The Junior Ranger
August 16, 2026 Edition
Important Dates
The Week Ahead:
Monday:
- Staff Work Day - No School
- Volleyball vs. Chardon, 4:30 PM
- 7th grade plays first
- Staff Work Day - No School
Wednesday:
- Staff Work Day - No School
- Remaining Schedule Pick Ups 9AM - 2PM
- Football vs. West Geauga, 5:00 PM at North High
- Volleyball vs. Willoughby, 4:30 PM
- 8th grade plays first
Thursday:
- First Day of School
- 7th Grade Immunization Forms Due
- No events at this time
Upcoming Events:
- Student Expectations Assemblies - Thursday, August 27
- Free W-E Produce Market - Thursday, September 3, 10-12 PM at North High
- Mobile Dentist - Monday, September 14 through Wednesday, September 16
- Open House - Tuesday, September 15, 6:00-7:30 PM
School Happenings
Our 8th grade student helpers did an outstanding job helping lead Sixth Grade Orientation last Thursday! They answered questions, gave building tours, and helped our newest Rangers practice opening their lockers. A special thank you to our guidance staff as well for distributing schedules and helping welcome our sixth graders to Willowick Middle School!
Arrival & Dismissal Information
Arrival Procedures:
School doors open to students at 7:10 AM, when adult supervision begins. Students should not enter the main entrance or wait in the vestibule before 7:10 AM.
- Walkers and Car Riders (7:10–7:30 AM): Students should report directly to the gym upon arrival. Students eating breakfast may report to the cafeteria.
- Bus Riders: Students will enter through the rear bus loop entrance and remain in the adjacent hallway under adult supervision until 7:30 AM. Students eating breakfast may report to the cafeteria.
Breakfast is served in the cafeteria beginning at 7:10 AM.
Morning Hallway Transition (7:30–7:40 AM):
At 7:30 AM, a bell will ring, allowing students to visit their lockers and organize their materials for the day. Students who have PE before lunch should wear or carry their gym shoes.
Students must be in their homeroom locations by the 7:40 AM bell, when homeroom begins.
Dismissal Procedures:
- Walkers and Car Riders: Eighth period ends at 2:20 PM. After the afternoon announcements, walkers and car riders will exit through the main entrance. Adults will be stationed in front of the building to help ensure a safe dismissal. Adult supervision ends at 2:30 PM, so students may not wait in the lobby or front vestibule after that time.
- Bus Riders: Bus riders will be dismissed after walkers and car riders. They will exit through the rear bus loop doors. Seventh- and eighth-grade students will walk through the yellow eighth-grade hallway and down the shared Royalview hallway to the bus loop. Staff members will hold signs displaying bus numbers to help students locate their buses.
Important Car-Rider Safety Procedure:
Students are not permitted to walk through the parking lot during dismissal. This procedure is non-negotiable and is necessary to protect students while vehicles are moving through the lot.
Families picking up students must enter the car line. Students will wait along the sidewalk near the bike racks, adjacent to the building’s main entrance doorway. Parents and guardians should not park in the parking lot and ask their children to walk to their vehicles, as this creates serious safety concerns.
From The School Nurse
Seventh Grade Immunizations: All forms are due no later than the first day of school, Thursday, August 20. This is a state of Ohio requirement.
Medications: Any medications for students must be dropped off by an adult in the original container. A current signed doctor's order must also be on file with any medications that are administered.
Students are not permitted to have medications on their person during the school day. All medications must be stored in the clinic with the appropriate doctor's order. Self-carrying inhalers must also have appropriate paperwork on file with our school nurse.
Email our school nurse at Vera.Schwarten@WESchools.org with any questions.
School Supplies List
This school year's supplies list can be accessed by clicking the orange button below.
Supplies for all students in each grade level are listed at the top of the list and supplies needed for each team can be found further down on the list.
Please note that wired headphones or earbuds are required for all students.
Crossroads Hassle-Free Shopping Presentation
Art Supplies Drive 8/20-9/30
Mobile Dentist Program
The Smile Dental Program will be at Willowick Middle School from Monday, September 14 through Wednesday, September 16.
