Weekly Update 2/16/25

Hello West Rocks!

I hope you are enjoying the first weekend of February break and staying warm! We finished the week with a shift to our plan based on the inclement weather and technical difficulties. Check out a few pictures above from our Marine Science field trip this week! Students have been learning about Horseshoe Crabs and then had an experience at the Maritime Aquarium! Students did a great job on their math and reading portions of the NWEA. We will have access to their scores when we return. We will communicate those to students and families while using them to guide instruction for the remainder of the year. We also use them to help with class placement for the 25-26 school year. Students that came prepared for the test during the week with a charged Chromebook earned a raffle ticket! We pulled 4 names in each grade level on Friday afternoon and those students earned a goodie bag with a gift card to 5 Below, West Rocks swag, and other treats!

Congratulations to the winner of our Reading Challenge for the first week! Grade 8 student Ganya Gabriel for winning the Lunar New Year article contest! She answered all the questions correctly and her name was drawn on Friday! 

• Students should be reading throughout this week…and have an opportunity to get some extra credit by reading The Women of Hidden Figures article provided by their ELA teacher. (It’s a great movie too!)

Thank you to our Student Council for sponsoring Kindness Week! Students and staff filled out kindness notes during lunch waves that were delivered to others before leaving for break.

Due to the weather, we needed to reschedule our schoolwide Black History Month lessons. We will have an extended homeroom on Monday and Tuesday when we return. We will have a schoolwide assembly to celebrate on Wednesday, February 26.

As we have recently hit passed our 100th day of school, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support in making our school a place where students thrive. From embracing the RULER approach and learning 100 emotional vocabulary words to celebrating community events and academic growth, we have accomplished so much together, and I look forward to building on this momentum when we return from February break.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break with family, friends, and time for yourselves!

Adam Reynolds
Principal, West Rocks Middle School

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) UPDATE - RULER

We are very excited to share our progress with the RULER Approach! We have completed the 100 vocabulary words on the Mood Meter and are transitioning to the next phase! 
 
If you did not get a chance to see the video with our next phase of the RULER Rollout, please watch using the links below. The video is about 3 and a half minutes.

• English
• Espanol

TRAVEL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - TUESDAY, FEB. 25TH!

The West Rocks Boys Basketball Team will be playing in the Championship Game at Norwalk High on Tuesday, February 25th. Tickets for the game must be purchased digitally prior to the event for $5 using the link.

https://my.hometownticketing.com/agency/2060d696-6875-4fa6-b958-446b76f26e2a/events/7e3fff8b-7a84-4fad-ad65-34cd43ec8146

STAFF VS. STUDENTS BASKETBALL GAME - MARCH MADNESS!

The staff will take on the travel basketball teams this year in our annual March Madness game. Come out and cheer on the teachers! All students and families are welcome to attend. Admission is $10 Per person and there are concessions for sale. All proceeds benefit the Grade 8 Class of 2025. 

SHREK JR.

Tickets are on sale! We hope you will support the production at one of four shows: Thursday at 1:30pm, Friday at 7pm, and Saturday at 2pm and 7pm. 

• Tickets are $10 for all patrons and can be purchased online using this link: https://cur8.com/21856/project/129640

YEARBOOK

Time is Running Out!!
The yearbook staff must place their final yearbook order by February 21st.
There is no guarantee there will be extras on distribution day.
Order TODAY to guarantee you’ll have a yearbook this Spring.

• To order go to: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01068840

GRADE 8 NYC TRIP

The trip must be paid in full by the beginning of March. Please stay current with payments. If you need assistance with your balance, please contact Dr. Golding.

PTA UPDATE AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Spirit Wear is Still Available!   We still have T-shirts ($20) and Hoodies ($40) in stock, ready to be delivered to your student’s homeroom teacher’s mailbox within 72 hours!  Order here: https://westrocks.ptboard.com/formvw?store=5118&form=2    Want more options? Check out our NEW online store where you can shop a variety of T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, pajama bottoms, sweaters, and more!  Check it out here: https://spirithero.com/collections/west-23    Order now and show off your Panther pride!   🍽️ Upcoming Restaurant Nights We’re working on scheduling more restaurant nights—stay tuned to our Facebook & Instagram for details!   🎓 8th Grade Semi-Formal Planning is starting soon! If you’d like to help or know a business interested in supporting this event, email us at WestRocksPTA@gmail.com.    Become a member here: https://westrocks.ptboard.com/formvw?store=5118&form=1 PTA Website:westrocks.ptboard.com PTA Email:westrockspta@gmail.com  Social Media Links:  Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/westrockspta   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/westrockspta/ Upcoming Dates February 3-28 Love of Reading Challenge! February 17-Feb 21 NO SCHOOL February 24 Black History Month Special Lesson February 25 Black History Month Special Lesson; Basketball Intramural Championship Game @ NHS; Ski & Snowboard Club Trip to Mt. Southington February 26 Black History Month Schoolwide Assembly; Eastside Orchestra 4-8pm February 27 NPS Black History Month Celebration @ NHS 5:45-8pm February 28 Movie Night! WICKED to support the WRMS Music Program 5:30-8:30pm

Please utilize our calendar on our school website: https://wrms.norwalkps.org/

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