Warrior Weekly

Due to the possibility of hazardous travel conditions associated with the potential for wintry weather this weekend, Georgetown County School District will implement an eLearning day on Monday, February 2, 2026. All extracurricular activities, including athletics and other events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (January 31 and February 1), are canceled, and those scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, will be postponed.

All schools and district offices will be closed for in-person operations. The District will operate on an eLearning schedule for students and staff. Chromebooks are being sent home today with students in grades 3–12. Learning packets are being sent home with students in PK–2nd grade. Assignments must be submitted within three (3) days of our return to school in order for students to be counted present for the eLearning day. School staff will provide specific directions to students regarding eLearning expectations.

The District will provide another update no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, regarding any potential changes to the school schedule for Tuesday.

For updates, families and staff should monitor the District website, GCSD's Facebook page, and local media outlets. We encourage everyone to enjoy the wintry weather while also remaining safe.

Congratulations to Sam Rentz for winning the WMS Spelling Bee and to Dawson Sellers for being first runner-up. Sam will go on to represent Waccamaw Middle at the Region Spelling Bee on March 14th at Francis Marion University's Chapman Auditorium. Way to go Sam!

Permission slips went home with students on Tuesday, January 27, and we are excited about our upcoming job-shadow event! All WMS students have had many opportunities to learn about various careers this year through Career Day, job exploration activities, and our 8th graders even attended Pathways to Possibilities, while 7th graders focused on the importance of teamwork in the workplace. We would like each student to have the opportunity to shadow a professional at their actual job site, allowing students to learn from a firsthand experience.

On Friday, February 13, 2026, we will have an on-site job shadowing opportunity! Please help your child decide on a career that has piqued their interest, and then contact the place of employment about the possibilities of your child visiting and shadowing on Friday, February 13. Once permission has been granted for your child to shadow the career of their choice, please complete the permission slip below and return it to your child’s SOCIAL STUDIES teacher NO LATER than Thursday, February 12, 2026.

These forms will be used for attendance on Friday, February 13, 2026. Students who choose not to participate in the job shadowing opportunity are expected to be at WMS as normal. Any student who neither turns in their permission slip nor is in attendance at WMS on Friday, February 13, 2026, will be counted absent from school on that day.

Please let Mrs. Kim Williams, School Counselor, know if you have any questions about this event. kiwilliams@gcsd.k12.sc.us.

The South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) requires middle schools to implement an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) for all 8th-grade students. This year's meeting process will begin on January 12, 2026. During this meeting, the guidance counselor will meet with your student to create academic/career goals and select their 9th-grade high school courses. It is strongly encouraged that a parent/guardian attend this meeting with their child so they can be involved in the high school planning process. To schedule the IGP meeting with your child, please visit https://calendly.com/kimwilliamswms/individualized-graduation-plan-meetings to book your in-person appointment with Mrs. K. Williams at Waccamaw Middle School. If you are open to discussing this with another 8th-grade student and parent in the same meeting, please coordinate times and sign up with both students' names during the same time slot.

All 8th graders jave met with the WHS school counselor at WMS to learn about class options for 9th grade. They received a list of available courses. Please review this list with your child and select the courses you would like prior to your scheduled IGP meeting, as this will save a lot of time during this meeting. There is also be a copy of this form in your child's Guidance Google Classroom.

If we are unable to schedule an IGP meeting together, the guidance counselor will meet with your child during their school day to select high school courses with them, but your input in the selection of courses is greatly appreciated. Please let Mrs. K. Williams know if you would rather her meet with your child without you present, so that meeting can be scheduled during their school day. All IGPs must be completed by Wednesday, March 31.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the guidance counselor, Kim Williams, at kiwilliams@gcsd.k12.sc.us or call 843-237-0106.

Waccamaw Middle School will offer Seat Time Recovery in January for students who have exceeded the allowable absences or early dismissals according to district attendance guidelines. These sessions are intended only for students who need to recover instructional minutes to prevent failure due to attendance. Letters will be sent home with students and via email. January's dates are the 14th, 16th, 19th, and 23rd. Recovery time will take place in the ISS Room and will cost $10 per session. Students must register with Ms. Henry before attending and if you have any questions, please reach out to her at bhenry@gcsd.k12.sc.us.

The 8th Grade Dance sponsored by PTO will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 7-9pm. More details will follow but go ahead and mark your calendars and save the date!

Our Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 27th at 11:15 AM in the WMS gymnasium. The doors will close promptly at 11:00 AM. Students will be allowed two guests only due to space in the gymnasium. Guests should show up with their child in order to get into the ceremony. We will record the promotion ceremony for those that cannot attend. Only students who are passing all four content area classes (English, Math, Social Studies and Science) by May 22, 2026 will be allowed to participate. All textbooks, Chromebooks, and chargers must be turned in and all fees must be paid in order to participate as well. We are so excited to show off our awesome 8th grade class!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwjVr_KaEChCEO8Li76pPqdoK3whHJgB1W_Qt26d4kpAZB_w/viewform?usp=pp_url

Waccamaw Middle School is excited to come together to support the South Carolina Special Olympics through our annual Polar Plunge fundraiser! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students, staff, and families to make a meaningful impact while having fun and showing our Warrior pride. Over the next week students will have several exciting ways to participate (see the flyer below). All proceeds go directly to benefit athletes of the South Carolina Special Olympics. We hope you’ll join us in supporting this incredible cause! Students, families, and staff are also invited to join Team Waccamaw Middle School in the Polar Plunge:

Registration: A $50 donation is required to participate

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. Together, we can make this fundraiser a huge success and positively impact the lives of Special Olympics athletes.

Our Gardening Club is looking for supplies to help us make WMS brighter on the outside. If you are willing to donate any of the following supplies, please reach out to Mrs. Kim Williams:

Potting soil

Spades

Plant pots (various sizes)

Boxes for planting

Plants

Watering cans

Fertilizer

Gloves

Time is running out! Make sure to order your yearbook soon at www.jostensyearbooks.com Any questions? E-mail Mrs. Hoppe at choppe@gcsd.k12.sc.us

Monday, February 2nd

Girls and Boys JV Basketball vs Aynor @ 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Boys B Team Basketball Semifinals at Rosemary Middle @ 6:45 pm

Wednesday, February 4th

Boys B Team Basketball Championship at Andrews High School @ 6:45 pm

Thursday, February 5th

Girls and Boys JV Basketball vs Dillon @ 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Help PTO sell and distribute items to students at the WMS School Store! Please review the available slots by click on the image at the left to sign up. Also, please make sure you've completed and submitted a GCSD Volunteer form before your arrival. Forms can be found on the GCSD website (https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3896/GCSD/3154167/Volunteer_Form.pdf) or in the WMS Front Office.

Email: radams@gcsd.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.gcsd.k12.sc.us/o/wms
Location: 247 Wildcat Way, Pawleys Island, SC, USA
Phone: 843-237-0106
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Waccamawmiddleschool/