SUMMER 2014

TigerTiger talktalktalk O N E L E AR N I N G L AN E — F R E D E RI C K S B U R G, V I R GIN A 2 2 4 0 1

P H O N E: 5 4 0 - 3 7 2 - 1 1 4 5 F AX 5 4 0 - 8 9 1 - 5 4 4 9

W W W .CI TYS C H O O LS . COM / W AL K E R G R AN TM I D D LE S C H OO L

Principal’s Letter Dear Walker-Grant Families,

Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year.

It has been an extremely busy summer

preparing for the opening of the school

year. This school year we will open our

doors to approximately 745 students. We

will host our school Orientation on

August 27. We will continue to host a

separate time for sixth graders to accli-

mate themselves to the school. Please see

the orientation section of this newsletter

for more details. Our Back to School

Night for students and families will be

on September 17, with opportunities to

hear about the exciting instructional

activities planned for the year.

In planning for another great school year

for our students, our staff has been very

busy preparing for Phase III of the

Student Support Program (SSP). For

those new to Walker-Grant Middle

School, SSP is an early intervention pro-

gram which supports students through

their middle school years.

In preparing your student for success for

the upcoming school year please use our

website, parental portal, and teacher

blogs to monitor the academic instruc-

tion and progress of your child(ren). It is

important to keep abreast of grades,

behavior, and attendance.

Don’t let the learning stop during the

summer! Please encourage your children

to read and participate in our summer

reading program. The summer reading

website is http://www.cityschools.com/6-

8/wgmssummerreading/. Also encourage

your students to complete the summer

enrichment mathematics packets. Your

encouragement and support for these

important programs throughout the sum-

mer is appreciated and will assist with

our efforts to improve literacy and math-

ematics to advance students’ learning for

the coming year.

Our focus and theme for the year is

“United WE Can,” with a focus on col-

laboration between students, parents,

staff and community to support student

success. We look forward to an exciting

school year. See you in August.

Sincerely,

Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Ed.D

Principal

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504 ACCOMODATIONS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION If your child has any type of learning or physical problem, he/she may qualify for accommodations under 504 or special education services. Please call the Walker-Grant Counseling Office at 372-1145 if you have any questions or would like to refer your child for screening and possible assessment. No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits, of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: The Rights of Individuals with Handicaps Under Federal Law.

IN THE MATTER OF NONRESIDENT STUDENT ENROLLMENT The Fredericksburg City Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability in admission or treatment of employment in its programs or activities. Any questions should be referred to Pam Steinkoenig, 200 Gunnery Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 or by calling (540) 371-1127.

SEX OFFENDER STATEMENT The Fredericksburg City Public School Division recognizes the danger sex offenders pose to student safety. Therefore, to protect students while they travel to and from school, attend school or at school-related activities, the Fredericksburg City School Division shall request automatic electronic notification of registered sex offenders in the same or contiguous zip codes as any school within the division. Such request and notification shall be made according to the procedures established by the Virginia Department of State Police (State Police). The Superintendent shall serve as the contact person with the State Police for receipt of the registered sex offender information.

BOYS’ BABALL DECEMBER SCHEDULE New Orientation Format Wednesday, August 27, 4:00-7:00 PM

One of the most exciting and important events for students and their families is the Welcome Back Orientation, which will be held on August 27. During this event, students and their families are invited to visit the school so they can begin to become familiar with their new surroundings and continue their transition into middle school. Orientation will provide exposure to the many activities, athletics, and academic programs at the school and will be presented in an “open house” format. Students and their families will be welcome to explore, to review materials, to meet teachers and students, and to learn more about the many opportunities that await them inside and outside the classroom.

