Mr. Smith's Snippets



August 25, 2016

Dear Parents:

Hi, I hope the first week of school has been a seamless transition for you and your students.  It has been very enjoyable seeing all of the smiles, even the forced ones, in the morning when students are walking into school.  We have had a very positive start to the year and I am very pleased with how well students and staff are building positive relationships and coming together as the Washington Middle Family. 

Upcoming School Events:

Tuesday August 30th:
 
Fall Picture Day

Thursday September 1st
:
 
Open House/Curriculum Night (PTO Social @ 5:45 PM in the Gym; Welcome at 6:30 PM)

Monday September 12th - Friday September 16th:
PTO Spirit Week

Friday September 16th:
Annual PTO Student Kickball Tournament, 2:55 PM

Wednesday September 28th:
End of Term 1

Thursday September 29th:
12:10 Dismissal - Student Early Release

Thursday, September 1st is our annual Open House/Curriculum Night at WMS.  This year our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is hosting an informal parent "social" in the gym with light snacks and drinks starting at 5:45 PM until the opening welcome at 6:30 PM.  After the welcome, parents will transition through their son/daughter's schedule and attend ten minutes classes with four minute passing periods.  We are looking forward to meeting everyone next week and sharing a glimpse of what your students have in store for them this year at WMS. 


WMS Open House Schedule - September 1st

Students have written their daily schedules for the first semester in their planners.  Schedules are also available in the SIS Parent Portal, which you may print in advance or view via your mobile device using your login and password.  If you need a copy of your child's schedule, we are happy to help you before Open House/Curriculum Night.  However, we are not printing all student schedules in advance unless a parent requests a copy upon arrival September 1st.  Thanks for assisting us in being more efficient with our paper supply at WMS. 

Thank you for your time, please do not hesitate to call the office at 314-467-7600 if you have any questions.  Thanks. 

Sincerely, 

Adam



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August 15, 2016

Dear Washington Middle Families:


Please take a moment and read this information regarding the opening of the school year.  Our first attendance day is August 17, 2016.

Schedules - 7th & 8th Graders:​  Students will pick-up their schedules from their advisory teacher on the first day of school.  Schedules will be available no later than August 15th on the student/parent portal.  Advisory lists will be posted at the entrance to the 7th and 8th grade hallways on the first day of school so students are able to find their advisory class.  Students may ask teachers, counselors, and principals on the first day of school if they have a question about which advisory teacher to report to when the day begins. 

First Day of School Information:  Wednesday, August 17th

Students may arrive at school by 7:45 AM.  Bus riders will be dropped off on the Ambs Road side of campus, car riders are dropped off in the circle drive, and walkers/bike riders enter through the main entrance at the flag pole before school.

Staff will guide students to specific areas of the building that are supervised between 7:45 and 8:00 AM.  Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders not eating breakfast in the cafeteria will report to their grade-level hallways until the 7:55 AM bell sounds to go to Advisory for the first day. 

Lockers will be assigned by team teachers during the first week of school.  The only supplies that are needed on the first day of school will be a pen or pencil, and paper.  Please keep all other supplies at home until lockers are assigned by the teachers. 

Breakfast and lunch will be served on the first day of school.  The cost to purchase breakfast is $1.00 and the cost of a hot lunch is $2.55.  Students are welcome to bring their lunch as well. 

School begins at 8:00 AM and dismissal is at 2:50 PM.  Buses will board on the Ambs Road side of campus.  Car riders wait outside the main entrance on the circle drive sidewalk for their ride.  Walkers/Bike riders may leave campus after buses have left the parking lot.  

Please send a signed note to the office by August 22nd if you give permission for your child to routinely walk and/or ride their bike home from school.   

Information:  

Combination Locks:  One lock is needed for the hallway locker and the other lock for the PE locker.  We recommend combination three number dialed locks versus ones that spell out words.  Keyed locks are also fine, please have your child leave a labeled spare key in the office.

Student Discipline:  During the first week of school, we will discuss with students expected school behavior.  We will be reviewing discipline expectations and school universals including The Washington Way - Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Responsible.  

Click here:  Mehlville School District Student Discipline Policies


Social Media:  
Please follow us on social media if you subscribe to any of the following communication methods:  Twitter - @Principal_WMS; Facebook - Washington Middle School Mehlville; and Instagram - wmsprincipal.   

