This is a very short week of school as we lead into our Fall Break from November 27-December 1. This is the time of year when we kick off our annual Care and Share Drive.
For over 20 years WMS has conducted our Care and Share Food Drive during the first two weeks of December. Families in need are identified and invited to receive a food basket. The basket is made up of what we collect from students (non-perishable food items), as well as, other items we buy with the profits from this year’s Care and Share dance, which was held this past Friday. Food is picked up by parents during the last week of school before Winter Break along with items collected for Toy Lift and Holidays with Heart. The past few years we’ve given out over 30 food baskets. We will kick off the Care and Share Drive this year with a special episode of WLHW coming this week. We will begin collecting non-perishable food items from our students and staff once we return from the Fall Break. We appreciate any donations of food or funds that contribute to this worthy cause that directly impacts members of our school community. If you are interested in donating funds checks may be made payable to Walton Middle School with Care and Share in the memo line.
Homework Over Breaks
In keeping with the ACPS Homework Policy (Policy IKB) students should not have homework over breaks, so they can spend time with family and friends and get refreshed. If you have concerns about students being assigned homework over breaks please reach out to Mr. Walton or Dr. Jones-Lewis.
8th Grade Field Trip to CATEC-November 26
The 8th grade class will visit the Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) on Tuesday, November 26th. Students will depart from Walton at 9:15 a.m. and will return at 12:10 p.m. Students will return to school in time for their regular lunch schedule.
This visit is a part of the high school transition program that we offer at Walton. While CATEC programs have generally not been available to 9th graders, they are often available to 10th graders. This is the only opportunity students will have to tour the school and to see if a CATEC program fits into their high school plans. There is no cost to attend this field trip.
New Issue of WMS Counseling Newsletter
Our Counseling Office produces a monthly newsletter that contains wonderful information for parents. This month’s issue includes information about our new Calm Room, high school transition for 8th graders, our SCA sponsored Winter Extravaganza pep rally, and our holiday program for Families in Crisis. Read the issue here: WMS Counseling Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 4.
WMS Peer Tutoring is Up and Running
WMS offers an in-school peer-tutoring program during WIN. There are two google forms posted on Schoology--one to sign up to be a peer tutor and one to work with a peer tutor. Students may sign up to do both. Registering is simple:
- Students log in to Schoology and select the Walton Wildcats Primary page.
- There, students will open the "Clubs and Activities" folder.
- Inside that, students can click on the "Request to Work with a Peer Tutor" link if they want help.
- Or, students can click on the "Sign Up to be a Peer Tutor" link to offer to help someone else.
There are options for weekly sessions, study groups, meetings just before a test/quiz, organizational help with notes or binders, and locker cleanouts.
Please encourage your child to log in to Schoology and sign up--either to help others or to receive help.
Nominate a Teacher for the Golden Apple-Due January 27, 2020
Nominations are now open for the 2020 Golden Apple Awards. The program, which began in 2001, honors outstanding teachers in public and private schools in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City. Sponsored by Better Living Building Supply and Cabinetry, the program recognizes educators, from pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade, for their outstanding classroom performance and influence on the success of their students.
Honorees are selected for a Golden Apple based upon demonstrated excellence in the classroom, innovative instructional strategies and techniques, and involvement in their local community. Students, parents, educators, and other members of the community may submit nominations. Previous Golden Apple recipients are eligible for a second award providing that three years have elapsed since they received their award. You can find a list of previous WMS Golden Apple Recipients here: WMS Golden Apple Winners
Nomination forms are available at individual schools or online at www.k12albemarle.org. The deadline for school principals to receive nominations from students, parents, school staff, and community members is January 27, 2020.
Celebrating Art and Writing-December 10 at 6:00 p.m.
All students had the chance to write a poem or short story inspired by a piece of artwork at the Fralin Art Museum. Ms. Tree Williams, our Art Teacher, has had her art students working on artistic responses to the works they viewed at the museum. Their art work, writing, and a copy of the inspirational image will be displayed the evening of December 10 at 6:00 p.m. prior to the Chorus concert. We invite all families to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Attention 8th Grade Families-Academy and Murray Open Houses
It is hard to believe, but we are already in the transition planning season. As 8th graders move into this time of year we encourage them to explore various options available in ACPS including our academies and charter high school. The links below take you to the admissions info for each school and Open House dates are noted. Applications for all Academies and Murray High School open on November 26, 2019 and are due on January 24, 2020.
- Murray High School-Info Sessions: Dec 9, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Jan 16, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
- Math, Engineering, Sciences Academy (AHS)-Open Houses: Dec. 5, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- Environmental Studies Academy (WAHS)-Open House: Dec. 4, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- HMSA Open House was held in November as advertised in the Family Message.
MoHS Curriculum Expo-December 4
Monticello High School will host its annual Curriculum Fair on Wednesday, December 4th and will run from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. This is the first of our transition events for current 8th grade students and MoHS looks forward to meeting any prospective Mustangs and helping them learn more about class options. On March 24th MoHS will also host incoming ninth graders for a half day visit to Monticello High School. Students will have an opportunity to tour the building, meet some faculty and current students, and eat lunch in the cafeteria.
Outpatient Counseling Services Available in School Through Elk Hill
Elk Hill, one of our providers for Therapeutic Day Treatment, is now offering Outpatient Counseling Services in school for students. Outpatient Services provide therapy and counseling to children and adolescents who have mental, behavioral, or emotional symptoms that impair daily life activities. Elk Hill accepts Medicaid and other insurance plans for Outpatient Services. If you are looking for counseling services for your child and are interested in having them participate please contact Patricia Joseph, Elk Hill Counselor, at pjoseph@k12albemarle.org.
This Week:
Monday, November 25-GOLD DAY
Tuesday, November 26-BLUE DAY
- 8th Grade Field Trip to CATEC
Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29-Fall Break-No School
Upcoming Dates:
December 1-Next Issue of the Family Message
December 5-MoHS Theater Festival (All Drama Students)
December 10-A Christmas Carol at Blackfriar’s Theater (6th Grade)
December 20-Winter Extravaganza-3:30-4:05 p.m. (SCA Sponsored Pep Rally)
December 21-January 5-Winter Break-No School
January 6-Return from Winter Break
Have a Great Week!
Josh Walton, Principal
Sherica Jones-Lewis, Assistant Principal
