WEST WEDNESDAY WEEKLY
News & Information for West Middle School


10/19/16
Conference Information
7th  Grade Conferences 
October 25:  
Invite Only Conferences  7:30-8:30 AM, 4:15-6:15 PM  

8th Grade Conferences  
October 25:  
Invite Only conferences 7:30-8:30 AM, 4:15-7:45  PM

6th Grade Conferences -
Parents Schedule in Skyward Family Access  
October 25:  Conferences 4:15-8:45 PM
October 27:  Conferences 4:15-8:45 PM
December 8:  Invite Only Conferences  4:15-7:15 PM
 
Grading for Learning Information
Families: Individual teachers are being asked some general questions about Grading for Learning (GfL).  In case you missed this information last spring or earlier this fall, here is the link to the GfL page on our web site:  http://www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/Page/19010 
It's Book Fair Time!
The Book Fair is happening 10/25 - 10/31 in the media center. The book fair will be open before and after school and during MTSS for students during the day. The fair will also be open on conference nights, 10/25 and 10/27, until 9:00 pm. It is a great way to raise funds for the media center - up to 50% of the profits benefit the school. Please stop by or encourage your student to check out all the great books available!  
COOKIE DOUGH & MAGAZINE DRIVE
We will be kicking off our annual fall fundraiser the Tuesday after MEA, October 25th. This is our ONLY fundraiser for the year and it supports all the things the PTA provides money for during the school year. The students will be selling frozen cookie dough and magazines! We were very successful with cookie dough sales in the past and hope to be again this year! This is a nice option for people who do not wish to purchase magazines.   40% of every subscription and cookie dough order goes directly to out school!   Donations are also welcome and checks can be made out to WWMS PTA. Prizes will be given according to the total amount of money each student raises. Your child will be bringing home additional information soon. Thanks for your support!
7th Grade Election Unit
West seventh graders are participating in an election simulation this fall! Students are studying the issues and platforms of the different political parties, writing stump speeches, creating political advertisements, participating in debates and learning about the Electoral College.
 
Students also have the chance to play a role on a Presidential campaign team for one of four political parties (Green, Democratic, Republican, Libertarian). Roles range from the Presidential candidate, to social media director, to campaign manager, along with many more. Due to the nature of this year's actual election, students will be creating their own candidates and there will be a strong emphasis on employing civility in campaigns.  
 
The unit will culminate in a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, November 3 at 6:30 PM. Students are highly encouraged to participate in this fun and educational event. Parents and friends are invited to attend as well! West seventh graders will then elect their own President and Vice-President on Tuesday, November 8.
 
If you have any questions, please contact your child's U.S. History teacher.
 
Stephanie Colasante-Green team
Mandy Kraus-Gold team
Megan Speers-Blue team

From the Hennepin County Library
Teens in grades 6-12 can have up to $10 in fines and fees taken off their library card in October at Hennepin County libraries. During Teen Read Month, teens can also replace a lost library card for free. 

Ask for more information at the service desk at your library or apply online at www.hclib.org.

Hennepin County libraries offer waivers for teens in October to encourage them to begin or restart habits of learning, reading and library use.
Schools and Mental Health Services

HEALTHY MIND PLATTER
HEALTHY MIND PLATTER
In his book Brainstorm (2013), Dr. Daniel J. Siegel outlines seven activities which are scientifically proven to keep our bodies healthy, our minds strong, and our brains continuing to grow throughout our lives.  He has placed these activities on "The Healthy Mind Platter".  We will be incorporating the Healthy Mind Platter into our teaching at West this school year.  We will feature one in detail in issues of the Wednesday Weekly.
 















 
Connecting Time
Numerous research studies reveal that the way we connect with others makes our lives more meaningful, healthy, wise and happy.  This includes connecting with nature, too!  When we are out in nature, we feel more grounded and our moods are more stable.  So connecting time is when we connect to others people and the planet.
On a simple level, connecting time means taking time to be with friends or family, hopefully face-to-face.  The signals we get from others that are non-verbal, like eye contact and facial expressions, tone of voice, posture, gestures, timing and intensity of responses and touch are unavoidably missing in our digital means of communication.
And the planet?  How we take time to be in nature can shape our mood, help us focus attention, and give us a feeling of renewal and pleasure. Connecting with the planet can also mean doing more than simply being in nature, it can mean taking care of our environment.  Picking up litter when we see it, recycling and being mindful about how we use energy are all important ways each of us can connect to the earth.  Connecting time can help us feel the truth that we belong to a larger whole and we are not alone.
 
Peer relationships during adolescence
As students enter adolescence, relationships with peers become very important.  It may seem that relationships with friends are even more important than those with parents. 
During adolescence, it is developmental nature for young people to start the process of becoming more socially independent by beginning to build her own personal "family" of friends. Sometimes adjusting to this change can be difficult for parents. Thus those with an only child, for example, who have enjoyed the luxury of keeping the beloved child largely to themselves, may find it hard being pre-empted and having to share social importance with this growing community of peers.  As adolescence begins, parents do indeed start "mattering less", however, mattering less does not mean "loved less." It only means that other social attachments are now given a higher priority.
 
