Weekly Update 6/1/24

 

(55 second clip of band performance)

Hello West Rocks!

I can’t believe it is June! There are only 2 weeks of school remaining and we are packing each day with activities! 

Congratulations to our band and orchestra that competed in the annual music festival yesterday. They played at Platt High School in Meriden and the band scored 96 out of 100! See the picture and clip above!

Our 7th graders took a field trip to the Bronx Zoo on Wednesday. Students and teachers shared that they had an amazing time! For some of our students, it was the first time they had ever been to a zoo. The gorilla was a fan favorite…he did some tricks and scared a few students by banging on the glass!

Grade 8 students spent Thursday at Quassy Amusement Park! They went on rides, enjoyed an “all you can eat” lunch, then spent the afternoon in the water park! They had a lot of fun with their classmates. This was a great way to celebrate the end of their middle school experience. Don’t worry…plenty more to come! 

Some of our grade 8 students in the Visual and Performing Arts Program went to see Hamilton on Broadway on Wednesday. They had an amazing experience.

We have another busy week coming up with our grade 6 field trip, annual Pride Parade, Dual Language Program Assembly, Pre-Promotion Party…and more! There are details in the post below.

Please be sure to check out our website and calendar for many events to close the 2023-2024 SY! 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)

Enjoy the rest of the weekend,
Adam Reynolds
Principal, West Rocks Middle School

PS. Congratulations to our winners in Excellence in Education for the district that were recognized this week! Mrs. Nicole Jean and Ms. Mariana Palacios!

EVENTS AND GROUPS

Grade 8 

• Monday, June 3: Chromebook and charger collection

• Thursday, June 6: Pre-Promotion Party 5:00-7:30 pm at West Rocks 

• Please refer to Grade 8 Team Leader Dr. Golding’s communication with details on these events and more throughout the end of the year. 

Grade 6
Students will go on a field trip to the Museum of Natural History in New York City on Wednesday, June 5. The bus leaves after homeroom and returns after dismissal. Students will need their own transportation home. Please refer to Grade 6 Team Leader Dr. Walter’s communication with details.

NICE Assembly and Performance – Dual Language Program
Tuesday, June 4 at 2:00 pm, the NICE organization will perform for students in our dual language program in the auditorium. Organized by our central office team, we are fortunate to get this opportunity! This is a “Puerto Rican Bomba Plena Performance!” There will be six artists in the performing group – music, dancing, video, and more! 

• Check out the organization’s website for more information: https://norwalknice.org/ 

Pride Parade 2024 
June is Pride Month - a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities around the world. West Rocks will have a Pride Parade on the morning of June 4, 2024. Only the students who sign up for the event will be allowed to participate. Students will walk a lap around the school and take seats near the turf field in the back. The Triangle Community Center will speak along with a few student volunteers. For information on the Triangle Community Center, check out their website: https://ctpridecenter.org. Students that are interested in organizing should meet in the library/learning commons during homeroom.

ACADEMICS, PROGRAMS, AND CAMPAIGNS

The last day to return all books and Chromebook loaners borrowed from the WRMS Library was on Friday, 5/31. Students may review their accounts by using Destiny (via Classlink) and clicking on the MY INFO option.  

• For help contact Ms. Sandra Mackowski (mackowskis@norwalkps.org)

Chromebook Collection:
All students will return their Chromebook and charger before the end of the school year. We will assess, repair, and replace what is needed for the fall. Please note there will be a cost if there are missing Chromebooks as well as chargers. 

• Lost Verizon Device $350
• Lost loaner Chromebook $100
• Lost charger $20

The collection dates are below:

• Grade 8 - Monday, June 3 (All obligations must be settled to get Promotion tickets)
• Grade 7 – Tuesday, June 11
• Grade 6 - Wednesday, June 12

 
Webinar with Holocaust Survivor Ruth Weiner 
Our grade 6 and 7 students participated in a virtual visit from a Holocaust survivor, Ruth Weiner yesterday! She shared experiences and students from all middle schools asked questions! It was engaging and our students extended their learning from the last month! Our grade 8 students will watch the webinar in chunks over the next week as it applies to specific content within the classroom. 

PTA UPDATE AND UPCOMING DATES

The PTA is providing a visit from the ice cream truck for each grade level to celebrate a great school year! 

• Grade 8: June 6 – Yearbook signing, extra recess, and ice cream (2:00 pm)
• Grade 7: June 5 – extra recess (2:00 pm)
• Grade 6: June 10 – extra recess (2:00 pm)

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

Upcoming Dates
June 3 Grade 8 Chromebook and charger collection
June 4 Pride Parade; NICE Dual Language Assembly @ 2pm
June 5 Grade 6 Field Trip to NYC; Grade 7 ice cream truck
June 6 Grade 8 yearbooks, ice cream truck; Grade 8 Pre-Promotion Event doors open @ 5pm
June 7 Mentor breakfast; Grade 8 promotion practice (1st)
June 10 Grade 8 promotion practice (2nd); P-Tech walkthrough 10am; Grade 6 ice cream truck
June 11 Grade 8 promotion practice @ City Hall (3rd/final); Promotion Ceremony @ 7:30 pm; Grade 7 Chromebook collection
June 12 Grade 6 Chromebook collection
June 13 2-hour Early Dismissal (12:50pm); Final Mile (Running Club) Race @ 1:30pm
June 14 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! 2-hour Early Dismissal (12:50pm)

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