WMS Update
SEPTEMBER 2026
Picture Day
- Tuesday, September 1st
STAR Reading Test
- Wednesday, September 2nd
Student Council forms due back to Ms. McCormick
- Wednesday, September 2nd
STAR Math Test
- Thursday, September 3rd
Builder's Club Meeting
- Friday, September 4th
NO School (Labor Day)
- Monday, September 7th
Homecoming Week
- September 21st-25th
Friday Early Dismissals (1:20pm)
- September 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th
P/T Conferences
- Wednesday, September 30th from 3:45 - 7:15pm in the cafeteria & gym
Expectations
Permitted Personal Device Usage:
Before 8:10 am and after 3:20 pm.
If instructed by a teacher, students may use their phones for learning.
Students turn off or silence cell phones and put them in their lockers or bags. Smart watches must be silenced or turned off in class.
Students secure phones out of sight in classrooms.
Cell phones should never be used in locker rooms or restrooms.
Students and staff must give consent to be photographed or recorded (audio or video).
Consequences
By choosing to use your personal device you are choosing the following consequences:
Students found in violation of the cell phone policy will be given the following consequences (including students allowing other students to use their cell phone):
1st Offense: Device turned into office and Student picks up phone from the office after 3:20 pm.
2nd Offense and Subsequent: Parents will be notified the day of the offense and asked to pick up the phone after 3:20 pm. Parent, Student and Admin meeting to determine future plan.
If a student in violation of this policy refuses to turn over their device, they may be sent home for the remainder of the school day, and this will count as an unexcused absence. Repeated violations of this policy may result in additional disciplinary consequences in accordance with the board policy.
It's time for our fall screenings! In the past we have used aReading and aMath but are switching to Star Tests. These will give us a much better assessment of how your child is progressing with more in depth information of their strengths and weaknesses. We use these screeners to see progress throughout the year and determine who may be in need of further intervention.
Please make sure you encourage your student to:
- Go to bed early/get great sleep
- Eat a good breakfast
- Have their Chromebook charged and with them at school
- Have wired earbuds/headphones to use
Students will take their Star Reading assessment on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd during ELA classes.
Students will take their Star Math assessment on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd during Math classes.
Washington Middle School hosts Parent/Teacher Conferences once every term. We don't have scheduled times to come meet the teachers. Parents come anytime from 3:45 - 7:15pm to the cafeteria & gym on Wednesday, September 30th where all teachers are located. Please make sure to arrive before 7 so that you have adequate time to meet with all teachers.
Unable to attend in person? Feel free to email the teachers and they will reply back. This link will take you to the school website where all staff are listed with their email.
Other WMS P/T Conference dates:
Term 2 = December 2nd
Term 3 = February 17th
Term 4 = April 21st
EMPATHY is our CKH focus work for the months of August AND September. We will focus on different lessons throughout the month in our morning homeroom groups.
What is Empathy?
Empathy is the ability to be aware of, understand, and be sensitive to another person’s feelings. Instead of focusing on how these feelings impact ourselves, empathy motivates us to focus on others and respond with care and compassion.
Why Focus on Empathy?
Empathy builds positive classroom culture. Empathy empowers students to learn to understand each other to build trust and safety in the classroom.
Empathy strengthens the community. Empathy helps students strengthen their relationships with classmates, other students and adults at school, and at home.
Empathy prepares your students to be leaders in their community. The best leaders understand the people they lead and are able to show they care.
Empathy In Action:
Take a different perspective. When you take a different perspective, you put aside your own feelings and reactions to see the situation through another’s eyes.
Put aside judgment. Take a pause and rather than express conclusions about a situation based on what you see, step back and consider other things you may still need to know or understand.
Communicate that you understand. Instead of giving advice, respond with reflective phrases like, “It sounds like you...” or “I hear that you...” to express that you understand and care.
The MS Kindness Kloset has everything you need: school supplies, clothing (YM to Adult 4X), jackets, socks, shoes, and other personal care items. If you are in need of any of these items, stop by the MS main office or call 319-653-5414 to make an appointment. We support students and families of all ages in the district.
WMS Band website! Check it out! wms-bands.com
WMS Choir website! Check it out! www.wms-vocal-music.org
You can find lots of music information and concert/performance dates on these websites!
Bookmark them to keep them handy on your computer or phone!
All activity schedules will now be found on BOUND.
You can download the app or use the Bound website linked here.
Want to sync your calendar with specific activity calendars on BOUND? Check out this link for instructions.
**Coach will communicate through BOUND so please make sure your notifications are on!
All Cross Country meets can be found on the BOUND pages linked below...
Follow the Washington Cross Country - Middle School Facebook page for more info.
**Coach will communicate through BOUND so please make sure your notifications are on!
All Football games can be found on the BOUND pages linked below...
**Coach will communicate through BOUND so please make sure your notifications are on!
All Volleyball games can be found on the BOUND pages linked below...
Interested in becoming involved with the WHS/WMS PTO?
We have decided to merge our WHS and WMS PTO organizations since we are in the same location! We can share the fundraising activities as well as parent/teacher conference meals and so much more. We'd love for you to be involved!
Follow our Washington High School & Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization Facebook Page
If you would like more information, please email washmiddlepto@gmail.com