Important News

Shark Bytes 12/9/22

Shark Bytes December 9, 2022 Happy Friday, TigerShark Families! The WLMS Dancers lead by our very own, Ms. Kerr, graced the Jim Rouse Theater as part of the Wilde Lake High School Winter Showcase. The performance was remarkable. Next week is a full week of excitement. Our chorus students will perform at Wilde Lake Middle on December 12th. Don’t miss out on this show! On December 14th, WLMS students will participate in Activity/Club Day. This is also a 3 hour Wellness early dismissal day. Students will be released from school at 11:45am. The Wilde Lake Middle School Tiger Shark Theater Company proudly presents, David and Lisa, a beautiful story of two troubled adolescents during a semester at school. Performance dates are: Thursday, December 15 at 7:00 pm, Friday, December 16 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 17 at 7:00 pm. Purchase your tickets today at http://wildelakems.booktix.com/. Tickets are $6 for students and $10 for adults. On Friday, December 16th, WLMS PTSA will host the first Shark Bites store of the year. Please consider donating items from the PTSA Amazon Wishlist or making a monetary donation through WLMS donations. See PTSA message below for other ways to assist. Important dates: December 12th- Chorus Concert December 14th- 3 hour Early Dismissal Professional Work and Wellness Day December 15th, 16th, and 17th-Wilde Lake Middle School Tiger Shark Theater Company proudly presents, David and Lisa http://wildelakems.booktix.com/ December 16th- Shark Bite Store December 21st- Band Concert December 26th- January 2nd- Schools Closed for Winter Break Happy Cart is Back this year! Each month this winter-with your help- we plan to treat our staff with a special treat. See the sign up genius below to see what you can bring! Please drop off donations no later than Monday, December 12th and we’ll do the rest!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4AA4A728A2F58-hotcocoa Season Of Giving: We are collecting donations for the upcoming holiday season! There are TWO WAYS to give to our families in need! We want to make sure that we take care of those members in our community who may need a helping hand. We will be collecting gift cards to help them have a Holly Jolly Holiday! We would love to receive gift cards from Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway and Giant that we can distribute to the families. Please give all donations to Heather Godwin, Principal's Secretary, no later than December 12th or donate online at https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/DA018-VAR6 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Webinars for Middle School Students/Parents: The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program wants all students and parents to have an understanding of CTE course offerings. With 24 career pathways, there are often many misconceptions related to CTE. To ensure that all students and parents make informed decisions with their middle and high school course selections, two virtual webinar sessions will be offered to support understanding and planning. Rising 9th Grade CTE Webinar Thursday, December 15 Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Registration is required for attendance. Utilize this link to register. A confirmation email will be sent upon completion of registration, and meeting reminders will be sent prior to the webinar. Rising 7th and 8th Grade CTE Webinar Tuesday, January 31st Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Registration is required for attendance. Utilize this link to register. A confirmation email will be sent upon completion of registration, and meeting reminders will be sent prior to the webinar. Family Literacy Text Opportunity: Support family engagement at your school by encouraging your school’s families to sign up for RIF’s free monthly literacy tip texts using this sample message home to them: We are encouraging our families to sign up for a monthly text from our literacy partner, Reading Is Fundamental. Simply use this form to add your phone number and select our school from the list and you will automatically receive monthly literacy tips texts to further reading engagement at home! You can sign up here. Federal Impact Aid Forms due by December 12 : In order to qualify for funding, parents who identified themselves in Family File as working on federal property in Maryland or as active duty military should log in via HCPSS Connect to complete the Impact Aid form by confirming the information and providing a digital signature before December 12. (See directions below) If you did not complete Family File this year and work on federal property in Maryland or are active duty military, please log in and complete the Federal Impact Aid section of Family File prior to completing the Impact Aid form. If you submitted a form before September 30, it must be redone. In instances where families are federally connected both by work location and membership in the uniformed services, the digital signature only needs to be completed by one parent. To complete your online Impact Aid form: Log in to HCPSS Connect using parent/guardian credentials Select More Options from the left navigation Select Federal Impact Aid from the middle The family’s federally connected information along with the digital signature will qualify the school system for applicable funding. PTSA Corner 1st Shark Bite