Dear WLMS Community,
The countdown is on—only a few more days until we’re all back together at WLMS! As we begin the school year, we encourage you to talk with your middle schooler about keeping cell phones, earbuds, and other personal electronic devices off and away during the school day. The goal is to help students stay focused on learning while also building meaningful, face-to-face connections with staff and peers. It’s an incredible feeling to walk through our hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, and blacktop and see students talking, playing, and learning together—without the distraction of cell phones. Please know that WLMS will continue to follow HCPSS Student Personal Device Use Policy 8080. Along with keeping phones off and away during the school day, we are asking families to monitor their students’ social media use. Social media often distracts our students both in school and at home.
Together, WLMS staff and families can help students stay focused on learning. Take time to relax, soak up the summer, and get ready for an amazing school year ahead. See you soon!
Rashmi Bury, Principal
Sabrina Cunningham, Assistant Principal Kathleen Keck, Assistant Principal
TIGER SHARK BITES- THIS JUST IN!
Cell Phones As a reminder, we will follow the HCPSS Student Personal Device Use Policy. Please review the guidelines at hcpss.org/student-personal-device-use. Per policy, below are the consequences for policy violations:
- First Incident: The personal technology device is confiscated until the end of the student day. Students should turn off or lock devices prior to confiscation. A device that is confiscated during the final period of the student day will be confiscated for the entire next student day. The student may retrieve the device at the end of the day it was originally confiscated to take home, but must provide it to the front office upon arrival on the next student day.
- Second Incident & Beyond: The personal technology device is confiscated until it is retrieved by a parent/guardian. Students should turn off or lock devices prior to confiscation.
Backpacks This year, every WLMS student will be assigned a locker and given time to practice during the first week back. Backpacks must be kept inside lockers during lunch shifts. Backpacks are not allowed in the cafeteria, as there simply isn’t enough space to safely accommodate our students, staff, and the busy movement that takes place during lunch.
Student Dress Code Reminder
Clothing items that obscure a student’s face, such as a ski mask or similar headgear, will not be permitted in order to allow students to focus on learning. Policy 9210 Student Dress Code states that attire that causes or is likely to cause a material disruption, a substantial disorder to school activities or the orderly operation of the school, or an invasion of the rights of others is prohibited. A copy of the HCPSS student dress code may be found here. Exceptions will be made for religious observance and documented medical needs.
SHARK FACTS THAT STILL MATTER!
- 6th Grade & New 7th/8th Grade Orientation: Thursday, August 21, 1:30-2:30 pm.
- Orientation is for all incoming 6th-grade students. 7th and 8th graders new to WLMS are also invited to attend.
- Student schedules will be available on Synergy prior to New Student Orientation, and students are encouraged to bring a copy of their schedule.
- WLMS Block Party: Thursday, August 21, 4:30-6:30 pm.
- ANNUAL FAMILY RESOURCE EVENT. Please join us for our 8th Annual Family Resource Kick-Off event on Thursday, August 21, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. There will be a DJ, Community Resources, and so much more!
- First Day of School Procedures: The first day of school for students is Monday, August 25. All students are expected to be in Period 1 by 8:30 AM, which marks the start of our instructional day. Doors will open at 8:22 AM. There will be separate entrances for each grade, as well as for band and orchestra. Signs will be posted on the first day of school to guide everyone and staff will be present to assist.
- Family Academy Kickoff Rescheduled
- New Date: Friday, Sept. 27, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
- Location: Oakland Mills High School
- This districtwide event is open to all HCPSS families and will feature:
- A session with Superintendent Bill Barnes
- Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
- Information on programs, resources, and services available throughout the school year
- Childcare and language access provided
- For additional information, please visit the Family Academy Kickoff HCPSS News Post. Flier: English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean
- Food Deliveries During the School Day: All students are to refrain from having food delivered during the instructional school day (8:30-3:15 PM). Deliveries will be declined. If you need to drop off food or forgotten items for your student, we have a cart in our front entryway where you can label the item and our front office staff will make sure we get it to your child.
