We hope this letter finds you and your family well. Our staff is excited and ready to welcome our new 5th graders and our returning 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to the 2025-26 school year! We hope you find this information helpful as your student prepares for the first day of school.
Important Dates for 5th Grade Orientation, Welcome Walks, and the First Days of School Information:
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August 18 - Schedule Release Day for WMS students on SchoolTool (link)
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August 21, 1-3pm - 5th Grade Orientation (Student Event) - Our incoming 5th graders will have a tour of the building led by WMS student leaders, practice opening their lockers, and end their tour with a grade-level ice cream social! A separate correspondence will be sent about the logistics of drop-off and pick-up procedures. Again, this is a student only event.
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August 22 - WMS Welcome Walk (Grades 5-8) 8am-3pm - Set up lockers & walk schedule. Families are welcome!
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August 25 - WMS Welcome Walk (Grades 5-8) 8am-3pm - Set up lockers & walk schedule. Families are welcome!
- September 2 (A Day) - First Day of School!
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September 3 (B Day) - Picture Day (link) for students with Physical Education on B Day
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September 4 (C Day) - Picture Day (link) for students with Physical Education on C Day
- September 15, 5:30pm-6:30pm - Open House (All Grades)
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September 15, 6:30pm - 8th Grade Washington D.C. Parent Information Meeting, MS Cafeteria
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October 3, Wayne Central Homecoming - Community parade 5:30 pm, football game 7pm
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Student Schedules: Schedules will be viewable in SchoolTool (link) on August 18. Paper copies can be made available during the Welcome Walks upon request. Please note that we may make adjustments to schedules leading up to the first day of school. Each student will receive their official, final schedule during 1st period on the first day of school. Many factors are considered when creating the school schedule and balancing class rosters. Please do not request class changes to be with friends or specific teachers, as these requests will not be granted. Click here to see the A-F Day calendar (link).
Bus/Transportation Information: We are encouraging parents to have their children ride the bus to school. Not only do studies show that riding the school bus is safer for children than traveling by car, but it also helps reduce traffic around the school. The Transportation Department will communicate with families via ParentSquare with route information. They will also share information about the new MyRideK12 app! If you need to contact the Transportation Department for any reason, please call them at 315-524-1120.
*ACTION NEEDED* Chromebook Use of District Device Agreement: The Technology Department will send families an agreement form via ParentSquare. If you have multiple students in the District, please submit a separate form for each child. Before a student can receive a Chromebook and charger on the first day of school, the Use of District Device Agreement form must be completed. Please complete this form with your middle school student(s) as soon as possible!
Supply Lists, Student Agenda, Code of Conduct:
- Supply lists are located on our website (LINK).
- Students will receive a personal agenda/calendar (link) on the first day of school. This resource helps students keep track of assignments & provides important school information.
- Inside of the student agenda is a condensed Code of Conduct (full version link), which outlines behavioral expectations. We encourage families to review the agenda (and the code of conduct) with their children, as there is a wealth of information about our school.
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Attendance: Consistent and punctual school attendance is an essential component to student success. We have observed that children with frequent unexcused absences and/or tardies are not as successful in their academic, social, and emotional growth as their peers.
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Please note that 1st period classes begin at 7:35 a.m. If you ever need assistance with getting your child to school please do not hesitate to reach out to their counselor or Assistant Principal.
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If your child needs to be absent from school or if you have a planned appointment, please call the school nurse, Mrs. Annie Harris, at 524-1084. You may also email the Nurse’s office at aharris@waynecsd.org or trommevaux@waynecsd.org.
Breakfast and lunch update: Breakfast (grab-and-go) and lunch are free for all students. Second lunches and à la carte items may be purchased for an additional fee.
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Please do not send your child into school with breakfast from outside of the building. These can have allergens and/or become distracting/messy (i.e., donuts, drinks from Dunkin or Starbucks, etc.). Please consume these foods prior to coming into the building. The goal is to create an environment focused on instruction by 7:35am.
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🍴MySchoolBucks: Want to add money to your child’s lunch account for extra items or snacks? Click this link!
Restaurant Food: We would like to gently remind families to refrain from sending in lunches or food from restaurants, as it can become a distraction/disruption to our cafeteria environment.
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Please carefully review the breakdown of which counselor your child can go to for support throughout their middle school experience. Our administrative team will be available to any student throughout the year. Our counselors & administrators are here to guide and support your student in the areas of academic achievement & social-emotional health. Please use them as a resource & feel free to contact them with any questions!
