News Along the West'ern Front

News Along the West'ern Front

May 2009

Parent Surveys

Included in this newsletter is a parent survey on your perception of West. We are going to offer it each year and use/review your statements to help us structure our next year. Please take the time to inform us on your perceptions of West. Please return to West by May 15th.

Mobile Dentists

Mobile Dentists will be here both Wednesday, May 13^th and Thursday, May 14^th. We had around 40 students take advantage of this offer back in November so they are back for the 6^th month check-up.

     8th Grade Farewell

     Each year we take the passing 8^th graders to Rolling Hills Water Park as their farewell trip from Middle School. Last year, because of behavior and other factors, the 8^th graders did not get to go. This year we are posting in every classroom that starting January 20 (the new semester), we will take them to the water park as long as they do not get suspended for fighting, aggressive behavior, gross disrespect, sexual misconduct or have more than 5 absences, poor citizenship on their report card, owe more than $20 in school fines or are failing the 8^th grade. We want everyone to go so please be sure your child is reminded of this at home.

Credits/Failures

During the past week or so, the counselors have been calling down students who do not have enough credits for the first semester and may be in danger of failing. They will not only talk to the student to explain the situation but you should receive a letter containing this information. If your child is in danger of failing, you need to speak with them and their counselor to get them back on track.

New York City Trip

(another increase in price from last year’s price)

The cost for next year has increased again: It is now $835 for students (4 to a room) and $968 for adults (2 to a room). The student increase over last year’s price is $61 with the parent increase now at $70. These prices can be locked in at this rate for December if we have enough interest. If this cost prohibits enough interest in filling one bus, a trip to Chicago has also been planned for the same time of the year. Chicago is a great city but it just doesn’t carry the same impact as NYC. Remember, the criteria for eligibility is for the 7^th grade students to have all 1’s or 2’s on their citizenship mark for the entire 7^th grade year.

Gold Party Sponsored by PSP

West has TENTATIVELY scheduled a gold party for Wednesday, May 20^th from 5:00 – 6:45 before the band concert at 7:00 pm. More information will need to come home if we do in fact host this fundraiser for PSP

8^th Grade Awards Banquet

Our 8^th grade awards banquet will be on Tuesday, May 19^th, at 6:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Brest Rd. here in Taylor. Teri’s Catering will provide the food and our Westwinds will provide the entertainment. Students must qualify to be invited to the Awards or Honors Banquet through specific criteria. These criteria are: Honor Roll - 3.5 GPA for the entire year, President’s Award – 4.0 GPA for the year, NJHS Member with all service hours accounted for, Perfect Attendance – for the year, Citizenship - All 1’s in citizenship for the year, Completion of the Junior Master Gardener Program – through Ecology Club, Most Improved (over the course of the year) – Selections made by Teachers, and the Principal’s Award for both 8^th and 7^th grades (based on a host of criteria). This event is one of the highlights of the year and is a formal affair. Students must dress up and it turns into a very high profile evening for our young students. It is an evening where parents and staff are very proud of the achievements presented.

Student of the Month Program Returns!
Our successful and popular student of the month program has returned. Students have been selected (17 each month) and we will be hosting coordinating five trips between now and the end of the school year. We generally leave at 12:15 and return at 2:30. These trips are always at the end		of the month except for June. Our second trip is scheduled for Feb 27th at Mongolian BBQ in Dearborn. Selected students will receive a permission slip that has to be signed and returned before they can attend. We will also take a group picture as well as an individual photo to place on the showcase.

-1/2 School Day- -No School- There is a half day on Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 13 for Teacher Professional Development. Dismissal is at 10:59. No School on Tuesday, March 31 for the same.		Cardinal Cards All students with a grade point average of 3.3 or above should have received their Cardinal Debit Card for the second marking period. This entitles them to: early release at the end of the day, VIP seating at assemblies, and 10 punches good for a free tardy or pass, free morning basketball, free hat day and free pop at any event. Congratulations!!

Truancy Any student who has 10 or more absences (whether excused or unexcused) will receive a truancy letter requiring you to contact the counselor. The state requires that the school send these letters because nothing helps your child succeed in school more than parental support and school attendance. Please call the counselor if you receive one. If they are absent 10 days in a row, we are required to drop them.
Incentive Field Trip We will be going to the Tigers game on May 21st for the third marking period incentive trip. To be eligible, your child must have all 1s and 2s in citizenship on their report card, no suspensions, no more than 2 detentions and 5 or less days absent for the 3^nd marking period. Keep up the good work or if you have not been eligible, try a little harder. We want everyone to attend.

MEAP RESULTS 2008-09

MEAP results have now gone public and we can finally share our news! West had the highest middle school MEAP scores in the district for ALL 7^th and 8^th grade categories except in 7^th grade Language Arts where we actually tied with Hoover. West has made steady and strong gains since the last five years. Our goal is and has been to reach the state average and move beyond.

West Math State Avg. West ELA State Avg.

7^th Grade: 77% 83% 7^th Grade: 67% 80%

8^th Grade: 67% 75% 8^th Grade: 66% 77%

West Science State Avg.

8^th Grade: 67% 76%

West scores in 7^th grade math went up significantly! However, we are still behind in the state scores in all areas. This has been a constant frustration and we added new strategies this year to reverse this. We are anxious to see next year’s test scores due to the every day reading program we instituted this year and we improved how we deliver instruction on our Math Enrichment class by adding an Academic Teaching Assistant (ATA) and new technology.

NEXT PSP MEETING IS set for Thursday, May 14^th at 5:00 in the library. (subject to change)