Stevenson Middle School Update
Week of September 28
The Importance of Being on Time to Class
At Wayne-Westland Community Schools, we know that every school day matters. That’s why we’ve launched our “Aim for 8” attendance campaign to encourage families to make regular school attendance a priority.
Our goal is simple: students should aim to have 8 or fewer absences for the entire school year. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected to their teachers, classmates, and learning—and gives them the best opportunity to succeed.
We know that life happens and some absences are unavoidable. We also have attendance monitors at each school who are eager to help remove barriers that keep students from coming to school. Resources such as food, transportation, clean clothes, and school supplies are available to families, and we want to support whatever is needed.
“Aim for 8” is about building a culture where showing up, staying connected, and being engaged are celebrated and supported. Together, families, schools, and our community can help every student make attendance a habit and reach their full potential because every day counts!
Sincerely,
Catherine Cost, Ed.D.
Superintendent
If your student is running late to school, please do not add to the lateness by stopping for food or drinks with which the student is then walking into class. The appearance that stopping for breakfast, snack or a drink is that getting to school is less important as well as it adds to your student's tardy number and can be disruptive to class beginning. We thank you in advance for getting your student to school, on time, each day.
Picture retakes will take place on Wednesday September 30. If students want a retake, they need to bring in their original picture packet. We will not be doing new IDs with retake pictures. Students who were not in school on the original picture date will need to take their picture for their ID. Our building Picture Day ID is EVTG3GDFN which can be used to set up your retake day photos. Please go to lifetouch.com and use the ID.
Common Language for School Safety
At Wayne-Westland Community Schools, the safety of our students and staff is always a top priority.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, Michigan schools must use standardized emergency response terminology established by the Michigan State Police Office of School Safety. Public Acts 270 and 271 of 2024 require all public and non-public schools to use five standard terms: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter.
Standard Response Protocol (SRP) provides students, staff and first responders with clear, consistent language and actions to use during a variety of situations.
What does this mean for our students and staff?
You may hear these five terms during safety drills or, if necessary, during an actual emergency:
- Hold – Stay in your classroom or current location and remain there until the situation is resolved.
- Secure – Bring everyone inside the building, secure exterior doors and continue normal activities inside.
- Lockdown – Secure rooms, stay out of sight and remain quiet until the threat is resolved.
- Evacuate – Leave the building and move to a designated location.
- Shelter – Move to a designated area and take specific protective actions based on the type of emergency.
While the language we use is changing, our commitment to safety and emergency preparedness is not. Wayne-Westland Community Schools remains an ALICE-trained district, and our students and staff will continue to practice age-appropriate responses to a variety of emergency situations. Our staff receives training, and our schools conduct drills throughout the year so everyone knows what to do and where to go if an emergency occurs.
The SRP gives us a common set of words that can be easily understood by students, staff, families and first responders. This shared language helps everyone respond quickly and confidently when it matters most.
The lunch meetings with counselors were a success. We enjoyed seeing students, supporting them, and answering their questions. It was an excellent opportunity to interact with students.
Mental Health Tips for School Success
Sleep is vital for student success. A well rested child has increased cognitive (thinking) function and the ability to better regulate their emotions. As students enter their teenage years, their internal clocks change as well. Children naturally feel more awake later at night. To help your student get a good night’s sleep you can encourage 30 minutes of physical activity after school, eliminate technology an hour before bedtime, ensure they have eaten a balanced meal for dinner, encourage reading for 30 minutes before bedtime, and/or start a daily bedtime routine.
Counseling Secretary
Ms. Natalie Greenshields
Counselors:
Student Last Name:
Krista Dezsi (Students Hoq-Me Wed & Friday)
Student Last Name:
Yvette Jonna-Moore (Students A-Hop)
Student Last Name:
Kelly Reinink (Mi - Z)
Near the start of school, when you login to your Parent Connect and/or Student Connect accounts, you will have access to your schedule. If you have any questions around courses that are scheduled, or an issue with your schedule (example: a hole in your schedule), please contact your child's counselor by email. The beginning of the school year is busy in the counseling office. They will address questions and concerns as quickly as possible. However walk ins and demands for specific teachers or courses is not guaranteed.
School Counselor Role
The role of the school counselor is to support student success and well-being,
help all students reach their full potential by creating a supportive learning environment, and serve as advocates, liaisons, and collaborators within the school community
We support student social-emotional development/SEL, academic goals, personal development and college and career aspirations.
School counselors provide short-term individual counseling, targeted small group counseling, classroom lessons/career development, and community resource referrals.
How to see your counselor?
Sign up on the Student Hub or email your counselor
Your counselor will call you down as soon as they are available. In the event of a mental health emergency, please go directly to the counseling office which is located in the main office.
All wireless communication devices (including, but not limited to, smart phones, cell phones, airpods, tablets, and smart watches) must be turned off or locked in the student's locker during the school day inclusive of passing time and lunch time.
Consequences Framework for Middle Schools (grades 6-8):
First Offense: Tracked warning and parent communication
Second Offense: Phone brought down to the office by student or behavior coach, parent communication, student picks up phone at end of day.
Third Offense: Phone brought down to the office by student or behavior coach, parent communication, parent pickup.
Fourth Offense: Phone brought down to the office by student or behavior coach, parent communication, parent pickup, and cell phone “detention” (student brings phone to office every day and pickup at end of day for a predetermined amount of time).
Fifth Offense: May result in ISS/OSS. Any beyond five offenses will result in progressive discipline.
To be clear, there is no educational, social, or emotional benefit to a student having a cell phone or headphones/earbuds/etc. in our building. It only serves as a distraction or catalyst to inappropriate behavior.
Certain allowances are made for medical reasons, but those must be coordinated with administration. Students that violate the no cell phone policy during class time will receive progressive discipline which includes
If you need to reach your student during the school day you must reach out to the front office.
This year, Wayne-Westland Community Schools is launching the Aim for 8 Attendance Campaign to encourage students and families to prioritize regular attendance.
Our goal is simple: Aim for 8 or fewer absences during the school year.
When students are in school every day, they have more opportunities to learn, build relationships, participate in activities and stay on track for success. Even a few missed days can add up and make a difference.
Let’s work together to help every student show up, stay engaged and succeed!
1. Log into parent connect and select student
2. Click on the three lines in the upper corner
3. Select "Report Absence"
4. Enter information about the absence and click submit
Transportation information (route and pick up and drop off times) can be found under the 'Transportation' tab in your Parent/Student Connect account.
Bussers
Please note students are expected to load their bus immediately at the dismissal bell. Dismissal is at 2:40pm and buses depart at 2:47pm. Buses will not return to the school for students that missed the bus. Students will need to come to the main office to contact their parent/guardian to be picked up.
Parent/Guardian Pick up
Students that are picked up from school are not allowed to wait in the building. They are dismissed outside with all other students. Students will need to be picked up in a timely matter as afterschool supervision is not provided for late pick ups.
Walkers
Students that walk home need to leave the premises immediately after dismissal. Reentry into the building is not allowed and students are not to hang out on school property or at the surrounding businesses.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools has partnered with Here Comes the Bus to offer families an app that will help avoid students and parents from waiting too long for the bus. Here Comes the Bus allows parents to see where their child's bus is along the route and when it will be at their bus stop.
DIRECTIONS:
Visit herecomesthebus.com
Click the "Sign Up" button
Enter school code 87839 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm"
Complete the "User Profile" box
Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and student ID number
Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
