Friday, May 29, 2020

Closing Out The Academic Year 2020

Dear WGMS Families: 

I hope this message finds you healthy and doing well. As we finish the month of May and head into June I would like to update you regarding some important information on how we will be finishing the school year regarding grading and classroom assignments. 

Last week of class assignments: 
Teachers will assign the final assignments for the school year the week of June 8th. 

Last day of on-line classes: 
The last day of on-line classes for middle level will be June 15th.  All assignments must be submitted by this date.  

Marking Period 4 (Pass or Fail):
Students will receive a Pass (P) on their report card for the 4th Marking Period if 50% or more of the assignments have earned a “Complete.” Students will receive a Fail (F) if less than 50% of the assignments have earned a “Complete,” which means they were scored as “Missing” or “Incomplete.”

Final Course Averages: 
For full year courses, the average of Marking Periods 1-3 will determine the Final Average for the course. For 2nd semester courses, Marking Period 3 will be used as the final average. 

High School Course Credit
(CFM, DDP, Studio, Algebra 1, World Languages):
There are no final examinations. 

For these credit bearing courses only, if a student’s average for Marking Periods 1 - 3 for full-year courses or the Marking Period 3 average for a second semester course is between a 58 and 64, the Principal will review the student’s marking period averages and performance in Marking Period 4 to make a decision about awarding course credit. If, after review of the marking periods, the Principal determines that a student will be denied course credit, recovery may occur through the completion of work based on essential Standards for which a student has not attained. 

Final Report Card:
The final report card will be available for viewing in Schooltool on June 26th.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. If you need any support of any kind as we wrap-up the school year and head into summer, please reach out and we will help. We are here to help not only with the academic achievement and growth of our students, but also their social-emotional well-being. Please contact me should you have any questions or need anything at all.

Stay healthy. Stay positive. Finish strong.

Continued Success,
Steve Dunham
Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Retrieval of Items From WGMS

Dear WGMS Families,


We have developed a plan for students to safely retrieve items from their lockers and return school issued materials. This will take place on June 9th for Grade 6, June 10th for Grade 7 and June 11th for Grade 8.

Please see below for arrival times. When you arrive, please park in the bus loop. Social distancing points will be clearly marked and masks are required. Students should bring any items that they need to return to school including textbooks, school issued calculators, library books and any school issued musical instruments that are in need of repair. There will be tables clearly marked for each of those items. There will be no entry to the school building by students. Staff members will take students' names and bring them any belongings from their gym and homeroom lockers.

Our School Nurse will be on site for anyone who needs to retrieve any medications still remaining in the Health Office.

If you are unable to make the assigned time slot pleas email me at sdunham@westgenesee.org or call the office and leave a message at 315-487-4615 so that we can make another arrangement.

June 9th - Grade 6
Last Name A-H     10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Last Name I-P        12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Last Name Q-Z      2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

June 10th - Grade 7
Last Name A-H     10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Last Name I-P        12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Last Name Q-Z      2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

June 11th - Grade 8
Last Name A-H     10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Last Name I-P        12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Last Name Q-Z      2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Bags from all grade levels will be available all three days for families with students in multiple grades.

8th Grade Recognition - June 11th
We would like the opportunity to recognize our 8th graders when they pick up their belongings from their lockers on June 11th. On this day we will have a few surprises reserved just for them. Please park in the bus loop and have your child come to the tables by the main entrance to retrieve their belongings and receive their class gift from the PTA.

Yearbooks
The WGMS yearbook will not be shipped to us until later this summer. We will let you know the plan for distribution once we physically have the yearbooks.

We are looking forward to seeing our students, if even only for a few brief moments. Stay healthy, stay positive and let's continue to stay together!

Continued Success,
Steve Dunham 
Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms







Friday, May 8, 2020

Staying Together in May

I hope this message finds all of you healthy and doing well. It is so important that we are all taking care of ourselves and taking care of each other. Let’s continue to ‘check-in’ with our neighbors, colleagues, friends & family and make sure that everyone is doing well physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Wildcat Wellness Week: “PAUSE Week” (May 11th-15th)
Next week will be another opportunity for students to complete and/or make-up any assignments still open from the first few weeks of the 4th marking period. Any assignments that are missing (M) or incomplete (I) in Schooltool can be submitted for teacher review and feedback. Not every student will have work to submit this week. This is a chance for everyone to catch their breath and gear up for the final five weeks of the school year. This is also a great opportunity to take part in our Virtual Wellness Spirit Week! We are encouraging students and teachers to have a “Technology Free Friday” on May 15th to give everyone a needed brain break. Finally, please check out our Well-being Choice Boards for some additional ways to take a pause and have some fun.
  
Five Week Reports
Five week reports for Marking Period 4 will be available to view through Schooltool on Friday, May 22nd. Students will be receiving comments in the following categories: 
  • attendance & participation
  • progress during MP4
  • predicting successful course completion
You can access the report by logging into Schooltool and following the step by step directions posted there. If you need any help please give our Guidance Office a call and leave a message at 315-487-4622.

Student Belongings In Lockers
We are finalizing a plan for you to pick up the contents of your student’s locker. This will likely take place after Memorial Day in a manner that is safe for everyone and respects our continued need for social distancing. We will communicate the plan as soon as we have it finalized. 

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. Please stay connected with us by checking out our 'Morning Announcements' through Twitter or on the school website. We ask that students continue do their best and stay engaged as we head into the home stretch of the school year. As always, reach out if you have any questions or need help with anything.


Happy Mother's Day!

Stay Healthy. Stay Positive. Stay Together.
We are stronger together as WILDCATS!

Continued Success,
Steve Dunham
Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms