Bruin Bulletin

Hello Bruin Families!

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! This year's theme is Forging the Path, an appropriate mindset as we explore a new bell schedule, new opportunities for connections during school, three new school sports, and of course, a new grade level for our students. We know that when we--students, parents, teachers, staff, and the community--all work toward a common goal, like the academic and social success of our students, we can accomplish so much. Thank you in advance for joining us to reinforce appropriate school behavior and a commitment to learning.

I am committed to ensuring that students engage in fun, meaningful learning experiences in a school environment that is safe, welcoming, inclusive, and innovative. I believe that growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones, so I encourage all Bruin students to step out of their zones and try new clubs, sports, or activities this year. Be curious! It's there that they can discover new interests or talents and make new friends.

We plan to spend most of the first week of school helping our students acclimate to the new block schedule, school day routines, and school and classroom expectations. Teachers will also use this time for team building, getting-to-know-you activities, and reviewing previously learned material so students have a solid foundation for new learning.

I hope to meet lots of you at Open House on August 31st. Please see the flyers below for additional information on these events.

Dr. Beth Pallister

Principal

Virginia requires additional vaccines for 7th grade students. Students without these vaccines may not attend school on Tuesday, September 5. Please obtain these vaccines as soon as possible. If you need to update your child's shot records, please send documentation of the vaccines to our nurse, Corri Thomas via email at corri.thomas@cpschools.com, fax at 757-638-7926, or you may bring them to the school.

Lots of student and school information is sent through ParentVue. ParentVUE is a secure web-based information management system that provides parents/guardians the ability to view their child’s assignments, grades, attendance and contact information.

Please follow this link to learn how to access ParentVue and to learn about the app.

Student Bell Schedule

Western Branch Middle is excited to be one of three middle schools supporting our students on a block schedule this school year. Students will go to all 7 of their classes on Mondays, but on Tuesday through Friday, they will attend their core classes (English, math, social studies, and science) on an A/B day schedule and each of those classes will be approximately 100 minutes long. This longer period of time in our core classes will give teachers more time to work with small groups and one-on-one with students. Students will attend their elective classes each day for approximately 50 minutes each. Please see the actual bell schedule linked above.

Our teachers have been training since last school year on how to optimize the extended time with innovating and active learning strategies and opportunities for student collaboration and interaction.

Students may enter the building at 7:30 am and report to the cafeteria for supervision. Dismissal for busses begins at 2:53 pm.

Our PTSA is an amazing organization that supports our students and teachers through service and supplies. Please help this year by joining and helping with their various events. Dues are $8.00. The PTSA will have tables with membership information and spirit wear at Bruin Boot Camp and Open House. Stop-by and meet these lovely people.

You can also join and purchase spirit wear at the online store here.

At the beginning of every school year, all families must complete the student online verification process. The verification process allows our families to confirm or update information for all children in a household at one time. Families will also have the opportunity to review and update their contact information to ensure continued access to important information and communications from their student’s school and the district. Families must log on to their ParentVUE account to complete this process. In the ParentVue app, parents should select “Open Online Registration (OLR)” and select “2023-2024 Verification.

We are looking for some community partners to help us complete a few outdoor projects before school starts. We need some deck boards replaced on the walk leading to the flag pole, and we need to have the bus lane walkway power washed. If you can provide a lead for either of these services, please email beth.pallister@cpschools.com with the information.

We are excited to support our fall sports teams! Visit this calendar for game dates.

Western Branch Middle School will offer Football, Cheerleading, Softball, and now GIRLS Soccer, in the fall. All tryouts begin August 28. Any students wishing to participate must have a CMSL physical on file with the school and must be academically eligible.

If you have any questions about sports, please reach out to our athletic director: Ray Hines.

Ticket sales are cashless this year!! Please buy your ticket online at GoFan, or we can take credit or debit at the door. We encourage the purchase of annual season passes since it's very cost effective.

Athletic event passes can be purchased using the GoFan website. Passes available for purchase include:

Student Annual Pass – $20

The Student Annual Athletic Pass provides admittance to any VHSL or CMSL regular season games in Chesapeake, including CMSL tournament games. The $20.00 price includes the service fee for GoFan. Students will redeem their passes using their smartphones at each eligible athletic contest.

Adult Annual Pass – $50

The Adult Annual Athletic Pass provides admittance to any VHSL or CMSL regular season games in Chesapeake, including CMSL tournament games. The $50.00 price includes the service fee for GoFan. Guests will redeem their passes using their smartphones at each eligible athletic contest.

We would like to restart the WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) program at Western Branch Middle.

WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) is a family and community engagement educational initiative. WATCH D.O.G.S.® are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer in the school and work with our students and teachers in a variety of ways (watching hallways, assisting in the cafeteria, interacting with students in classrooms). This program benefits our school as students gain positive male role models, the schools gain an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands, and the WATCH D.O.G.S.® gain a greater awareness of the challenges students face these days. Many schools report that the mere presence of a WATCH D.O.G® reduces reports of bullying.

We welcome volunteer time in any increment, and we would work with you to identify the ways in which you feel comfortable volunteering. See additional information about WATCH D.O.G.S.® here.

If you are interested in, or would like more information about, volunteering as a WATCH D.O.G®, please complete this no-obligation form. This will help us determine how much interest we have in our school community and whether we can move forward.

Thank you for considering helping in this way.

To ensure student safety, we are modifying our drop-off and pick-up procedures. In the morning, please pull-up to the STOP HERE sign (near the park) on the front driveway before letting the students out.

In the afternoon, walkers and students being picked-up will be released after bus dismissal. This will help avoid interactions with students walking on the street and the busses. This may create some delay in releasing parent pick-ups the first week or so as the busses adjust the their new routes. Please pull up to the STOP HERE sign (near the park) so we can load as many students as possible as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this new procedure.

There are NO PARKING signs on Hawksley Dr. Parking on Hawksley Dr. impedes the bus routes.

Please see this graphic for traffic routes.

Students leaving during the school day must be signed out via security or the main office. You must have a valid ID to enter the building.

Cell phones can be a distraction and disruption to the learning environment.

Students may not possess, or carry on their person, cell phones, smart watches, or ear buds/headsets. Students must turn off and secure their cell phones and electronic devices in their lockers during the school day. Students will be provided CPS Chromebooks with which to complete instruction and communicate. Chesapeake Public Schools will not assume responsibility in any circumstance for loss, damage, theft, or unauthorized charges to any electronic devices. If a student is found with or using an electronic device during the school day, the student is subject to a disciplinary consequence. Please see the Student Handbook for additional information.

Students may want to wait until school starts (or Open House) and talk to their individual teachers for more specific lists.

Please have students practice opening their locks at home for quicker locker breaks.

At Western Branch Middle, we encourage and celebrate positive behavior from our students. We practice ROARing so our school is safe, successful, and respectful. Please help us start off the year strong by reviewing these expectations with your child. We will also review them at assemblies the first week of school.

Students will be required to store their book bags in their lockers this year. They may carry their Chromebook cases. Students may also use a drawstring bag for gym class. Students will need a lock for their hall locker and their gym locker.

When students arrive at the building, they should report to their homeroom. Their homeroom teachers will give them permission to go to other areas of the building.

Schedules will be released via Synergy StudentVue and ParentVue on Monday, August 28. Hard copies will be available at Open House, or please call the school to obtain a printed copy. Please log into ParentVue now to ensure you can access the schedule on time.

At the beginning of every school year, all families must complete the student online verification process. Families must log on to their account to verify their student’s information. The verification process allows our families to confirm or update information for all children in a household at one time.

Families will also have the opportunity to review and update their contact information to ensure continued access to important information and communications from their student’s school and the district. Information includes:

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Please verify individuals who may pick up your child from school in case of an emergency. We recommend having three to five people designated as emergency contacts.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Through our “Opt Out” preferences, families can provide their consent to have their student’s photo or work showcased or celebrated on our district or school social media accounts, websites, yearbooks, or other media. You may also opt out of certain directory information requests.

COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES

Set your communication preferences to include how you receive general information from your student’s school and the district. In order to receive text message notifications, you must select a mobile number as your primary contact.

The deadline for the student verification process is Friday, September 29. To complete the process, please log onto your ParentVUE account. The verification process can be completed in a web browser or in the ParentVUE mobile app. Once logged in, select ONLINE REGISTRATION & VERIFICATION and follow the prompts to verify your student’s information.

Visit this page to learn more about ParentVUE in our district. If you have not activated your ParentVUE account or have lost access, please contact your child’s school.

If your child has an error in their schedule (missing a class, for example), please contact their grade level school counselor. All other schedule change requests will be addressed the week of September 11th. The final day to request a schedule change is September 15th. Please complete this form for schedule request changes.

We are proud to show-off all the great things happening at our school!

The Western Branch Middle website is updated several times each week. Register for update notifications by visiting cpschools.com/wbm/subscribe. Also, please join

our WBMS social media accounts (Instagram: wbm_bruins). We will use these accounts to showcase our students, teachers, and programs.

Another resource to help stay informed is our PTSA. We have a supportive and active PTSA, so

whether you want to lead a committee or support your child through membership, we hope you connect with the PTSA. You can also follow them on Facebook.

