Message from Mr. Carlson As was shared out by the school district earlier this week, we are currently focused on a plan to bring our middle school students back to the hybrid learning model on Monday, February 1, in alignment with the beginning of Semester 2. This is based on the current COVID-19 numbers and guidance from the Minnesota Departments of Education and Health. Our intent is to bring students back as long as the COVID-19 numbers continue to decline and stabilize between now and February 1. The return to the hybrid model is also contingent on our staff staying healthy, which is influenced by staff illnesses and the potential need to quarantine.
To summarize, if conditions allow: The hybrid learning model will start on Monday, February 1 for middle school students. There will be no school for all middle school students (including those in Distance Choice) on Friday, January 29 to allow staff planning time for the transition back to hybrid learning. As a reminder, students who opted for Distance Choice for Semester 2 will stay in distance learning through the end of the school year. Special Education and English Learner families will receive additional information from their case managers.
We are excited about the possibility of returning to a hybrid learning model and appreciate the flexibility shown all year by our students, staff and families.
Did You Know? Incoming 6th Grade Instrumental Music Class Information Attention incoming 6th grade families, please click here for for information on WMS music classes.
Save the Date for Upcoming Conferences: Conferences will be Thursday, February 11, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. and Friday, February 12, 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Conference scheduling will open through Skyward starting Wednesday, February 3, please stay tuned for more instructions and updates.
Attention Parents of 8th Graders: The registration period for high school classes begins on February 8 and runs through February 19. To quickly answer a commonly asked question: There is no benefit to registering on the 8th versus later in the window. All registrations sit in holding pattern until after the window closes so please encourage your students to take their time and research the class options carefully. All 8th graders will receive a presentation from HS counselors during the school day on February 8 to help them understand the process. The presentations will take place during Science class. Students may Zoom with their future HS counselor on February 17 and 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. to get questions answered. The appropriate Zoom link will be made available to students closer to the date. Counselors ask that this be a student-only opportunity. Orientation for Parents: The high school is planning to hold an orientation for parents during the evening of February 8. Details are still pending and will be provided as soon as possible. For Parents and Students: How much rigor do I want as a 9th grader? Amy Swenson, WHS Gifted and Talented and Advanced Placement (AP) Coordinator, will address topics such as Honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, balanced schedules, weighted grades, etc. The date for this presentation is pending--stay tuned for more information. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact Amy Kondziolka, school counselor.
Upcoming Important Dates
Basketball 7th and 8th grade Girls and Boys basketball will be opening their seasons at Wayzata West on Tuesday, February 16. For safety reasons, the players will only play on the days they are in school (Hybrid A kids will play on Monday/Wed/ every other Fri and Hybrid B kids will play on Tuesday/Thursday/ every other Friday). The Distant Learning students will be given a choice on what day they would like to compete. The schedule of games will consist of only the three Wayzata Middle Schools. The number of players will be capped at 25 per grade so make sure you get your Epay registration as soon as possible because the time stamp will determine the cut off. If you have any questions please contact athletic director, Chris Bisanz.
Reminders
From WMS Tech Hub/Tech Support Please check with your student to see if they have a damaged or non-working iPad. If they do, winter break is an excellent time to get it repaired, whether or not you have purchased insurance.
It's important that your student has a working iPad that is fully charged. A great time for your student to charge their iPad is to do it overnight. That way it will be fully charged and ready to go by morning. The top two reasons why an iPad may be having charging issues:
Special Yearbook Announcement
From Student Services Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have concerns about your sons and daughters. We would like to collaborate with you to determine how we can help.
Attendance Reminder/Update A reminder that students should be joining each class period via their Zoom link and attendance will be taken each period at the beginning and end. Our automated attendance system will now go out at 3:35 p.m.
Select Choir Select Choir is an extracurricular activity open to all students who want to sing and socialize more! No audition required. We'll meet on Fridays on Zoom, exact time TBD. Fill out this interest form if you might want to join us! Contact Erin Schmidt if you have questions.
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.
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 We are reaching out to students and families to submit their photos from the first week of school. Please 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 submit 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 child'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 February 11 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Stay tuned for Zoom link.
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 Have You Traveled Out of State? Culinary Transition to Titan Meal Payment System Learn More! Login to Titan School Solutions January Legislative Action Committee
Community Ed Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience Filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston takes the conversation around screens and teens to the next level with Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience—a film that examines the science behind teen’s emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done in our schools and homes to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age. Once you have registered, your email address will be shared with the Screenagers organization. You will receive a unique link, that will allow you to view the film twice between January 15 - 27. Registration deadline: January 12 by 7:00 a.m.
Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information.
Calendar School Events District Events Friday, January 15, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 19, 2021 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM School Board Meetings |