Warrior Weekly

Congratulations to the following talented musicians who performed in GCSD's All-County Honors Band at Waccamaw High School:

Afton Brown – First Chair Trombone

Max Kakert – Second Chair Trombone

Ezraleah McElroy – Fourteenth Chair Clarinet

Ayden Parsons – First Chair Tenor Sax

Eliana Sparger – Fourth Chair Flute

Melissa Dukes – Second Chair Percussion

Willow Keith – Sixth Chair Percussion

Mekhai Munnerlyn – First Chair Tuba

Dawson Sellers – Second Chair Clarinet

Khloe Shumar – Fifteenth Chair Clarinet AND Middle School 's Most Valuable Musician

As an extension of our "Friendsgiving" With Books activity, students read different genres of books to complete their Beanstack BINGO card during the months of December and January. Any three books in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) completed their card and qualified students for our BINGO FOR BOOKS celebration! These lucky students were treated to cookies and several rounds of BINGO with the winners receiving books of their choice.

Remember that 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. During a scheduled IGP 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 have 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.

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

Be sure to come out and support Team Waccamaw Middle School at the Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 7th from 10:00 - 11:30 am oceanfront at the Litchfield Inn (1 Norris Drive, Pawleys Island). Participation requires a $50 donation; cheering your Warriors on is FREE! Thank you for your support and generosity of the South Carolia Special Olympics!

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 9th

JV Basketball at Marlboro County - Girls @ 6:00 pm; Boys @ 7:00 pm

Boys B Team Region Semi-Finals at Rosemary Middle @ 6:45 pm

Wednesday, February 11th

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