West Middle School e-Bulletin

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! My name is Cheri Steckel, and I am honored to be the principal of West Middle School. As a K-12 P-CCS graduate, I take great pride in our school district and community.

The dedicated staff at West Middle School is committed to supporting your children and providing them with incredible learning experiences throughout middle school. We also know the importance of partnering with families, so we look forward to working together this school year to ensure your child's success.

We cannot wait to welcome students back to school in a few short weeks!

• WEB Program for 6th Grade . . . . . . . .Thursday, August 20, (9:00 am - 12:30 pm)
• 6th-grade Walk Your Schedule . . . . . .Thursday, August 20 (12:30 pm - 1:30 pm)
• Walk Your Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thursday, August 20 (1:30 pm - 3:30 pm) All Students
• First Day of School (Half Day) . . . . . . Monday, August 31 (8:15 am – 11:30 am)
• First Full Day of School . . . . . . . . . . . .Tuesday, September 1 (8:15 am – 3:09 pm)
• Picture Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wednesday, September 9 (during school day)
• Open House (Curriculum Night) . . . . Thursday, September 17 (6:00-7:35 pm Parents only)

As we get ready for a great school year, we want to make sure families have easy access to the information and resources you need to support your student. Our West Middle School Parent Handbook is a one-stop resource with important information about our school, our systems, and what you can expect throughout the year.

Inside the handbook, you’ll find information about:

• Staying Connected – Important ways to receive school updates and communicate with us
• MiStar Parent Connection – Accessing grades, attendance, schedules, and other student information
• Canvas – Understanding how students access assignments and course information
• West Library – Library resources, expectations, and how students can access materials
• Health Information – Important health guidelines, forms, medications, and resources for families
• PBIS at West – How we recognize and support positive student behavior
• SmartPass – How students use our digital hall pass system
• Middle School Grading – Understanding our grading practices and expectations
• MTSS – How we provide academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support for all students
• Student Behavioral Expectations – Our expectations for students and how we work together to create a safe, respectful learning environment

We encourage all families to take a few minutes to look through the handbook. There is a standing link at the end of every Friday newsletter.

Students and families will be able to access student schedules on August 19. Students should print, screenshot, or write down their schedule so they have it available during our Walk Your Schedule event.

Students may stop by West Middle School to

• Walk through their schedule
• Find and practice opening their locker
• Turn in medication forms and medication
• Turn in Sports Physical Form if student is participating in West Athletics and athletic forms

• Turn in West No Hassle Fundraiser form and donation, if you're able to donate (Cash or check made payable to PCCS)
• 8th-grade students attending the Washington, D.C. trip will also be able to select their roommates.

A reminder that Picture Day is on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Here is the school picture form

We look forward to welcoming students back and helping them feel prepared and comfortable for the first day of school!

We look forward to meeting your student at WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Orientation on Thursday, August 20, 2026. This program helps all sixth graders feel more comfortable and sets them up for a successful first year of middle school. WEB is not required, but it's highly recommended!

In this program, your 6th grader will be paired with an 8th-grade WEB leader who will serve as their mentor throughout the year. WEB leaders are responsible older students and positive role models at West. 6th graders will also have the chance to walk their schedule and check out their locker between 12:30–1:30 pm or between 1:30–3:30 pm when the building is open to 7th and 8th graders.

Transportation: The district provides transportation to and from WEB. Students will be picked up from their home elementary school on P-CCS buses in time for the 9:00 am start, and returned to the same school after the program ends at 12:30 pm. See the WEB transportation schedule for details.

What to expect:

9:00 am – 12:30 pm — WEB Program (Students Only)

• Transportation from elementary school
• Meet their WEB leader and WEB group
• Team-building activities
• Learn how to read a schedule
• Building tour
• Locker info & practice
• Receive a planner, their schedule, and a few WEB goodies
• Lunch: Entree is Build-Your-Own Bento, Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Turkey w/Cheese on Bun (Halal) or Ultimate Jalapeno Nachos Fruits: Diced Peaches, Fresh Cut Watermelon, or Oranges whole Vegetables: Black Bean Caviar or Red Bell Pepper Milk: 1% and Chocolate FF.

