Bruin Bulletin

As we usher in the new year, I extend a warm welcome back from the winter break to our incredible school community. I hope this time offered moments of joy, relaxation, and cherished memories with loved ones.

January marks a fresh start—a moment for reflection and goal setting. It’s a time for our students to aspire, set targets, and embrace the opportunities ahead. We encourage both academic and personal goal setting, empowering our students to aim high, knowing that each step forward is progress.

We encourage a growth mindset among our students, instilling the belief that dedication, effort, and resilience lead to success. By cultivating this mindset, we aim to equip our students with the skills and determination needed to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

Together, as a collaborative team of educators, parents, and students, we can create an environment where each child feels supported and motivated to reach their full potential.

Let’s embark on this new year with enthusiasm, determination, and a commitment to excellence.

Please take a few minutes to read about all the upcoming events at WBM. There are lots of ways for you and your student to get involved and be part of our school community. We can't do it without you!

Thanks so much!

Dr. Beth Pallister

Principal

Reading and Math Growth Assessments (VGA) will take place at WBM Tuesday, January 9 and Wednesday, January 10. Middle school students taking Algebra or Geometry will not take math VGA. Students eligible for the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) do not participate in the reading or math VGA. The VGA are computer adaptive tests, shorter than the Standards of Learning tests, that are customized for every student. How a student responds to questions determines the difficulty of the next question. Correct responses lead to more difficult test questions, while incorrect responses result in the selection of less difficult items for the student.

The computer adaptive test (CAT) algorithm has been configured so that the student might be administered some items from below or above the current grade level depending on the student’s responses to the on-grade-level content items. Parents and caregivers are a critical part of a child’s successful learning experiences. Reading with students and talking about what is being read is important to the development of strong readers. Talking about and doing math within the family is a great way to engage students and encourage success. Online Resources are available through the VDOE to help students and parents prepare and understand these Reading and Math assessments.

Access codes for fall Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) will be provided to parents in the ParentVUE documents folder. Your child’s fall VGA performance reports will be posted within 10 school days of test completion.

It is expected that your child will bring their fully-charged Chromebook to school on testing days. Please note that cell phones, personal electronic devices, and other unauthorized materials are not permitted during testing.

Western Branch Middle offers study hall on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00. Study Hall is monitored and taught by WBM teachers. Take advantage of this great opportunity! Students must have transportation home. Study Hall date are: December 6 and 13 and January 10, 17 and 24.

Pre-Register here

The 8th Grade Orchestra will be performing on January 23rd at 6:30pm @WBM with the 5th Grade Strings program.

Junior District Orchestra will take place on Jan 12th w/ the 7th and 8th graders that made the audition.

SAVE THE DATES!!! We officially have a cast for our production of Disney's "LIttle Mermaid, Jr." The shows will be March 7-9, 2024!

Learn about how FACE can help you and your student by watching this short video.

Check out the many resources at Peake Parent University! Chesapeake Public Schools Peake Parent University is an opportunity for parents of current and future CPS students to engage in educational opportunities that will enhance academic progress of students and will empower parents to become partners in their student’s educational journey.

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

Western Branch Middle School will offer Football, Cheerleading, Baseball, Softball, and now GIRLS Soccer, in the fall.

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.

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

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.

Thank you for considering helping in this way.

The Chesapeake Virtual Academy (CVA) application for the 2024-2025 academic year will open at 8:00 a.m. on January 8, 2024. The application will be available on the CVA webpage! All students interested in enrolling in CVA, including current CVA students, must apply annually. Completed applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on March 5, 2024.

Family Webinar

We invite families to join us on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., as we explore CVA learning opportunities available to all students enrolled in Chesapeake Public Schools. Our live webinar session will review CVA student expectations and experience, application requirements, and more! Families interested in attending this informational webinar should register at tinyurl.com/CVA2024.

For more information on Chesapeake Virtual Academy, visit the CVA webpage.

In the library, we are often asked, "If I like Harry Potter, what else do you think I would like?" It can be disappointing when a series you've loved and enjoyed comes to an end. December is the perfect time to research new book suggestions. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Waggoner WBM Library michele.waggoner@cpschools.com.

Did you know that all Chesapeake Public School students have access to Chesapeake Public Library electronic resources?

