Washington MS December '23 Update

Hello Washington Middle School families!

Our winter break is fast approaching! (Starting December 18th, returning January 2nd.) We hope you are planning some memorable times with loved ones. Over the break, please encourage your students to read something interesting for at least 30 minutes daily. It is good to keep their minds engaged! Please be aware of the following:

INCLEMENT WEATHER (School Closure):

In the event of school closure due to inclement weather (snow, flooding, ice, severe storms, etc.), please stay alert for district announcements and broadcasts on television and social media. Students will still receive instructional guidance on those days via Schoology and the links posted there. Please become familiar with this process so it works well.

YEARBOOK: On sale through December 15th!

Yearbooks are on sale now for $25! This price will only last until December 15th. You can purchase online using the QR links below or by bringing cash to the office!

https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Annual-Yearbook-2324/S2eKa8

JEAN GORECKI, KAISER WELLNESS CENTER PRACTITIONER @ WMS:

Ms. Gorecki has served Washington Middle School students and families for 20 years. She has decided to retire. She will be deeply missed, and we hope she will enjoy a happy retirement with good health, fortune and prosperity. Thank you, Ms. Gorecki, for your service to our learning community!

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL REMINDER:

Thank you for discussing with your children not hanging around local businesses before and after school. We are receiving calls from managers complaining about large groups gathering; sometimes fights occur. Our administration team and SPS security are only authorized to supervise our school campus. Business owners have not wanted to contact police to report concerns and are asking the school, WMS, to address this.

Due to recent incidents, police involvement is likely. Please continue discussing with your children coming straight to and from school.

If you would like to sign up you scholar for 1 on 1 mentoring with a Seattle University student, please sign up here. Scholars meet once a week with a mentor during an elective period. They work on academics and build strong relationships. Please contact Nakiya with any questions bakern3@seattleu.edu or 206-296-2570.

EASY AS PIE: Fundraising made simple and delicious.

We’ve partnered with our friends at Tutta Bella to raise funds for our organization and here’s your invitation to participate!

Tutta Bella is donating 20% of all net sales directly to our cause!

1. Order

December 10th through December 14th, dine in or place an online order at tuttabella.com for delivery, takeout, or curbside.

2. Donate

Use code EasyAsPieWMS when you checkout online or at the restaurant!

3. Enjoy

20% of your order will be donated to Washington Middle School PTSA

Where can you order?

• COLUMBIA CITY 4918 Rainier Avenue S, Seattle
• SOUTH LAKE UNION 2200 Westlake Ave, Seattle
• KIRKLAND QFC 425 Urban Plaza, Suite 100, Kirkland (Online Only)
• UNIVERSITY VILLAGE QFC 2746 NE 45th St, Seattle
• WALLINGFORD 4411 Stone Way N, Seattle
• ISSAQUAH 715 Northwest Gilman Blvd, Issaquah

A winter ball is a dance that ASB will be planning. There will be music, décor photo booth, etc. We will also be including dance battles and snacks that will be provided.

When: The dance will be on Friday, December 15th from 1:20 – 2:40 PM

Dress Code: The dress code for the winter dance is to wear what you are comfortable with. This means you can dress fancy or however you would like. We would also like you to fit the winter spirt by wearing wear white, silver, and/or light blue. All outfits should be school appropriate.

Please note: You will NOT be able to change during the school day, so please arrive to school dressed in what you will wear to the dance!

Expectations in order to attend: In order to attend the dance or alternative activities, students must meet the following expectations starting today:

• No suspensions from school before December 15th
• No calls to the office for leaving class without permission
• Found skipping no more than 3 classes between now and December 15th
• Tickets to the dance and alternative activities will also cost 5 ABC Bucks, be sure you are arriving to class on time!

You will not be able to attend any of the activities if you do not meet the above expectations or have a ticket!

Monday Dec 11 - Barbie Day

Show up to school as doctor, lawyer, or some other Barbie of your choice. Have fun and wear pink! (You can dress up as a Ken/Allen too!)

Tuesday Dec 12 - Silly Hat/Hair Day

Wear a goofy hat or wig! Have fun and be silly with your hats and wigs!

Wednesday Dec 13 - Pajama Day

Roll out of bed and show up to school in some comfy clothes. Be cozy and comfortable throughout the day!

Thursday Dec 14 - Generations Day

Pick a generation (2000’s, 1990’s, 1980’s) and wear an outfit and/or accessories that represents your generation!

Friday Dec 15 - Winter Dance Day

Wear your attire for the dance!!!!!

Free COVID-19 tests are back!

Free COVID-19 tests are available again from the federal government! Every home in the U.S. can order 4 free at-home tests. Order from www.covid.gov/tests. Spanish: www.covid.gov/es/tests, Chinese ordering: www.covid.gov/zh/tests

Easier to get updated vaccines

Don’t miss out on holiday gatherings, travel, and other important events in your life this season.