12:30 – 1:30 pm — Parents & Students Welcome

• Walk their schedule
• Access their locker
• Go through the lunch line and eat lunch, so they know what to expect
• Yearbooks on sale
• Athletic table
• Turn in medical forms, if needed
• Complete Back-to-School Check-In (MiStar), if not done at home

Please call our office at 734-416-7550 with any questions or concerns. We want to be sure your child has everything they need for a great start to the year.

The Back to School Check-in process, a requirement for returning Kindergarten through 12th-grade P-CCS families, allows you to easily update medical, demographic, and contact information in MiStar Parent Connection. This will open in MiStar on August 12, 2026. PLEASE HAVE THIS COMPLETED BEFORE YOU COME TO WALK YOUR SCHEDULE DAY ON AUGUST 20, 2026. Once logged into MiStar Parent Connection, you will look for the ‘Back to School Check-in’ link in the top right of the home screen and follow the prompts. This process must be completed for all students.

NOTE: In order to receive text notifications from West Middle School, your phone number must be listed as 'cellular'. Text notifications may include inclement weather information, transportation updates, and general reminders.

The first day of school for West Middle School students is Monday, August 31, 2026. This will be a half day (8:15 am-11:30 am). Students will attend all of their classes on a shortened schedule. The first full day of instruction for students will be Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (8:15 am - 3:09 pm). Please remember to have students bring a copy of their schedule. It can be printed from MiStar or students can write it down so they have it to reference on the first day.

On the first day of school there will be WEB leaders wearing WEB shirts and staff who are visible and ready to help students find their classes. We are ready to help everyone get to where they need to go!

The front (north) drop-off loop is the only area designed for the drop-off and pick-up of students by private vehicles. There is no drop-off or pick-up by personal vehicles allowed on the south side of the building (bus loop) for safety reasons.

The drop-off system works most efficiently if drivers pull ahead as far as they can in the loop before dropping off their child along the curb. There is a natural tendency to drop off by the flag pole [close to the entrance]; however, this limits the area along the curb for cars to drop off. This can cause the vehicles to back up towards Ann Arbor Trail and increase the time required to drop off students and the congestion in the lot.

Please remember to pull as far forward toward the drop-off sign (the green balloons) before letting students out on the right side of the car only.

Please do not turn left when leaving the lot after drop-off or pick-up, as this considerably slows the flow of traffic.

At dismissal time, it is recommended that parents utilize the entire curb area while waiting to pick up their child. We encourage people to pull forward to fill the spaces that open up as parents pull away after picking up their child. Please do not wait in one spot leaving spaces along the curb in front of you. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please look for an email from Durham Transportation (or check MiStar after August 21st) for the most up-to-date transportation information. Any questions regarding transportation, please feel free to visit the Durham website for complete details, contact information, and services.

Also, you are welcome to load the Durham Bus Tracker app to follow your student's bus. You can follow the instructions linked below to download and set up the app on your smartphone.

IMPORTANT- PLEASE NOTE: The District Access Code for P-CCS is 4097PCCS. You need to enter your student's ROUTE NUMBER, not their bus number, when setting up your account. Your student's ID Number, Route Number, and Bus information can be found in the MiStar Parent Portal on the TRANSPORTATION tab.

BusZone Flyer (English)

BusZone Flyer (Español)

For more information, please view the BusZone User Guide.

You can call the transportation department at 734.416.3032 or 734.416.3033 if you have any questions or concerns.

We ask all students to have their student ID when accessing the food service lines at West Middle School. Students will need to swipe their ID to receive their breakfast or lunch. Students will be given a lanyard and their student ID during first period on Wednesday, September 1, 2026 - the first full day of school. They MUST be wearing this to get in line for food. You can help them help stay organized by ensuring they bring it to school each day.

Great news! The Michigan School Meals Program is fully available and funded for the 2026-2027 school year. This means that every student is eligible for one breakfast and one lunch each school day at no cost. Students may also have funds loaded on their account for an additional lunch or a la carte items. To make a payment on a student meal account:

1) Login to Parent Connection in MiStar

2) Find the Cafeteria Section

3) Click on the link for online cafeteria payments

The Nutrition and Education Benefits Application (formerly known as the Free and Reduced Meals Application) is available online for the 2026-27 school year. It is essential to complete the application for each school year, regardless of the state’s provision of free meals. The application also supports other funding in areas of education, discounts for pay-to-play, access to computer WiFi, college application fees, and standardized testing fees.