A state licensed dentist will regularly check your child's mouth & teeth, as well as provide a cleaning, x-rays as necessary, fluoride treatment and apply sealants, as needed. Additional care, such as fillings, may also be provided. A dental report card will be sent home with your child. By completing this, the dentist will be able to see your child for their initial visit as well as all follow-up visits.
Click the button below to sign up. Paper flyers will be sent home with your child soon.
School Start & End Times
W-E Free Produce Market Dates
Fidgets and Wired-only Headphones
Use of Fidgets at School
Fidgets can be a helpful support for student focus when used appropriately. To maintain a productive learning environment, all fidgets brought to school must be small, quiet, and non-disruptive. Acceptable examples include stress balls, small spinners, and fidget cubes. The NeeDoh Squishies are not permitted at school because of their larger size, they often pop-open when squeezed and release liquid and other items and have become distracting in classrooms.
Fidgets should be used only when absolutely necessary to support focus, not as toys or for entertainment. If a fidget becomes distracting to others or interferes with learning, teachers have the authority to confiscate the item. Students who misuse fidgets may receive a consequence and/or lose fidget privileges.
Students who require a fidget to support focus should bring their own to school, if absolutely necessary.
Use of Wired Headphones at School
Electronic headphones and earbuds, on occasion, are used to support classroom learning through programs such as Amplify in ELA or during testing when staff permission is given. When used for these instructional purposes, they can be an appropriate and helpful learning tool. Earbuds or headphones must be wired. Bluetooth and wireless headphone are not permitted during the school day.
Electronic headphones and earbuds should not be worn on heads or ears during hallway transitions or anywhere in the building without staff permission. Instead, they should be carried to class. This expectation supports safety and minimizes disruptions to learning. Students must be able to hear adult directions at all times, especially in the event of an emergency.
Ordering School Pictures & Yearbooks
Families may now order Picture Day photos, the school yearbook, eighth-grade panoramic photos, and group/club photos by using the QR codes below.
Important Photo Dates:
- Picture Day: Thursday, September 24
- Picture Make-Up Day: Wednesday, October 21
- Eighth-Grade Panoramic Picture Day: Thursday, February 4
- Group/Club Photo Day: Thursday, February 4
- Yearbook Order Deadline: Thursday, April 1
For questions or assistance, please contact Cirino Photography at (440) 953-8200 or cuyla.cirino@gmail.com. They will be happy to help!
Perfect Attendance
Each quarter, we will recognize students who achieve perfect attendance and celebrate their efforts with a special reward.
Students who achieve perfect attendance from the beginning of the year will earn an extra special award.
Get Involved With PTSO
Our Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) meetings are located at Willowick Middle School in room 104. Please take a look at the meetings below for dates and times.
Upcoming PTSO meetings:
- Wednesday, September 9, 3:30 PM
- Wednesday, October 14, 3:00 PM
- Monday, November 9, 3:00 PM
- Monday, December 14, 3:00 PM
PTSO Board Members:
- Sami Flick, President
- Ashley Hobson, Treasurer
- Melanie Gery, Secretary
Contact info: WillowickMiddlePTSO@gmail.com
WWMS Bell Schedule
Student Dress Code
In alignment with our Shared Vision and dedication to fostering engaging and supportive learning environments, Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools strives to maintain a dress code that promotes respect, focus, and a positive educational experience for all students. Our dress code policies are crafted to create a safe, inclusive, and professional atmosphere that allows students to fully engage in their learning journey.
Clock the orange button bellow to view dress code details.
Free Math Tutoring
School Store
The Willowick Middle School Store is now open for students in the Media Center!
The store offers a variety of school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, book covers, notecards, and earbuds. In addition, students can purchase snacks including fruit snacks, Rice Krispie Treats, Oreos, Ritz Bits, and chips.
Please note: the store accepts cash only.
This is a great opportunity for students to pick up needed supplies during the school day and enjoy a quick snack.
MyPowerHub
Thank you for helping us keep communication accurate and timely.
Lunch & Breakfast Information
For breakfast, students may choose one main item from five options each morning. If they’d like a second breakfast, they are welcome to purchase one if they have funds.