Helping your child build friendship skills
Adolescents might be focused on their friends, but they still need your help and support to build and maintain positive and supportive friendships.
Good parent-child relationships tend to lead to positive relationships with peers. So being warm and supportive, staying connected and actively listening to your child can help with the development of friendship skills. You'll also be better able to support your child if friendship problems come up.
Being a good role-model is important too. Parents who spend time with their own friends are more likely to have children with lots of healthy friendships. It's also important for your child to see you looking out for your friends, and showing that friendship is a two-way thing.
Praising adolescents when you see them being fair, trusting and supportive of others encourages them to keep working on those positive social traits.

Helping adolescents who find it hard to make friends
All children are different. Not all will be outgoing and socialize with a big group of friends. If your child is like this, but seems generally happy and content, there's no need to do anything. But if your child has trouble making friends and is worried by that, there are a few things you can do together:
  • Think about your child's interests and strengths. Based on this, you could look for new extracurricular activities for your child or encourage your child to join a club, sporting team or social group. Mixing with people who share similar interests is a great way to start friendships. If making friends at school seems to be the problem, a group or activity outside school can help your child build friendship skills and confidence.
  • Spend time with extended family and family friends. Plan a barbeque or outing where your child can spend time with people who already know him.
  • Help your child plan an activity with friends. This could be watching a movie at home, having a sleepover or inviting a friend over afterschool, or playing some sport at the local park.
  • Make sure your child feels comfortable inviting friends home, and give her plenty of space when she does.
  • Think about a part-time job or volunteer community activity. Working, particularly in a place with other young employees or volunteers, can give your child a chance to practice social skills as well as building job skills for the future.
  • Try to work out whether there are particular issues that are making it difficult for your child to make friends, such as lack of opportunity, lack of particular social skills or lack of confidence. Then think about ways you can work on these. You might want to ask for professional advice for complex issues.
  • Give your child lots of praise and encouragement to build self-esteem. Try not to pressure your child about friends or constantly discuss the situation.
 
References
Psychology Today, Parental Adjustment to the Adolescent's "Family" of Friends,Carl E. Pickhardt, Ph.D
Raising Children Network
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, Daniel J. Siegel, MD


Wayzata LAC Update
The Wayzata LAC met on October 12, 2016 at the District Administration Building. The LAC discussed the Legislative Candidate Forum held on September 29. The entire forum was recorded and can be viewed on the school district website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/LegislativeAction. The LAC will continue to build positive relationships with the district's legislative candidates through hosting coffee and conversation meetings at the end of October. These meetings will be held at Birchview Elementary so that candidates have the opportunity to visit the district's new Blue Ribbon school. 

Our guest presenter was Scott Croonquist, the Executive Director of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD). AMSD is a nonpartisan advocacy organization that supports the interests of public school students across the Twin Cities metro area. Mr. Croonquist shared a preview of the 2017 legislative session as well as a draft of AMSD's legislative platform. Top priorities include stabilizing funding so that existing programs can be maintained before adding new programs, maintaining local control and increasing special education funding to decrease districts' reliance on the general fund to pay for these important and mandated services. The Wayzata LAC will use what we learned from Mr. Croonquist as we begin to create the district's legislative platform. 

Finally, the LAC will be co-sponsoring a Mental Health forum with the Hopkins and Robbinsdale LACs. The forum, "The Intersection of Schools and Mental Health Services" will be great chance to learn about school-based mental health initiatives. There will be a panel of experts explaining how schools often function as the "de facto mental health system" for our students. 

Please contact your school's LAC representative with any questions or comments.

Worth Repeating


Canvas Tutorial for Parents
Please click on this link to enroll in a class for more information on using Canvas.
It's Time to Order your Yearbook
Now is a good time to order your 2016-17 yearbook. Click here to choose your price and package.
West News
Each 8th grade advisory group will get a chance to work in the WMS TV studio and produce several news shows.  These shows are broadcast live during our advisory period every Wednesday and Friday throughout the school year. 

Once again this year, the WMS News shows will be broadcast on ED's TV Monday through Friday at 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

ED's TV is on:
     Cable Channel 19 (analog) and Channel 107.6 (digital) on Mediacom Cable in Wayzata and in the Lake Minnetonka area
     Cable Channel 22 on Comcast Cable in Plymouth & the Northwest Suburbs
     Cable Channel 14 on Comcast Cable in Minnetonka & the Southwest Suburbs.

West News is also posted online.  In addition to being posted to the WMS website, you may also find it on the Wayzata Public Schools YouTube Channel accessed through the West homepage .
Proud to be part of
Excellence. For each and every student.
Events

October 19 - NO SCHOOL for middle and high school students

October 20 & 21 - Education Minnesota Convention - NO SCHOOL

October 25 -
Magazine Drive Kick-Off

October 25 - 31 -
Book Fair - during the school day and evening conferences @WMS media center

November 3 -
7th Grade Town Hall Meeting - 6:30 p.m. @WMS

November 10 & 11 - No School 


November 17 -
Student Stars - 8:15 a.m. @WMS Gym

November 17 - PTA Meeting - noon @WMS Aux Gym

November 17 & 18 - 7th Grade Courage Retreat
QuickLinks
Lunch Menus

School Calendar

Student Handbook

Health Office & Attendance Line

School Board Agendas & Minutes

Communicator Newsletter
Vision 21/Activities
Click here for the latest on Activities and Vision 21.
Sincerely,


West Middle School

West Middle School
149 Barry Ave North, Wayzata, MN 55391-1012
Phone: 763-745-6400 Fax: 763-745-6491  


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