Wilson Middle School Newsletter

Dear Families and Students,

As we enter the month of December, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all of you for making this first half of the school year so successful.

One of the highlights this fall was the outstanding attendance at our parent-teacher conferences. Your presence and partnership make a tremendous difference. Research consistently shows that when families are actively involved in their child’s education, students experience higher academic achievement, better attendance, stronger motivation, and improved behavior. Students thrive when the connection between home and school is strong.

Thank you for reinforcing that connection. Your engagement—whether it’s attending conferences, supporting learning at home, communicating with teachers, or participating in school events—plays a vital role in each child’s growth and success. We are grateful to have families who care so deeply about their children’s education.

As we wrap up 2025 and look forward to an exciting and promising 2026, our staff remains committed to creating a safe, supportive, and academically challenging environment for every student. We have much to look forward to in the months ahead, and we could not do it without your continued partnership.

I wish you and your families a joyful holiday season and a restful winter break. Thank you for being an essential part of our school community.

Warmly,

Ernesto Araiza

12/1-17 - Canned Food Drive

12/8 - 2nd Quarter Mid Term Ends

12/9 - Wilson Booster Club meeting in Cafeteria 6-7 p.m.

12/10 - Early Release Wednesday 11:15 a.m.

12/10 - Choir and Orchestra Concert @ 6:30 pm in the Main Gym

12/11 - Band Concert @ 6:30 pm in the Main Gym

12/22-01/03-Winter Break

01/05 - Classes Resume

01/12 - Winter II Sports Registration Opens

01/13 - Wilson Booster Club meeting in Cafeteria 6-7 p.m.

01/19 - NO SCHOOL - MLK Jr's Birthday

01/20 - Winter 1 sports parent meeting in Cafeteria 5:30 p.m.

01/22- Last Day of 2nd Quarter

01/27- Winter II Sports Practice Begins

01/28 - Early Release Wednsday 11:15 am.

02/3 Winter 2 sports registration closes

Canned Food Drive will kick off on December 1st and run through December 17th! We’ll be collecting non-perishable food items to support Northwest Harvest and help families in need this holiday season.

This year, we’re adding a little friendly competition!

• Each grade level (6th, 7th, and 8th) will compete to see which Cavs class can collect the most items.

• The winning Cavs classes from each grade will be recognized for their generosity and school spirit! With donuts and juice.

Cavs teachers will collect items in their classrooms throughout the drive. Let’s work together to make a difference in our community!Thank you for your support.

"This year, our Wilson Middle School GEAR UP students have been busy exploring exciting career paths through our recurring Roots to Wings field trips at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) here in Yakima. These after-school trips give our students the unique opportunity to be mentored by real student doctors, an experience many of them say is the highlight of their week!

On November 19th, we completed our fourth visit to PNWU, and this time our focus was the human brain. Students learned all about the different parts of the brain, from the frontal lobe to the parietal lobe and more, and how each part helps us think, move, feel, and learn.

But the real excitement came during the hands-on stations led by PNWU student doctors. One of the most popular (and maybe the smelliest!) stations featured sheep brain dissections. Students worked together to carefully examine the small brain, identify structures, and compare its size and design to the human brain. While a few students made funny faces about the smell (we heard more than one “¡Ay no!”), the curiosity and enthusiasm were unmatched.

These are the types of incredible opportunities that come with being part of GEAR UP, real-world experiences that spark passion, build confidence, and open doors for our students.

If your student hasn’t joined a field trip yet this year, don’t worry, there’s still time! Remind them to check their school email regularly, because new registrations open up there first.

We can’t wait to share more of our adventures with you throughout the school year!"

The counseling department has started their first round of counseling groups. The titles of the groups currently being offered included: friendship, organizational boot camp, grief and loss and family concerns. If you would like your student to be involved in one of the groups offered please contact the counseling office at 573-2406.

Wilson Parent Booster Club welcomes parents and staff. We meet the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. We are confident that this year will be one of the best ever! Boosters is a great way to help students, teachers and staff. We will need your support to make this happen. Please plan to join us to see how you can be involved. Feel free to call us if you have any questions (573-2400). If you would like to be added to our email list, please let us know.

Boys Basketball and Girls Bowling are Winter 2 sports. To register please go to www.familyid.com. We no longer do registrations packets at the school. Please note that a current sports physical is required for participation. First practice will be on January 27th.

If you have any questions regarding sports, please call our Athletic Director, Mrs. Arteaga at (509)573-2403 or our Athletic Secretary, Ms. Thomas at (509)573-2406

Parents if you have made arrangements to be out of town ahead of time & you know your child will be absent from school please fill out our pre-arranged absence form three weeks before student is absent. It is important to get those days cleared & taken care of. We understand that emergencies happen, if your student is unable to complete a pre-arranged form please call our attendance secretary (509)573-2410 to notify her of your child’s absence.

Altruistic

Demonstrating a selfless concern for the well being of others

Generous

Demonstrating a willingness to give and share freely with others without expecting a reward

Winter weather is here! You live in a climate where roads can become slick and temperatures can be cold and uncomfortable. It is time to prepare your household and your children for winter weather. Schools are preparing too!

If the superintendent calls for a change in school status due to winter weather, a message similar to this (via ParentSquare and StudentSquare) will be sent by 6:00 AM. Other ways to find out if Yakima School District schools are delayed or closed due to weather is:

• check the school or district websites at www.ysd7.org (websites are the first place the information is posted - sometimes by 5:15 a.m.)
• check official district social media accounts www.ysd7.org/socialmedia
• watch the local media (but also check our websites as occasionally media accidentally confuses their report with information from another district).

Please note that if the Yakima School District calls for a delay, buses will also be delayed. Note that winter road conditions can delay buses further. Only four of our bus routes have snow routes as they are on a hill, so be sure to know if your route has a snow route and where you should meet your bus should snow routes be called. For more info, visit www.YSD7.org/busroutes or the transportation department at 509-573-7200.

If you feel your contact information is not current, please contact your school immediately.

Stay warm and stay safe this winter!

All student cell phones, earbuds, and electronic devices are to be turned off and stored in student's backpacks once students arrive on campus 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. 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, the phone will be taken to the office and the student will pick it up at the end of the day. If the incident happens, again the parents will be asked to come and pick up the cell phone.

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

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, 104 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, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7260, santoy.omar@ysd7.org.

Deputy Title IX Coordinators: Erin Thomas,Director of Student Services, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7261, thomas.erin@ysd7.org; Shawn Orminski, Assistant Director of Student Services, 104 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.”

The Yakima School District is a Drug Free, Weapons Free, Tobacco Free district. Possession of firearms on school property will be classified as exceptional misconduct and will result in the following required steps:

1. Mandatory 1-year expulsion
2. Subject to appeal
3. Notification to parents
4. Notice to law enforcement

RCW 9.41.280, RCW 69.50.435, RCW 28A.210.310(2), Sec 4141(b)(1), Sec 4141 (h) (1)

Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Website: https://www.ysd7.org/Domain/232
Location: 902 South 44th Avenue, Yakima, WA, USA
Phone: (509)573-2400