They're back! It's that time of year to sign up for clubs and after school activities. The list of club/activity offerings is attached below. Please note, if the club is listed in light grey, we are looking for member of staff to supervise.
The permission form is also attached below. Student should submit their permission forms to room 301 or the front office. In order to "sign up" for a specific club, students simply need to show up to the club/activity on the days listed.
Clubs will be starting in the next two weeks. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Newell.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released the 2024 accountability data for schools and districts across Massachusetts. Once again, West Middle School has raised the bar! You can find the Offical Accountability Report here.
Here are some of the (many) highlights:
Our accountability percentile increased from last year:
2023 WMS was in the 92nd percentile
2024 WMS is in the 93rd percentile
In regards to meeting our improvement targets:
2023 we scored 72% - "Substantial progress toward targets"
2024 we scored 80% - "Meeting or exceeding targets"
This data is a testament to the hard work of our educators, students and families. Thank you for all that you do to support your students.
September isn't even over yet but the private school applications are already rolling in. We are happy to assist you in the process. Please see the letter (attached below), which will answer all you questions about the process. If you have further questions, please reach out to Ms. Smart in our front office.
Wednesday, October 2nd is an early release day for students. On early release days, we run a condensed schedule; students will have all of their classes for a shortened period of time. Dismissal occurs at 11:30am. Students will be able to get lunch prior to their dismissal.
School dances are coming! Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
The dates of our upcoming dances are as follows:
6th grade - 11/15
7th grade - 11/22
8th grade - 11/1
Bullying and Social Media Eduction and Prevention
Before the pandemic, screen use, anxiety, and social problems (like bullying and fighting) were top concerns for parents. The last few years have made some of these issues even more challenging. This talk will examine challenges in school, like bullying, friendship skills, and mental health, and how the ways kids use screens, gaming, and social media can impact these. Research will be summarized, and practical approaches to family life that can help children develop emotional resilience, healthy social skills and friendships, and sensible screen and social media habits will be discussed during this presentation. We will discuss how to move forward, how to partner with your child's school, and how to help parents be most productive in guiding their children towards optimal social and emotional health.