Bus numbers and routes are available on this page. Please check this site the week of August 28 for updated information. Pick-ups and drop-offs will be irregular for the first few days, so your patience and cooperation are appreciated.

Please consider using School Bus Hub for live information about your child's bus.

School Bus Hub is a secure, online portal for parents. Once families create their free account, they can receive real time bus location information. This self service application is fully integrated with the VMax compass routing platform installed on our fleet of buses that allows parents and students to track their school buses.

If you are interested in getting your child’s (children’s) school bus location information, register for a School Bus Hub account. Families can access the School Bus Hub on a web browser using a desktop computer, tablets, smartphones or they can install an app on their smartphone.

See additional information here.

If your child is absent, please send a note regarding the absence within 3 school days. The note should include the student name, date(s) of absence(s), and the reason for the absence. Notes should be submitted through ParentVue (preferred method) or the attendance office.

Chesapeake Public Schools has a standard dress code policy for all schools. Please review these standards with your child and ensure that your child is dressed accordingly. More information can be found here.

• Clothing must cover all undergarments; straps are okay

• Length of shirts must at least meet the top of pants; no crop tops

• Sleeveless tops must be connected by straps

• Bottom lengths must be at least mid-thigh high

• Ripped clothing must not have exposed skin above mid-thigh

• Headwear generally not permitted; exceptions have been added (approved by principal)

• Open toed shoes, sandals, slides and Crocs are now permitted; designated spaces require appropriate footwear (i.e., PE, science labs, Tech Ed classes, or wherever necessary)

Please help support the WBMS PTSA. This valued organization does so much to help our staff, students, and school community. Please join at Open House or through this link. Membership dues are 8.00. Also, check out the spirit wear.

Chesapeake PE teachers and students will adhere to the following dress-out procedures:

● All students will have the option to change clothes in the locker rooms prior to PE class.

● Students may choose to come to school dressed appropriately to participate safely in PE.

Regardless of student preference, for safety reasons, students must be dressed appropriately in order to participate in PE, which includes:

● Shoes and socks that allow movement with limited safety concerns. No sandals, flip flops, Crocs, slippers, etc.

● No jewelry (earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, watches) or other items that can cause injury or accidents during physical activity.

● Dressing out will have no impact on a student’s grade providing the student is wearing proper attire to participate; PE grades are determined by participation, skill proficiency, and assessment.

Alternative PE assignments will be required for students who are unable to participate in PE class due to improper dress (partial credit up to 80%) or an approved medical reason (full credit).

● Students are required to participate, in proper PE dress, for the administration of the Functional Fitness Challenges (FCC).

● Schools may offer the purchase of optional PE spirit wear to be worn during class.

The Western Branch Middle School Counseling Department welcomes you to the new school year!

School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. School Counselors can help students by providing:

• individual student academic planning and goal setting
• school counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
• short-term counseling to students
• referrals for long-term support
• collaboration with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
• advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
• data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges

If your child is enrolled at WBMS through a special enrollment, this must be renewed each year. Please contact your child's school counselor to update the information.

Your School Counselors

Mrs. Tonya Edmonds--7th grade counselor and Guidance Director

Ms. Khia Evans--6th grade counselor

Mr. Ray Hines--8th grade counselor

School Breakfast is $1.50

School Lunch is $3.00

Students may qualify for Free or Reduced Price meals in one of several ways:

• Your children receive other benefits like SNAP, TANF, or MEDICAID and you received a letter stating your children qualify for free or reduced-price meals (no application needed)
• You fill out and have an approved meal application on file for this school year (completed after July 2023)

Families are encouraged to apply for free or reduced-price meals before the start of the school year so there is no gap in benefits. A new application must be submitted each year. You can find links to the online and paper applications on our website. The online application can be translated into multiple languages, is easy to complete, and is processed quickly. ​ ​An approved application ​may also qualify students for additional benefits. Only one application is needed per household.

Families that do not qualify for Free or Reduced Meal Benefits should make sure you can access your (MyPaymentsPlus.com) account. Keep in mind that you can use this tool to add funds when your child needs them and even set up automatic deposits! Your child will need to carry a positive balance in their school meal account to ensure that they have a form of payment available for breakfast and lunch. Funds can also be added for students to purchase snacks, drinks, or extra food.

Link to Western Branch Middle School Handbook.

Link to Chesapeake Public Schools Handbook.

Instagram @wbm_bruins

Website: https://cpschools.com/wbm/
Location: 4201 Hawksley Drive, Chesapeake
Phone: 757-638-7920
Twitter: @BranchMiddle