Weekly Update 5.19.24

Hello West Rocks!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! Thank you to those that came out to the district’s annual First Book Event at Brien McMahon High School yesterday. The West Rocks “swag” was flying off the table while both adults and children filled their bags with books. Research shows students should read a minimum of 20 minutes per day to increase literacy skills.

The student performances were amazing at our Spring Band Concert on Wednesday at Norwalk High School. Thank you to our band director Mrs. Jean for a great year. It is amazing to see how large the band has grown and hear the improvement of our students over time. Check out the picture and clip at the top of this post!

About 40 of our grade 8 students in our growing Visual and Performing as well as parent and staff chaperones went on a field trip to Broadway to see The Outsiders! All grade 8 students read this book in class during the last unit.

Students took the ELA Reading portion of the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC) as well as one math performance task. They worked diligently and reported trying their best. Keep it up this week! Students take the math portion on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Finally, on Friday evening, we had our Grade 8 “Sneaker Ball” Semi-Formal Dance sponsored by our PTA. It was a wonderful event that included food and dancing. Our PTA transformed our cafeteria with special lighting, decorations, and delicious food! The photo booth was busy, and students couldn’t get enough of the desserts. The DJ took song requests, and everyone finished the night dancing! Huge shout out to all of our parent volunteers.

Please be sure to check out our website and calendar for MANY events to close the 2023-2024 SY! Also, continue to refer to the district calendar for days with no school and early dismissals. (https://www.norwalkps.org/about/district-overview/official-district-calendar)

Adam Reynolds
Principal, West Rocks Middle School

PS. Two family events this week…free! Links to register below.

• Wednesday – Dual Language Family Night 5:30-7:30pm (includes dinner!)
  • RSVP for the Dual Language Night HERE
• Thursday – Family STEAM Night in our Verizon Lab 5:00-6:30pm
  • Register for the STEAM Family Night HERE 

ACADEMICS, PROGRAMS, AND CAMPAIGNS

Smarter Balanced Assessments – MATH THIS WEEK! 
Students will take the math portion of the Smarter Balanced Assessments on Tuesday and Wednesday in homerooms. This is a very important statewide test that students show their progress toward grade level proficiency. This is used to help guide course selection, intervention, and acceleration. Students need to come prepared with a charged Chromebook and a good night’s rest. Please support us by encouraging your students to do their best!

Grade 8 
Special thanks to the PTA for a fantastic Semi-Formal dance for our Class of 2024. The time and efforts from our parent volunteers are much appreciated. Many parents took photos from Friday night. We will be sharing a link with those images soon! Continue to refer to communication from Dr. Golding around year-end events. Our virtual parent meeting from last week can be viewed HERE.

Yearbook Orders
Last chance to order while supplies last! Please reach out to our yearbook adviser Dr. Maria Fox with any questions (foxm@norwalkps.org).

• Direct link to order Yearbooks: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01068840

WRMS Marching Band
In preparation for the Memorial Day Parade, there will be rehearsals all week. Students will practice playing and marching each day according to a schedule. Be sure students are prepared with their instrument, music…etc. Direct questions to band director Mrs. Jean (jeann@norwalkps.org).
 
RULER Training for Staff
A team of 10 administrators, teachers, and staff went to Yale University this week for training on the RULER Approach. We continue to build momentum as we embrace social emotional learning and plan to rollout this focus on building emotional intelligence across the community.

EVENTS AND GROUPS

The Dual Language Community’s Family Night – Wednesday May 22 (5:30-7:30) in the Cafeteria
Students and staff in our dual language program are sponsoring the first ever WRMS Dual Language Community Family Night this Wednesday 5:30-7:30pm. Don’t worry about cooking this Wednesday! There will be dinner, activities, and students showing their work! Please RSVP for this great event using the link below! Direct questions to one of our dual language coordinator Mrs. Sheila Chimento (chimentos@norwalkps.org).

• RSVP Form

Family STEAM Night - Thursday May 23 (5:00-6:30) in the Verizon Lab
Family STEAM Night Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this Thursday May 23, 5:00-6:30 pm. HANDS ON FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Virtual & Augmented Reality, Asian & Pacific Themed Explorations, Science & Engineering Challenges, Artistic Creations, Technology & Math Integration, Prizes and More! 

• Registration Form

Good luck to our Running Club at the Final Mile Race! 
Our running club and coach Ms. Mouland are traveling to East Hartford to compete in the “Final Mile” Event on Thursday morning! They have been training and practicing a few days a week during the spring season and will compete against students from all over the state! This event is in partnership with the Hartford Marathon. The bus leaves very early (before school) on Thursday! Good luck! 

PTA UPDATE AND UPCOMING DATES

The next virtual PTA meeting is tomorrow, Monday, May 20 at 6:30pm. 

• Please use this link: https://zoom.us/j/99136506676

For more information, see the PTA website: https://westrocks.ptboard.com/

Upcoming Dates
May 20 Spanish Final Exam (Gr 8) in class; Marching Band Rehearsal 1:45; PTA Meeting 6:30
May 21 Smarter Balanced SBAC MATH; Spanish Final Exam (Gr 8) in class; Marching Band Rehearsal 10:30
May 22 Smarter Balanced SBAC MATH; Spanish Final Exam (Gr 8) in class; Marching Band Rehearsal 10:30; Dual Language Family Night 5:30
May 23 Hartford Final Mile Running Club (trip); Marching Band Rehearsal 1:45; Spanish Final Exam (Gr 8) in class; Silvermine grade 5 visits WRMS 9:30; STEAM Family Night 5:00
May 24 Marching Band Rehearsal 10:15; Spanish Final Exam Make-ups; Tracey grade 5 visits WRMS 9:30
May 27 Memorial Day! No School – WRMS Marching Band Performs in Parade!

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