Wilson Middle School Newsletter

Wilson Middle School Vision Statement:

Every Student Matters, Every Future Counts.

Wilson Middle School Mission Statement:

We will provide equitable opportunities for achievement to all students by:

• Fostering high academic and behavioral expectations
• Continuously improving instruction
• Using multiple methods to assess and provide feedback of student achievement
• Building partnerships with parents, guardians, and community members
• Utilizing strategies to build positive relationships and social emotional learning

Dear Parents,

This has been a great start to the 2026-2027 school year! Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your students' learning. It has been great to greet and meet so many of you at our Open House, athletic events and Booster meetings. We hope you continue to stay involved in your students' learning...in my opinion middle school years are when they most need you.

Speaking of opportunities to be involved, the Teacher/Parent/Student Conferences are coming up at the end of this month starting on Tuesday, October 27th through Thursday, October 29th. We will be sending reminders as we get closer to the dates.

A reminder to parents of a very important resource for your students, that is the after-school homework center. We have teachers and other support staff available to help students’ complete assignments, assessments, projects, or just a quiet place to read.

Please make sure to take the time to read over the contents of this newsletter as there is valuable information including important dates to remember.

Thank you again for your ongoing partnership.

Mr. Ariaza, Principal

CHECKING OUT YOUR STUDENT: When you know your student has an appointment or needs to be picked up early, we ask you to send a note or call in the morning with the time they will be picked up. Your student will need to turn in the note to the office and will receive a pass to be released with the time you indicate. We will not be calling classrooms, as this interrupts instruction.

Also, we ask that you encourage your student to go see the nurse when they are feeling sick instead of texting you during class or passing time. Cell phones are not allowed to be used during the school day. The office does have a student phone if your student needs to get a hold of you for any reason. If you have any questions, please call our Attendance Secretary, Ms. Bautista, at (509) 573-2410.

September

9/29 - First Quarter mid term ends

October

10/6 - Homework center starts every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

10/9 - All Money turned in for Color Run ot be elegible for prizes

10/13 - Parent Booster Meeting in the Cafeteria at 5 p.m.

10/14 - Choir, Advanced Orchestra and Advanced Band cocnert in Main Gym at 6:30 p.m.

10/15 - Color Run!!!

10/16 - NO SCHOOL

10/23 - Fall School Dance in the Small Gym 2:15-3:45 p.m. - Student ID is required for entry

10/26 - Registration open for Winter 1 Sports

10/26 - Early Release 11:00 a.m.

10/28 - Parent sports meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria

10/27-29 - Parent/Teacher conferences Early Release 11:00 a.m.

10/30 - First Quarter Ends

10/30 - Early Release 11:00 a.m.

November

11/6 - Winter 1 sports registration closes

Parents, you must update your student’s information and emergency contact list. If there will be any changes to your phone numbers or address, please contact our Registrar, Ms. Thomas, at (509) 573-2406.

"GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a program that supports students and families in preparing for college and future careers. We provide tutoring, mentoring, workshops, and field trips to help students succeed academically and explore opportunities after high school. For parents, we offer resources, information, and events to guide you in supporting your child’s educational journey. Together, we work to build a strong foundation for student success."

HOMEWORK CENTER IN THE LIBRARY is after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Students must come right at the start and sign in for attendance. Students can get help with assignments, use any supplies to complete work, and attendance records are kept daily. if you have any questions you can call the school at 573-2400 or the library after 2:30 p.m. at 573-2422.

Valuing and showing consideration for the feelings, rights, and traditions of others

Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year Wilson Parents and Students!

A message from your counselors:

We are your counselors Jennifer Brownlow (last names A-L) and Yvonne Robinson (M-Z). Please call or email us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your students' academic or social well-being. We would be happy to help in any way we can. We encourage students to schedule time to speak to their counselor to talk about stress, anxiety, family changes, friendship, grief and loss or anything that is on their mind. Please encourage your student to come to the office, call or email their counselor to set up a time to talk. We look forward to working with you and your students this year!

Mrs. Brownlow and Mrs. Robinson

Jennifer Brownlow (509) 573-2416 brownlow.jennifer@ysd7.org

Yvonne Robinson (509) 573-2417 robinson.yvonne@ysd7.org

If you lost your housing and now live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, camping ground, or temporary trailer; on the street; doubled-up with family or friends; or in another type of temporary or inadequate housing, your child might be able to receive help through a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act. For information, contact your school counselor or contact Javier Vela, McKinney-Vento/Foster K-12 Manager at (509) 573-7266 or vela.javier@ysd7.org.

STUDENTS AND TECHNOLOGY: Students are required to bring their laptops with them EVERY DAY to school! Please make sure your student charges their laptop the night before.

