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Weekly Update 12/23/23

Weekly Update 12/23/23
Weekly Update 12/23/23
WRMS Staff

Hello West Rocks!  What a fun week! Students and staff embraced and went all out for our this year's Spirit Week sponsored by the Student Council! Each day had a different theme – holiday apparel, twin day, teachers/students dress like each other, decades or WRMS gear, then PJs!  With your ongoing support, our 2023-24 school year is off to a strong start and our community is focused on creating an environment that everyone feels safe, successful, and known. We are seeing instruction meeting the needs of our students across content areas and our advisory lessons providing the opportunities for students to concentrate on their own emotional regulation.      This holiday season is a perfect time for families and educators to teach our children about the rich diversity within our community and about the many cultures and traditions celebrated during this time of year. How our students view the world around them, and their role within it, will play a major role in their future success.   Sometimes this time of year feels frantic, and it is easy to lose sight of what really matters. I hope everyone will find an opportunity to enjoy time with family, friends, and loved ones during this winter break.    On behalf of the West Rocks Middle School staff, I wish everyone a peaceful, joyous holiday season. As we begin the New Year, I encourage everyone to take some time to reflect on 2023. I have asked students to think about their successes, identify what they want to improve, and set goals for the future.    Our winter break is from December 23, 2023 through January 1, 2024. Students return for a full day of school on January 2, 2024.  See you in 2024!  Adam Reynolds Principal, West Rocks Middle School

EVENTS AND GROUPS

One of the highlights of this year’s Spirit Week was the intense WRMS Door Decorating Competition! Students worked in their homerooms all week to decorate their doors according to contest rules! They needed to plan and design, purchase materials using a budget, and create a finished product based on specific criteria. Check out some of the great pictures using the link below!

Follow WRMS on Social Media

West Rocks is on social media! As part of an effort to increase communication and celebrate all the good things happening at WRMS, please check us out on Facebook and Instagram. See more pictures from this week like our grade level PAWS Awards Ceremonies (Thank you to all the parents and families that came to support!). We share highlights each week on social media!

Ski & Snowboard Club Winter 2024 The WRMS Ski & Snowboarding Club will take 3 afternoon trips to Mount Southington on Fridays in January (1/12, 1/19, and 1/26). The bus will leave WRMS at 2:40pm and return around 9:00pm. The club will take 1 day trip to Mohawk Mountain on Saturday, February 3. The bus will leave at 6:30am and return around 8:00pm. Students can participate in the 3 afternoon trips, the 1 day trip, or both. Students must complete all components to register for the trip(s) – NPS/WRMS online permission slip, online portal registration through Mt. Southington and/or Mohawk Mountain, and turn in payment to the office. The forms with links and all necessary information are attached to this post (English, Spanish). Reach out to the club adviser Dr. Reynolds with questions or for more information (reynoldsa@norwalkps.org). Deadline for registration is Friday, January 5, 2024.

ACADEMICS, PROGRAMS, AND CAMPAIGNS

Independent Reading over Break
Students have been assigned independent reading over the winter break. The expectation is different per grade level but all students should be reading throughout the week for an average of 20 minutes per day. The image included is from the Grade 6 Jamboard that students will post on before they return.

IXL - Math Practice
When we return from winter break, there will be a focused effort on practicing math during and outside of the school day. In addition to the practice problems and homework teachers are assigning, we will dedicate time for students to work on IXL. This platform can be found in students’ ClassLink and is individualized based on the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Math teachers have already been assigning tasks, so this break is a good time to continue to practice!

NWEA Math and Reading Winter Assessment When we return from break, students will take the Winter NWEA map assessment. Students take this test 3 times per year - fall, winter, spring. These scores are used for instruction, to place students in enrichment, intervention, as well as acceleration, and used to measure growth in literacy and math to this point in the year. Students will begin with the math portion on Tuesday, January 9 in homeroom. 

PTA UPDATE AND UPCOMING DATES

Thank you to the parents that volunteered to sell WRMS Spirit Wear on Tuesday and Wednesday in the cafeteria during lunch waves!

Upcoming Dates
December 23-January 1 Winter Recess, school closed January 2 Students return to school (full day) January 3 Advisory Lesson  January 5 Ski & Snowboard Club REGISTRATION DUE January 9 NWEA Math  January 10 NWEA Math January 12 Ski & Snowboard Trip to Mt. Southington (1st trip of season)