Click the link: https://chesapeakelibrary.org/cps-student-tools

Scroll Down and Select: Middle School Students

Click: Libby by Overdrive

Enter: CPS Student ID number

Enter 4 numbers for the Password: birthday 2 digit month and 2 digit day (example for birthday June 3: 0603)

Students can search all Chesapeake Public Library ebooks and check out up to 6 per month. The public library also offers free tutoring services and a wealth of resources for our students. Click the website to learn more. chesapeakelibrary.org

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Waggoner

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.

The PTSA would like to thank everyone who helped us participate in this year’s Reflection Contest. While we had some wonderful submissions, we could only forward three submissions to compete at the next level. Please take a moment and congratulate Courtney Fuss, James Stevens, and Suroshee Sarker on the opportunity to compete at the city level. Winners will be announced on January 24 at Grassfield High School. Good Luck to these three students.

The PTSA would also like to thank everyone who supported our fall fundraiser. It was a success.

January/February PTSA Volunteer Opportunities:

1)The PTSA will be at the home wrestling games. If you would like to help sell concessions, please email us at westernbranchmiddleptsa@gmail.com

2)The PTSA is collecting items for our Valentine’s Day Dance, scheduled for February 9. We are asking for supplies and for volunteers to chaperone the dance. All items must be store purchased.

Tickets are $10. Tickets will go sale the last week of January. Just like last year, no physical tickets will be provided to students as many misplace tickets. We will have a roaster of all paid tickets. Tickets includes entry fee , digital photos and snacks. Physical photos will be available for purchase for $5.00. You do not want to miss this years’s Candyland theme dance. All donated items may be turned in to the security desk or to the office. Please ensure all items are bagged and labeled indicating that it is for the PTSA Valentine’s Day Dance. Please use this link to donate items.

If you have not joined the PTSA, it’s not too late. Please go to the following link to join: This valued organization does so much to help our staff, students, and school community. Please join through this link. Membership dues are 8.00. Also, check out the spirit wear.Thanks in advance for all of your support!

Starting tomorrow our Military Family Liason counselor will start holding her lunch bunches

Please help us welcome our new MFLC! She provides and invaluable service to our military connected families!

My name is Jocelyn Hawkins, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Military & Family Life Counselor at Western Branch Middle School. In my role, I work to support and strengthen the capacity of staff, families, programs, and systems to meet the needs of military children, adolescents, and their families.

MFLC’s provide non-medical, short term, situational, problem-solving counseling services to address issues that occur across the military lifestyle. I am here to help service members and their families cope with the normal reactions to the stressful/adverse situations created by deployment, reintegration and other military life challenges. With parental consent, MFLC’s provide support to children and adolescents up to age 18 in both individual and group settings. The service is free and confidential with the exception of the Department of Defense duty to warn and mandated reporting mandates.

For more information about how the MFLC program can support you and your family email Mrs. Hawkins at hawkinsj@MagellanFederal.com or call 757-759-2802.

Happy New Year!

There's a lot going on in January, including starting to schedule for the 2025 school year.

We will journey to WBI to meet with current 5th grade students on Jan. 10th to discuss their elective options. Students will select their elective choices with their 5th grade teachers using Studentvue.

We will hold a Rising 6th Grade Night on Jan. 17th @ 6:00 p.m., so please mark your calendars.

During the last week in January, current 6th and 7th graders will make their elective choices for the next school year. Please encourage them to choose wisely.

We will offer German and Latin next year in addition to French and Spanish.

Counseling Tip for the Month:

Goal Setting

January is always a time to start fresh and to set goals. Please discuss goal setting with your child using the video link below. Encourage your child to set goals for any area they need improvement in. Goals should be obtainable and personal.

https://youtu.be/E8agsaXfHN4?si=k1-S4tzOv91cPhJ8

Progress reports were visible in Parentvue/Studentvue on Jan. 3rd. Students can set goals to improve their grades before report cards. The grading period ends January 25th

The Western Branch Middle School Counseling Department welcomes you!

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

Your School Counselors

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

Ms. Khia Evans--6th grade counselor

Mr. Ray Hines--8th grade counselor

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.

• Introducing our new App! CPS is thrilled to announce our new mobile app for our district! With our new app, you can easily access school events, news updates, and even emergency notifications.

• 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.

Hatcher & Frey generously highlights teachers who do so much to inspire, education, and care for our students. Please take a minute to nominate a deserving WBM teacher through this link.

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.

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.

We need parent volunteers for movie night! If you can volunteer, please call Mrs. Bell in the main office. We appreciate your help!

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.

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)

Instagram @wbm_bruins

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

Link to Western Branch Middle School Handbook.

Link to Chesapeake Public Schools Handbook.