Hello, Winkler Families!

We had a truly wonderful first week of school! Students came in with great energy, eager to learn and connect with their classmates. It’s been a joy welcoming our Wolves back! We’re off to a great start building a strong, positive classroom and school community, and we look forward to all the growth and excitement the rest of the year will bring!

With Winkler Pride,

Rebecca Phillips

• August 18th - PTSO Meeting | 7:00pm (All parents are welcome to attend virtually or in-person.)

• August 20th- Home Football and Softball Games (vs Concord Middle and JN Fries Middle) | 4:45pm (F) | 4:30pm (S)

• August 21st- 

  • Student Council Interest Meeting @ 8:00am | Auditorium 

  • iReady Reading Diagnostic Assessment (All Grades) 

• August 22nd- iReady Math Diagnostic Assessment (All Grades)

• August 22nd - PBIS Beginning-of-Year Dance for All Grades | 4:00-6:00pm (More info below)

• August 29th - Club Day for All Students | During-School (Information will be shared in the coming weeks.)

• September 1st- Labor Day Holiday | No School for Students or Staff

• September 10th- Early Release Day for Students | Dismissal @ 1:00pm

• September 23rd- Teacher Workday | No School for Students 

• September 25th- CCS Technology Night

• Student Council Interest Meeting- Student Council leaders, Mr. Reedy and Mrs. Pannell, will be hosting a Student Council interest meeting this Thursday at 8:00am in the Auditorium. All students interested in being a potential voice for their peers, planning school events, and making a difference on campus are invited!

• iReady Testing- Students will be completing beginning-of-year iReady assessments for Reading and Math this Thursday (Reading) and Friday (Math). Please ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives on time for testing both days.

Additionally, if you would like to send headphones with your child to use while testing, please ensure they are wired and able to be plugged into the Chromebook. Use of wireless earbuds/headphones is restricted on campus and for testing. Thank you for your support!

• Back to School Dance- PBIS will be hosting a Back-to-School dance on August 22nd from 4-6pm. Students from all grade levels are welcome to attend. Tickets will be sold the morning of the dance and will be $5. (Cash only please.) Students will stay after school to enjoy music, friends, food, and fun! We ask that parents plan to arrive at 6:00pm to pick students up and follow the same traffic pattern as our normal car line. (Please do not park and walk over or signal for your student to travel through the parking lot to meet you at the car.) Unfortunately, students will not be allowed to leave the dance prior to 6:00pm. This is to ensure proper supervision for the duration of the dance and parking lot safety for our students. Thank you for your understanding!

• Winkler's Student Handbook- Please review Winkler's Student Handbook with your student. It is also important to review the Cabarrus County Schools Parent Information and Student Code of Conduct for further information.

• Updated Electronic Devices Policy - In order to maximize instructional time, student focus, and to remain in compliance with updated Cabarrus County School Board Policy 4318, Winkler Middle School has adopted the following Cell Phone policy: 

  • • All electronic devices  including, but not limited to, cell phones, iPads, and electronic watches should be turned off and stored away from the student’s person during the full duration of the school day, arrival through dismissal. Phones should be off and in book bags, not in pockets, purses, lunchboxes, etc.

    • Phones out and/or in use during the school day, will result in the following actions:

      • • For a 1st offense: Students will receive a warning and be asked to follow the school’s cell phone policy. The teacher will contact a parent/guardian to inform the parent of the student warning. 

        • For the 2nd offense and all offenses following: Electronic devices will be confiscated, logged and stored in a secure location, and a parent/guardian will be required to pick up the phone from the front office. 

    • Refusal to follow the electronic devices policy may result in further consequences, including, but not limited to, Daily check-in, Before-School Detention, Saturday School, or Out-of-School Suspension. 

    • Smartwatches may be worn but should be used to tell time only. Students should not use smartwatches for texts or calls during the school day. Students using smartwatches as anything other than a watch will result in the following actions:

      • • For the 1st offense: Students will receive a warning and be asked to follow the school’s cell phone policy. The teacher will contact a parent/guardian to inform the parent of the student's warning.

        • For the 2nd offense and all offenses following: Electronic devices, including smartwatches, will be confiscated, logged and stored in a secure location, and a parent/guardian will be required to pick up the phone from the front office. 

    • Should you ever need to speak with your child during the school day regarding an urgent matter (afternoon transportation change, after-school plans, etc.), please call the front office at 704-260-6450. Parents are also encouraged to send a message through ParentSquare to teachers or administrators. This will allow us to get all messages to students quickly. 

