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Weekly Update 1/6/24

First page of the PDF file: WRMSSkiSnowboardClubWinter2024
Weekly Update 1/6/24
WRMS Staff

Hello West Rocks! Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 is off to a great start! Students returned a little sleepy that first day, but just needed to get back to a routine because Wednesday through Friday, the school was full of our regular energy. On Friday morning, we addressed the tragedy that occurred in Iowa. Our hearts and prayers are with the Perry Hill School community. I addressed the importance of safety as well as prioritizing mental health. Thank you to those families that spoke about what occurred at home. We had an advisory lesson on Listening for Understanding on Wednesday. Students discussed examples of what poor listening looks like, “a distracted listener, a rushed listener, a prejudiced listener,” then named and practiced the Three Ps of Active Listening – paying good attention, providing encouragement, and paraphrasing. You will see some pictures from the classrooms above! These lessons are important as we continue to prioritize all members of the community feeling safe, successful, and known. As we approach the mid-point of the year, please note that ATTENDANCE MATTERS! Students need to be in school every day. The State of Connecticut considers a student chronically absent if they have been absent 10% of the time – this counts both excused and unexcused absences. If your student has been absent 6-8 days, they are considered chronically absent by the district and state. Please contact your child’s counselor for more information. We have Winter NWEA map testing starting this week! Be sure your student brings their charged Chromebook each day! Have a great weekend, Adam Reynolds Principal, West Rocks Middle School PS. We are expecting snow and inclement weather tonight into Sunday. Be sure to check the district website for any school related information Monday morning.

EVENTS AND GROUPS

Ski & Snowboard Club Winter 2024...LAST CALL for the Mt. Southington trips!  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 here (English, Spanish). Reach out to the club adviser Dr. Reynolds with questions or for more information (reynoldsa@norwalkps.org). Complete the registration prior to Monday, January 8 if you are still interested!

Intramurals and Travel Teams  Our boys and girls travel basketball teams are ready to start their season next week! Coach Cammorota and Coach Voytek have been practicing with our teams and ready for their first game on Jan 11. Both teams made the championship game last year and the WRMS boys won! We are looking forward to another great year! Stay tuned for other intramural and club opportunities like chess, math club, and more.

Grade 8 Students – High School Open Houses for School Choice P-Tech, Norwalk High School, and Brien McMahon will host an open house next week for prospective 8th grade students and their families. Please visit the link below to learn more about High School Choice.

The lottery will close on January 12 and the drawing is scheduled for January 19. 

https://www.norwalkps.org/for-families/helpful-quick-links/student-registration/school-choice-lotteries/high-school-choice
Feel free to reach out to our grade 8 counselor, Mrs. Mary Simone, with questions. She will direct you to the best person (simonem@norwalkps.org).

ACADEMICS, PROGRAMS, AND CAMPAIGNS

NWEA map Testing Students take the NWEA map test 3 times per year – fall, winter, spring. The winter assessment in math and reading will occur in homerooms for a few days over the course of the next two weeks. 

Students will take the math portion of the Fall NWEA test on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Teachers use this data to drive their instruction as well as to measure growth over the course of the year and year to year. We also use these scores for placement in intervention, enrichment, and accelerated classes. WIN classes for Q3 will be based on this data. It is important that students try their best, get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, and come prepared with a charged Chromebook. Thank you for your support.

End of Semester 1, Q2

January 22 marks the last day of the first semester and quarter 2! Please be sure to check the PowerSchool Parent Portal for assignments, grades, and attendance. If you need access to PowerSchool, please contact the main office at West Rocks or email our secretary Mrs. Nazira Coto (coton@norwalkps.org).

PTA UPDATE AND UPCOMING DATES

Upcoming Dates January 9 NWEA Testing in homeroom (math) January 10 NWEA Testing in homeroom (math)  January 12 Ski & Snowboard Trip to Mt. Southington (1st trip of season) January 15 MLK Jr Day – no school  January 16 Advisory – Service Projects on Commitment (preparation for MLK celebration) January 17 NWEA Testing in homeroom (reading) January 18 NWEA Testing in homeroom (reading) January 19 MLK Jr School-wide Celebration; Ski & Snowboard Trip to Mt. Southington (2nd trip of season)