Weekly Family Message

This Thursday, September 19, is Back-to-School Night. We hope you can join us for hot dogs, veggie dogs, and snacks while they last and a chance for families to connect with teachers and staff. Students and all family members are welcome to attend. Our program runs from 5:30-7:00 p.m., but families can drop in and stay for as long as they need or want. PLEASE NOTE THE UPDATE IN TIME. 

• Informational Presentations and Videos including State of the School sent to families on September 16. These will be available for viewing at Back-to-School Night too. 
• Hot Dogs on Patio and in Cafe-5:30-6:45 (Get them while they last)
• Teachers and Staff in Halls Outside of Rooms for Check-ins/Questions
• Technology Drop-in Questions-5:30-6:00 and 6:30-7:00 
• Technology for Families Session in the Library-6:00-6:30 
  • Covering PowerSchool Parent Portal, Schoology, and Remind
• Administration and Counseling Available Outside Amphitheater throughout Back-to-School Night

Safety Drills

We will be sharing the following video about our ALICE protocols with students on Tuesday, September 17: ALICE in ACPS. We will also be conducting a Secure the Building Drill on Tuesday, which we now do in lieu of lockdown drills. These drills would be for a safety concern that is outside of our building. If you have any questions about safety drills please reach out to Mr. Lewis or Mr. Walton. 

Headphones Reminder

Students often require headphones for assignments in class. At WMS we do not have students use Bluetooth headphones, but instead they are required to use wired headphones with their computers. This is a reminder that students do need wired headphones. We do provide over-the-ear headphones as needed, but students who wish to use their own should bring them to school daily. 

Parent Teacher Organization and Family Council Updates

Our Parent Teacher Organization met on September 10. A separate update of meeting notes will be sent next week. 

Megan Nabb and Laura Handler are the co-representatives for Walton Middle School for the Family Council this year. The ACPS Family Council's mission is to connect and inform families and amplify our voices to promote a public education system in which each student thrives. Monthly meetings are held the third Wednesday each month and, while not open to the public, we seek to include questions and comments from our school community at each meeting. For September, please submit any division wide questions or comments here by Friday, September 13th.

 Megan and Laura will work to keep the PTO and school leadership and community informed about the work of Family Council on a regular basis. Additionally, Family Council meeting minutes and more information can be found on the ACPS Family Council website. We appreciate being able to represent Walton families this year and are open to any further questions or thoughts throughout the year!

Bus Information

We have had several instances where families are trying to get information about a late afternoon bus or to let a driver know that something was left on  the bus. In these cases it is best for families to reach out directly to transportation to streamline communication. You may contact transportation at 434-973-5716.

Fall 2024 Library Newsletter WMS 

Click the link above for information about new books and library opportunities!

Hall and Gym Lockers

All 6th graders were assigned lockers to start the year. We notice that 7th and 8th graders don’t use them as much, so these are available by request if students speak to their Advisory teacher or families can email that request to their child’s Advisory teacher. 

Gym lockers are available by request. Students can speak to Ms. Haislip or Mr. Steger to request a gym locker. We recommend that students lock up bags and personal belongings during PE. 

Registration Verification

This is a reminder for families to complete the Student Registration Verification process for each of your children enrolled in ACPS. This crucial step ensures we have the most accurate and up-to-date information for your child. The process takes just a few minutes, and you can easily complete it through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please click here for detailed information on completing the Registration Verification process: Registration Verification - Albemarle County School District 

Applications for the 2025 General Assembly Page Program Are Open 

Attention 7th and 8th grade students, every year the General Assembly solicits for student pages to assist in the General Assembly during a 7 week internship. If you are interested in being a part of our government and learning more about the process of legislation we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.  All applications are due by Friday, October 18, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

You can learn more here: Senate and House Page Programs

Writer's Eye Field Trips 

All students are invited to a FREE Writer's Eye trip to UVA from 9:15 am to 1:30 pm. They'll tour the Fralin Art Museum, visit the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, eat lunch on the Lawn, and have a tour of campus. Each grade will go on a different day:

• 7th grade on Thursday, September 19th (blue forms have gone home; sign up online at www.bit.ly/wms7WE)
• 6th grade on Tuesday, October 8th (be on the lookout for forms soon)

 There are limited chaperone spaces, so sign up quickly if you want to attend! Contact our Talent Development Resource Teacher, Natalie M. Capps, for more information (ncapps@k12albemarle.org or 977-5615 x54132).

This Coming Week

Monday, September 16-B-Day

Tuesday, September 17-A-Day

• Secure the Building Drill

Wednesday, September 18–B Day

Thursday, September 19-A-Day

• Back-to-School Night from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
• 7th Grade Writer's Eye Field Trip

Friday, September 20-B-Day

Upcoming Dates

September 26-Fire Drill #3

October 3-Math and Reading Night! 5:30-7:00 p.m. 

October 8-6th Grade Writer's Eye Field Trip

October 16-Parent Teacher Conferences-4:30-7:30 p.m. 

October 22-Parent Teacher Conferences-4:30-7:30 p.m.