4:00 P.M.– 5:00 P.M. Sixth Grade Orientation (6th grade students and parents only)

During the Sixth Grade Orientation session, students and families will be introduced to the administrative staff, 6 th grade teach-

ers, and support staff. At this session families will be presented the following:

introduction to lockers and schedules

school activities

academic support

first week of school procedures

communication between school and home

summer reading program

guidance support

5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Open Orientation for students in grades 6-8

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Early Intervention Student Support Program (SSP Program) Phase III

In terms of knowledge acquisition, the pacing of a lesson remains as important as the content material. When the

tempo of a class is interrupted by a student not having his/her textbook, homework or writing supplies, student

engagement decreases noticeably. Cognizant of such difficulties, the faculty at Walker Grant Middle School has

incorporated a “Student Support Program” (SSP) to cultivate an educational environment that maximizes our stu-

dents’ “time-on–task.” If a student receives two or more infractions during one academic week, he/she is required

to attend two after-school sessions the following week. Our SSP program allows educators to identify students

that may struggle with organization or unproductive behaviors and to address such issues early in the year. Addi-

tionally, this facilitates greater communication between the parents and school faculty.

Since the program's introduction, we have noticed a significant decrease in the overall number of disruptive inci-

dents in our classrooms. Subsequently, administrators can concentrate on the smaller number of students that

continue to struggle with self-management and, by spending less time vocally reminding students to come to class

prepared, our educators can focus on their true goal: fostering student achievement and excellence.

STAY CONNECTED

Fredericksburg Alert: Sign up for the Fredericksburg Alert system to receive notice of weather-related closings and delays via text message and/or e-mail. You may also register to receive daily announcements from any or all of the city schools, Parks & Recreation information, traffic information, etc. Register at fredericksburgalert.com. W-G Website: View our website at http://www.cityschools.com/walkergrantmiddleschool/. Choose from the links on the left side of your screen. Teachers’ webpages may be viewed by selecting “W.G. Staff Webpage Directory.” Sign up to receive updates by filling in the “Subscribe2” box on individual teachers’ webpages. Parent Portal: Parents/guardians may view password-protected information on your child’s grades, attendance, discipline, etc. Log-in information will be available at Orientation on August 27. Photo identification is required, and only parents or legal guardians will be issued log-ins and passwords. Local Access Channel 18: Informational slides are published monthly on television channel 18.

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A.M. CAR RIDER TRAFFIC PATTERN

Parking Lot Parking Lot

School Building

Car Traffic Car Traffic

Ca

r T

raffic

Ca

r T

raffic

Car Traffic

Football Field

To LUES &

Route 1

B

U

S

E

S

O

N

L

Y

BUSES ONLY

P.M. CAR RIDER TRAFFIC PATTERN

Parking Lot Parking Lot

School Building

Football Field

To LUES &

Route 1

B

U

S

E

S

O

N

L

Y

CARS LINE UP ALONG EDGE OF ROAD

PLEASE NOTE – WRITTEN PERMISSION IS REQUIRED FOR

AFTERNOON TRANSPORTATION CHANGES

PROCEED

ONLY WHEN

BUSES HAVE

DEPARTED

TRANSPORTATION

PROCEDURES BUS ROUTES will be posted on the web in late August and will

be available at Orientation on 8/27.

CAR RIDER

drop-off

begins at

7:15 A.M.

AFTER-

NOON

CAR RIDER

dismissal

follows the

departure

of buses.

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ADMISSION TO

FOOTBALL GAMES

$3 General Admission

$1 Seniors 55 & Over

$1 Students

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September 15 Drew Middle School Away - 4:00 PM

