Panther PRIDE Summer '26

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Paul D. West Middle School!

We are excited to welcome our students and families back for another fantastic year. The information in this edition of The Panther PRIDE is designed to answer many of your questions as we prepare for the first day of school on Monday, August 3, 2026. You can also find important back-to-school resources, forms, and updates on our school website.

The Panther PRIDE is our weekly family newsletter and is emailed to all parents and guardians each Sunday, featuring the week's most important reminders.

Dear Panther Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Paul D. West Middle School! I hope you and your family have enjoyed a summer filled with rest, laughter, and quality time together. As we prepare to welcome our Panthers back to campus, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your continued partnership and the important role you play in our school community.

At Paul D. West, we believe that the strongest schools are built on meaningful partnerships between students, families, and educators. Together, we can create an environment where every child feels valued, challenged, and supported. Whether your family is returning to Paul D. West or joining us for the first time, we are excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and success with you.

This year, our work will continue to center around three key priorities:

Academic Excellence – Providing rigorous, engaging instruction that challenges students to think critically, solve problems, and prepare for success in high school and beyond.

Positive Culture & Community – Fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to reach their full potential.

Family Partnerships – Strengthening communication and collaboration between home and school because we know students achieve more when families and educators work together.

Throughout the year, you'll receive information about important events such as Curriculum Night, Title I Family Engagement events, Cluster Showcases, and many other opportunities to become involved in our Paul D. West community. We encourage you to stay connected through our weekly Panther PRIDE newsletter, our school website, and our social media channels so you never miss important updates.

Our faculty and staff are committed to ensuring every student has an exceptional middle school experience. If you ever have questions, concerns, or simply want to share feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out. We value open communication and are here to support your child every step of the way. To help us respond as efficiently as possible, we ask that you review the who to contact list included below so your questions and concerns can be directed to the appropriate member of our team.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. It is a privilege to serve the Paul D. West community, and I look forward to an incredible school year filled with learning, achievement, and memorable experiences. Together, let's make the 2026–2027 school year our best one yet!

In Partnership,

Principal Wilson, Proud Panther

The relationship between the school community and families is critical. It is important that our staff is able to meet the needs of our stakeholders in the most effective way possible. In order to best serve you, please use the "Who Do I Contact" list as a guide for which team member can best support you.

All students will be issued a locker to store their bookbags, cell phones and any other electronic devices. Students are NOT permitted to have cell phones during the academic day. Students are required to place their cell phones and all other electronics in their lockers when they arrive at school and may retrieve the devices at the end of the instructional day. Students who violate this rule will be issued disciplinary consequences in accordance with the FCS Student Code of Conduct.

Students must have a clear backpack at school. No student will be allowed to carry a backpack during the school day. Backpacks must be placed in the student's locker upon arrival to school. Students will be able to retrieve their backpacks at the end of the instructional day.

• The standard school uniform consists of a polo top and khaki or black skirts, shorts or pants.

• Uniforms are worn on Monday – Friday

ABSOLUTELY NO SHREDDED, RIPPED OR FRAYED PANTS/JACKETS ARE ALLOWED. *NO CROP TOPS OR TANK TOPS ALLOWED

SHORTS AND SKIRTS MUST NOT BE MORE THAN 3 INCHES ABOVE THE KNEE

ALL SHOES MUST HAVE A STRAP; NO SLIDES or HOUSE SHOES MAY BE WORN TO SCHOOL

Fulton Dress Code-I.13a Improper Dress

Students in the school system are expected to dress and groom themselves in such a way as to reflect neatness, cleanliness and safety. All students shall dress appropriately so as not to disrupt or interfere with the educational program or the orderly operation of the school. Examples of inappropriate dress and grooming include lack of cleanliness in person or dress; shoelessness; "short-short" clothing; bare midriffs; "tank tops"; "see-through" clothing or apparel which designates gangs or similar organizations or any dress that is disruptive to the educational process. Designated dress involving school activities approved by the principal shall be acceptable. The principal or other duly authorized school official shall determine whether any particular mode of dress or grooming results in a violation of the spirit and/or the intent of this rule.

