Words from West

Grand Blanc West Middle School is committed to empowering students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally while preparing them to be positive citizens in the community! #WestWill

Every Family MUST complete the EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM for the 2026-2027 school year.

• MEAL MAGIC FAMILY PORTAL INFORMATION & HELP -https://grandblanc.familyportal.cloud/

Please take action now

For assistance, please contact our Food Service Department at (810) 591-6674 or (810) 591-6928.

How to Schedule Your Conferences:

To sign up for a conference time, please log in to your ParentVUE account through Synergy.

• To sign up for a conference time, please log in to your ParentVUE account through Synergy.

• If you are using the app, click the bright green box to access the Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduler.
• If you are using the website, select the "Conferences" tab on the left-hand side.
• From there, you can select available conference times with your child's teachers.
• If you find that there are no available conference times that work with your schedule, please don't hesitate to email the teacher directly.

Hello Families,

We are gearing up for a busy and exciting fall! The coming weeks will include Parent-Teacher Conferences, the 6th/7th Grade Halloween Dance, Fall Break, and more.

As we move through the school year, please continue to talk with your child about the importance of being kind. Remind them that their words and actions can have a lasting impact on others. A little kindness can make a big difference in our school community.

We also strongly encourage families to set aside time each evening for reading, writing, and math practice. Establishing consistent at-home routines helps students strengthen their skills and supports their success throughout the school day.

NWEA test results and Spring 2026 M-STEP results will be sent home shortly. Be sure to take some time to ask your student about their scores, celebrate their strengths, and discuss areas where they can continue to grow.

Remember, you are your student’s first teacher, and you are an essential part of their learning journey. Your encouragement, conversations, and support at home play an important role in helping students grow academically, develop positive habits, and experience success at school each day.

Be your best,

Ms. Balbaugh
Principal, West Middle School

Parent-Teacher Conference scheduling is officially open!

We look forward to connecting with you to discuss your child's progress, celebrate their successes, and work together to develop plans that will help them continue to grow and be successful here at WMS.

Parent-Teacher Conference Schedule:

• Tuesday, October 27: 4:00-7:00 PM (In Person)
• Food Truck Available
• Thursday, October 29: 12:30-3:30 PM (Virtual)
• Thursday, October 29: 4:00-7:00 PM (In Person)
• Bubble Bee Tea Drink Truck Available

How to Schedule Your Conferences:

To sign up for a conference time, please log in to your ParentVUE account through Synergy.

• To sign up for a conference time, please log in to your ParentVUE account through Synergy.
• If you are using the app, click the bright green box to access the Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduler.
• If you are using the website, select the "Conferences" tab on the left-hand side.
• From there, you can select available conference times with your child's teachers.
• If you find that there are no available conference times that work with your schedule, please don't hesitate to email the teacher directly.
• Our teachers are happy to arrange an alternative time to meet or connect by phone during their planning periods on another school day.

We truly value the partnership between home and school. Parent-Teacher Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what is going well, address any concerns, and work together to create a plan for your child's continued success.

We look forward to seeing you and working together to make this a successful school year for all students!

Winter I Sports Sign Up for Volleyball and Wrestling are now available on our website

• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_B5mkBelFRKJayKNuqolEZ45EPUVni6BszObSSXO1sTawXg/viewform?usp=dialog

Volleyball

• 7th grade tryouts will be 10/26 and 27, 3:15-4:30pm. (subject to change)
• 8th grade tryouts will be 10/21 and 22, 5:15-7pm (subject to change)
• Practice schedule will be provided by coaches after tryouts.

Wrestling

• Wrestling practice starts October 26 from 3:15-5pm.

A FinalForms account must be created with your sports physical uploaded to your account.

• https://wms.gbcs.org/for-students/wms-athletics

• Students will be assigned lunch based on their fourth hour
• Each student will be required to go outside for a portion of their scheduled lunch time
• Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for each day's weather

We want to remind all families that outside food deliveries for students are not allowed during the school day. This includes parent drop-offs of fast food as well as third-party delivery services (such as DoorDash or UberEats). If there is a need to deliver food, it must only be for your student specifically.