Store: The first store will take place Friday Dec. 16th in the Media Center during the three lunch periods. Although this is a very rewarding and fun event, it takes a lot of volunteers and donations to pull it off. Volunteers are needed to help set up, help students during the stores, and then with cleanup after the last lunch. Please use the following SignUp Genius to volunteer. Starting now until the day of the store we will be accepting donations for the store itself. There are several ways to donate: 1. You can purchase items on theAmazon Wishlist 2. You can donate money on the PTSA MemberHub website or 3. You can purchase items off of the suggested list and turn them into the main office (Labeled “Shark Bite Store”). Any amount helps! (Please feel free to share the Amazon Wishlist with family and friends.) Suggested Donations: (from Five Below or similar store) Fidget toys, room decor, stuffed animals, blankets, jewelry, tech stuff, art/craft supplies, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, books, items for students to give as gifts (to family members, friends, or younger siblings). Donated items must be new or unused. Spirit Wear Sale: The WLMS PTSA has Spirit Wear T-shirts for sale for only $10 each! Sizes are Adult S to Adult 2XL. Cash, Check, or online payment on our PTSA website are available. Once payments are received (please place cash or check in an envelope, label with your name and “For the PTSA” and turn into the main office) we will process orders and arrange in alphabetical order by last name for students to pick up in the Main Office. Days to pick-up orders will be announced. Please fill out the following SURVEY with your name and T-Shirt sizes for your order. Website: WLMS PTSA Website Email: wildelakemiddleschoolptsa@gmail.com Facebook: wlmsptsa Boosters: Membership Form: https://form.jotform.com/222355873853060 The Performing Arts Boosters will be selling flowers for families and friends to buy for students performing in the concert. Bring some cash to buy flowers for performing students! $5 for a bundle of flowers, $15 for a full bouquet! *Wednesday, December 7th Booster meeting at 7 pm via zoom in the newsletter? Meeting id 852 1156 8516; passcode 678387 ***Looking for something sparkly? Support the Boosters! Order your jewelry by December 14th and your order will be here in time for the holidays. Go to http://sites.touchstonecrystal.com/sites/bevmaddox/e/AAH587M1 Upcoming performance information: The Wilde Lake Middle School Tiger Shark Theater Company proudly presents, David and Lisa, a beautiful story of two troubled adolescents during a semester at school. Performance dates are: Thursday, December 15 at 7:00 pm, Friday, December 16 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 17 at 7:00 pm Purchase your tickets today at http://wildelakems.booktix.com/. Tickets are $6 for students and $10 for adults. We can't wait to see you there! 36th Annual Champions of Courage Black History Month Essay Competition Entries are open for the 36th Annual “Champions of Courage” Black History Month Essay Competition, presented by WBFF Baltimore FOX 45. The competition is open to all Maryland grades 6 through 12 students.. “Champions of Courage” is a showcase for students to salute their personal heroes - positive role models who have demonstrated the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspiring them to dream and achieve. Students can enter by writing a brief essay saluting their “Champion of Courage”. Fifteen essays will be selected, and student winners will present their essays on FOX 45, The CW Baltimore, and My TV Baltimore, during January and February 2023. Each essayist will receive a $100 prize. Please review the linked document for more detailed information and how to apply! Interested in travel? Join us for Spring Break 2024! We’ll begin in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; then travel to Bruges, Belgium; and end our journey in Paris, France. You may visit www.explorica.com/Gwynn-Haymes-3294 to learn more about the trip. The information includes pricing, dates, and the itinerary. Explorica is the party organizing and responsible for this trip. This trip is NOT a Howard County Public School System, Wilde Lake Middle School, or PTSA sponsored trip, and the individuals chaperoning the trip are not acting as agents for the Howard County Public School System. Wilde Lake Middle School | 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, MD 21044 | (410) 313-6957 | wlms.hcpss.org

SharkBytes

October 20, 2022 Happy Friday, TigerShark Families! There are only 6 days left in the first marking period. Be sure you are checking your student/s grade in Canvas. Parent-Teacher Conference Registration opens on Monday, November 7 at 8:00 a.m. Conferences will be held in person on Monday, November 21 and virtually on Tuesday, November 22-Wednesday, November 23. Details and directions on how to register are available online. Important message re: lunch deliveries Over the past few weeks, we have noticed an increase in DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats and other food delivery services for our students. The students are ordering meals to be delivered during their lunch time. However, these meals are not arriving on time, the students are ordering for other friends and this has caused a huge disruption to the learning environment and lunch shifts. Please have a discussion