September 17 Holy Cross Home - 4:00 PM

September 20 Tiger Cup Invitational Home - Time TBA

September 25 Grymes Away - 4:30 PM

October 1 Holy Cross Home - 4:00 PM

October 2 Grymes Home - 4:30 PM

October 7 Fredericksburg Academy Away - 4:00 PM

October 20 Fredericksburg Academy Home - 4:00 PM

October 21 Highland Middle School Away - 4:00 PM

October 25 Hill School Big Hit Tourn. Away - Time TBA

FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES

FIELD HOCKEY

August 28 & 29 Floyd T. Binns Invtl. Away - Time TBA

September 11 Caroline Middle School Away - 4:00 PM

September 16 Prospect Heights Away - 4:30 PM

September 18 King George Middle Home - 4:00 PM

September 22 Floyd T. Binns Away - 4:30 PM

September 24 Caroline Middle School Home - 4:00 PM

September 29 Locust Grove Middle Away - 4:00 PM

October 2 King George Middle Away - 4:00 PM

October 9 Locust Grove Middle Home - 4:00 PM

October 10 King George Invitational Away - Time TBA

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

September 3 Louisa Middle School Away - 5:00 PM

September 11 Buford Middle School Home - 4:30 PM

September 18 Floyd T. Binns Away - 4:30 PM

September 25 Culpeper Middle School Home - 5:00 PM

October 8 Locust Grove Middle Away - 4:30 PM

October 15 King George Middle Home - 4:00 PM

October 23 Prospect Heights Away - 4:30 PM

October 29 Caroline Middle School Home - 4:30 PM

FOOTBALL

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Wednesday, August 27

6th Grade Orientation 4-5 PM

Open Orientation for all Grades 5-7 PM

Thursday and Friday, August 28 & 29

Girls’ Basketball Invitational at Floyd T. Binns

Tuesday, September 2

First Day of School

Wednesday, September 3

Football Game at Louisa Middle, 5 PM

Tuesday, September 9

Fall Athletic Rules Session, 5 PM

Thursday, September 11

Girls’ Basketball Game at Caroline Middle, 4 PM

Home Football Game vs. Buford, 4:30 PM

Monday, September 15

Field Hockey Game at Drew Middle, 4 PM

Tuesday, September 16

Girls’ Basketball Game at Prospect Heights, 4:30 PM

Wednesday, September 17

Home Field Hockey Game vs. Holy Cross, 4 PM

Back to School Night, 6:30 PM

Thursday, September 18

Girls’ Basketball Home Game vs. King George, 4 PM

Football Game at Floyd T. Binns, 4:30 PM

Friday, September 19

Early Dismissal, 12:20 PM

Saturday, September 20

Tiger Cup Invitational Field Hockey Tournament

Monday, September 22

School Pictures

Girls’ Basketball Game at Floyd T. Binns, 4:30 PM

Wednesday, September 24

Summer Reading Celebration

Girls’ Basketball Home Game vs. Caroline, 4 PM

6th Grade Success Session for Parents, 6 PM

Thursday, September 25

Field Hockey Game at Grymes, 4:30 PM

Home Football Game at Culpeper Middle, 5 PM

Monday, September 29

Girls’ Basketball Game at Locust Grove, 4 PM

TIGER CALENDAR September 2014

PTA OFFICERS

AND COMMITTEE

CHAIRS

President Jennifer Kabza Vice President Chrissy Conway Secretary Chris McBride Treasurer Charlie Rowe Teacher Kristin Snead and Michele Kreisman

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VISIT OUR WEBSTIE

HTTP://WWW.CITYSCHOOLS.COM/WALKERGRANT

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID FREDERICKSBURG, VA

PERMIT NO. 301

REMINDER — All rising 6th grade students must have a

Tdap booster shot prior to the start of the school year.

School Hours 7:40 A.M. – 2:40 P.M. Office Hours 7:15 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. School Phone # 372-1145 School Fax # 891-5449 Web Site www.cityschools.com/cityschools/walkergrant TV Station Channel 18 (Fredericksburg residents) Morning and Afternoon Procedures The building is open to students at 7:15 A.M. Car riders should be dropped off at the far end of the parking lot, close to the Walker-Grant sign. The tardy bell rings at 7:40. School dismisses at 2:40 each day. Bus riders will be dismissed at the bell, and car riders will be dismissed by an-nouncement after the buses have departed. Parents picking up students should proceed to the far end of the parking lot and line up behind the buses. Car passes are required and will be available at orientation or from the main office. Breakfast/Lunch Breakfast and/or lunch may be purchased in our cafeteria. Meal prices are: Breakfast $1.00 Lunch $2.55. Prepayment on lunch accounts may be made online at mylunchmoney.com. Payment will also be accepted during orientation and, thereafter, by cash or check in the cafeteria.

Fees P.E. uniforms are required and may be purchased at Orientation or during the first week of school for $15.

Fredericksburg City Schools

P.O. Box 592

Fredericksburg, VA 22404