Wayland Union Middle School
November 2026 Newsletter

Hello Middle School Families
Hello, Wildcat Families!
November is here! This month, we are focusing on how we support one another, take responsibility for our learning, and contribute to a school we are proud of. Thank you for partnering with us as we help students grow.
Please take a few minutes with your student to review grades and missing assignments with your child as we work to finish the trimester strong. Encourage them to connect with teachers, make a plan for unfinished work, and ask questions when they need support. Building these habits now helps students take ownership of their learning.
Small choices make a big difference. We are reminding students to clean up after themselves, treat shared spaces with care, and have only water in the hallways. We also expect students to show respect and follow classroom expectations when a guest teacher is present.
We appreciate your communication, encouragement, and support. When school and home work together, we give students a stronger foundation for success.
Respectfully,
Rachel Cimek
Principal
Be your best. Do your best. Bring out the best in others.
Our Middle School Day
School Day Starts: 7:45am
Doors Open: 7:30am
Breakfast Served: 7:30-7:45
School Day Ends: 2:40pm
Every day at WUMS matters!
Consistent attendance helps students stay connected to their learning, build strong relationships, and develop routines that support success. Thank you for partnering with us to help students show up, engage, and make the most of each school day.
If there is a need for your student to be out, please...
- Attendance Email: wumsattendance@waylandunion.org
- Attendance Phone Number: (269) 792-2306
- provide a note from the professional your child was seen by to excuse the absence
- help your student communicate with their teacher regarding the content they missed
On Our Calendar
November
11/02 - Winter I Sport Pictures
11/11 - Half Day of School for Students - 1st & 2nd Hour Exams
11/12 - Half Day of School for Students - 3rd & 4th Hour Exams
11/13 - Half Day of School for Students - 5th & 6th Hour Exams
11/13 - Last day of 1st Trimester
11/13 - Lost and Found Table Cleaned up after school
11/16 - Trimester 2 begins
11/17 - WIPTO Meeting at 6pm in Middle School Media Center
11/17 - WIPTO 8th Grade Banquet Meeting at 7pm in Middle School Media Center
11/24 - WIPTO Popcorn Day!
11/25 - 11/27: No School - Thanksgiving Break
December
12/09 MS Winter Collage - Band/Choir/Orchestra - 7th & 8th Graders
12/21-01/03 Winter Break
Hand 2 Hand
Hand2Hand is a program where we work with a local church and they distribute food to our students.
If you would like to learn more about the Hand2Hand program please click on their website.
To fill out the form to receive Hand2Hand please click on the link.
Meals are expected to begin delivery mid-September.
Clothes Donation Bin
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 15% of clothing waste is recycled annually. The remaining 85% ends up in landfills—equating to 17 billion pounds of unnecessary clothing waste each year. Clothes Bin® strives to offer convenient ways for communities to recycle clothes and shoes.
Please donate your clothes and shoes in our bin to help our environment, your closets, and our Middle School. Based on the amount of clothes dropped off, our school receives funds to support teachers and students.
Location: Middle School Bus Loop
Please no furniture.
Drop off clothes outside of bus hours: 7:20am-7:45am & 2:30pm-2:45pm
Thank You for your donations!
Work Permits - NEW!
Youth Work Permit Process has changed!
Visit: Michigan Youth Employment
No need to contact the school anymore. Visit the website and it is all right there.
8th Grade Banquet Meeting
When: November 17th at 7pm
Where: Middle School Media Center
Anyone interested in planning the event is encouraged to attend. A chairperson for this committee is still needed. Please contact sowlej@waylandunion.org with any questions.
Lost and Found
Lost a lunchbox?
A stray shoe?
Wandering Wayland shirt?
Check out our lost and found table by the Media Center.
This table will be cleaned up at the end of every trimester.
Our 1st Trimester ends November 13th.
Please have your students check the table before then.
Thank You!
Volunteer in the Lunchroom
We have received parent feedback regarding lunch processes in the cafeteria. Please consider signing up here to provide additional hands as we work to ensure our space is supportive of all! We are always open to new ideas and additional support. Thank you!
Fill out an iChat Background Check prior to signing up to ensure you are ready to jump in! They are good for one calendar year.
Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH)
November: Teamwork
Teamwork is to work in unity with others towards a common goal. For us to learn how to become team players, it is important that we learn to listen, encourage our peers, and allow and invite others to contribute their talents and skills.
Teamwork happens when a group of people trust each other and work together to reach a goal. Teams communicate, work, and learn together.
How does WUMS celebrate students practicing the character trait of the month?
Each month we will be looking for students that excel in the character trait highlighted. Our teaching teams will pick two students per grade level as our "Student of the Month" and present their picture in our hallway at school.
Nurse News
Hello, Wayland Union Parents!
I am pleased to say that the annual flu clinic was a success! Thank you to everyone who participated & I wish you all a healthy respiratory virus season.
I hope you were all able to check out the new Health Services webpage! Please continue to reach out if you have any questions or concerns for your students' health & well-being.
Sarah Sharp-Castillo MPH, BSN, RN
Wayland Union District Nurse
(269)-792-2181 Ext. 3006.
After School Activities
Our student-led bible study, meets every Tuesday and Thursday morning (before school starts) at 7:15am.
Community Helpers
Odyssey of the Mind
Snow Club
Interested in becoming active this winter?
Join us for skiing and snowboarding!
Upcoming Community Events
Connection Corner
Involving your Middle Schooler in the Holiday Preparations
With the Holidays approaching, here are some tips how you can include your middle school children in the holiday planning activities
- Connect with Your Child: Engage with them throughout the holiday season. Asking questions about their day, etc.
- Ask Their Opinion: See what they would like to do for some holiday traditions. Or what was their favorite from the past.
- Keep Up with Routines: If you work on homework at a certain time - keep it the same. Remember to take some "brain breaks".
- Give Your Child Options: "Would you like to go get a tree, or would you like to make cookies together?"
- Shopping Together: See if they would like to shop for their friends and or family gifts.
- Just Ask: If your children is in their room and you want to decorate the house, just ask. You never know. They might want to help.
- Get Creative: Let them design a special meal around the holidays. Make cards for seniors. Have them draw up a outside decoration plan.
Simple ways families and schools can work together to support student success
Caleb Campbell - Assistant Principal
Email: campbellc@waylandunion.org
Rachel Cimek - Principal
Email: cimekr@waylandunion.org