Thursday, February 9, 2012

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL                     ANNOUNCEMENTS                    2/9/2012          

Today is a (A) Day!

8th Grade Family Transition Night
Sunday, February 12 OR Monday, February 13.
5:00-5:30 Registration by Auditorium
5:30-7:30 Transition and Registration Program

• Learn about the high school registration process
• Learn about programs at MHS

All 8th grade parents and students need to attend one of the nights.

It’s that time of year to submit your Excellence In Education nominations. Nomination forms are in the main office and are also available on-line at http://www.muscatine.k12.ia.us/departments/special-programs/excellence-in-education/.
Closing date for nominations is February 21, 2012. For the nomination to be considered it must be received by: email – must be sent no later than 4:00 p.m., February 21, 2012, US Mail – must be postmarked no later than February 21, 2012, hand delivered to the address below no later than 4:00 p.m. February 21, 2012: Jan Collinson – 2900 Mulberry Avenue Muscatine, IA 52761 or email her at jlcollin@muscatine.k12.ia.us  (No Late Nominations Will Be Accepted)
Nominated students will be sent a letter telling them of the nomination and asking for them to complete a Self-Description Essay. Students will be notified by March 28, and the teacher they have selected to honor will be informed after April 5. The program will be at the Clarion Hotel on April 29 at 4:00 p.m. The reception will be held immediately following the program. I hope you can all attend.

“Girl Talk” will start February 14^th at 3:30 and will meet in room 21 at West Middle School.

“Girl Talk” is a program that will be facilitated by high school students that have been trained in the “Girl Talk” program.  Emily Summers, a freshman at MCC and alum of Muscatine High School will be helping to assist in the facilitation of this program, too.

“Girl Talk” will give girls the opportunity to meet new people and make connections with their peers. Other topics discussed will include dealing with peer pressure, making healthy decisions and building self-esteem and self-confidence.

During the first meeting on February 14^th, permission slips will be handed out to the girls who attend and will require a parent/guardian signature.

There will be an informational meeting Thursday, February 9^th at 3:00pm in the cafeteria for any 7^th or 8^th grade girl interested in diving.

ATTENTION 8TH GRADERS:
West Middle School Announces Food 4 Love! Bring your non-perishable food items for the Muscatine Food Pantry to room 4 at West Middle School.  Any 8th graders who bring in 6 non-perishable food items between February 2nd and February 17th will be able to watch a movie with popcorn on February 17th in the small gym.  But WAIT, that’s not all.  The top 8 students who bring in the most items will be able to sit in the rocker chairs during the movie.

The Iowa Park & Rec Association and the Muscatine Park & Rec Dept. are sponsoring a Youth Basketball “Spot Shot” competition on Saturday, February 25th. This competition is open for ages 7-13. Cost is $6.00. Registration deadline is February 23.  Stop by the office for more details or call the Parks & Rec Dept at 563-263-0241

On Feb. 18, The Quad Cities Mallard’s will be playing at the I-Wireless Center.  West Middle School students and their families can get in at a discounted ticket rate.  ($9.00 for upper bowl seats and $13.00 for lower bowl seats.)  If you are interested in attending, we are asking that you sign your name on the sign-up sheet located in the WMS main office and note how many tickets you may need so that we can give the Mallard’s a head count as to how many WMS people will be in attendance. This special game will be hosted by our WMS Washington D.C. trip student’s as a fundraiser so plan to attend and support them.  (Tickets will need to be purchased at the I-Wireless Ctr. Ticket box.)

The Muscatine Humane Society will be making Jumbo Gourmet Caramel Apples dipped into our vat of homemade caramel and world class chocolate. The drizzle will vary. Apples are decoratively wrapped for your gift giving. There are no nuts used. Cost of the apples are $14.00 and must be paid for in advance. Orders will be taken until Friday Feb. 10^th.  Apples will be delivered within the Muscatine city limits only. Deliveries will be made on Tuesday, February 14. Pickup orders will be ready by Friday Feb. 10^th at the Humane Society from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Order forms are available in the main office.

7^th grade G2 Exhibition night will be February 13 at 5:00pm at the Clarion Hotel. Please check out their youtube video http://youtu.be/OZEA7ljm7NU

 Muscatine Y soccer opportunities:

Y FUTSAL-Indoor Soccer

Futsal is a small sided game (5v5) played on a basketball sized court. It is played with boundaries w/no walls to bang the ball against. It is a complete skill game that develops the overall fundamentals of soccer more effectively. It has been proven that youth players develop quicker reflexes, faster thinking and accurate passing. This season is open to 1st-8th graders! There will be two practice days for players to learn rules. Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 1st 7pm!

Fees: $10.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers Games: Fridays, March 9th-30th.

Y Spring Soccer

Registration Deadline is Saturday, February 18th by noon! Recreation/Developmental league for Boys & Girls K-8th Grade. Season Starts April 2nd and Games Start April 14th

Member Fees: $30.00 Nonmember Fees: $52.00. 6 weeks of games, played at Muscatine Soccer Complex

Spring Break Soccer Training

K-8th graders are invited to join the Y for a special soccer training week over Spring Break. Whether you play Y Soccer, travel soccer or don’t even play on a team, all youth are welcome to join us for touches on the soccer ball. Passing, Dribbling, Shooting and Goal Keeping! Days: March 12th-16^th Time: 2:00-5:30pm Fees: Members $30.00 Nonmembers $60.00

Calling all artists!  We need your help to design the logo for the new middle school healthy eating and physical activity program called CHAMPS: Choosing Healthy Actions in Muscatine Public Schools. Contest rules and more information can be picked up at the main office or from Mr. Hayes.  There will be great prizes too.  Top 3 logos from each school (selected by school panel)- $25 gift certificate to Harper’s Cycling. 1st prize–chosen logo by study investigators- Family summer swim pass for Muscatine Aquatic Center. All entrants must be submitted by Feb 15th.

We have placed the athletic schedules online (along with directions and addresses to opposing schools). We are hoping that this is easier (and maybe a little more reliable) for everyone. Everything can be accessed though our web page. There is an “Activities & Athletics” tab in the top left portion of the page.
http://www.muscatine.k12.ia.us/wms/<br>

If you have any questions or if your child will not be at school for any reason, you can e-mail me at krhartma@muscatine.k12.ia.us or you can call 563-263-0411 anytime after 7:30 a.m.

A reminder to parents:  You are asked to call between 7:30-8:30 a.m. if you plan to pick your student up early during the day. Parents must come to the attendance office to sign their student out we will then call them out of class. Thank you!

LUNCH TODAY: Taco Salad or Cheeseburger

2/10/12: Mozzarella Sticks w/ Marinara Sauce

Upcoming events and dates to remember:

Feb. 13 – G2 Exhibition night – Clarion Hotel

Feb. 20 – President’s Day – NO SCHOOL