Westside Middle School

It was exciting to have student back in the building. The purpose of this weekly newsletter is to keep parents/guardians informed of important announcements of what is happening here at Westside Middle School. This newsletter will be sent out on Sundays around noon.

WMS Open House/Curriculum Night - Tuesday, August 25th (information below)

Picture Day (for those that missed Orientation)- Monady, August 24th.

No School:

Monday, September 7th (Labor Day)

Tuesday, September 8th (Teacher Professional Learning Day)

At the bottom of every newsletter you will find buttons that will take you directly to our Social Media sites, WMS Website, Homework Tracker, and Lunch Menu.

Each Team will use a homework tracker. Parents are encouraged to use this to see what is being assigned in the Core Classes (Math, Science, Social St., Language Arts). You will find links to each team's homework tracker on the WMS Website (Select For Families and then select homework tracker). You will need to know what team your student is on. Click on the homework tacker button below.

Any questions about athletics at WMS should be directed to Dan Carlson at carlson.daniel@westside66.net

7th Grade Tryouts Monday, August 17th 3:30-5:00 WMS Gyms

8th Grade Tryouts Tuesday, August 18th 3:30 5:00 WMS Gyms

Girls selected from these 2 nights will be asked to return for a 2nd round of tryouts Thursday, August 20th and Friday, August 21st. Teams will be selected after tryouts Friday 8/21.

Practice with selected teams will begin Monday, August 24th 3:30 -5:00. A parent meeting will be held after practice on Thursday, August 27th in the WMS Auditorium.

**All athletes interested in playing volleyball must have an updated physical on file and a parental consent form completed before the 1st day of practice. Athletic Fee of $40 due by September 1.

Head Coach: Chelsea Guruvaiya, guruvaiya.chelsea@westside66.net

Equipment Checkout Monday, August 17th 3:30 - 5:00 WMS Football Pit

Practice Begins Tuesday, August 18th 3:30-5:00.

Parent Meeting Tuesday, August 18th 5:15 - 5:45 WMS Auditorium

**All athletes playing football must have an updated physical on file and a parental consent form completed before the 1st day of practice. Athletic Fee of $40 due by September 1.

Head Coach: Jacob Kent, kent.jacob@westside66.net

1st Day of Practice Thursday, August 20th 3:30 - 4:45

Sign up at Student Orientation or August 17th or 18th in the cafeteria after school

Parent Meeting Monday, August 24th at 5:00 in WMS Cafeteria

**All athletes interested in running cross county must have an updated physical on file and a parental consent form completed before the 1st day of practice. Athletic fee of $40 due by September 1.

Head Coach: Thomas Benedetto, benedetto.thomas@westside66.net

Vocal & Choreo Audition Rehearsals Before School from 7:00-7:50

Monday 8/24

Tuesday 8/25

Wednesday 8/26

Thursday 8/27

Friday 8/28

• Each group will sign up for a 12 minute audition slot.
• Students will need to arrive 30 minutes prior to their audition slot for warm-ups.
• Students may leave immediately following their audition.

Questions? Contact Mr. Gerking at gerking.tom@westside66.net

AUDITIONS!!! We cannot wait to see you at the WMS Musical, "The Addams Family".

Be sure to sign up for your audition day by Sunday, August 23rd AND attend the Parent/Guardian Meeting on the 20th at 5:30pm in the PAC.

Sign up Here: Audition Link

Auditions will be after school from 3:30-6:00 on the following dates:

Monday 8/24

Tuesday 8/25

Wednesday 8/26

Call Backs - Thursday 8/27 from 3:30-6:00

Questions? Contact Mrs. Ludington at ludington.jill@westside66.net

Drop off and pick up can be a little crazy here at WMS. Please make sure you are following all traffic laws!! Below is a map to show traffic flow.

No cars will be allowed to enter the circle drive to drop off or pick up, unless this has been pre-arranged with your student's IEP case manager. You may drop off your student on Arbor Street. Arbor Street is one way from the parking lot entrance going east to 85th Street. There will be no parking in the bus lane on Arbor Street. There is absolutely NO PARKING on Arbor street going east from 87th to the entrance of WMS Parking lot. This part of Arbor Street is two-ways, if people park there, buses can not fit.

When you drop off in the parking lot please make sure you are following the arrows as the aisles are one way! If you come up the drive from Center Street, please pull forward as far as you can before having your student get out. It is important that you do not stop right in front of the PAC entrance because it backs the drive up.

Tuesday, August 25th WMS will host their Open House/Curriculum Night. We encourage parents to come in and meet teachers. We have two sessions that you can choose from. Please make sure you have a copy of your student's schedule or teacher names off of PowerSchool. We will not be printing off schedules so please bring this information with you.

Session 1

• 6:00-6:15 Parents in the PAC
• 6:20-6:40 In Team Areas With Team Presentations
• 6:40--7:00 Visit Encore/Find Classrooms

Session 2

• 7:15- 7:30 Parents in PAC
• 7:35-7:55 Team Area with Team Presentations
• 7:55-8:15 Visit Encore/Find Classrooms

Cell Phones are to be kept in backpacks or lockers from 8:00-3:15. Research has shown that when students are not on their phones during school hours, they are more engaged inside and outside of the classroom. Students will be sent to the referral room to hand in any cell phones that are out and being used.

**If you need to get a hold of your student you may call the main office and we can either deliver the message or give them the message to call you.

Students are not allowed to bring outside food and drink into the building. Only water is allowed in the halls and classrooms. Other beverages, like Alani's/Celsius/Pop, may be brought in their lunch and drank during their lunch period in the cafeteria.

If anyone brings in Scooters or Dunkin' in the morning, it must be consumed in the cafeteria before dismissal. This includes students coming in late or after an appointment. They will have to consume it before they can go to class which means they will miss more class time.

Attendance is a huge key to Success at Westside Middle School

• The goal is to miss less than 9 days per year of school.
• Several layers of support:

• 5 days student meeting with homeroom teacher

• 10 days student meeting with Counselor

• 15 days student meeting with parent and dean

• 20 days report to County Attorney

After 10 days of absence, all absences will be unexcused unless accompanied by a doctor's note.

*Deans and counselors will work with families who have special circumstances.*

If your student will be gone please call the main office as soon as possible. You may leave a message at 402-390-6464 or email at wms.attendance@westside66.net

WHS Is hosting a fall Dance clinic for Pre-K - 8th grade students.

When: Sept 4th 5:00-7:00 pm

Registration Fee: $50 which includes a clinic T-Shirt and Snack

Westside Dance Team Kids Clinic Instagram Post

Register Here

2026-27 WMS Administration:

Kim Eymann - Principal eymann.kimberly@westside66.net

Jordan Rhodes - Assistant Principal (Dean 7C, 8A). rhodes.jordan@westside66.net

Amber Biegler - Asst Principal and Special Education Coordinator biegler.amber@westside66.net

Dan Carlson - Dean and Athletic Director (Dean 7A, 7B, 8C). carlson.daniel@westside66.net

Kellon Johnson - Dean (7D, 8B, 8D). johnson.kellon@westside66.net