Message from Mr. Carlson Congratulations to our students, staff and families on making it to the end of 1st Semester and the mid-way point in the school year. We've encountered many challenges in pulling off the first half of this year but also have had many successes to celebrate. I have been so impressed with the flexibility, resilience and persistence of our students. The end of the semester presents a nice opportunity to reflect on the first half of the year. I encourage you to have a conversation with your student and let them share with you their thoughts on 1st Semester and share hopes and goals for the rest of the year.
Teachers have been having conversations with their students this week about what to expect next week. If your student is in the Wayzata Distance Choice option, you will notice little or no change in your programming. Whether in Hybrid or Distance Choice, your student will want to be sure to check Skyward for schedule adjustments at some point over the weekend.
Thanks for your help in getting your student ready to go for next Monday and Tuesday. With any luck, we are heading safely toward a return to a more traditional school schedule in the months ahead. We will continue to monitor the situation and will be ready to adapt our model no matter which direction the COVID numbers go.
Did You Know? Culinary Transition to Titan Meal Payment System Culinary Express is updating our point of sale system for school breakfasts and lunches to Titan School Solutions beginning January 4, 2021. Titan provides user-friendly solutions for families and removes the need for personal identification numbers (PINs). We will continue to use Nutrislice for our web-based menus and ordering system for distance learning meals. Please remember that breakfast and lunch are free for all students for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year due to the pandemic. Students will only need funds in their account for the remainder of this school year if they plan to make à la carte purchases.
Return to Hybrid Mode We are looking forward to welcoming our middle school students who selected the hybrid learning model back to school buildings starting with Cohort A on Monday, February 1. Cohort B will be back in the building on Tuesday, February 2.
The learning experience for students in the hybrid learning model will be very similar to this fall. The following features will be in place to support students on their at-home learning days:
Here are a few important need-to-know items associated with the return to Hybrid:
Attendance Guidelines Hybrid: On the in-person, synchronous days, attendance will be taken each period. On the at-home, asynchronous days, attendance will be taken during their virtual Advisory and Encore classes, with the exception of Fridays only being during virtual Advisory.
Distance Choice: All students will attend advisory each day and attendance will be taken. Attendance will also be taken each period on their synchronous days.
Absences: For any unexcused attendance an automated call will go out to parents/guardians. All attendance records can be seen in Skyward Family Access and can be cleared up through an attendance request or by calling the Attendance Line at 763-745-6455. More information and directions on submitting an absence online.
Upcoming PTA Meeting Please join us on zoom for the next PTA meeting on Feb.11 at 12:00 noon and hear about all that's happening at West from principal Ryan Carlson and associate principal Jim Bollum.
Join Zoom Meeting
From the Health/Physical Education Department: It is almost time to start our outdoor units at Klapprich Park! We will start next Wednesday, February 3 (Hybrid A), and Thursday, February 4 (Hybrid B). We will offer snowshoeing, broomball, and skating as the activities. There are a limited amount of helmets and skate sizes available. If your child has their own helmet (hockey/bike/skiing) or pair of skates that they would like to bring, that would be great. At the park- We will not have access to the warming house this season. Students will be able to put on their skates and snowshoes in the designated area next to the warming house. Weather- We will try and be outside as much as possible per the teacher and front office's discretion. Students will need to have boots, a jacket, warm/snow pants, a hat, and gloves while we are outside. Students will be able to store their cold-weather gear in the auxiliary gym each day. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us. Thanks, Mrs. Kenady and Mr. Brindise
MN Technovation Girls Program Wayzata middle schools are participating in the MN Technovation Girls Program (junior division). This program is for girls only to learn industry-relevant skills in the community from mentors in ideation, marketing, business development, user experience design, and software development (coding). The deadline is Sunday, January 31.
Teams: up to 5 girls between 10-14 years old. Commitment: 12 weeks; 4 guided hours per week with a coach and mentor Curriculum: online at https://technovationmn.org/get-involved/teen-girls/
If you are interested, please complete the Google Survey below:
Spring Conferences 2021 Parent/Guardian conferences are here! Due to the pandemic, parents will utilize Zoom for conferencing to meet with individual teachers. Use the information below to sign up. With the limited time that we have we will not have enough spots for every family to conference with every teacher. Teachers are always happy to connect with parents if you have questions or concerns as we partner to support student learning.