    • As a reminder, wireless earbuds such as AirPods are not allowed on campus. All headphones used at school must have a cord and plug into the computer or device being used in the classroom.

  • Please view the full Electronic Devices policy for both CCS and Winkler HERE. 

• Dress Code - Cabarrus County Schools and Harold Winkler Middle School specifies that each student must come to school appropriately dressed in clothing that is not disruptive to the educational environment and does not endanger the health and safety of others. Please review the full Dress Code Policy HERE. 

• PBIS School-Wide Expectations- Winkler's school-wide expectations all fall under 3 core tenets: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. Students learned about our school-wide expectations, PBIS "W.o.W" Tickets, and behavior management systems during the first week of school. Should you have any questions, please reach out to your child's Homeroom teacher. 

• Beginning of Year Forms- Please be sure to complete, sign, and return all forms shared at Open House to your child's Homeroom teacher. These forms include: Winkler's Academic Integrity Policy, Student Health Form, and any grade level specific forms in your packet.  

• Student Information System Change: PowerSchool to Infinite Campus- This summer, Cabarrus County Schools switched from the use of PowerSchool to Infinite Campus as our student information system. In Infinite Campus, staff, students, and parents will have access to information including schedules, attendance, grades, and student demographics. For more information on how to create/access your account on Infinite Campus Parent Portal please use this LINK.

  • Parent/Guardian FYI: Middle and high school parents should not expect to see student schedules or grades until day 10 of the school year, when teachers will begin putting grades into Infinite Campus.

• Free/Reduced Lunch Information- LINQ Connect is open for families to begin applying for free or reduced meals. This family portal can be used to: complete free & reduced meals applications, add funds to student accounts, and view menus.

As a reminder, Free/Reduced Lunch applications must be filled out and submitted every year. Should you need help accessing or completing this form, please reach out to the front office. 

Please note that applications for free meals must be completed on the website rather than the app. 

A link to a printable PDF of the free & reduced application in English and Spanish is available on the SNP website. You may also request a printed application from the front office. 

You may also visit the School Nutrition Program website for more information. 

• Immunizations: Information on required health assessments and immunizations for students are available through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). The Cabarrus Health Alliance is hosting Community Immunization Clinics throughout the summer.  

• Transportation and Edulog Update:  Student bus information is available in Edulog for families with an account. If your student’s transportation needs have changed for our new school year or if you are unable to see bus information in Edulog and need assistance, please contact Mary Ann Mundt, Winkler's Assistant Principal, at Mary.Mundt@cabarrus.k12.nc.us. 

• ParentSquare Information:  ParentSquare will continue to be the primary communication platform used by the district and Winkler to send information to our families.  

If you have not registered your ParentSquare account, you may still do that with the email or phone number where you are receiving messages by going to https://www.parentsquare.com/signin and entering that email or phone number in the "Register" box. Registering your account allows you to interact with the many features of ParentSquare and also allows you to set your notification preferences. Please visit this website for directions on registering your account, setting your notification preferences, and answers to other FAQs: https://cabarrus.k12.nc.us/2555_3

Please make sure to notify us of any phone or email changes. Those must be updated in our student information system in order for the ParentSquare account to update. Please contact Penelope Shealy, Winkler's Data Manager, at Penelope.Shealy@cabarrus.k12.nc.us with updated information or questions you may have.

• Save the Date!  CCS First-Ever Technology Night

  • • Date: September 25, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

    • Location: Concord High School

    • Join us for Cabarrus County Schools’ first-ever Family Technology Night—an exciting, hands-on event designed to connect families with the digital tools their students use every day. This evening will offer opportunities to explore platforms like Google Workspace, Canvas, Clever, and Promethean boards, while also providing on-site support with student logins, parent portals, and device access.

    • Families will have the chance to attend mini-sessions on digital citizenship, screen time, and internet safety, and connect directly with staff and tech experts. There will be interactive booths and giveaways to help make the night both informative and fun.

    • Mark your calendars and come explore how technology is transforming learning in Cabarrus County Schools!

• Cabarrus County Schools Technology Help Guide- Please find the CCS Technology Help Guide linked. This documents is designed to help families explore school libraries and digital tools, access Parent Canvas accounts, and access Infinite Campus Parent Portal accounts. 

• Supply Lists- Supply lists have been posted on Winkler social media and are also shared below. Please call the front office with any questions regarding supplies. Please note, all requests for headphones/earbuds are for plug-in headphones/earbuds only. We ask that wireless earbuds/AirPods always remain at home. 

