Wilson Middle School Newsletter

Dear Wilson Families,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your continued partnership and support of our school and, most importantly, of your children. When families and schools work together, students benefit academically, socially, and emotionally. Your involvement, encouragement, and communication make a meaningful difference every day.

One of the most important ways families can support student success is by ensuring regular school attendance. Being present in class allows students to engage in learning, build relationships, and stay on track with grade-level expectations. Even occasional absences can create learning gaps that are difficult to close, so we appreciate your efforts to prioritize daily attendance whenever possible.

We also ask that you take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date in our school records. Accurate phone numbers and email addresses allow us to share timely information about school events, attendance concerns, emergencies, and important academic updates. If you are not receiving our school announcements, attendance messages that would indicate that we probably do not have your correct phone number or email address. If that is the case please contact Mrs. Thomas at 509-573-2406 to update our records.

Our school offers a variety of support systems designed to help students thrive. These include our Homework Center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays , teacher tutoring opportunities, and a range of after-school clubs that promote learning, creativity, and connection. We encourage students to take advantage of these resources and families to reach out if additional support is needed.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being active partners in their education. Together, we can ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.

With appreciation,

Ernesto Araiza

Principal

Want to know what’s happening in GEAR UP at our school? Click the link below to check out exciting field trip highlights, upcoming events, and important college terminology designed to support our students on their college and career journey

We are in the second semester now, some students may be running low on basic classroom supplies. If possible, please take a moment to replenish items such as pencils, pens, erasers, and notebook paper.

Thank you for your continued support in helping students stay prepared for learning each day.

2/3 Winter II Sports Registration Closes

2/3 Lunch & Learn Workshop (GEAR UP) During lunch 📍 Room 54 👥 For 6th & 7th grade lunch

2/4 8th Grade Lunch Tabling Event (CSF only) 📅 During 8th grade lunchℹ️ CSF will be tabling

2/4 PNWU Field Trip (GEAR UP)⏰ 2:30 PM – 8:00 PM

2/9-2/13 Counselors Week

2/16 No School

2/17 STEM NIGHT- Time 6-7:30pm

2/18 GEAR UP Club ⏰ 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM 📍 Room 54

2/25 Half Day Release 11:15 am

2/25 GEAR UP Club ⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM 📍 Room 54

Parents and Students,

Although Valentine’s Day does not fall on a weekday this year, please be advised that the school office will not be accepting or distributing any Valentine’s Day deliveries or gifts of any kind, including balloons, flowers, chocolates, gift baskets or similar items.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Yearbook sales begin February 2nd!

Please come to the ASB Office to purchase your yearbook with Mrs. Noriega during lunch or after school.

📘 Early Bird Sale: $15.00
⏰ Early Bird pricing ends March 13th

Don’t miss out on securing your copy at the discounted price!

Persistent

continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition

Parents if you have made arrangements to be out of town ahead of time & you know your child will be absent from school please fill out our pre-arranged absence form three weeks before student is absent. It is important to get those days cleared & taken care of. We understand that emergencies happen, if your student is unable to complete a pre-arranged form please call our attendance secretary (509)573-2410 to notify her of your child’s absence.

Winter weather is here! You live in a climate where roads can become slick and temperatures can be cold and uncomfortable. It is time to prepare your household and your children for winter weather. Schools are preparing too!

If the superintendent calls for a change in school status due to winter weather, a message similar to this (via ParentSquare and StudentSquare) will be sent by 6:00 AM. Other ways to find out if Yakima School District schools are delayed or closed due to weather is:

• check the school or district websites at www.ysd7.org (websites are the first place the information is posted - sometimes by 5:15 a.m.)
• check official district social media accounts www.ysd7.org/socialmedia
• watch the local media (but also check our websites as occasionally media accidentally confuses their report with information from another district).

Please note that if the Yakima School District calls for a delay, buses will also be delayed. Note that winter road conditions can delay buses further. Only four of our bus routes have snow routes as they are on a hill, so be sure to know if your route has a snow route and where you should meet your bus should snow routes be called. For more info, visit www.YSD7.org/busroutes or the transportation department at 509-573-7200.

If you feel your contact information is not current, please contact your school immediately.

Stay warm and stay safe this winter!

All student cell phones, earbuds, and electronic devices are to be turned off and stored in student's backpacks once students arrive on campus 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. Wilson Middle School staff will not be responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or electronic devices. If the student is caught with their phone out, the phone will be taken to the office and the student will pick it up at the end of the day. If the incident happens, again the parents will be asked to come and pick up the cell phone.

If students need to reach parents for any reason they can use the phone in the office.

The Yakima School District is a Drug Free, Weapons Free, Tobacco Free district. Possession of firearms on school property will be classified as exceptional misconduct and will result in the following required steps:

1. Mandatory 1-year expulsion
2. Subject to appeal
3. Notification to parents
4. Notice to law enforcement

RCW 9.41.280, RCW 69.50.435, RCW 28A.210.310(2), Sec 4141(b)(1), Sec 4141 (h) (1)

Nondiscrimination Statement: “Yakima School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged

discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Christina Larsen, Deputy Superintendent, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7032, larsen.christina@ysd7.org. Section 504/ADA Coordinator (Students): Shawn Orminski, Assistant Director of Student Services, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7263, orminski.shawn@ysd7.org; ADA Coordinator (Non-Students):Christopher Miller, Director of Human Resources, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7066, miller.christopher@ysd7.org. Title IX Coordinator: Omar Santoy, Executive Director of Student Services, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7260, santoy.omar@ysd7.org.

Deputy Title IX Coordinators: Erin Thomas,Director of Student Services, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7261, thomas.erin@ysd7.org; Shawn Orminski, Assistant Director of Student Services, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7263, orminski.shawn@ysd7.org; Kim Newell, Director of Human Resources, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7068, newell.kimberlee@ysd7.org; Christopher Miller, Director of Human Resources, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7066, miller.christopher@ysd7.org. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend a program or activity sponsored by the Yakima School District should contact the appropriate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator 24 hours in advance of the event to inquire about reasonable accommodation. Deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and/or speech-impaired individuals may access Washington Relay Services by calling 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.”

Office Hours

Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Website: https://www.ysd7.org/Domain/232
Location: 902 South 44th Avenue, Yakima, WA, USA
Phone: (509)573-2400