West Middle School FAQ

Breakfast/Lunch Procedures FAQ

BREAKFAST PROCEDURES/LUNCH ACCOUNT PROCEDURES

Q. My child wants to eat school breakfast. What should they do?

A. Breakfast is served daily in the cafeteria from 7:45-8:15. Breakfast is not served on late start days. Students may enter the building anytime after 7:45 and proceed to the cafeteria. They will move through the serving line and sit at any available table in the cafeteria. Once finished with breakfast, we ask that they clean up their area, clear their tray in the provided garbage cans and return their tray to the return window for cleaning.

Students may stay in the cafeteria, or return outside or to the small gym – depending on the weather.

Students arriving after 8:15 or are late to school will have the option of a sack breakfast that contains a pop tart, juice or milk.

Q. When can my child deposit money into their lunch/breakfast account.

A. Students can deposit money at school anytime before school or between periods. We ask that no deposits be made during lunch time. This slows up the line.

Parents may also deposit money into their child’s account online using the MyLunchMoney.com online service. The link is on the Muscatine Community School District website.

Q. I have heard that the school will be providing activities before school starts:

A. We are in the process of planning different activities each day of the week from 7:40-8:15. We anticipate these activities to begin after Labor Day. Please check back for more information.

Bus Lane FAQ

BUS LANE/START TIME/DISMISSAL TIME/LATE START

Q. When can I use the bus lane in front of the school?

A. You can use the bus lane to drop off students prior to 7:45 am and after 8:15 am. Our busses drop off our students between 7:50 and 8:15 and we need all traffic to stay out of the bus lane so the students getting off the bus can do so safely.

A. Anytime during the day (after 8:15 and before 2:45) you can use the bus lane to drop-off your child. Bring needed supplies into the school, or for a meeting with school personnel.

A. Please do not use the bus lane after 2:45 so busses can get to their pick up spots without difficulty.

A. Anytime we have games or concerts after school.

Q. When does school start?

A. We would like students in their first period class at 8:23 for the morning announcements with first period starting at 8:25. Students will be counted tardy at 8:25.

Q. When does school dismiss?

A. School is dismissed at 3:20

Q. When does school start on a 2 hour late start delay?

A. Students will be allowed in the building at 9:45 and report to the small gym. No breakfast is served on late start days. Classes begin at 10:20

Drop Off / Pick Up FAQ

DROP-OFF MORNING/PICK UP AFTER SCHOOL/KINDLER PARKING

Q. If I drive my child to school where should I drop them off?

A.  Please drop them off using the parking lot side of the building at the art room door. This is the  safest place for parents to drop-off their child. It takes traffic off of Kindler Street in front of the school and does not force your child to cross traffic on Kindler and through our bus lane. Students may use the sidewalk to walk to the front of the building. On bad weather days students may enter the building through the art room entrance and proceed to breakfast or the small gym. Please do not drop-off your child in the bus lane between 7:45-8:15.

Q. If I pick up my child after school where should I pick them up?

A. The best place and the safest place to pick up is at the parking lot on the side of the building. Some parking spots are available for you to park and wait. As school employees leave and parents leave other spots become available.

It is best to talk to your child and depending on their last class of the day and their locker location you can designate a door that feeds into the parking lot to look for them. Possible doors are:

• “Big Gym” doors – they are the doors at the far end of the parking lot with the canopy. You can park along the curb and around the grassy area at the end of the parking lot.
• “Wrestling room” doors – they are located about mid-parking lot next to the dumpsters.
• “Art room” doors – the first set of doors as you enter the parking lot.

If your child leaves the school via the front doors they can walk down the sidewalk directly in front of the school and meet you near the art room doors.

Q.  What areas should I stay away from when picking up, dropping off or parking at school?

A. By city law – stopping to let students out of a vehicle, or picking them up after school, or parking on Kindler across the street (east side) in front of school between the hours of 7:30 am to 8:30 am and 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm is a violation a you may be ticketed.

From a school perspective, using this area during these times is dangerous to your child as they  have to cross through our bus lane and across Kindler during heavy traffic periods to get to your car. It also congests traffic during a high usage time. Dropping off along the bus lane on Kindler also creates a danger to your child and congests traffic on Kindler during these peak usage times. We want you to use the side parking lot so your child is safe.

Entering the Building/Morning Success Time FAQ

ENTERING THE BUILDING/MORNING STUDENT SUCCESS TIME

Q. What time will my child be able to enter West Middle School?

A. Typically, we let students enter the building at 7:45 for breakfast and activities related to Student Success Time. If students arrive before 7:45 we ask that they stay on school grounds IN FRONT OF SCHOOL and remain outside on good weather days.

A. If the weather is rainy, snowy or a temperature is below 20 degrees the students may come into school and go to the small gym located at the front of the building.

A. If your child wants to eat breakfast, they can go to the cafeteria between 7:45 and 8:15 Breakfast is not served on late start days.

A. Students may enter the building prior to 7:45 as determined by their athletic and/or music practices, or pre-arranged meetings with teachers.

A. All other students may enter at 8:15.

Q. I have heard that the school will be providing student success activities before school starts:

A. So far, we have three mornings of the week with different activities. Each day the activity runs from 7:45-8:15. Students may enter the building at 7:45. They can eat breakfast and then go to the activity or go directly to the activity. The activity days are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Q. What activities are planned in this program?

A. Wednesday – Will begin on September 28 – Community Awareness Programs/Presentations

• Muscatine County Extension
• Community/County Services – United Way
• others

Thursday – Family Resources

• Middle School Issues
• Healthy choices in our music we listen to
• Communication Skills – Use of technology in a healthy way

Friday – Team games sponsored by the Muscatine Community Y.

