West Middle School e-Bulletin

It’s almost here! We are so excited to welcome our students back to West Middle School on Monday! There is something special about the first day of school - the halls are full of energy, classrooms are ready, and we get to start a brand-new year together.

To our returning students, welcome back! And to our new students, welcome to West; we are so glad you’re here! We can’t wait to see everyone, reconnect with familiar faces, meet new ones, and get this year started.

Enjoy your last weekend of summer vacation, get a good night’s sleep, and set that alarm! 😊 We’ll see you Monday!

Our e-Bulletin is sent out every Friday and is the best way to stay up-to-date on everything happening at West! Each week, you’ll find important updates, reminders, upcoming events, and celebrations. We hope it helps keep you in the loop with all things West!

We also encourage families to subscribe to the West calendar to stay in the loop with school events. Just visit the link below and hover over the RSS icon in the upper right corner of the calendar to subscribe.

• 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)
• First Day of XC practice . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday, September 1 (3:15 - 4:30 pm)
• No School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, September 4
• No School - Labor Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, September 7
• Cross Country Meet vs. East . . . . . . . . .Tuesday, September 8 @ 4 pm Heritage Park
• 8th Grade Chromebook Distribution . . Tuesday, September 8
• 7th grade Chromebook Distribution . . Wednesday, September 9
• Picture Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday, September 9 (during ELA class)
• 6th Grade Chromebook Distribution . . .Thursday, September 10
• Open House (Curriculum Night) . . . . . . Thursday, September 17 (6:00-7:35 pm Parents only)

We know how exciting it is for students to see their schedules, and we certainly do not want to make changes after schedules have been opened. Unfortunately, as we worked through staff changes and enrollment, we have had to make some adjustments to the master schedule. These adjustments have resulted in some student schedules changing. Please take a moment to check MISTAR Parent Connection before Monday morning to make sure you are looking at your child's most current schedule.

Please remind students there will be nearly 100 people (all WEB leaders and staff) wearing black WEB t-shirts in the hallways helping them find their way to class.

We had a blast welcoming our 6th graders at our WEB orientation last week. Thank you to Mr. Meyer Mrs. Lawson, Mr Vassel, and all of our Web Leaders for putting on this great event!

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 white 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 leave extra early during these first weeks of school as our families learn the ins and outs of our drop-off and pick-up procedures. Thank you!

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.

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.

Please remind students that on the first day of school there will be WEB leaders and staff wearing WEB shirts who are visible and ready to help students find their classes. and get their lockers open. We do not want this to be a source of stress. We are ready to help everyone get to where they need to go!

Middle School Students (Math & World Languages)

-Students will be attending their 1st hour classes at P-CEP starting on Tuesday, September 1st.

-Students will be arriving at P-CEP with high school students and dropped off in the Salem Bus Loop

-Middle School buses will pick up students after their 1st hour class to be brought back to West.

Middle School Students (Orchestra) -

Students will be attending their Orchestra classes beginning on Tuesday, September 8th. Please see this LINK for more information about P-CCS Middle School Orchestra classes.

MiStar Parent Connection and Student Connection opened on August 19, 2026, and you can view your child's schedule.

We work hard on the master schedule, but mistakes happen. Please reach out to us if your child is missing a core class (Math, Science, Social Studies, English) or elected to take Band, Choir, or Spanish and it is not in their schedule.

We do not do schedule changes for teacher requests, a common schedule with friends, or elective classes (other than Band, Choir or Spanish).

If your schedule needs to be changed because you are missing a core class or elected to take Band, Choir, or Spanish and it is not on your schedule, please fill out this schedule change form . The direct URL is https://forms.gle/k2ip1pt9ebQbes929 and a counselor will review the request and get back with you.

Middle school students attending an athletic event at a P-CEP outdoor stadium must arrive with a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must remain at the event and supervise the student for the entire event. Students may not be dropped off or left unattended. Unaccompanied middle school students will not be admitted. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, well-supervised, and family-friendly environment.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

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.

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.

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.

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 received an email August 19 or August 21. This email is 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 received an email on August 21 to set up a meeting to review your child's 504 plan to ensure a smooth transition to West. If you haven't already done so, please schedule a meeting.

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