August 26th WFMS Family Message
Good afternoon WFMS families,
***Este mensaje se puede ver en español haciendo clic AQUI.***
Welcome
Welcome to our returning 7th and 8th graders and to our newest Cougars in 6th grade, as well as those in all grades who are attending WFMS for the first time. We are excited about the possibilities which lie ahead in the 24-25 school year. We are ready to work hard, work together, and strive to be our best in all that we do. Our theme for this year is “Let’s Glow: Growing & Learning Our Way.” Our goal is to build on our successes from last year and continue to challenge our students each day with rigorous, standards-aligned instruction while supporting their social and emotional needs. We look forward to the opportunities ahead this year and working together with families to reach our full potential.
First Day of School
Please understand the first day of school each year is very busy for schools. We ask that all families review procedures with students prior to Tuesday so they are fully prepared. Family members will not be able to walk with their children into the building or help them find classes. Staff will be strategically located in the carpool and throughout the building to assist students in finding their classes. We will also have some our community partners on campus at our entrance doors to welcome students back tomorrow.
Our staff may not be available to return phone calls or emails as quickly as most days on Tuesday due to the need to make sure students understand school expectations, transportation home from school, and other support needed for a successful first day. We appreciate your support and understanding in helping us navigate the first day of school successfully.
Schedules
Students will receive a copy of their schedule on Tuesday morning in their homeroom. When they arrive on campus, students will report to their homeroom. If they are unsure where that is, staff will be located at all entrances and throughout the building to assist them in finding their way.
Please note that limited schedule changes will be made as we work to balance all student and staffing needs. We are unable to grant any schedule change requests for different teachers or lunches. There is a possibility that some elective or healthful living courses may have to be changed after the first 20 days of school based on enrollment numbers. If you do need to request a schedule change due to a missing course or a repeat course, please complete the following survey: Schedule Change Request Form
Transportation
Please make sure your student knows what method of transportation they are taking home on the first day of school (carpool, bus - route and stop, or walker). Bus information can be viewed in PowerSchool. Bus route information will also be in homeroom classes with student schedules. Please remember that students should be at bus stops at least 10 minutes prior to the listed start time. Familys may download the Here Comes the Bus app to track buses for their student(s).
Carpool tags will be distributed to students in their homeroom class on Tuesday. Please ask your student for the tag when they go home on Tuesday and place it in your car for future pick-ups. On Tuesday, staff will ask families in the carpool to share their child’s name for entry into our dismissal document. All carpool questions should be directed to Mr. Lockard at elockard@wcpss.net.
Student Expectations
Please review the student expectations document with your student prior to arriving at school on Monday. This, along with the WCPSS student behavior code of conduct outlined in WCPSS Board Policy 4309 will serve as our guiding documents for student expectations during the year. Students will receive a copy of the WCPSS Student Handbook and WFMS Student Expectations on Monday from their homeroom teacher. Teachers will also review the WFMS Student Expectations with all students.
During the week, administration and counselors will meet with students in small grade-level meetings to share grade-specific information and expectations.
Of important note is the Student Dress Code. Wearing hats or hoods in the building or classrooms is generally prohibited; undergarments may not be exposed or showing (no sagging pants), and clothing should cover skin from the chest to mid-thigh (no midriff tops). Students are expected to adhere to this guidance or they will be asked to change or have a family member bring them appropriate attire.
Expectations are clearly outlined in the WFMS PROUD Matrix. Staff will review this information with students again on Tuesday and throughout the school year.
The focus of students at WFMS is on their academic progress and students are expected to put forth their best effort each day in all classes and follow the guidelines in our expectations matrix, procedures, and policies.
Child Abuse & Neglect
NC Legislators passed a law last year that requires all secondary schools across the state to inform students in grades 6-12 each year about important resources related to child abuse and neglect. It also requires schools to have this information posted in each middle and high school.
The document linked HERE is for your information that contains important information and resources available in our community. WCPSS is committed to the safety and well being of children in our community. If you have any questions about this information, please reach out to your school social worker, SAP, or school counselor.
Visitor Policy for WCPSS
Families are reminded of the WCPSS Visitor Policy which was implemented during the 24-25 school year. Visitors will not be allowed to enter the front door until they have been verified through the check-in system using their phone. A QR code is available on the front door and should be scanned by any visitor. Once the visitor has signed in and been verified, they should use the AIPhone to request entry into the building. This will include any signing out of students. Drop-off of items may be made outside of the building and our staff will retrieve the items to give to your student. Thank you for your support and patience in making our school as safe as we can each day.
Outside Food
WFMS does not allow the drop-off of outside food purchased from restaurants. Please assist us by not bringing food or sending DoorDash or any other delivery to the school. If a student forgets their lunch, money can be dropped off to purchase food in the cafeteria or a bag lunch from home. Please remind your student if they order a food delivery, the driver will be turned away at the door.
Cell Phones and Earbuds
We have updated our WFMS Cell Phone Procedures and Contract. Students will not be allowed to have their cell phone devices out or use them inside the classroom. Teachers will share their specific classroom protocols on day 1 to ensure devices are not utilized during instructional time in the classroom. Upon arrival to a student’s core 1/homeroom, the device should be secured to begin instruction for the day.
Repeated use of cell phones during unauthorized times or failure to follow the classroom and school expectation may result in an administrator securing a student’s phone until the end of the school day. If the student continues to violate the procedures, a parent meeting will be scheduled to discuss alternative plans. Students are highly encouraged to NOT bring expensive headphones, AirPods, or earbuds on campus. WFMS assumes no responsibility for any device or electronic that is lost or stolen on campus or during the school day. Students bring these devices at their own risk. Students will be given a copy of the contract in homeroom and should return the contract signed by the student and parent or guardian.
