What's new with Watkins Middle?

We had a great first week of school! Our students and staff did an excellent job getting back into routines, building relationships, and setting a positive tone for the year, even with the curveball of an unexpected cancellation. As we head into our next week, our focus is on building one of the most important habits for student success: consistent attendance. Being at school every day helps students stay connected, keep up with learning, and build the routines and stamina they need to be successful. A strong year starts with a strong foundation, and that foundation begins by showing up each day ready to learn, engage, and grow.

In ELA 7, Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Barrows’ students practiced key literacy skills like citing evidence, making inferences, and analyzing central ideas. Working in teams, students analyzed four fiction & nonfiction texts centered on a first-day-of-school rumor, a mystery crate, and a new school AI robot named HALL-E. They used these texts to solve challenge puzzles, uncover clues, and successfully deactivate the robot’s Safety Hold Mode.

Mrs. Bentley's 7th grade language arts students are kicking off the school year with a little drama....and a lot of writing! Before diving into the world of 7th grade, students are taking a trip down memory lane by writing "break-up" letters to 6th grade. They'll reflect on their 6th grade experiences, say goodbye to old habits, and explain why they're officially ready to move on to bigger and better things.

In 6th-grade ELA, students spent time this week practicing their investigation skills by investigating their teacher and the classroom. These skills will be very helpful when we dive into our first story!

Please make sure students are dropped off and picked up only in the designated areas. Students walking or running through the parking lot during arrival and dismissal creates a significant safety concern due to the amount of traffic. Thank you for helping us keep all of our students safe by following the designated drop-off and pick-up procedures.

• 8/24: Golf (7/8) @ Broadview vs New Albany - 4pm
• 8/24: Volleyball (7/8) Home vs Heath - 5:30p / 6:45p
• 8/25: Golf (7/8) @ Mt Vernon - 4:30p
• 8/25: Football (7/8) @ Newark Catholic - 5:30p / 7p
• 8/26: Volleyball (7/8) Away @ Licking Valley - 5:30p / 6:45p
• 8/26: Club Girls Soccer (7/8) Home vs Grandview -5p
• 8/29: XC (7/8) @ Pickerington Lakeview - 9a

Please click the link below for all of your athletic ticketing and scheduling needs.

Hometown Ticketing

• Varsity Ticket events are $7 up to 1 hour before the event. At the gate tickets are $8 (use of a card includes a fee at the gate). Middle School tickets are $5.

• All athletes should enter and exit the building through the 600 hall (Door 7) entrance before and after practice each day.

Bus concerns:

We ask that you please contact the Transportation Department directly at 740-927-5901 with any concerns about your student’s bus (late arrival or other issues). Their phones are manned 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, and they have direct contact with all buses.

Attendance:

Please call the 24 hour WMS attendance line at (740) 927-6807 to report student absences. This voicemail box is available 24/7 and messages are retrieved on school days between the hours of 7:00am through 3:00pm.

If your student will miss school due to a pre-planned absence, please complete this Trip/Vacation Authorization Form.

Get in touch with WMS!

Website: https://wms.swl.k12.oh.us/

Joel Baker, Principal

jrbaker@swls.us

Steve Hare, Assistant Principal (Students A-K)

share@swls.us

Katie Piacquadio, Assistant Principal (Students L-Z)

kpiacquadio@swls.us

Vicki Kalina, Dean of Students

vkalina@swls.us