Sept. 19, 2017
Hello Middle School Parents,
We are back, and ready to tackle a fun, engaging and challenging academic year in earnest. Students have been sharing stories of their time at Nature's Classroom with one another, recalling songs and experiences with a chuckle or groan. It is really fun to watch. Overall we did a superb job of gathering our stuff and moving out with (pretty much) the same items we moved in with - there is one royal blue sleeping bag, however ...
Grade 8 Moving Up
Thursday, Sept. 21
Each year we pair every Grade 8 student with a Grade 9 student, thereby ensuring a sense of familiarity with at least one person in the Upper School. We have tried to make these pairings such that students feel a sense of connection on at least one or two levels, but a perfect match is always difficult.
These pairs will get a few opportunities to spend time together during the coming year. On Sept. 21, students will meet each other for the first time and, together, head over to the gym for the first WMA pep rally of the year; later in the fall, our Grade 8 students will head "up the hill" for a half day of classes; and students will reconnect in the spring to discuss the ins and outs of a year in Grade 9.
If you have questions, please reach out to Elyse Dunbar or Stuart Whitcomb.
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Parent Association Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 21, 5:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Athletic Center Board Room
Social and light refreshments, 5:30 - 6 p.m.
Review of My BackPack and Google, presented by Dr. Marxan Pescetta, Director of Information Technology, 6 - 6:30 p.m.
Parent Association Meeting, 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
All are invited to attend!
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Back To School Night
Thursday, Oct. 5, 6 - 8:10 p.m.
Parents will follow a condensed academic schedule (15 minutes per class) with short, engaging classes. This is an opportunity to get a ground-level view of your student's school day, see the teachers in their natural habitat and remind yourself why a positive MS experience is so important.
There will be a study hall provided in Gill Memorial Library for any
student who must stay on campus, and we will have light refreshments for adults.
Intro: 6 p.m., Common Room (standing)
A: 6:15 p.m.
B: 6:30 p.m.
C: 6:45 p.m.
L1: 7 p.m.
L3 7:15 p.m.
D: 7:30 p.m.
E: 7:45 p.m.
Wrap-up: 8 p.m.
Dismissal: 8:10 p.m.
(Tardies will be prosecuted to the full extent of the disciplinary code.)
We look forward to seeing your there!
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Middle School Grandparents & VIP Day
Friday, Oct. 6
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Whether you are a family member or an adult role model, you are very important to a student at WMA Middle School! At Wilbraham & Monson Academy, we understand that family members and adult mentors play a meaningful part in a child's development and academic success. We thank you for the role you play in your student's life and we invite you to join us and share a morning with your student at the WMA Middle School.
(Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Athletic Center.)
RSVP by Sept. 29 to Jeanine Little at jlittle@wma.us or 413.596.9144.
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Grade 6 Preview Night
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6 - 7:45 p.m.
If you are the parent of a Grade 5 student or know the family of a Grade 5 student who would be an excellent fit for the WMA Middle School community, this is for you! We will hold a Grade 6 Preview Night in the Middle School, designed to give interested families an opportunity to tour the school, learn about the program and watch their child interact with two of our Grade 6 teachers in a classroom environment.
The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. in Room 6 and will run until 7:45 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
More detailed information will arrive in coming weeks, but do not hesitate to plant the seed with your friends! We look forward to a lively and engaging evening.
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WMA Titan Parents Walk and Talk
Tuesday mornings
Please join other WMA Titan Parents for some morning exercise and conversation. We will walk around the "Triangle" (almost 1.7 miles per lap) beginning at the tennis courts. No need to sign up in advance.
All are welcome.
We meet at the WMA tennis parking lot at 7:30 a.m. for Lap 1 or join us at 8 for Lap 2.
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- Middle School Notes -
Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures
We are asking all Middle School families to please conduct your morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up from the gym parking lot. There is a safe walkway for our students that leads to the MS building as well as the back entrance of Lak Dining Hall through the Campus Center. This helps keep the Rich Hall parking lot from getting congested and is a much safer way of passage for our students. Thank you in advance for adhering to this request.
Advisor Program
At this time, your child has chosen their advisor and are learning the processes and procedures for their advisory group. All students received their first or second choice, so students are pleased with the results. If after the first marking period a student wishes to make an advisor change, the student should email Mr. Whitcomb and Mrs. Kelley requesting a simple check-in meeting. We want students to learn to advocate for themselves in these situations, but parents are always welcome to share their perspective separately.
Student Council
Any student who has decided to run for office on student council will have an opportunity to give a speech to their peers on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from noon - 12:30 p.m. in the MS Dorm Common Room. During school meeting the following day, we will hold elections. Students have already announced their candidacy.
Archery Trip, Sept. 22
Where: Amherst Archery Academy
Who: Middle School and Upper School students, WMA families,
faculty and staff.
Cost: $20 (range fee, equipment rental, and instruction)
Depart from the Dining Hall
Wear athletic clothing and sneakers
Frozen yogurt after the archery class (bring $5)
Participants under 18 must have their parents and guardian sign
a two-page waiver.
Participants 18 and older can fill out and sign their own waiver and bring to Mr. Lombard prior to our departure
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©2017 Wilbraham & Monson Academy
423 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095
413.596.6811
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