While we understand the temptation to bring in a special treat, these deliveries cause significant disruption and chaos in our lunchroom, may contain ingredients that students could be allergic to, or may be outside the guidelines of students who are monitored for medical conditions. To ensure a focused and orderly environment for all students, we ask for your cooperation in following this policy.

Please remember:

• Free Meals for All: Nutritious breakfast and lunch are offered daily at no cost to all students.

• Home-Packed Lunches: Students are always welcome to bring a packed lunch from home.

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Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and organized environment for our students!

Registration is currently taking place for the 2027 8th grade Washington DC Trip. This trip will take place March 12 through March 15th. Please see the registration link above.

Registration ENDS SOON

Please see your Social Studies teacher for more information.

• October 13 - October 20 - 6th/7th Grade Halloween Dance, Prepay $15 to Main Office
• Prepay total of $20 for a Bubble Bee Tea at the dance
• October 16 - Vaccination Exclusion Date (see immunization details above)
• October 21 - 7p - 7th/8th Grade Choir Concert at EMS (combined middle school concert)
• October 23 - 5-7p - 6th/7th Halloween Dance
• October 26 - 30 - Book Fair in the Library
• October 27 - 4-7p - Parent/Teacher Conferences - In Person (sign up in advance)
• 3p - 7p - Food Truck (image and menu below)
• Book Fair will be OPEN
• October 28 - Picture Retake Day
• October 29 - 11:29a - 1/2 Day Student Dismissal
• October 29 - 12:30-3:30p - Parent/Teacher Conferences -Virtual (sign up in advance)
• October 29 - 4-7p - Parent/Teacher Conferences - In Person (sign up in advance)
• Book Fair will be OPEN
• October 30 - November 3 - NO School - Fall Break
• November 1 - Daylight Savings
• November 4 - School Resumes (first day of MP2)
• November 10, 11, 12 - Music Department Photos at WMS (see your music teacher for details)
• November 11 - Veteran's Day
• November 13 - Wear Blue for Diabetic Awareness

Please see the attached letter from the Grand Blanc Athletic Department regarding the use of Final Forms for all Middle and High School Student Athletes.

We are very excited to announce that the Grand Blanc Community Schools Athletic Department has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service.

• FinalForms allows you to complete and sign athletic participation forms for your students.
• The most exciting news is that FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you will never need to enter the same information twice!
• FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible, for each of your students, saving you time.

Please click on the link for directions to set up your account. https://wms.gbcs.org/for-students/wms-athletics

Attending HOME events - From the Athletic departments at WMS & Grand Blanc High School

Message from Mr. Adams

Information for Middle School students attending athletic events at West Middle School
WMS student spectators may stay after school to attend WMS athletic events. If they choose to attend, here are the need to know items:

• All school rules apply.
• You may NOT leave the building after school.
• All students watching the sporting event will report to hall just outside the gymnasium doors to be supervised.
• WMS is NOT responsible for any student leaving the premises after dismissal.
• A WMS student that has left the premises may be readmitted ONLY with parent or guardian supervision.
• The cost for attending a school athletic event is $5 cash. This will be collected from students staying after school once the event is set up.

Message from AD Mr. Dohm (GBHS)

Information for Middle School students attending Middle School athletic events at Grand Blanc High School
WMS student spectators are invited and encouraged to attend both high school and middle school athletic events at Grand Blanc High School. If they choose to attend, here are the need to know items:

• All school rules apply.

• Middle school students will attend the event with a parent or guardian. Middle school students will not be admitted without an adult.

• The adult is responsible for their student.

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Adams at WMS: madams@gbcs.org or Mr. Dohm at GBHS: jdohm@gbcs.org.

Thank you for your cooperation!