Parent Portal:  The parent portal is a great tool for parents to check attendance, grades, lunch accounts, tardies, and office visits.  New portal user requests forms will be sent home via peachjar.  If your e-mail address has recently been updated, please complete the form or call the main office at 314-467-7600 and we will update and resend your login information to the new address. 

Student Dress:  Young women are expected to dress tastefully for school.  Students, staff, and parents do not wish to see any middle schooler's undergarments.  No midriffs should be showing or spaghetti-straps, low cut shirts, short skirts/shorts, and pajamas are not permitted at school.  WMS may provide a t-shirt to students who are dressed inappropriately if they are not able to make appropriate modifications to the clothing in question. 

Young men are expected to dress tastefully for school.  Students, staff, and parents do not wish to see any middle schooler's undergarments.  No sagging shorts or jeans with underwear or gym shorts showing, shirts with the underarms cut out, and pajamas are not permitted at school.  WMS may provide a t-shirt to students who are dressed inappropriately if they are not able to make appropriate modifications to the clothing in question. 
 
Click Here:  Mehlville School District Student Dress Code  
 
  

Who do I call?

There may be times when you have a question, need clarification, and/or need to relay a positive or concern to the school.  Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail anytime you are seeking information from Washington.  If the staff member you are trying to reach is not available, please leave a voice message at their phone extension or with Mrs. Haertling or Mrs. Wagner in the office.  The appropriate school staff will follow-up with you within 24 hours or less.

Specific teacher or classroom questions/concerns, curriculum questions, assignments, classroom discipline, and grades - Please contact the teacher. 

Course offerings, student peer situations, personal student concerns, crisis support, and student records - Please contact the counseling office. 

Office assigned discipline, emergencies, safety, and attendance - Please contact the main office. 


Afternoon Car Rider Pick-up:
#1.  All car traffic enters the parking lot at the entrance closest to the WMS sign.  Continue driving to the back of the building and turn around in the rear parking lot.  Pull forward along the right-hand side of the drive.  The first vehicle in line should park by the fire hydrant at the entrance to the circle drive.  The first car in the pick-up line will be facing Ambs Road. 
#2.  Once the buses have left the circle drive, the first car in the pick-up line may turn into the circle drive and pull forward around the circle.  The goal is to safely load several cars at once and move our pick-up line efficiently.  

Click Here:  Afternoon Pick-up Map


WMS Student Bus Routes & Rules:

Click Here:  Mehlville WMS Routes

Click Here:  Riverview Gardens WMS Routes

Click Here:  Mehlville District Bus Rules

Please communicate with your child the route number that they ride before the first day of school.  Nothing can describe the face of a middle school student staring at seventeen school buses and uncertain which bus they rode to school in the morning.  Thanks in advance for your help in making the first day of the year as stress-free as possible for students. 

School Supply Lists:

Click Here:  2016-2017 Supply Lists


Thanks for reading! 

AWS. 




 

Dear Parents:

Hello, after the rain amounts this morning and the current radar preciptiation models from the West, it is necessary to cancel our Kickball Tournament for the kids today after school.  The fields are saturated and it is not worth risking anyone getting injured if the weather improves throughout the day.  All students will go home today at 2:50 PM

 

The tournament is rescheduled for NEXT Friday, September 23rd, same times and location.  Thanks for your understanding, this information will be on the WMS social media outlets and web site.  Enjoy the weekend!   

Sincerely,

Adam

PS  - I enjoyed observing so much school spirit this week with our Washington Eagles. 

 

Dear Parents:

Hello, after the rain amounts this morning and the current radar preciptiation models from the West, it is necessary to cancel our Kickball Tournament for the kids today after school.  The fields are saturated and it is not worth risking anyone getting injured if the weather improves throughout the day.  All students will go home today at 2:50 PM

 

The tournament is rescheduled for NEXT Friday, September 23rd, same times and location.  Thanks for your understanding, this information will be on the WMS social media outlets and web site.  Enjoy the weekend!   

Sincerely,

Adam

PS  - I enjoyed observing so much school spirit this week with our Washington Eagles. 

The Mehlville School District strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and other characteristics protected by law. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: contact Adam Smith at 314-467-5006 or [email protected].