with your students and make arrangements for your child to purchase school lunch or pack a lunch from home. Important dates: October 21st- Schools closed for students, Professional Work Day October 24th- Schools closed for students, Professional Learning Day October 28th- WLMS BINGO Sponsored by WLMS PTSA details forthcoming November 2nd- Schools close 3 hours early. End of 1st marking period. November 7th- Conference scheduling window opens November 8th- Schools and offices closed for Election Day. November 11th- 8th Grade Lock-In November 11th Report Cards available to view through HCPSS Connect November 14th-28th- Book Fair November 21-23- Parent Teacher conferences. November 23rd-25th- Schools closed for Thanksgiving Holiday November 29th- Orchestra concert at WLHS Rouse Theater News from 8th Grade team: What? 8th Grade Lock-In When: Friday, November 11th Where: Wilde Lake Middle Who? 8th grade WLMS students Cost? $30 includes pizza, snacks all night, dance, movies and games **Students received permission slips this week. The permission slips and $30 are to be turned in to the front office by November 7th WLMS joins Planet Aid in a Clothing Drive! PTSA Corner PTSA Meeting: Join us over Zoom next Thursday October 20th at 7 PM. All are welcome! Fun Fridays: More $10 Gift Cards will be given away Oct. 28th. Thank you to the families that generously donated to make this happen! Please see this Sign-up Genius to help volunteer during school lunch times. Fall Family Bingo Night (FREE Event!): Join us on Friday Oct. 28th from 6:30 to 8:30PM in the WLMS Cafeteria for FREE Pizza, Snacks, Bingo, Prizes and FUN! All are welcome to attend. Food will be served starting at 6:30, and rounds of Bingo will start at 7. There will be multiple winners per round. If you are able to help out at all during the event, see the Sign-Up Genius here. Website: WLMS PTSA Website Email: wildelakemiddleschoolptsa@gmail.com Facebook: wlmsptsa Join the WLMS PTSA: join Boosters: Boosters meeting Wednesday November 9th via Zoom at 7 pm meeting id 852 1156 8516 passcode 678387 and the community is invited to join us on Facebook under WLMS Arts Boosters. FREE TUTORING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS THROUGH COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION CA's Teen Advisory committee has extended their free tutoring program for middle school students to be throughout the school year at both Columbia Athletic Club and Supreme Sports Club. Starting October 18, middle school students can come to Columbia Athletic Club on Tuesdays and Supreme Sports Club on Thursdays for free tutoring support as well as supervised basketball, ping pong and other recreational activities. No registration required, just bring your books and come ready to play! BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program invites all students in Grades 8-12 and their families to attend the upcoming BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night on Thursday, October 27, 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Long Reach High School. Scholars in grades 8-12 are invited to learn more about HCPSS pathways, network with working professionals, and explore post-secondary opportunities. The evening will highlight nearby colleges and universities as well as local businesses within the Howard County area. To register, complete the registration form linked here.Links to an external site.Access the BSAP College and Career Opportunities NightLinks to an external site. flier for more information. IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOSE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MA has been automatically renewed since March 2020. However, automatic renewals will stop very soon, so please call the Health Dept Insurance Line at (410) 313-5845 to check your status. They will set up an appointment for you to renew if needed. Interested in travel? Join us for Spring Break 2024! We’ll begin in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; then travel to Bruges, Belgium; and end our journey in Paris, France. You are invited to join Madame Belz and Ms. Gwynn-Haymes for an informational session about traveling during Spring Break 2024. We’ll discuss the travel itinerary and fundraising. You may visit www.explorica.com/Gwynn-Haymes-3294 to learn more about the trip. The information includes pricing, dates, and the itinerary. Explorica is the party organizing and responsible for this trip. This trip is NOT a Howard County Public School System, Wilde Lake Middle School, or PTSA sponsored trip, and the individuals chaperoning the trip are not acting as agents for the Howard County Public School System. ​​​​​​​

Newsletter 10/7/22

