Message from Mr. Carlson As we wrap up the first week of Distance Learning for all of our students, I am grateful for the efforts of our students and teachers as well as the extra effort families are making to support student learning. Throughout the week, teachers reported high levels of both attendance and learner engagement which is a great success. Any type of change can bring with it some additional challenges and that is to be expected. Please know that we are open to feedback as we navigate this shift to Distance Learning for all students.
Did You Know? Attendance Reminder/Update A reminder that students should be joining each class period via their Zoom link and attendance will be taken each period. Our automated attendance system will now go out at 3:35 p.m.
Scholastic Book Fair The Scholastic Book Fair is back now through December 14! While the fair will be exclusively held online this year, we still plan on making it a fun and joyous experience for our kids. Features include:
Every dollar you spend will benefit our school directly (25% back in rewards)!
Attention 6th grade parents and students only! Math Masters is back and virtual with Mr. Nguyen from Greenwood as our Coach Extraordinaire! The first meeting will by December 17 at 4:10 on Zoom.
Science Bowl Science Bowl is now open. Information and registration details. Students must be fully registered before the first practice in order to participate. The first practice is Tuesday, December 1 via Zoom.
2nd Quarter Hype Week is coming up! The week of December 14-18 we will hold another Hype Week. Students are encouraged to participate by wearing/doing the following: Monday: Hat Day Tuesday: Virtual Background Day. The theme is "Where do you want to go as soon as we get our freedom back?" [upload a photo and make it your background] Wednesday: Wacky Hair Day Thursday: Graphic T Day
Reminders From the Health Office Health paras and district nurses will be working at school during Distance Learning. We are available to help families with questions and concerns. Call Michele Freng at 763-745-6415 or Lynda Lankford at 763-745-6451.
School Schedule Please print the school schedule for your student. This can be a great tool to make sure your student(s) are joining their classes on time.
How to Personalize Canvas
From Student Services We know this is tough for everyone. I am always on the lookout for survival tips to offer up. These two really rise to the top for me based on my COVID-19 experience with students and families thus far. Encourage healthy habits Teenagers and young adults will do better during this stressful time if they get adequate sleep, eat healthy meals and exercise regularly. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule, with predictable times to wake up and go to bed, is especially important to maintaining a positive mood and their ability to fulfill academic expectations. Some ideas to keep moving include:
Healthy habits are particularly important for young people who may be struggling with anxiety or depression. Losing the routines you've come to rely on can be a big source of stress, so Jill Emanuele, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, recommends establishing new routines. "Make sure you're eating properly and sleeping and being social and engaging in pleasant activities," she says, while also warning that young adults should avoid sleeping too much when they are housebound. "There's more of an ability to sleep at home, and while rest is important right now you still need to be active."
Routines A good routine should create a predictable pattern each day. There are many ways to do it besides setting up a traditional schedule. New strict schedules may increase anxiety for some kids, especially if the transitions between one activity and the next seem arbitrary. To create predictability outside the constraints of a traditional school schedule, consider holding daily morning meetings to set priorities. Families can use that time to clearly communicate, sort out expectations and remind one another of what's ahead, from online chats with teachers to when lunch will be to who will do which household chores or where to go on an afternoon walk. Older children can write those priorities down to use as checklists.
Even if families opt for a model that's more flexible than what kids are used to on school days, consistency is key. For example, kids and adults should have at least one meal at about the same time every day together. That meal is a good opportunity for everyone to spend time together free of electronic devices and other distractions. To be clear, the gathering itself matters as much as what is on the table. These types of routines anchor the day, and research shows that they organize children's external worlds in ways that support self-regulation, the building block of good mental health. In addition, predictable family environments help children feel like their homes are stable and supportive – which is especially important when under stress.
Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis How to Motivate Teens during Covid 19
As always, please never hesitate to contact student services if you have concerns about your child(ren).
Academic Enrichment Canvas Page
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.
Technology Help Requests In alignment with health and safety best practices, the technology department 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 help desk ticket via the helpdesk website. Please take note of the help desk ticket number. You will need it when making an appointment. After creating a help desk ticket, make an appointment with Mrs. Tombers. There are some issues with iPads that may be solved quickly, and do not need an appointment, such as 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.
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. If you have any questions or wish to send any photos email wmsyearbook@wayzataschools.org. For any student picture to be put into the yearbook please have the student's name and grade included.
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 retakes 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.
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. Please join us for the next PTA Meeting Thursday, December 10, 12:00-1:00 p.m. via Zoom
Show your Trojan Pride with Wayzata Spirit Wear and Shop for the Holidays! West PTA is offering students and their families the chance to purchase some great Wayzata Spirit Wear through two vendors this year. Support your School! A portion of all purchases are donated to our school PTA!
24/7 Active Purchase 24/7 Active Spiritwear apparel at West Middle School again this year! You may also shop at the 24/7 Active retail store located in downtown Wayzata.
First Place Spiritwear New this year - 1st Place Spiritwear! You will have over 150 unique spirit wear designs at your fingertips!
For questions contact Robin Bjella. All orders placed online are custom made to order and are non-returnable
Volunteer Needs
Around the District COVID-19 Resources for Support Culinary Express Meal Updates for December Pick-Up Schedule and Ordering Information for December Thank a Teacher this holiday season with a bundt cake! Cakes and certificates will be delivered as long as it is safe to do so. If deemed unsafe, certificates will be emailed and cakes will be delivered at a later date.
Community Ed Parent Tool Kit: Friendships, Relationships, and Social Distancing
Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information.
Calendar School Events District Events Tuesday, January 19, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday, January 20, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM School Board Meetings |