Find flu and COVID-19 vaccination

Find locations for flu and COVID-19 vaccination: [http://www.vaccines.gov,]www.vaccines.gov, Spanish: www.vacunas.gov

No cost COVID-19 vaccination

When the updated COVID-19 vaccine first came out, supply was limited. But now it’s easier to get, and it will protect you from the variants that are spreading now. Most insurance covers the full cost, and if you don’t have insurance, you can get no cost vaccination at Bridge Access Program locations. Flyers for this information in many languages on kingcounty.gov/covid/vaxresources

Locations include:

• Public Health’s Kent Vaccination Clinic for updated COVID-19 vaccines for the whole family, ages 6 months and older.
• Free flu shots with your COVID-19 shot!
• Drop in or by appointment. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30-6, with Park & Vax in your car on Wednesdays.
• More information: kingcounty.gov/vaccine
• CVS, Walgreens, and many Community Health Centers. SeaMar has drop-in vaccination (check ahead to see if children’s vaccine is available): www.seamar.org/covid-vaccine
• Many other locations at www.vaccines.gov/ (Spanish: www.vacunas.gov).

Looking for COVID-19 vaccine for babies and children?

No cost vaccination for babies and children 6 months and older at:

• Public Health’s Kent Vaccination Clinic: kingcounty.gov/vaccine
• Snoqualmie Valley Hospital has drive-through vaccination by appointment on Wednesdays and Fridays. snoqualmiehospital.org/covid-19
• Free clinics with ALL the vaccinations required by schools and also COVID-19 and flu shots.
• For families who live in South King County, or don’t have insurance, or are living homeless, or have recently moved to the U.S. and don’t have a medical provider.
• No insurance or proof of residency required.
• More than a dozen clinics in December in Seattle, Tukwila, Redmond, and Federal Way.
• See the list of “Back to School Clinics” at kingcounty.gov/findaclinic

RSV vaccine update

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be a serious illness for older adults and infants.

• RSV vaccine is available for people 60 years and over.
• An immunization for infants was approved, but supply is low. The federal government prioritized the limited doses for infants at the highest risk. Fortunately, if you’re pregnant, you can get RSV vaccine between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy to protect your infant after birth.
• Ask your provider or pharmacist if RSV is right for you.
• RSV vaccine is available at CVS and Walgreens.

How else to avoid sickness

In addition to vaccine, avoid illness by using all the protection actions:

• Wear a well-fitting mask in public and crowded places.
• If you are sick or have symptoms stay home.
• Keep good airflow indoors. Open windows and use fans if many people are in the room.
• Wash your hands often.

Washington Wellness Center provides free health care including immunizations to all students regardless of student’s insurance or ability to pay. We currently have flu and 2023-24 updated Covid-19 vaccines available for students.

Please call the Wellness Center if you would like to make an appointment for your child or if you have any questions at (206) 326-3037.

Fall Season Sports Shout-Outs:

Ultimate Frisbee

Give it up for the Ultimate Frisbee team for finishing the season and coming in 3rd place in the division! This truly sets the tone and gives the team a solid foundation going into the spring season. I am truly grateful for the commitment and dedication that our coaches and student-athletes displayed throughout the season. Looking forward to many more enjoyable seasons!

Girls Soccer

Special shout-outs to our team captains Avery, Miriam, Janet, and Johanna! Thanks to all the Lady Huskies for being outstanding leaders, showing resilience, commitment, and finishing strong! #sisterhood #LetsGoLadyHuskies

Winter Season sports officially begin Monday, December 4th

First day of Girls Practice – Monday, December 4th - 4:00-5:30pm

First day of Boys Practice – Tuesday, December 5th - 4:00-5:30pm

First Game for Girls Basketball - Saturday, January 6th @ 11:00AM

Washington vs JAMS @ Franklin HS

First Game for Boys Basketball - Saturday, January 6th @ 8:00AM

Washington vs Mercer @ Franklin HS

Basketball Scheduled Practices:

Girls Basketball Practices

Mondays 4:00 – 5:30PM

Wednesdays 2:45PM – 4:15PM

Boys Basketball Practices

Tuesday 4:00 – 5:30PM

Thursdays 4:00 – 5:30PM

Fridays Open Gym 4:00PM – 5:00PM for both Boys and Girls

Please spread the word and encourage scholars to get packets and physicals turned in ASAP.

The PTSA Annual Fund helps our school create a positive environment for ALL students to become life-long learners and involved citizens. Your support is needed so the PTSA can cover community-building, educational and teacher expenses not provided by the school’s budget. We need your generosity to reach our fundraising goal.

What Does Your Donation Fund?

Grants to our teachers and their departments Examples: Supplies, educational tools and special initiatives, cameras for the Yearbook, $300 in classroom supplies for every classroom, library books, art and science supplies, stipends for Advisory, and Writers in the Schools teaching-artist appearances.

Emerging needs Examples: Support for Family/Teacher conferences, Counseling and

Special Education grants, Incentives for student participation, and Athletics

Inclusion and communication resources. Examples: Interpretation and translation for top languages, Zoom subscription for meetings, student directory and Yearbook.

Community-building activities. Examples: Community Education Events, Multicultural Night, Staff Appreciation Week, and 8th Grade Promotion.

Give TODAY. Every level of support is valued and appreciated!

If you’d like to donate stock or mutual fund shares, information can be found at the website below.

Corporate Matching Can Double Your Donation! Washington Middle School PTSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Email: eataylor@seattleschools.org
Website: washingtonms.seattleschools.org
Location: 2101 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA, USA
Phone: 206-252-2600