👥 School Counselor Information - 315-524-1082:
🎓 Assistant Principals - Phone: (315) 524-1080
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Lockers and Backpacks: Every student will be assigned a locker, and we encourage them to use it to avoid carrying all their materials throughout the day. This year, we will focus on being mindful of the materials we provide, offering opportunities to clean out folders and binders, and teaching executive functioning and organization skills. Students will be responsible for keeping their backpacks and materials organized as they learn different strategies.
- Ideally, we would love for students to leave their backpacks in their lockers. They are large enough to store them!
- Locker wise, it is important to note that students should NEVER share their combination with anyone! Friendships often change in middle school.
**********Remind your students to be mindful of blocking out the locker information when sharing their schedules with other students via texting or social media!**********
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In the Spring, we shared information about the new Distraction-Free Schools legislation, which will require that any internet-connected devices be put away during the instructional day (phones, smartwatches, and other devices). As we look ahead to September, please talk with your student about how they will contact you if needed during the school day (e.g., memorizing phone numbers, knowing they can ask the secretaries for help, etc.).
In early June, we reviewed next year’s expectations with students and asked them to complete surveys to share any questions or concerns. We then held student panels with over 60 participants to continue those conversations. Here are the key takeaways:
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The good news: not much is changing at the middle school. Phones should still be stored in lockers from 7:35 to 2:15. The main change is that phones cannot be visible in pockets or taken out for any reason during the academic school day🚫📱.
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This also applies to smartwatches ⌚, which can be a distraction in both classrooms and the school overall.
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We will have additional phones available in the main office and counseling office for student use.
- If a private conversation is needed, office spaces will be made available.
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🚨Some students expressed concern about contacting families in an emergency. We reminded them that in the event of a true emergency, it is best for responders to manage the situation without additional people arriving at the building. Families will be updated through ParentSquare in a timely and accurate way.
- Students may responsibly access their phones/devices on the bus and after school.
- If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Hats and Hoodies: Unless there is an extenuating circumstance, we will ask students not to wear hats or their hoodies over their heads. We would like to easily see student faces and ensure there is not a temptation to wear earbuds under their hoods. We’ve also found that students are more engaged in their learning when their hoods are not over their heads.
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Academic Workshops this year: In previous years, students were randomly assigned to teachers for their Academic Workshop periods. This year, we will be more intentional about placing our students into Academic Workshops that can further support their academic success. Throughout the year, we may adjust student Academic Workshops to meet their needs. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor!
(IMPORTANT) Positive and welcoming learning environment: Our number one priority will always be to create a safe environment for our students. Please continue to coach your child to be kind, loving, and supportive. If you ever have a concern, contact your child’s teacher if the issue is happening in the classroom or their school counselor or Assistant Principal for other settings. Throughout the school year, we will purposefully teach our students about the C.A.R.E. principles (Caring, Accountability, Responsibility, Excellence). When a student is recognized for demonstrating good character of the month, they will receive a card and a t-shirt on their first recognition. Students can earn multiple cards throughout the year! Our goal is to have every student wearing a "C.A.R.E. The Wayne Eagle Way" t-shirt by the end of the year!
Extracurricular Clubs: We love to see our students get involved in clubs and activities! This helps build deeper connections between students and their school. Please review potential clubs with your children, have them listen closely to morning announcements to learn when and where they meet!
- One of the first activities students (grades 5-8) can get involved in is the MS Musical! Each year we have somewhere between 80-100 students involved! This year, the musical is Mary Poppins Jr.! Click here (link) to view the flyer!
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Morning Drop-off: Parents can drop children off at the south door #20 (across from the bus garage) at 7:30 a.m.
- After 7:32 a.m. students should be dropped off at the main office entrance. Parents do NOT need to enter the building to sign their children in if tardy.
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Dismissal at 2:12pm: Parents can arrive for pick up at the south door #20 at 2:20 p.m. to form a DOUBLE LINE. See the diagram and information on the next page!
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For 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. pick-up: See the diagram and information on the next page!
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ParentSquare: WCSD will be using ParentSquare ( parentsquare.com, or download the app!) as our main method of communication with families.
Schoology: Teachers will use this learning management platform to support student learning. Student assignments and grades will be posted here. Please check this often. If you have any questions about your child’s progress, contact the teacher directly!
SchoolTool: This portal allows students and parents to view schedules and attendance information throughout the school year.
Instagram: Wayne Middle School has an Instagram account. Please follow us @WayneCentralMS!
Webpage: Our webpage has up-to-date resources and information about WMS events.
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Sincerely,
Kevin Page, Principal
Lindsey Leone, Assistant Principal
Chris Shaffer, Assistant Principal
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