Additionally, as a reminder, all students are asked to pay a $30 Supply Fee at the start of each school year. Payments may be made online using K12 Payment Center or by check made to Winkler Middle School. 

•  All CCS middle and high schools have transitioned to GoFan as the preferred online ticket vendor for all athletic events.  Fans are encouraged to visit the GoFan website and create an account.  You may also consider downloading the GoFan app on your mobile device.  

If you will be attending any Home game this week, please plan to park in the main parking lot, not the bus parking lot. We may still be working through afternoon dismissal processes and appreciate your patience with parking. Please plan to wait at your car until 4:15pm or after buses and car-riders have cleared. Tickets can be purchased on GoFan and will be checked prior to entrance into the game.  

Students are able to attend all Home games. All school rules and expectations apply during after school events. Please note, in order to attend after school events, students should not have an outstanding cafeteria balance. Students must be picked up within 30 minutes of the game ending.  Students not picked up within 30 minutes will lose the opportunity to stay for after school events for the remainder of the athletic season.  

• Please visit the Winkler Athletics webpage for updates throughout the year. More information will also be sent through Parent Square. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Davis, WInkler's new Athletic Director, at Dean.Davis@cabarrus.k12.nc.us. 

• What is PTSO?- PTSO is a school-based group that includes parents, teachers, and students working together to support the school community.

• Winkler's PTSO President: Jenn Brazee | 704-798-0018 | jennbrazee@gmail.com

• PTSO Meeting Information

  • Next Meeting: Monday, August 18th | 7:00pm

  • All parents are welcome to attend in-person or virtually

  • Virtual Link: August 18th PTSO MEETING LINK

• Ways to stay connected:

  • Facebook: Harold E. Winkler Middle School

  • Instagram: haroldwinklerms

  • X: @haroldwinklerms

  • Parent Square

  • Winkler Webpage

• Positivity Project: This year, Cabarrus County Schools will continue implementing the social-emotional learning program called Positivity Project. All students in grades K - 12 will be focusing on one skill each week.

  • “The mission of the Positivity Project is to empower America’s youth to build positive relationships by understanding, appreciating, and exemplifying the character strengths in us all.”

  • Click HERE to access the Positivity Project website.

• This Week's P2 Topic: Other People Mindset

Rebecca Phillips, Principal | School Leadership Team, PTSO | Rebecca.Phillips@cabarrus.k12.nc.us 

Benjamin Pitts, 6th Grade Assistant Principal | School Safety| Benjamin.Pitts@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Lynnette Antwi, 7th Grade Assistant Principal | Student Scheduling | Lynnette.Antwi@cabarrus.k12.nc.us 

Mary Ann Mundt, 8th Grade Assistant Principal | Transportation, Facilities | Mary.Mundt@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Allysea Thompson, Principal Intern | Allysea.Thompson@cabarrus.k12.nc.us 

Penny Shealy, Data Manager | Updated Student Information & Address Changes| Penelope.Shealy@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Rina Rodriguez, Registrar | New Student Registration, Student Transfer | Rina.Rodriguez@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Kristin Lynch, 6th Grade Counselor | Student Services Inquires, 504 Inquiries | Kristin.Lynch@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Hannah Caleffie, 7th Grade Counselor | Student Services Inquires, 504 Inquiries | Hannah.Caleffie@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Christine Bevan, 8th Grade Counselor | Student Services Inquires, 504 Inquiries | Christine.Bevan@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Jerome Davis, Athletic Director | Athletics, Sports Participation Criteria | Dean.Davis@cabarrus.k12.nc.us 

Andrea Kiser, IB Coordinator | IB, Program Choice, Student Clubs | Andrea.Kiser@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Amy Corriher, Instructional Technology Facilitator | Technology, Chromebook Questions | Amy.Corriher@cabarrus.k12.nc.us 

Madison Liddle, EC Lead | IEP Inquires or Questions | Madison.Liddle@cabarrus.k12.nc.us 

Yamile Uceda, ML Teacher | ML Plan or Class Information | Yamile.Uceda@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Nonya Chesney, ML Teacher | ML Plan or Class Information | Nonya.Chesney@cabarrus.k12.nc.us 

Anne-Marie Sarvis, School Social Worker | School Social Work Inquires, Attendance Letters/Conferences | AnneMarie.Sarvis@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Stephanie Cauble, School Nurse | Medical Inquires, Student Medicine | Stephanie.Cauble@cabarrus.k12.nc.us