At lunch, students will see four choices each day—two hot meal choices and two cold meal choices. Students may select one lunch, and a second may be purchased with available funds.
Menus are printed daily and also available for the entire month. Please note that menus may occasionally change. Families can also view the menu anytime on our school website.
Snacks and drinks (other than milk, which is included with meals) are not free. Students are welcome to purchase these items as long as they have funds in their account.
RevTrack and Meal Magic can be accessed via PowerHub.
Important Dates 26-27
Join Our Alumni Network
We are excited to announce the launch of the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Alumni Network! Whether you graduated last year or decades ago, are a Rebel or a Ranger, we invite you to stay connected with the community that helped shape your future.
The Alumni Network is a great way to maintain lasting friendships, celebrate your school pride, and give back through volunteer opportunities that make a difference.
Use the QR code to join our contact list so we can keep in touch and share upcoming events, news, and ways to get involved. Thank you for continuing to support Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools as we work to be the best school district in Lake County!
Guidelines for Managing Illness
Deciding when a child is too sick to attend school can be a difficult decision. When trying to decide, please use the guidelines below and seek the advice of your health care provider.
Willowick Middle School's Teaming Model
The middle school teaming model is designed to provide a more personalized and supportive learning environment for students. By grouping students into smaller teams, teachers can collaborate more effectively, share insights about students' needs, and create a stronger sense of community. This model helps address the academic, social, and student wellness challenges that students face during middle school, fostering better relationships and improving overall student engagement and success.
Student Chromebooks
An annual technology fee of $20 will be required for all students to defray the cost of technology and associated digital software related to student learning. Payment will cover the cost of one repair as a result of accidental damage during the school year. If multiple repairs are needed from one incident, the highest value repair will be covered. Full device replacement or lost chargers are not covered by the annual technology fee. The assessed annual fee will cover the school year through 7/31/2027. Payment of the technology fee is non-refundable.
Families who do not typically pay school fees due to free and reduced lunch status, may choose to pay the technology fee to receive the benefit of the covered repair cost outlined above. Alternatively, families may opt out of the technology fee by contacting their student’s school to request that the fee be removed.
RevTrak Fee Payment Portal is an online student fee payment system. RevTrak gives parents the ability to see their child’s fees and account balance. Payments for school fees can be made online using credit cards, debit cards, or electronic check (ACH). To access RevTrak visit: https://weschools.revtrak.net/
- Students must bring their Chromebooks to school fully charged each day
- Students should visit Mr. O'Donnell's classroom in 304 during homeroom if they have an issue that requires a repair
- Students whose Chromebooks are sent out for a repair will report to the Media Center to be assigned a loaner Chromebook until their repair is complete - only for non-intentional damages
- Students who forgot their Chromebook at home will need to make a phone call home from our main office in order for it to be dropped-off at school
- Parents/guardians will be assessed a fee for any Chromebook damages that were intentionally made
- Students will receive a one-time free repair for any unintentional damages
Cell Phone & Headphone Reminders
Students in middle school are to have their personal communication devices in their lockers during the school day. We are asking our families to support our efforts in enforcing this Ohio Law and Board Policy in order to keep distractions to education and learning minimal by not accessing devices during the school day for social and entertainment purposes. Headphones must be wired-only devices to use for educational purposes.
Our focus needs to be on student learning at all times of the school day. Students are frequently reminded of this policy throughout the school year by staff and administration. Consequences are assigned to students who repeatedly abuse this policy.
Fees, Sports Physicals & Final Forms:
- School fees must be current for students to participate in the athletic season. Athletic fees must be paid by the start of the season for students to participate in the season.
- Please make sure that you and your child are signed up on Final Forms before the first practice. All athletes must have an active Sports Physical on file to participate in the season.
Student Code of Conduct applies at all school-sponsored events and on transportation.
Due to limited seating in our gymnasium, only seventh and eighth grade students are permitted to attend indoor sporting events AND students may only attend the game which matches their grade level. Sixth grade students may only attend if a sibling is playing on the court AND they are with a parent/guardian.