- WLMS Breakfast Program - No Outside Food permitted. ALL WLMS students are given the option of free breakfast every day in their period 1 class. Outside food and drinks from Starbucks, 7-11, home, etc. must be consumed prior to a student entering the building or saved for the student’s assigned lunch time. If students do not plan on eating the free breakfast, please make sure they eat prior to entering school.
- PTSA Updates: The PTSA membership drive is already underway. Please consider joining to support our students and staff.
- WLMS Performing Arts Boosters: One of the things that makes WLMS such a great place for our kids is the amazing performing arts program. Whether your kiddo is enrolled in Band, Orchestra, Theatre, Chorus or Dance, the Boosters make sure they have what they need and get those extra resources that make the programs thrive. The Boosters help arrange and pay for everything from the WLMS afterschool theatre program to purchasing dance shoes, costumes, and instruments, to bringing in actors and musicians to work with the students. But to do this, we need your support! Please become a WLMS Booster member today: https://form.jotform.com/242294952012150
- WLMS Back to School Night: September 4th, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Please join us at 6:30 to kick off the evening and hear from the principal and members of the administrative team. Please bring a copy of your child's schedule. More details to come.
- Update your family file today: HCPSS utilizes Family File for families to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child each school year.
- ****Several updates have been made to Family File, including how and where to access. Parents/guardians can now access and complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect Synergy, selecting the Online Registration at the top right of the page and then selecting Family File Verification.
- Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to update or provide the following: family information; parent/guardian contact; emergency contact(s); and student information, including health information, PTA/PTSA directory inclusion, release of information, science agreement, and arrival/dismissal procedures. comprehensive Information Release section, and the ability to submit a change of address.
- Change of Address: Families who have recently moved will submit necessary documentation when completing Family File, rather than the previous process of completing in the school.
- In the Family section, select the checkbox if your address has changed, and enter the updated address and the date of the deed/lease change.
- Science Safety Agreement: Formerly a paper that middle and high school students brought home for parents/guardians to sign and return to school, this is now available in Family File. The full agreement can be found online and parents/guardians will acknowledge the agreement in the Family File Student Information section.
- Information Release: Permission options for the release of information have not changed, however for easier use, these are now found in one location. Releases include media (photo use), data confidentiality, and student creative work.
- Time to fill out the FARMS form: Please remember, you need to fill out a new FARMS form each year. You can pick up a hard copy in the front office, or here is the online link:
- Participate in CA Points Program to Earn Free CA Membership
The CA (Columbia Association) Points Program is offered to students in grades 3-12 who are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) program at participating schools. Students can earn a free CA membership for themselves and their immediate family by meeting goals for grades and attendance.
- To participate in the CA Points Program, you must complete a FARMs application and complete the CA Points Enrollment Form. Online enrollment will close on Friday, September 28, 2025.
- For more information, visit CA Points Program or email CAPoints@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
- Participe en el Programa de Puntos de la Columbia Association (CA, por sus siglas en Inglés) para obtener una membresía gratuita de la CA. El Programa de Puntos de la CA (Asociación de Columbia) se ofrece a los estudiantes de 3.º a
12.º grado que estén inscritos en el programa de Comidas Gratuitas o a Precio Reducido (FARMS) en las escuelas participantes. Los estudiantes pueden obtener una membresía gratuita de la CA para ellos y su familia inmediata al cumplir con los objetivos de calificaciones y asistencia.
Para participar en el Programa de Puntos de la CA, debe completar una solicitud de FARMs y completar el Formulario de inscripción de Puntos de la CA. La inscripción en línea cerrará el viernes 28 de septiembre de 2025.
Para obtener más información, visite el Programa de Puntos de la CA o envíe un correo electrónico a CAPoints@ColumbiaAssociation.org.