WILDCAT NEWSLETTER - August 17th

New information will always appear above the blue line, while

reminders and helpful links can be found below it.

Cherry Creek High School and CCSD information is at

the bottom of this newsletter, past the WMS reminders!

And we are off to a new school year!

We are so excited to welcome our 7th and 8th graders today, and our 6th graders tomorrow! We look forward to having you here! Huge shout out to all of you who came to student check in and especially to our PTCO and Support Staff who supported the event throughout the day. Thank you all for coming and supporting a great start to the new school year.

As a quick reminder here is the schedule for the week and a few notes about Homework Help and Back to School Night.

Monday 8/17 – 7th and 8th graders only (no 6th graders)

Tuesday 8/18 – 6th graders only (no 7th and 8th graders)

Wednesday 8/19 – All students, school device handout

Thursday 8/20 – All students, Back to School Night (6:00pm to 7:30pm)

Friday 8/21 – All students

Back to School Night (BTSN) – Come join us on Thursday, August 20th for BTSN! It’s a chance to join in community, have some food, and let your students walk you through their schedule and meet teachers. Food trucks will be available for the community at 5:45pm and WMS will be open from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. We hope to see you there!

Homework Help will begin on Monday, August 24th and will be before and after school on Monday through Thursday – no Friday sessions yet

• The before school session will be from 8am to 8:40am (Please do not have students at West before 8:00am)
• The after school session will be from 3:45pm to 4:40pm (Late shuttles leave West at 4:52pm)
• Our goal with these sessions is to have teachers available to support your student if they need assistance with academic work or skills. If your student simply needs a place to focus and complete work, that is great too.

Track begins August 24th after school in the Gym – If your child is interested, have them bring a water bottle, their running shoes, and comfortable clothing! Our coaches are ready to train students in any events they are wanting to try and we look forward to having a great season this year!

Let’s have a great start to the year!

These newsletters are usually sent every other Friday, so please be on the lookout for the next one coming your way on August 28th.

You can always find the Activities and Athletics schedules on the website as well! 😀

Homework help @ 8am in the commons.

First day of Track after school in the gym. Complete an Athletic Form, and pay the $60 fee.

Homework help @ 3:45pm in the commons.

Yearbook Club @3:45 in A212.

Homework help @ 8am in the commons.

Orchestra Rental Night 6:00pm-8:00pm in the South Gym.

Homework help @ 3:45pm in the commons.

Homework help @ 8am in the commons.

Track after school in the gym.

Homework help @ 3:45pm in the commons.

Homework help @ 8am in the commons.

Homework help @ 3:45pm in the commons.

Homework help @ 8am in the commons.

Student Picture Day for West Middle School is Wednesday, August 26th.

To view packages and place your order, visit: mymiddleschoolpictures.com

Select West Middle School.

New this year: Create Your Own packages including Digital Download.

If your student cannot attend Picture Day, Retake/Make-Up Day will be held on September 24th.

All picture orders will be shipped directly to you.

For questions about school photos, please contact photographer at customercare@cidmphoto.com.

Please see the supply lists for the upcoming school year.

If you have any questions, please email cwheeler@cherrycreekschools.org.

Nurse

bsalas@cherrycreekschools.org
720-554-5117

Health Liaison
wmurch@cherrycreekschools.org
720-554-5130

Immunizations: All updated immunization records can be turned into the WMS clinic or emailed to bsalas@cherrycreekschoools.org. The table below provides a basic overview of immunization requirements for Colorado K-12 students. You can also access additional information at the following link https://cdphe.colorado.gov/immunization/requirements-to-attend-school-k12

Arapahoe County Public Health (ACPH) offers low- or no-cost vaccines for children on Medicaid or without adequate insurance. Please call 303-734-5445 to schedule an appointment.

Health Conditions or Concerns: If your student has a health condition or concern requiring clinic support during the school day please be sure to be in contact with Nurse Brenna to provide the most up to date information, action plans, and/or medication orders. Blank copies of health forms can be found at the following link or with your school nurse https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/programs-and-services/office-of-student-health/office-of-student-health/health-services

STRIDE Community Health: CCSD has partnered with STRIDE Community Health to establish three standalone, school-based community health centers (SBCHCs) at Horizon Community Middle School, Overland High/Prairie Middle school campus, and Smoky Hill High School. These STRIDE SBCHCs will offer students, their families, the community, and staff more comprehensive and equitable primary clinic healthcare options. To schedule an appointment, call 303-778-7433.

Phone are to be OFF and OUT OF SIGHT from the time you enter the building, until 3:45pm.

Students who need to communicate a message to their parents during the day will be directed to send an email or use an office phone.

Parents who need to communicate with their student(s) are encouraged to send an email or leave a message with Security (720-554-5174) or the Main Office (720-554-5101).

Please refer to the student handbook for any questions regarding Electronic Devices.

If your child will be absent, please call the WMS Attendance Line to report the absence:

720-554-5195

Please note, if a student is marked as tardy or unexcused absent, automated phone calls will be sent at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM daily to notify families.