More information about Food and Nutrition Services for the 2026-2027 school year is available on the P-CCS Food & Nutrition Services page.

All current 6th graders' network/Google passwords have been updated. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to log into Parent Connection to share with their student what it is and help them memorize it. Please also remind them that their login information is private and they should not share it with anyone else.

To view their network/Google password, please log into ParentConnection, click on your student, and scroll down to the network information section where both their username and password are listed.

If students are not in class, they cannot learn. Please check out the Middle School Attendance Policy Absences will be categorized as documented, verified, or unverified. It is important that you get documentation for all absences that qualify as documented absences, and report verified absences to the school.

Students may be considered truant under the following circumstances:

• Absence from school and unverified for more than five consecutive days.

• Absence from school for any reason, verified or unverified, for 10 or more days within a 30-day period.

• Absence from school for any reason, verified or unverified, for a total of 30 or more days within a school year.

WMS students have access to school-issued devices, so cell phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth headphones, and other personal electronic devices are not permitted during the school day unless specifically directed by a staff member to be used for educational purposes.

Michigan recently passed Senate Bill 495 and House Bill 4141, requiring school districts to limit personal electronic device use during instructional time, with limited exceptions.

Additionally, headphones must be wired. Bluetooth and wireless headphones/earbuds are not permitted.

Our goal is to keep students present, engaged, and focused on learning. If a student needs to contact a family member during the school day, they may do so through the main office (734-416-7550). We ask that families and students use the main office when communicating messages from home or school.

• Cell phones and all mobile devices shall be TURNED OFF upon entering the building until dismissal at 3:09 pm.

• Cell phones and all mobile devices shall be kept in a student’s locker – not in clothing pockets or in pencil cases.

• Cell phones, and all mobile devices, are not allowed to be used in locker rooms or restrooms at any time.

• In rare cases, cell phones may be used in a classroom when directed by the teacher and for academic purposes only.

• If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, they should come to the office to place a call.

If your student needs to take any medications during the school day, you will need to bring those to the main office in the original container with a medication form signed by your student’s doctor. Here is a link to the Medication Form if you need it:

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1737737729/pccsk12com/yy6qtppk8785ez3ueazo/parentmedicationauthorizationform.pdf

You may purchase your 26-67 yearbook online by visiting www.yearbookforever.com. You are able to engrave the cover with your student’s name and order extra add-ons for your student. Yearbooks are available for $35 from 8/14/26 thru 10/1/26; $38 from 10/2/26 thru 1/14/27; and $40 1/15/27 thru 5/30/27.

Important Note: When entering your child's information in the "Homeroom Teacher" box, please type your student's FIRST HOUR teacher's name. This is VERY important! If your student takes a class at the high school in the morning, type "Bechtel" in the spot.

If you have signed up for band (or still would like to sign up for band!) and would like more information, please reach out to Mr. Hawkins at scott.hawkins@pccsk12.com.

If you have already tried out instruments, we recommend renting from Marshall Music Company. Please reserve your instrument as soon as possible. They provide a quality instrument with rent-to-own payments spread over time alongside free repair services and pick up/drop off right to the school! You can start the rental process by visiting THIS LINK and selecting Plymouth Canton Community Schools, West Middle School, Scott Hawkins, and the chosen instrument. You will have to create an account to do this online, otherwise, they can be reached over the phone at (800) 221-1755 x485 or through email at rentals@marshallmusic.com. Instruments will be dropped off at West during the first few weeks of school. These orders will come with the book Essential Elements for Band, our curriculum that all first-year band students must have, and a portable music stand for practice at home.

If you choose to get an instrument on your own, please be wary of cheaper brands. While they may be great for a student who isn’t sure about band, they can be quick to break, and many repair shops will not work on them due to poor-quality materials. If you have any questions about instrument selection, band class, or if finances are affecting your choice to do band, please reach out to Mr. Hawkins at scott.hawkins@pccsk12.com.

Please click on the link below to go to the West website where you can find links to suggested supply lists for middle school students. These lists are suggested, but not required.

This year, we’re focusing on what it means to be a BULLDOG, not just in name, but in how we show up for each other every day.

