West Sylvan Middle School
October 20, 2023
Greetings, West Sylvan Families!
Tomorrow is our 3rd Annual Music Fundraiser on Saturday, October 21st from 12:00PM - 3:00PM at WSMS! More information is shown on the flyer below. If you have extra books at home to donate, please bring them over. This yearly event is a wonderful opportunity to show support directly to the music programs at WSMS!
Enjoy the weekend!
Jill Hunt, Principal
Ben Keller, Assistant Principal
Please come to support the musicians, hear great music and responsibly donate unwanted books for them to be loved again by others (we will take all books except encyclopedias or textbooks)! Drop off your books and hear great music - you don't even have to get out of your car!! There will be live performances by the band and choir for your enjoyment.
If you cannot make it but would like to show your support, please use this link or the QR code to make your donation.
UPCOMING DATES
OCTOBER
- Sat, OCT 21st:
3rd Annual Music Fundraiser from 12pm-3pm at WSMS (with live performances and book donation collection) - Thu, OCT 26th:
Makeup Picture Day (*for Students who missed Picture Day on 9/14 ) - Fri, OCT 27th:
6th Grade Pack Party from 6:30PM-8:30PM in the Gym (Free admission! *hosted by The Friends of West Sylvan) - Sat, OCT 28th at 7:00PM
Sun, OCT 29th at 2:00PM
POPCycles Variety Show for the Performing Arts (at Lincoln HS)
NOVEMBER
- Wed, NOV 1st: first possible day of PAT strike
- Thu, NOV 2nd: End of First Quarter
- Fri, NOV 3rd:
NO SCHOOL for Students due to Educator Planning - Mon, NOV 6th: Start of Second Quarter
- Fri, NOV 10th:
NO SCHOOL due to Veterans Day holiday - Mon, NOV 20th ~ Fri, NOV 24th:
NO SCHOOL due to Fall Break - Mon, NOV 20th: Fall Teacher Conferences (in-person at WSMS)
Tue, NOV 21st: Fall Teacher Conferences (virtual options)
EDUCATOR (PAT) STRIKE UPDATES
News about the notice of Educator (PAT) strike:
We all remain committed to keeping students in school, with student success and safety being top priorities for all. District leaders have been updating families throughout the bargaining process with PAT, the union that represents our Educators. You can read all about the process at this location. PAT has voted to strike, so there will be no in-person or directed online instruction during the duration of a strike. The first possible date when this could happen is now Wednesday, November 1st.
District leaders have prepared contingency plans for a strike. Read more here. If you didn’t watch the YouTube Contingency Plan meeting on 10/18/23, the link is here. Instructional resources for students to access independently (not teacher-led or monitored), during a strike are linked here. Students would be reminded to take their Chromebooks and chargers home, if a strike begins. Anyone without a functioning Chromebook should work with Ms. Crombie prior to a strike to be sure that your student has a working Chromebook.
If a strike begins, the school building is closed to the public and is closed to all striking employees. The District is working on updated information about possible food pick-up services and locations for eligible families along with services for help with Chromebooks if a strike begins. Also, any CUBs in our building would be canceled during a strike, as the building would be closed to the public. Many of our students participate in PIL Youth Sports, and all practices and competitions pause during a strike; only Varsity sports will continue through High Schools.
FALL TEACHER CONFERENCES
FRIENDS OF WEST SYLVAN PARTY
If your scholar would like to attend the Pack Party, you must fill out a waiver to receive admission to the event. Costumes are encouraged however, please note: No masks, weapons or fake blood allowed.
This year The Friends of West Sylvan are making Pack Parties FREE for all students. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to support the party, you will have the opportunity to do so after filling out the waiver. Thank you!
EDUCATOR UPDATES
- We are still working to hire a permanent Educator for Ms. Ashcraft’s vacant 8th Grade Spanish Immersion position. We have offered the position to a candidate who lives abroad, and we are waiting on TSPC to issue a U.S. teaching license. In the meanwhile, we are working to have a regular substitute teacher who can be here most days to cover the classes, who also speaks fluent Spanish. So far, subs are not interested in staying for regular periods of time. In addition, our DLI Intern is working directly with as many of the classes, as possible, for additional support.
- We have posted a full-time Math position for the school year. If you know of anyone who would be an excellent candidate for our students, please tell them about the opening. The position is temporary for this school year. The website to apply is here.
- We still have an open Paraeducator position in our Intensive Skills Classroom. This is a full-time position from 8:30AM - 4:00PM. Monday-Friday. Interested applicants can apply here.