Conference Sign up When: Sign up for conferences opens on Wednesday, February 3 and will remain open until Friday, February 12, at 4:00 p.m. How: Skyward Conference Scheduling Parent Instructions - Skyward Family Access Parents must sign up for each teacher they want a conference with. If you have any trouble signing up for conferences call Student Services at 763-745-6432.
Conferences When: Thursday, February 11 - 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. & Friday, February 12 - 8:15 a.m. - 4:15p.m.
How: Via Zoom * If a Zoom conference does not work for your family or you are having technical difficulties you may call the teacher's extension which will be sent out to families in an email prior to conferences.
Each conference is 8 minutes long. Once Parents have signed up using Skyward Family Access to get a time slot, they will use their teachers Zoom link to start the conference. An email will be sent to parents prior to conferences with a list of Teachers Zoom Links and phone extensions. Teachers will not post this link to their Canvas page as previously stated. Once parents join the Zoom meeting they will be placed in a "waiting room" for the conference and admitted by the teacher. Parents should try to identify themselves in the waiting room for teachers convenience.
Parent Conference Reminders: Parent email reminders are automatically generated from Skyward 5 days and 1 day prior to the parent's conference. We have updated the email to read:
2021 spring conferences will be conducted via Zoom meeting. You should receive your Zoom meeting instructions from your teacher at least one day before your conference.
This is a reminder for the following teacher conference:
Date: <Conference Date> Time: <Conference Start Time> to <Conference End Time>
Guardians: <Signed Up Guardians> Teacher: <Conference Teacher> Student: <Student Full Name LFM> Course: <Course>
2021-2022 School Year Online Registration Information for Electives(Encore) Registration is open from February 9, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. through, March 31, 2021.
Student Services Office will use an online registration option for the 2021-22 school year. This will be a convenient way for students and parents to choose their student's elective courses "Encore" and give the Student Services Office an accurate student count for the next school year.
Students can access the registration information through their "Skyward Family Access" account or students can access it through "Skyward Student Access."
6th Grade Students Current 6th grade students need to confirm their music choice for the 2021-2022 school year. Transfers into band or orchestra need prior approval. 6th grade students will be informed of this through their advisory class and register in Advisory. Encore required classes for Seventh-grade students include Spanish, Tech Ed, and Family Consumer Science. Parents can review student's music choice through Skyward Family Access. Registering students early will help us make staffing decisions for next year.
2021-2022 School Year Online Registration Instructions.
7th Grade Students Current 7th grade students will review encore choices and register for next year's classes in Advisory. Parents can review students' choices through Skyward Family Access. Registering students early will help us make staffing decisions for next year.
For 8th grade students will need to select a music choice, two electives, and two alternate electives. Students will be introduced to this in Advisory but may change their selections at any time during the registration period.
2021-2022 School Year Online Registration Instructions Current Seventh Grade
8th Grade Encore Course Descriptions
We appreciate your feedback on this process and the documentation provided. Please email jim.bollum@wayzataschools.org with any questions or concerns. Or call the Student Services office at 763-745-6432.
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 February 8 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 will release an orientation video for parents on February 8. 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. This Zoom opportunity will occur on February 10 at 8:00 a.m. A link will be provided closer to the date. If you have questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact Amy Kondziolka, school counselor.
Upcoming Important Dates
Reminders West Middle School Spelling Bee is here! Attention Parents and Students, use this link: to complete the google form to indicate interest in participating. The virtual competition will be on Thursday, February 4 at 2:30 p.m. or Friday, February 5 at noon. Please contact Clarice Jorenby with any questions.
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.
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.
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! 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 Culinary Express Meal Updates for February Culinary Express Meal Updates for February WPS Native American Education Resources
Community Ed Parenting in a Pandemic: A Free Webinar for Parents Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information.
Calendar School Events District Events Thursday, March 18, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM School Board Meetings |