Our school-wide theme for 26-27 highlights the values we want to see in every hallway, classroom, and conversation:

Be Positive
Unite as One
Listen to Others
Lead with Kindness
Do What’s Right
Offer Help
Give Respect

These are more than just words on a poster—they’re the foundation of a community where students feel like they belong, are treated with kindness, and know their voice matters.

Families play such a big role in helping us build that kind of place. Talk to your student about what it looks like to live out these values, both at school and beyond. We’ll be doing the same here, every day.

West Middle School uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to ensure that all students have access to the support they need to be successful. MTSS provides different levels of support based on individual student needs, beginning with Tier I supports that are available to all students.

At West, we have identified several universal Tier I supports that teachers can provide to any student when needed. Students do not need to have a 504 Plan or IEP to access these supports.

Universal supports include:

• Access to teacher notes
• Visually accessible directions
• Check for understanding
• Extra time on assessments (up to 50%)
• Extra time for assignments (up to 24 hours)
• Preferential seating
• Access to reading support tools, including Google Read & Write

If your child is struggling or needs additional support, please reach out to your child's teacher so we can partner with you to identify the supports that will best help your student be successful.

If you have a student in 7th or 8th grade who has a 504 plan, you will receive an email next week asking you to review your child's 504 accommodation plan and fill out the google form to complete the required annual review and indicate your consent for implementation of the 504 plan for this school year.

If you have a student in 6th grade who has a 504 plan from elementary school, you will receive an email next week to set up a meeting to review your child's 504 plan to ensure a smooth transition to West.

Please reach out to Cheri Steckel (cheri.steckel@pccsk12.com) if you have any questions .

Middle school athletics kick off with cross country practice beginning on September 2nd, the first full day of school! More information will be available at schedule pick-up regarding practice times.

Additional Middle School athletic information is available here. Athletic physicals dated April 15, 2026, or later must be turned in before a student can try out/practice. The ATHLETIC PHYSICAL FORM is linked and hard-copies can be found in the the main office.

Cost:

NEW FOR 26-27

7th & 8th Grade Students: $125 for the first sport, $50 for the second sport, and free for any other sport.

6th Grade Students: $125 for the first sport, second sport is free

It is preferable that payments are made online. To do so, click this PAY TO PARTICIPATE LINK, select your middle school pay to participate page on the left-hand side, and follow the log-in instructions. If you cannot pay online, a check may be written to “PCCS or Plymouth Canton Community Schools” and turned in to the coach. Payments need to be submitted by the first contest.

Families have an opportunity to participate in West Middle School's Hassle Free Fundraiser during Walk Your Schedule Day. This is West's most significant fundraiser; all donations benefit students and student programs.

Many of our students loved using our 9-Square, so we were disappointed when we had to unexpectedly take it down because it was not up to code. We are now working to raise funds for a new 9-Square, which is estimated to cost between $7,000 and $8,000. Our goal is simple: If every West family donated $25 to our Hassle-Free Fundraiser, we would have enough to purchase a new 9-Square, with funds left over to support students and activities throughout the rest of the school year.

Every donation, large or small, makes a difference. We're so grateful!

Thank you for considering!

To learn more about the Hassle-Free Fundraiser or other ways you can support West Middle School, please click on this LINK.

Attention all West Students and their families!

West Middle School has an E-Commerce Spirit wear store! All you have to do is click THIS LINK and it will take you to our very own website designed to meet all of our West Middle School spirit wear needs. From T-shirts to Jackets, bibs to blankets, and everything in between. Shop at your leisure, pay online via your credit or debit cards, and have your exclusive order shipped directly to your house! All the convenience of Amazon, with West flair! Additionally, you can shop knowing that 10% of your order will be returned directly back to West and invested in your child!

Order Now and start summer with the West Middle School Swag that will have you representing our school in style all summer long!

West Middle School

Principal: Mrs. Cheri Steckel

Assistant Principal: Mr. Patrick Calzone

Dean of Student Support: Ms. Jennifer Jacobs

Counselor A-K: Mr. Josh Bechtel Counselor L-Z: Mrs. Amanda Blanchette

General Office: Mrs. Tracy Visnaw, Mrs. Joyce Bauder, Mrs. Lisa Campbell

Staff Directory: CLICK HERE

Website: https://www.pccsk12.com/our-schools/middle-schools/west

Location: 44401 West Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth 48170

Phone: 734-416-7550