Fulton County Schools is making its Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Handbook available online in PDF format. Once you have read the electronic version and have reviewed the contents with your student(s), please take a moment to visit Infinite Campus to complete the Acknowledgement of Receipt Form.

Please note there have been changes in the code of conduct regarding several important topics/rules:

I. Cell Phone Policy - Students are not allowed to have Cell Phones at school during the school day at any point.

II. Tobacco/Vape Distribution

III. Inappropriate Physical Touching

IV. Misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or False Images

Please review the Code of Conduct thoroughly as all rules and consequences will be enforced.

Fulton County Schools offers healthy meals daily. Parents can load money on their student’s account for extra sales, view account balances and purchase history, and set up low-balance reminders by visiting www.mypaymentsplus.com.

While we are a free breakfast and lunch school, parents who may qualify for free and/or reduced lunch must complete an application each year. A NEW application must be completed for the 2026-2027 school year. Free & Reduced Meal Applications are available anytime online. Visit www.fulton.schoollunchapp.com to begin the online application process. Families may obtain a paper application from any school cafeteria. If able, all families are encouraged to complete an online application.

If you do not know your scholar's bus stop times or location, log into our transportation portal for this information.

To do this, visit http://edulogweb.fultonschools.org/livewq/webquery/ and type in your street name and number (It works best if you leave off the Rd, St suffix, i.e. Headland instead of Headland Dr.)

Please be sure your scholar knows what bus to ride on the first day of school. You will also be able to get this information at Open House on the 31st.

• Morning car rider drop-off will take place in the front of the school. Paul D. West staff will be present at the carpool loop to receive students from 8:25 am until 8:45am daily. Parents must refrain from parking vehicles in the carpool loop area and blocking the fire lane.
• Bus rider parents, school busses depart our campus at 4:05pm daily. The FCS Code of Conduct applies to all students transported by school bus.

• Afternoon car riders will be picked up in the front of the school. Cars will enter through the main entrance to the school from Headland Drive. Please have your car rider number ready in the window.
• Afternoon car rider parents, please make sure your scholar is picked up by 4:20pm.
• If picked up from school after 4:20pm, your scholar will be seated in the front office. Please park and come in to sign your scholar out. Parents who fail to pick up their scholars before 4:20pm in excess of 3 times will be required to either use bus transportation or secure after school care. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Safety is our priority.
• Early student pick-up ends at 3:00pm daily. Please contact the school if in need of emergency early pick-up.

We are excited to welcome volunteers into our building for special programs and events. Please remember that if you are going to volunteer at Paul D. West in any capacity you must watch the volunteer video, complete the volunteer form, and pass the district background screening prior to being in the building. Once you complete the training, it may take up to 48 hours to process your approval. All approved volunteers must re-apply for volunteer status every two calendar years.

Our Parent Engagement Specialist, Ms. Taylor will coordinate all volunteer opportunities. Please contact the school to schedule time to meet with Ms. Taylor regarding the opportunity to support through volunteering.

Please follow the link to Fulton County’s website, to complete the necessary volunteer online training and application. The link below will direct you to the district's volunteer process.

Click links below to access district information.

July 2026

31 - Open House 12PM-3PM

August 2026

3- First Day of School

19 - SGC Meeting 5:00PM

September 2026

1 - Faculty Meeting 4:30 PM

7 - Labor Day (School Closed)

15 - SGC Meeting 5:00PM

21-23 - Fall Break

24 - Professional Development Day (No Students)

25 - Teacher Workday (No Students)

October

6 - Faculty Meeting 4:30 PM

12 - Columbus Day / Indeginous People Day (School Closed)

21- SGC Meeting 5:00PM

November

3 - Election Day (Remote Learning)

23-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday

December

18 - Last Day of First Semester

21- Jan 1, 2027 - Winter Holidays