• If you believe there has been an error in your child’s attendance, or if you need assistance, please contact the WMS Attendance Clerk at 720-554-5109.

Thank you for your cooperation, Wildcats!

West Middle School offers a variety of opportunities for students to engage in athletics, after school activities and clubs. We encourage all students to pursue their interests and passions through extracurricular activities. The more involved a student is within their school, the better they will achieve and feel connected.

Please be sure to talk with your student about staying after school and communicating with you about which club/activity and days your student plans on staying after to participate. After school activities run from 3:45 to 4:40 Monday – Thursday. Late buses are available for students who are already assigned to a bus, and depart at 4:45 PM. Those who do not take a bus and participate in an after school activity are expected to be picked up no later than 5:00 PM.

Students are encouraged to participate in clubs and activities that interest them. Research has shown that students who complement their academics with extracurricular experiences often enjoy school more and connect with their peers and teachers through more positive interactions. In addition, clubs and activities provide opportunities for students to express their creativity in a variety of ways. Students should listen to the announcements and check the building rotators for sign-up information, start dates, and times.

See info below.

Calling all writers, photographers, and graphics designers…Yearbook Club needs your skills! Join us on Mondays after school in A212! Members will receive training and assignments to cover various school activities, take photos, conduct interviews, write stories, and digitally design pages. Your skills will carry you into yearbook at West next year or into yearbook club at your high school.

The programs that make our school community thrive are made possible by families like yours.

📚 Teacher Appreciation

🎓 Classroom Grants

🎉 Student & Community Events

…and so much more!

Easy Ways to Pay

• Support PTCO with a monetary contribution during check-in.
• Our Website - https://www.westptco.com
• PayPal/Venmo/Apple - https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/GZMGGNCF2UZGG

Every donation. Every volunteer. Every family matters.

Thank you for supporting our West Wildcats!

Support West PTCO every time you shop at King Soopers—without spending extra! Just link your loyalty card to benefit West Middle School PTCO. Thank you Wildcat fam! 💙💛

Saturday, August 15, at 8 p.m. Curtis Park

The Greenwood Village Arts & Humanities Council invites you to a free Movie in the Park. This year, we will be screening “Hoppers,” a Disney Pixar film. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back chairs and enjoy a relaxing evening of entertainment in the park. Popcorn will be served, and the movie starts at sundown. Free to attend; no registration required.

• WMS Athletics
• WMS Activities & Clubs
• WMS Attendance
• WMS Parent Resources
• WMS Student Resources

• Main Line (720) 554-5100
• Attendance Line (720) 554-5195
• Counseling (720) 554-5156
• Campus Admins (720) 554-5155
• Clinic/Nurse (720) 554-5117
• Transportation (720) 554-4664

Starting August 13th, Yearbooks will be able to be bought online with MySchoolBucks!

You are also welcome to still send your student with $40 cash to our Bookkeeper!

Not sure if you’ve already ordered a yearbook?

Email our yearbook sponsor, Caroline Rose Wheeler, to double-check!

Celebrate your 8th grader’s milestone year with a special Baby Ad in the 2026-2027 Yearbook! This is a wonderful way to honor their journey from those first steps to their final year of middle school. Share your favorite baby or childhood photo along with a heartfelt message to let them know how proud you are. Baby Ads are a keepsake they’ll treasure for years to come—don’t miss your chance to be part of this tradition!

Transportation is required by CDE Regulations to account for all students on the bus and unauthorized passengers are not permitted. However, the Transportation Department recognizes that circumstances may arise, e.g. a family emergency, parents out of town, etc., when a student needs to ride home with another student on a one-time only basis. The student must get off at the assigned stop of the student they are riding with (no exceptions).

Make sure to fill out and turn in the linked Permission Slip to the Campus Admins office no later than 9:00 AM on the requested ride date. Forms can be printed and handed to the Campus Admins Assistant. Hard copies of the form can be picked up from the Campus Admins office if they are needed but must be picked up prior to the day they need to ride a different bus. No emails will be accepted. If there is an emergency, please call the Campus Admins office at 720-554-5155.

Before School: 8:00am to 8:40am

• Enter the building through Door 1 and enter the Commons.

Hello West Families,

We are excited to share that West is launching a school food pantry to help support our families.

Thanks to a district grant, we have received a supply of shelf-stable food items and are grateful for the opportunity to continue assisting those who may need a little extra support.

The pantry provides pre-packed bags with items such as ramen, soup, canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, and other non-perishable foods. If your family would benefit from receiving a food bag, please complete the form below so we can connect with you.

West Food Pantry

To access other food resources like fresh vegetables and perishable items, or to see how you can support our district food supply please follow the link below.

CCSD Food Resources

We have multiple crossing guard shifts we are trying to fill around the Creek Campus given the higher number of students who must cross busy streets now that we have to use off-campus parking more due to a loss of on-campus parking. The shifts are 7:30-8:45, 11:45-1:15, 2:30-3:45. Please share this hourly pay opportunity with anyone in your school/community who is looking for a job and/or a supplemental job. The positions are posted. Please email Kelly if you are interested.

Check the CCSD calendar below!