High school students may not attend indoor sporting events unless a younger sibling is playing on the court AND they are with a parent/guardian.
When school is canceled due to the weather, athletic events and practices are canceled.
If you have any questions related to athletics, please email Athletic Director, Mike Bubonics: Michael.Bubonics@WESchools.org
Student Code of Conduct
Student Code of Conduct is enforced on all school grounds, at all school related-activities including athletic events and on transportation.
Attendance Procedures
Please contact W-E Schools SafeArrival number at 855-612-7207 or login to MyPowerHub so that we may update our records and notify staff of your child's absence.
Students should email their teacher for assignments that are posted on Schoology if absent.
Remote learning is not an option for this school year as classes are not live-streamed.
Absences for Appointments: Please send a doctor's note to the school office or upload on MyPowerHub for each doctor's visit so that we can properly code the absence as a medical absence. If picking your child up for an appointment, a parent or guardian must enter the school to sign their child out.
Family Vacations: Please contact our school office if you are planning to have your child absent from school due to a family vacation. A vacation form must be signed by a parent or guardian prior to the start of absence. Please alert our school as soon as you are aware of the approaching vacation so that teachers can be prepared to assign work in-advance; preferably at least one week. We kindly ask that families try their best to schedule vacations during school breaks.
Homework Requests: Requests for homework can be made for a student that has missed three or more days of school. Please allow at least one full school day for teachers and staff to arrange assignments. Please contact our main office to place nay homework requests. Homework can be picked up at our main office window.
Eighth Grade Awards - Spring
Near the completion of each school year during the month of May, many of our eighth grade students and their families are invited to the Eighth Grade Awards. This is a special ceremony to not just acknowledge academic achievements, but also personal character and grit.
Awards are provided in the following categories:
- Academic Department Awards
- Special Academic Awards: Students who earned a 4.0 GPA during all three years of middle school
- President's Awards of Educational Excellence: Students Earned 3.5 GPA or higher during all three years of middle school
- President's Awards for Educational Achievement: Students who demonstrated outstanding growth, improvement and commitment in many cases in the face of special obstacles to learning
- Athletics: Athlete of the Year & Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award
- Principal's Awards: Recognizes two eighth grade students who demonstrate devotion, service and who has made an outstanding contribution beyond normal class expectations.
Student Mental Well Being
If you believe your child is experiencing challenges in terms of their mental well-being, it is important to reach out to your principal. To meet your child’s needs, it’s essential to collaborate with the principal and school personnel to explore resources and services available at school. In addition to Crossroads Counselors, the District also has family liaisons and guidance counselors who can provide needed interventions and support.
If you do NOT want your child to be considered for individual, small group, or whole classroom support and intervention, please complete the Opt-Out Form below and return this form to your student’s guidance counselor or principal.
PowerSchool & Schoology Access
You can view your child's current grades and class schedules in PowerSchool by downloading the PowerSchool app through the Apple App Store or Google Play on a mobile device. You may also log-in on a desktop or laptop by viewing the Student Portal webpage.
Once logged-in, simply click on any of the following options:
My Schedule to view the current quarter's class schedule.
Report Card to view this current school year's report cards by quarter
Grades & Attendance to view your child's recent attendance and current course grades.
Click HERE for instructions on how parents can sign-up to receive Weekly Grade Reports that display current grades and attendance that will automatically be generated and sent to your email address on a weekly basis. You must be logged-in to your parent account to access settings.
Please contact our main office if you need access to your parent login information.
School Contact Information
Willowick Middle School
31500 Royalview Drive
Willowick, Ohio 44095
Main Office: 440-943-2950
Attendance: 855-612-7207
Fax: 440-943-9964
Scott Stasa, Principal
Amanda Szabo, Assistant Principal
Debbie Robb, Special Education Coordinator
Emilie Alesnik, Guidance Counselor (last names A-L)
Wendy McNeill, Guidance Counselor (last names M-Z)
Jill Golnick, Family Liaison
Regina Ploplis, School Psychologist
Vera Schwarten, School Nurse
Crossroads Counselor, Stephanie Mueller