A. As the program grows we will be offering activities on Monday and Tuesday. If you would like to be involved in helping or sponsoring an activity, call Ed Ellis at West Middle School 263-0411 or email Ed at ewellis@mcsdonline.org

Athletics & Activities FAQ

What activities are available to my child?
Band, chorus and orchestra are year- long activities and are open to all middle school students. All students are invited to try-out for Jazz Band, Flamingos and Swing Choir. 7th and 8th grade students may be involved in a number of school sponsored sport teams. The fall sports season is from late August through mid-October and includes Volleyball, Girls’ and Boys’ Cross Country and Football. Wrestling and Girls’ Basketball compete in November and December. Boys’ Basketball plays in January and February, while Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming participate in February and March. Girls’ and Boys’ Track run in March and April.  Additionally, CMS will present a play in which all middle school students are welcomed to be involved.

What does my child need to do to participate?
In order to participate in any sport/activity the following must be completed prior to the first day of practice:

• A physical screening form completed by a physician or chiropractor and turned into the attendance office. The screening is good for one calendar year.
• A concussion fact sheet form completed and turned into the attendance office.
• A parent permission form completed and turned into the attendance office
• An insurance waiver form completed and turned into the attendance office

The physical, parent permission and insurance waiver are on a one page form available in the attendance office, as is the concussion fact sheet form.

What if my child has never played the sport?
The ultimate goals of the Central Middle School athletic program are to: 1) realize the value of participation without over emphasizing the importance of winning and 2) develop and improve positive citizenship traits among the program’s participants. Central Middle School will accommodate and improve the wide range of abilities of the players by providing the players with a means of exercise while stressing the traits listed above. No child who wishes to play a sport at CMS will be denied the chance, because of a lack of skill or prior experience.

Will low grades effect my child’s participation in extra-curricular activities?
A low grade in a class may influence participation. Grades will be checked weekly throughout the season. If your child is failing a class, they will have a week to raise the grade to a passing level.  If a passing grade is not achieved, your child will be ineligible for games that week. Additionally, the student will be required to attend a study session each night (3:20 to 3:40) with the teacher whose class they are failing, prior to attending practice.

Does my child need to be at school to play in a game after school?
A student must be at school by 12:00, and remain in attendance for the remainder of the day, to compete in a competition taking place that night. Individual exceptions (such as a doctor appointment) may be approved if arranged in advance.

When do practices start?
Football – Sign-up and informational meeting Aug. 18, first practice Aug. 19
Volleyball – Sign-up and informational meeting Aug. 18, first practice Aug. 19
Cross Country – Sign-up and informational meeting Aug. 18, first practice Aug. 25
Wrestling – Sign-up and informational meeting Oct. 12 , first practice Oct. 18
Girls’ Basketball – Sign-up and informational meeting Oct. 5 , first practice Oct. 11
Boys’ Basketball – Sign-up and informational meeting Dec. 20, first practice Jan. 4
Swimming – Sign-up and informational meeting Jan.
Track – Sign-up and informational meeting Feb. , first practice March

How often and when are practices?
Practice is the foundation to improvement. Teams will practice every night other than game nights.  In a team sport each player needs to realize their role in contributing to the team success. Most practices are held at CMS after school (3:30 to about 5:15). However some basketball teams, the swim team will practice in the morning before school (6:15 to 7:30). Cross Country and Swimming practice at MHS with bus service being provided from CMS to MHS.  You are welcome to attend and watch practice any time.

Will there be practice/games if school is cancelled or delayed?
If school is cancelled, delayed or released early because of inclement weather there will be no practices, games, or after-school activities that night.

What do I need to purchase for my child to participate in middle school activities?
Most equipment needed to participate in a middle school activity will be provided by Central Middle School. A good pair of tennis shoes and a water bottle are all which may be required in most sports. Football does require a mouthpiece, however the first one will be provided by the school. For Swimming, goggles and a swimsuit (a one piece swimsuit for the girls and non cut-offs for boys) are required. Please call the athletic office (263-0411 ask for Mrs. Hartman) with any questions, prior to purchasing any ”˜required’ athletic gear.

Will my child be penalized for missing a practice/game for a doctor appointment?
Your student will not be penalized for an excused absence. Good communication is a vital aspect of a successful program. Please inform the coach/school as soon as you know your child will be absent.

Will transportation be provided for games against Central Middle School?
Students will need to arrange for their own transportation to games hosted at CMS and for track meets at Muscatine High School. Bussing will be provided for 8th grade football games at MHS.

Will the bus stop for food after an out of town event?
The bus will not stop for food. Most events will finish around 6:00pm and our goal will be to get the students back home as quickly as possible.

Can my child wear the school uniform to school?
School issued clothing should only be worn during practice or on game/performance day. Your child may wear school issued clothing on game days but should refrain from wearing school issued clothing on non-game days. Any damaged, lost or stolen items will be the financial responsibility of the student-participant.

Is there anything else I need to know?
Student athletes and the student’s parent/guardian need to be aware that sport activities involve risk of injury. When an athlete practices, plays or participates in any sport, the activity can be dangerous. The student may risk serious and permanent injury affecting his/her well being. The Independent School District of Muscatine is not liable, nor responsible, for any medical, dental, or hospital bills occurring as a result of injuries sustained by a student while participating in a school activity. Instructions given by the coach regarding playing techniques, training and team rules must be followed.