If they are having issues or need a charger, your student can go to the library from Tuesday-Friday from 8:15-10:15 a.m. to speak to our Tech personal.

Registration for Winter 1 sports, Girl's Basketball and Wrestling, opens on October 26th. Register online at www.familyid.com. Please be sure your student athlete has a Sports Physical, which is different from a well-child check; if they had a physical completed for fall sports it is good for the rest of the year.

The Parent Meeting will be on Monday, October 28th at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

The season officially starts on Tuesday, November 3rd with a 30-minute meeting after school. The first full practice is on Wednesday, November 4th from 2:15 - 4:45 p.m.

Monday: 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Tuesday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

All student cell phones, earbuds, and electronic devices are to be turned off and stored in student backpacks once students are on campus between the hours of 7:40 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Wilson Middle School staff will not be responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or electronic devices. If the student is caught with their phone out during school hours, the phone will be taken to the office. The student can pick up their phone at the end of the day. From the third offense and on, this may lead to a referral each time their phone is taken away.

If students need to reach parents for any reason they can use the phone in the office.

Please encourage your student to come to the office if they are not feeling well. We do not allow students to text or call parents from their cell phones in class. This disrupts learning and causes confusion in the office because we are unaware as to why the student is leaving.

Wilson Middle School guidelines for students will foster an environment of respect for oneself, a sense of school pride, and will improve the level of safety in our building, while maintaining a focus on academic achievement. This policy applies to all students at Wilson Middle School.

Students may wear:

· Pants, shorts, sport shorts, and skirts of any color.

· "Students may wear shorts and skirts provided they are not excessively short and maintain appropriate coverage throughout the school day."

· Tops that are of any color, or style, as long as shoulders, cleavage, backs, chest, and midriffs are covered.

· Hats and hoods, but only outside the building.

· Footwear that is safe for all school activities.

Students may not wear:

· Pants, shorts, or skirts with holes above the finger tips; unless worn with leggings underneath.

· Clothing with excessively ripped/hanging material that can catch or snag.

- Muscle shirts, tank tops or crop tops.

· Bedtime slippers, flip-flops, or “slides”.

· Pants, shorts, or skirts, “sagged”.

· Trench coats or long overcoats.

· Any items deemed by administration as disruptive to the educational process, such as gang attire, or items with sexual, drug or alcohol messages, or those deemed unsafe. (This includes gang color or representation through numbers, pictures, Old English fonts, etc.)

We believe our dress code preserves our commitment to provide a safe and equitable school environment for all students. If in doubt, please call (509) 573-2400 to avoid a disruption to your student’s education.

ABSENCES: If you have not called in your student's absence and we have not made contact with you, please send a note with your student upon his/her return in order to avoid an unexcused absence. We are now required to send an attendance letter after three unexcused absences. At five unexcused absences, we will schedule a conference to discuss attendance issues. If, your child obtains 7 unexcused absences or 10 unexcused absences in a year a BECCA petition will be filed for your student in juvenile court. Feel free to contact our Attendance Secretary, Ms. Bautista, at (509) 573-2410.

TARDIES: Students need to be in class by the time the tardy bell rings. In the morning, the first bell rings at 7:40 a.m., students are expected to be in class by 7:45 a.m. and ready to learn! Students have 3 minutes to get to their next class on time; otherwise they are tardy, which disrupts the learning process.

Students should always check their school email and Canvas page to stay current on their school assignments.

Nondiscrimination Statement: “Yakima School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Christina Larsen, Deputy Superintendent, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7032, larsen.christina@ysd7.org. Section 504/ADA Coordinator (Students): Shawn Orminski, Assistant Director of Student Services, 105 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7263, orminski.shawn@ysd7.org; ADA Coordinator (Non-Students): Christopher Miller, Director of Human Resources, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7066, miller.christopher@ysd7.org. Title IX Coordinator: Omar Santoy, Executive Director of Student Services, 105 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7260, santoy.omar@ysd7.org. Deputy Title IX Coordinators: Erin Thomas, Director of Student Services, 105 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7261, thomas.erin@ysd7.org; Shawn Orminski, Assistant Director of Student Services, 105 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7263, orminski.shawn@ysd7.org; Kim Newell, Director of Human Resources, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7068, newell.kimberlee@ysd7.org; Christopher Miller, Director of Human Resources, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7066, miller.christopher@ysd7.org. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend a program or activity sponsored by the Yakima School District should contact the appropriate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator 24 hours in advance of the event to inquire about reasonable accommodation. Deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and/or speech-impaired individuals may access Washington Relay Services by calling 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.”

Website: https://www.ysd7.org/Domain/232

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonmiddleschoolysd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilsonMiddleYSD

Twitter: @WilsonCavaliers
Location: 902 S. 44th Ave., Yakima, WA 98908
Phone: (509) 573-2400