Morning and Afternoon Carpool
Morning carpool during the first few days of school is historically longer. If your student will utilize the bus on other days during the school year, we ask that you have them ride the bus on the first day of school. Please also note that parents or family members will not be allowed to enter the building with their student on the first day of school. Staff will be present in the hallways if your student needs assistance finding their classes on the first few days.
If you are utilizing carpool, please follow the procedures and directions of staff on-campus directing traffic. As you enter the main entrance of the school, you should follow the traffic pattern through the athletic facilities gate and back up along the front row of trailers. Please pull as far forward as you can before stopping and have your student exit the car when staff instruct them to do so along from the gym entrance, through the entire front row of trailers to the main entrance or when you first stop. This will assist us in getting as many students out as possible at a time. Please DO NOT wait until the main entrance to have your student exit the car and enter at the front door. This simply delays our process for carpool in the morning. Students should exit their vehicle the first time the car stops along the front of the building or trailers. All three entrances along the front side of the building will be staffed to allow students to enter at the closest door. Only one line of traffic is used during morning carpool. Please do not try to pass cars at any time on campus. Drivers are expected to adhere to all traffic laws and should pay attention (no texting or looking at phone) and not speed while moving. When exiting campus, we encourage families to take a right turn as left turns delay traffic and exit from campus, causing others to wait longer in the carpool line. Students may exit their cars to enter the building at 6:50 each morning. Students will not be allowed in the building prior to that time. We encourage all families to come as early as possible for drop-off. The later you arrive, the longer you will wait in the line. Students are considered tardy if they are not in class by 7:30am. We will allow grace during the initial days of school, but please support our efforts to start instruction as close as possible 7:30 am each morning for all students. Carpool students should NOT be dropped off in the bus lot (2nd entrance to school). This creates unsafe conditions for our bus drivers and students who are exiting buses in that area.
During afternoon carpool, families should not line up prior to 1:40. Families arriving prior to 2:15 should NOT pull any further than the handicapped parking area just past the trailers. Only one line of traffic should be used until staff direct you to move to two lines at 2:15. You may NOT block our main front entrance, as this is our fire lane for emergencies. Students will be given a carpool tag with a number and their name on the first day of school. Please have this tag visible in your window when you arrive to expedite the collection of names for dismissal. Please follow all directions from staff and pay attention while driving as students will be getting into cars with our staff support.
Cafeteria (Breakfast & Lunch)
Students eating breakfast on campus should report directly to the cafeteria when they arrive at school. They are expected to follow the expectations and directions from staff and exit the cafeteria to their homeroom class upon finishing their breakfast.
The full price cost of school breakfast is $2.00 and the full price cost of school lunch is $3.75 for the upcoming school year.
Information for free/reduced lunches can be reviewed by CLICKING HERE. We are asking all families to review the information and complete the form to see if you qualify for free/reduced lunch. This information remains anonymous. The application can be found HERE. Paper copies of this form will be available in the main office for pick-up should you need a paper copy.
Families may submit money into their student’s account by visiting https://www.myschoolbucks.com.
PTSA
WFMS PTSA membership is open for the 2024-25 school year! You can join by CLICKING HERE! We encourage all our families to sign-up and be a part of the PTSA. PTSA will be at our upcoming family events to meet with you and share all the ways you can be involved.
Athletics
Students will receive information this week regarding fall sports try-outs. Try-outs will begin on Tuesday, September 3rd. If you have questions about athletics, please reach out to our Athletics Director, Coach AJ Piper (apiper2@wcpss.net).
All students wishing to try out must have an up-to-date physical within the past calendar year. Information regarding physicals must be completed by a physician on the WCPSS Middle School Participation Forms located HERE. Eligibility requirements for attendance and grades are set by the school district and can be found HERE. Students not meeting these eligibility requirements from the prior semester/school year will not be able to participate or try-out. Please note anyone trying out must have a completed Athletic Participation Packet uploaded into DragonFly for any sport. This can be found on wcpss.net under athletics. Fall sports coaches are listed below.
Athletics Director - Coach Piper
First Responder - Coach John
Football - Coach Basnight
Volleyball - Coach P. Johnson
Girls Soccer - Coach C. Depo
Cheer - Coach Gray
7th Grade Immunizations
North Carolina law requires that all rising 7th graders must present proof of receiving the Tdap and meningococcal immunizations before late-September 2024 Any student non-compliant after the due date will be excluded from school and not allowed to attend until proof of compliance has been submitted.
WFMS must have a copy of your physician's record of these vaccines. Please contact your physician for more information regarding these immunization requirements.
Immunization records can be emailed to jfleet@wcpss.net or faxed to 919.670.4223 (Attention: Jamal Fleet)
If you have additional questions, please contact our Data Manager at 919-554-8440 x22437 or Option 1.
WFMS Social Media
Families who have social media are encouraged to follow WFMS on Twitter (@wakeforestms), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WakeForestMS), and Instagram (@wakeforestms) for updates.
If you are not receiving our school updates please visit the WCPSS School Messenger site to make sure you have opted in for communication from the school. If you have opted in and changed your contact information, please reach out to Mr. Jamal Fleet (jfleet@wcpss.net) to update.
Important Dates to Remember
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August 27 | First Day of School
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September 2 | Labor Day Holiday (no school)
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September 19 | Meet the Teacher Night
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September 20 | Teacher Workday
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October 3 | Teacher Workday
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October 14 | Teacher Workday