- We are always looking for Substitutes who like working in our building! To become a substitute, the information is here.
POPCYCLES! 76th ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW & FUNDRAISER
A spectacular showcase of the Dramatic Arts! PopCycles is a collaboration between Lincoln’s Theatre Program, Choir Program (including West Sylvan’s Choir!), Band Program, and individual student performances from the Lincoln community. This family-friendly event features two shows, each with a different lineup. Come to both! Bring your family, friends and everyone know - you don't want to miss it!
SAT 10/28 7 PM & SUN 10/29 2 PM
$25 General Public
$10 Students & Faculty
Purchase tickets online (pick your seats) or at the door
(tickets are always available at the door. Cash or Card).
Sponsored by Ms. Tew's Leadership Class
MYP LEARNER PROFILE TRAIT
Our Scholars are practicing being “Communicators” this month, as our selected Learner Profile Trait. Goal setting for the year ahead has been occurring through Advisory, and our students have been reflecting on their learning styles and the daily habits that help them be successful in school.
** After-school sports are run entirely through PIL. West Sylvan does not have any information regarding tryouts, practices, schedules, etc. **
EARLY STUDENT PICK-UP
6th Grade LUNCH: 11:37 AM ~ 12:07 PM
7th Grade LUNCH: 12:31 PM ~ 1:01 PM
8th Grade LUNCH: 1:25 PM ~ 1:55 PM
BELL SCHEDULE
~ SCHOOL DOORS OPEN AT 9:00AM DAILY ~
CHROMEBOOK REPAIRS
Ms. Crombie accepts Chromebooks at the Office for repairs between 10:00AM - 3:00PM each day. Damaged devices are picked up for repair each Friday, and are usually returned the following Friday. A loaner Chromebook can be issued to students in the meantime. Remind and encourage your student to take care of their Chromebook, and keep them in protective cases. If a student does not have a protective case, the school can provide one. Chromebooks are used for class assignments daily. Students will need to charge their device each night and bring their charged Chromebook to school each day. We do not have enough loaners to give to students who forget their Chromebooks. Students and families will be responsible for paying for replacements for lost chargers throughout the 2023-24 school year. They will be ordered through PPS OTIS, and cost $12/each.
STUDENT ID CARDS
Please remind your students to bring and wear their school ID daily. We’ve shared out many ways that our students can be safe by displaying their IDs throughout the day through our Advisory videos. IDs are used on campus for quickly identifying students (this is especially helpful for Substitutes). Students use them to check out library books and to buy hot lunch. Bus drivers also look for student IDs to be sure that students are on the correct route.
FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES
We do NOT allow students to order items directly from delivery services throughout the day, as they are inviting strangers to our campus, and we have no way of monitoring what they are delivering. There is an unfortunate option where students can order illegal items, such as VAPE devices, through delivery services. Students are reminded of this school policy regarding food delivery services when it is violated, and items are held in the Office for end-of-day pickup. Family members are also notified when this occurs.
MONITORING SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY
If you have chosen to give your student a cell phone, please actively monitor their social media accounts and messaging activity. Nearly every single school discipline issue on campus has started with social media posting outside of school. This is another reason that our cell phone policy exists, as we don’t want students engaging in cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment throughout their school day. Set up parental controls where they can only access their phone during certain times, if you are allowing these devices.
ELECTRONICS POLICY
8TH GRADE FAMILIES INTERESTED IN BENSON POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL?
COUNSELING SUPPORTS
Counselors are available by email. Please refer to the following list for your School Counselor by grade.
6th GRADE
7th GRADE
8th GRADE
VOLUNTEERS
Interested in Volunteering and Being More Involved?
Become an approved PPS volunteer by following the information here. Once your application is approved, please contact the Main Office to see how and when you can be of service. Our Friends of West Sylvan organization also regularly shares ways to get involved on campus, specifically to volunteer in the Library, monitor hallways, help in the Main Office, help in classrooms, and do recess duty.
Friends of West Sylvan is parent/family organization that supports Scholars and Staff and fosters community connection through fundraising and volunteer opportunities. Join the mailing list and stay connected with other families!
CONTACT US
MAIN OFFICE
(503) 916-5690
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ PRINCIPAL'S SECRETARY
[Staff / Substitutes / Financial]
Jerda Solonche
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ SCHOOL SECRETARY
[Students / Attendance / Enrollment]
Kirsten Crombie
West Sylvan Middle School
Website: www.pps.net/westsylvan
Location: 8111 Southwest West Slope Drive, Portland, OR, USA