As you may have noticed, schools across the state are experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. With such a large number of district buses on the road every day, the need for new drivers at GBCS is almost continuous. We are currently hiring and provide free training and licensing. There are full and part-time opportunities available! If you have ever considered becoming a bus driver, we would love to talk to you! Please call 810-591-8965 or stop in to 2500 E Maple Ave, Flint, MI 48507 and talk to Bonnie or Adam at GBCS Transportation or apply online!

Pickup and drop-off will use FOUR MOVING LANES ONLY!

• THREE lanes in the loop (closest to the building)
• TWO lanes in the parking lot (closest to the building)
• Lanes 1-4 - you can sit with your child in car and wait for the bell to ring
• Lane 5 is drop and go . . . keep this one open and moving

• DO NOT USE THE FURTHEST BACK LANE IN THE LOT - That is for teachers
• OUR PARKING LOT IS ONE WAY!!
• A designated school official will be working the cross-walk

If you need to enter the building, please park in the parking lot and come inside.

Hello West Middle School Families,

WMS students have shown great resilience and we will strive to help them navigate through their academic, social, and emotional needs. We will have extra supports in place this school year. Parents/Guardians, if you have any concerns about your student, please do not hesitate to reach out, we are here to help!

Student Last Names A-K: Mr. Morey, dmorey@gbcs.org, (810) 591-7338

Student Last Names L-Z: Mrs. Douglas, pdouglas@gbcs.org (810) 591-7339

Counseling Office: (810) 591-7335

Hello! My name is Lauren, and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW) and I am a School-Based Behavioral Health Clinician with Easterseals MORC. I provide individual mental health therapy to children and adolescents right here at West Middle School!

I support students with a variety of emotional and behavioral health needs including anxiety, depression, difficulty managing emotions, trauma and stressful life experiences, peer and relationship challenges, self-esteem, and other concerns that may impact their well-being at home and/or at school. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where students feel heard, respected, and comfortable being themselves while developing healthy coping skills and building their individual strengths.

My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and individualized to each student. I am trained in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT) informed interventions, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches allow me to tailor therapy to each student's individual needs, whether we are working on managing difficult emotions, changing unhelpful thought patterns, strengthening coping and communication skills, or processing difficult and traumatic experiences.

Interested in School-Based Therapy?

Parents and caregivers who are interested in learning more about services or getting their child connected can complete our online referral at: https://essmireferrals.tfaforms.net/11 or contact your WMS school counselor.

I am so grateful to be part of the West community and look forward to continuing to support our students and families!"

Lauren Pietryga, LLMSW QMHP CMHP
Pronouns: She/Her Pronunciation: Lor-en Puh-tree-guh
Behavioral Health Clinician - School-based

Grand Blanc West Middle School
Direct: (248) 980-0571

FREE After-School Tutoring

Every Wednesday and Thursday (full days of school) there is FREE tutoring in the WMS Library! Sign up and show up!

Spanish Lab will be available to all students in full year Spanish classes who would like extra help, support or practice throughout the year. It is a VIRTUAL help session that students will be able to join through the Spanish Lab Google Meet from home. Mrs. Weldon will host these sessions scheduled Thursday evenings from 8:00-8:30 PM. Students are welcome to drop in at any point during this time and stay for a few minutes or the entire session for extra assistance as needed.

Google Meet Code to join the classroom is: rqil2xqh

October 22
November 5, 19
December 3, 10
January 7, 21
February 4, 18
March 4, 18
April 8, 22
May 6, 20

• Direct link for parents to order:

  https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1064342/Grand-Blanc-Middle-School-West/2026-Yearbook/20250719041937350142/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_campaign=NE%2B-%2BYBK%2B-%2BStandard%2BBook%2B-%2BSearch%2B-%2BBrand&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google

West Middle School Main Office:

Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 3:00PM

Website: https://www.gbcs.org/Domain/19
Location: 1515 Reid Road, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-7309
Facebook: facebook.com/gbwms

Attendance Hotline 591-8387

Athletics/Main Office 591-7309

Counseling Office 591-7335

Counselor (A-K) 591-7338

Counselor (L-Z) 591-7339