WKMS Back POCKET
July/ August 2026
Save the Dates for the Upcoming School Events!
Open House
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 9-11 a.m. or 12-2 p.m.
This event is intended for incoming 6th graders and 7th and 8th who are new to WKMS.
Back to School Night
Monday, Aug. 17, 5-7:30 p.m.
This event is intended for all WKMS students and families.
First Day of School
Wednesday, Aug. 19
Be on time and arrive before 8 a.m.!
Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7
School closed.
For incoming 6th graders and 7th/8th graders NEW to WKMS
WKMS staff will host an Open House for new students and families on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
- 9 - 11 a.m.
- 12 - 2 p.m.
This informal event provides students with an opportunity to receive a hard copy of their schedule and a school map to familiarize themselves with our school building and the best routes to travel for their classes.
Chromebooks will be available for pick-up during Open House. Any student who does not pick up their Chromebook during Open House will receive it during the 1st week of school. Chromebooks will not be available at Back to School Night.
Additionally, WKMS Administrators, Counselors, Support Staff and Peer Ambassadors will be available to answer questions and assist with navigating the building. We can't wait to meet you!
WKMS will host its Back-to-School Night on Monday, Aug. 17, from 5-7:30 p.m.
This is a family engagement night designed to foster relationships between students, families, and the WKMS staff. There will also be an opportunity for you to meet our teachers and learn more about curriculum, classroom expectations, and how to help our students be their best at WKMS.
Food trucks and other activities will be available for our community to connect with one another.
Please plan to attend the appropriate grade-level presentation in the cafeteria:
- All 6th graders: 5 - 5:25 p.m.
- 7th graders with Last Name A – L: 5:30 - 5:55 p.m.
- 7th graders with Last Name M – Z: 6 - 6:25 p.m.
- 8th graders with Last Name A – L: 6:30 - 6:55 p.m.
- 8th graders with Last Name M – Z: 7 - 7:25 p.m.
Families who drop off students in the morning car line will follow a new route to exit the school parking lot. Cars will use a lane to the left of the bus drop-off and exit from the parking lot at the far right. Cars will not loop back to the exit by the crosswalk. Please review the graphic and be prepared to follow staff directions in the parking lot.
As students and families continue to enjoy a well-deserved summer breaks, we want to take a moment to reflect on our successes and growth, and look forward to opportunities for improvement this upcoming school year.
At WKMS, we believe that every day and minute a student spends in the classroom matters. This past year, we closely tracked our attendance and morning arrival data. As we look toward the fall, we want to share some eye-opening numbers that we are committed to turning around together.
The Reflection: Where We Stand
Chronic Absenteeism: This year, just under 13% of our students experienced chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of the school year). Whether these absences were excused or unexcused, missing more than 10% can create major gaps in a student's academic knowledge, confidence and social connections.
Morning Tardiness: We noticed a sharp spike in unexcused lateness as the year went on. In Term 4 alone, we logged over 300 incidents of unexcused lateness among our 6th graders, and 250 incidents among our 7th graders.
Why Every Minute Counts
When a student arrives late—even by just 10 or 15 minutes—they miss morning routines and instruction time. Walking into a classroom that has already started can feel stressful or embarrassing for a middle schooler, causing them to start their day feeling "scrambled" rather than ready to learn.
Over the course of a school year, those missing minutes quickly snowball into full days of missed instruction.
Looking Ahead: Resetting for the Fall
Summer is a great opportunity to start thinking about the habits and supporting routines we want to build for the upcoming school year. When students return on Aug. 19, WKMS staff want to partner with you to ensure your student starts their day on the right foot.
Here some helpful tips as we prepare for the next school year:
Establish a "Night Before" Routine: Preparing outfits, packing lunches, charging Chromebooks and putting backpacks by the door the night before takes the chaos out of the morning.
Encourage Morning Independence: Middle school is the perfect time for students to take ownership of their own alarm clocks. As they build the habit, check in each night to see if the alarm is set!
Reach Out for Support: If your family faces recurring challenges with transportation, morning anxiety, or health issues, please reach out. Our counselors and staff are here to help remove barriers that are preventing your student from arriving to school on time.
Thank you for your partnership, support and dedication to your student's success this school year. We look forward to seeing WKMS students back in the building and on time!
Beginning on Monday, Aug. 10, families can look up their bus route information using FCPS' online transportation database. If your family encounters challenges after Aug. 10, please contact your student's grade-level administrator.
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their children meet Maryland's required school immunization requirements. Beginning on the first day of school, students who are not up to date on required immunizations will be excluded from attending school, unless they provide proof of an appointment to receive the missing immunizations within the next 20 calendar days.
Immunization records can be dropped off in the Front Office throughout the summer or submitted with your student on the first day of school.