents/Guardians of Wayzata Middle School students, please use Skyward Family Access to report absences, late arrivals and early dismissals. Students are considered unexcused until an absence request is received from a parent/guardian. When you are submitting the attendance request you must be logged in as a parent/guardian, not a student. You can still call the attendance line (763-745-6455) to report an absence and we recommend calling if it is a last-minute request. Please click here for more information and directions on submitting an absence online.
Time To Update Your Emergency Contacts Now is the perfect time for you to update your students family and emergency contact information in Skyward. Please list 2 or 3 contacts who have your permission to pick up your student from school. This includes parents and/or guardians listed in the family section, as well as grandparents, neighbors, nannies or family friends that are typically used for emergency contacts. Please note your emergency contacts will ONLY be called if we have exhausted every attempt to reach the immediate family members. Log in here. The health office must have a current phone number on file in case of an emergency. If your daytime phone numbers change at any time, please update in Skyward.
Reminders Counseling/Social Work Support Our social worker and counselor are happy to offer students and families support, whether it be academic, social or emotional in nature. Largely, we will be attempting to check-in with hybrid students via Zoom, email or phone on their at-home days so that we can both maximize their time in class and follow safety guidelines related to COVID-19 prevention. Likewise, we are glad to schedule virtual check-in's with our distance choice students at times that work in their schedule. Generally, here is how we are dividing our caseload this year:
Please don't hesitate to reach out to either Ms. Kondziolka or Mr. Binnie. We are excited to get to know and support you/your student! Please also consider enrolling in our West Wellness Canvas page, where we have various wellness topics, tips, inspiring videos, etc!
2020-2021 Yearbook Information Due to our unique start to the school year we are reaching out to students and families to submit their photos from the first week of school. Please feel free to submit photos of you learning at home, waiting for the bus, working on your music class and even for some families the traditional first day of school pictures. You can also submit additional photos through March 26, 2021. Please see this flyer with all the information on how you can submit photos to be used in the yearbook this year. Students can find the app in their Self Service and create an account using their school email address. There is no upload code and if you have any questions please feel free to email Alycia Knabensue or Jodi Spohnholtz.
For students who have chosen Distance Choice and are unable to come into the building for pictures LifeTouch will be sending us information on how to submit photos so that all students are included in the yearbook. Look for that information to come after picture re-takes are complete.
Yearbooks are on sale now until January 31 for $25. You may order through the Balfour website or send a check made out to WMS for $25 with your student's name and advisor listed.
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up When parents are dropping off students in the morning and picking up in the afternoon on the east side of the building off of Barry Avenue, please keep as far left as possible when entering the pickup area. We need to keep a lane open for access to our handicap parking spots. Also, when dropping off your student in the morning, please make sure the car heater is not directed at their heads, as this gives a false reading on the thermometer.
Stock Market Game West is considering offering the Stock Market Game as an enrichment activity on Friday afternoons or as an after school activity. The Stock Market Game is an online simulation of the global capital markets that engage students grades 4-12 in the world of economics, investing and personal finance. The program is sponsored by SIFMA foundation.
If your child is interested, the program is a year-long commitment and West has only 25 teams available. Please fill out this google form indicating interest and Clarice Jorenby, Gifted and Talented coordinator, will be in further contact with options.
No Late Bus Students are expected to leave the school at 4:00 p.m. each day. No late buses are available.
8th Grade Second Semester Encores Eighth grade parents may notice that their students are missing an encore choice for semester two. Because of time constraints and Distance Choice options we will hold off scheduling semester two encores until a later date.
Cell Phone Update Please note we have updated our cell phone rules and guidelines. Cell phones must be put away and use is not allowed from 9:10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The goal of this shift is to support students in keeping focused on learning. The new cell phone expectations will be taught to students. If you need to reach your child at school, please call the main office and we can call the student down to call you from the office.
Safety Updates Please be sure to visit our Wayzata Learns webpage for up-to-date information.
Girls' Tennis Registration is now open for 7th and 8th Grade Girls' Tennis. The season will start once school begins. Students scheduled to be in school on the A day will have practices and matches on those days. Students who are scheduled to be in school on B day, will have practices and matches on those days. Registration is now open on EPay.
Hennepin County Library offering e-cards! You can now apply for a Hennepin County Library e-card to get access to all of the great online resources our Hennepin County Libraries have to offer (ebooks, audiobooks, databases, etc.)! Applications are quick and easy for those who do not have a current library card. Anyone who needs help with an existing library card can go to the Ask Us page. With a library card, students can access online tutoring from 1:00-11:00 p.m. Families who have used this tutoring in the past have found it very helpful.
Be BOLD Be West! Looking for some help with establishing positive expectations for Distance Learning at home? This modified BOLD Matrix highlights the language from our school-wide expectations that apply to Distance Learning. Feel free to bookmark or print and post in your student's workspace at home to provide reminders about Being BOLD!
Videos for eBook Resources We have two videos available:
Also, if you or your student does not have a library card number for Hennepin County Library, they are taking phone applications from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. They will mail physical cards to people, but will also give the card number over the phone so that people can start accessing online content right away.
PTA News Please visit the PTA page to get meeting dates, minutes, and sign up to be a volunteer, sign up for the directory and more.
Volunteer Needs
Around the District Planning travel out of the state or country? September Wayzata Legislative Action Committee Update
Community Ed Join us in our online classrooms! We have many opportunities for our youth and adult learners. You can find all our class options on our registration site. Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information.
Calendar School Events District Events Wednesday, November 18, 2020 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM School Board Meetings |