Shark Bytes October 7, 2022 Happy Friday, TigerShark Families! On October 11th and October 12th, WLMS will begin MAP testing. Be sure your student is well rested and on time for school. Need conversation starters for your student as to what is going on in the classrooms at WLMS? This week in English Language Arts: G6: Ms. Fredrick's classes are working on GIST statements - Get To The Point; Mrs. Washington's classes has been gaining background information about the "The Lost Boys of Sudan" in preparation for the novel A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park which we will begin next week.This week in ELA 6 GT we have continued to work on the creation of resources to support independent learning. We have also worked on setting MAP Testing Goals; short-term and long-term. Finally, we are working on the pre-reading process for "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park. G7: We are exploring the complexities of interpersonal relationships, the role of social identities in human interactions, and the social impact of gentrification through our reading and analysis of two short stories: "Eraser Tattoo" by Jason Reynolds and "Pineapple" by Sara Farizan. G8: This week in 8th grade ELA, students reading Ray Bradbury's "The Martian Chronicles", are analyzing the author's use of symbolism by examining the imagery with the novel's opening chapters. Students reading Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" are discussing parallels between the novel's protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, and the Greek myth of Prometheus, through the lens of Romanticism. Students are further developing an understanding of these themes through an exploration of J. Robert Oppenheimer's creation of the atomic bomb and his regrets in the years following. Fall MAP Testing The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment is designed to measure a student’s academic achievement and growth over time in reading and mathematics. Together with other classroom-based information, MAP results can help teachers make instructional decisions that match the needs of each child. The MAP testing will take place during your students Math and ELA classes. *Did you miss out on ordering your students Fall Pictures? Online orders can be made at Schoolpix.com with code WLMSF22 Orders will not be accepted after Monday. Important dates: Sept. 15th - Oct. 15th Hispanic Heritage Month October 10th- MOD Pizza PTSA Fundraiser MODF10049 October 11th-12th- MAP testing through ELA and Math classes.(with the exception of 8th grade GT ELA, Algebra I, and Geometry classes) October 17th- Flu Clinic https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/2605559109 October 28th- WLMS BINGO Sponsored by WLMS PTSA details forthcoming URGENT FROM HEALTH ROOM: Flu Clinic 10/17 Your child MUST SIGN UP BY 10/12/22 in order for your child to receive the vaccination on 10/17 Wilde Lake Middle School is offering a flu clinic on October 17th, for staff and students. To register for the flu shot I have provided a link. This link can be accessed online or by a cell phone. This link is for Wilde Lake Middle School. Parents that have students attending other schools in the county will register on that schools' link. Students and/or staff that have an egg allergy (anaphylaxis reaction) will need to have the flu vaccine administered in the doctor's office. Registration will close five days before the clinic. Families that do not have internet access please call the health room. We can provide a form to be completed. See below for the link. Any questions and/or concerns feel free to contact the health room @410-313-8940. https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/2605559109 Is your child looking for an activity after school? Wilde Lake Middle School’s After School Intramurals hace begun. Is your student interested in participating in the Memory Book club or Art Club? Have your child stop by the front office to pick up a permission slip. Art Club will meet on Thursday’s from 3:00-4:00pmMemory Book Club will meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 3:00-3:45pm PTSA Corner Website: WLMS PTSA Website Email: wildelakemiddleschoolptsa@gmail.com Facebook: wlmsptsa PTSA Meeting: Thursday October 20th at 7 PM over Zoom. Join the WLMS PTSA: If you have not already, please take a moment to join the WLMS PTSA. Donations can also be made on our website. Restaurant Night: Join us for our first Restaurant Night at MOD Pizza on Monday October 10. Order in person or online (Fundraiser Code: MODF10049) Fun Fridays: Please see this Sign-up Genius for details and to help volunteer during school lunch times. Fall Bingo Night- Fri. Oct. 28th, 6:30-8:30pm: We will be hosting a bingo night for the whole family as our first community event of the year. Volunteer information and details about the night coming soon. As with any PTSA event, you do not have to be a member of the PTSA to volunteer or attend. All are welcome! Interested in travel? Join us for Spring Break 2024! We’ll begin in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; then travel to Bruges, Belgium; and end our journey in Paris, France. You are invited to join Madame Belz and Ms. Gwynn-Haymes for an informational session about traveling during Spring Break 2024. We’ll discuss the travel itinerary and fundraising. All WLMS students are invited. You may visit www.explorica.com/Gwynn-Haymes-3294 to learn more about the trip. The information includes pricing, dates, and the itinerary. Explorica is the party organizing and responsible for this trip. This trip is NOT a Howard County Public School System, Wilde Lake Middle School, or PTSA sponsored trip, and the individuals chaperoning the trip are not acting as agents for the Howard County Public School System. IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOSE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MA has been automatically renewed since March 2020. However, automatic renewals will stop very soon, so please call the Health Dept Insurance Line at (410) 313-5845 to check your status. They will set up an appointment for you to renew if needed.