WRMS Weekly Update

At the end of each week, please look for my weekly updates. Important information including upcoming events will be included. Normally my updates are shorter, there's just a lot to share with the start of a new year!

Please download the Westwood Regional app so you don't miss any updates! Click here for instructions. You can also follow us on twitter (@wrmscardinals) or facebook (@WRMiddleSchool) for photos and announcements with the fun and educational activities we're engaged in!

Based upon parental feedback we wanted to ensure that parents have the ability to remain partners in developing their child's literacy. To that end, we've launched a new website highlighting key elements and answering many of the question you may have about our literacy model, Reading and Writing Workshop. Key points that you'll be able to find, include:

- Descriptions of reading levels, including information that reading level Z not only indicates how complex a text may be to read, but may also indicate that it contains mature themes.

- The link to our Destiny database, which is in the process of being updated, helps students and parents search the wide variety of titles available in each of our classrooms. Each title will have a brief summary and reading/interest level. Additionally, the "Explore!" section identifies the various themes that are present within each title. You can search by keyword, subject, sublocation and more (ie: civil rights, relationships, science, violence, fantasy, drugs, etc.)

- If you find your research reveals any titles you are not comfortable with, or your student comes home with a text you are not comfortable with, please email and notify us right away so we can prevent your child from selecting it in the future or make an immediate change.

As always, should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's Language Arts teacher, the Humanities Department Assistant Principal Barry Albert (barry.albert@wwrsd.org), or myself!

• Students can access their schedules on Genesis Parent Portal and should print them out to bring to school on the first day. Students may visit the Counseling Office on the first day of school if they need a copy of their schedule.
• Please visit the Middle School Counseling Department website for information on "How To Read Your Schedule."
• The first day of school will be an "A" day. It may be helpful for students to highlight their "A Day" schedule (Full year and Semester 1 classes, only) .
• Counselors will be available to help all students with any questions or concerns!
  

All students should practice their combinations, and 7th graders should remember to bring their locks to school. If they lost their locks, they will need to pay $5.00 for a new one. Locker locations will remain posted in the hallways for the first week of school. Students should see Mrs. McDonough in the main office if they lost/forgot their combination.

Also, when sending in school supplies, it is helpful for students to have them "ready to use" rather than sealed in packages (i.e. put paper in binders, put pens and pencils in string bag, label supplies).

Please remember that full-size book bags are not permitted during the school day. Because of the compact halls, string bags are the only thing that students will be permitted to carry. If you haven't done so already, please pick up a string bag this weekend!

Please have your child bring or wear sneakers for their physical education class, including if they have PE on the first day of school.

No instruments are needed for the first day of Band.

The building opens at 7:45 AM for students and all students must be picked up by 3:15 unless they are staying after for a club of activity. We highly recommend that you avoid the lot for drop-off, Second Avenue or surrounding streets are great alternatives. With the construction, students cannot be picked up in our main parking lot. Students can be picked up in the A Field lot, the Second Avenue cul-de-sac or other surrounding streets that may be a block or two away from the school. We have excellent crossing guards available to assist students before and after school.

Please see the included notifications from PSE&G regarding the pipe replacement work in Westwood and Washington.

Please review the notification from WWPD regarding drop-off and pick-up at WRMS.

Friday, 9/6, will be our 9th annual, PBSIS Kick-off event for students. If your student has Westwood spirit wear, or simply red or black clothing, please encourage them to wear it next Friday!

Please visit our website for information regarding the WRMS PSO. The PSO is seeking parents to fill the following open positions: 6th Grade President, 6th Grade Secretary, and 6th Grade Treasurer. If you are interested, please email them at middleschoolpso@wwrsd.org.

Look for an email from Toolkit (formerly My School Anywhere) to setup you Middle School account and pay your dues. Future purchases for swag, activities, and more can be made through this site.

The PSO Middle School Sports Fall Program is set to kick-off the week of September 16th! Click here for the flyer with more details, and here to take you to the website to register starting next Friday, September 6th. Lisa’s pizza will continue their $5 special (2 slices of pizza and a water) after school for students registered in the program.

Our first open meeting will be Monday, September 23rd at 7:30 PM in the Middle School Media Center. We hope to see you there!

Save the date for our annual Fall Festival, October 23rd (10/24 rain date)!

Students should bring lunch, money for lunch (checks should be written out to "Westwood Regional Board of Education"), or have money prepaid on their id card for the first day of school.

In addition to lunch, we will be serving breakfast this year.

Please click here to visit the Food Services link on the district's website for more information about meal prepayment options, and monthly menus and prices. Also, the Free & Reduced Lunch Application packet for the 2019-2020 school year, which you can print out and complete or apply online through the Genesis Parent Portal.

Picture Day is Tuesday, September 17th! Forms will be given to students on Monday, September 9th. Click here for an image of the form with package information, including online ordering information to avoid needing the form or sending in money. Retakes are scheduled for October 23rd.

Please click here if you are interested in accident insurance for your child.

Please click here to access an online library of electronic flyers for our community partners.

Please mark your calendars for important upcoming events...

• 9/5 - First day of school!
• 9/6 - PBSIS Kick-off event (for students)
• 9/12 - Class Meetings, grade 6 (for students)
• 9/12 - Back to School Night (6th grade - 7:00-8:15; 7th grade - 8:30-9:45)
• 9/13 - Class meetings, grade 7 (for students)
• 9/17 - Picture Day (10/23 retakes)
• 9/21 - PBSIS Car Wash, 10 AM - 1 PM
• 9/23 - PSO Meeting, 7:30 PM
• 9/25 - Club & Activity Fair (for students during lunches)
• 9/26 - Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 PM
• 9/30 & 10/1 - No School
• 10/2 - Title 1 Parent Meeting (invitation only), 6:15 PM
• 10/2 - Middle School Success Parent Program, 7:00 PM

The first day of school is an A day!

Email: shelley.laforgia@wwrsd.org
Website: http://www.wwrsd.org/westwoodrms
Location: 23 3rd Ave, Westwood, NJ, United States
Phone: 201-664-5560