Hello, Winkler Families!

Welcome to a brand-new school year at Winkler Middle School! I hope this message finds you rested, recharged, and ready for a successful 2025–2026 school year. Whether your student is returning or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of our school family. At Winkler, we believe in the power of strong relationships, high expectations, and a supportive environment where every student can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

This year, our focus will continue to be on creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging school culture that inspires learning and success for all. With over 1,100 students enrolled, we are committed to maintaining clear communication, consistent routines, and meaningful learning experiences every day. We also believe that strong partnerships between school and home make all the difference. Thank you for your continued support and involvement—we’re excited for what’s ahead and look forward to working with you to make this year our best one yet!

With Winkler Pride,

Rebecca Phillips

• August 6th - Open House @ 4:30pm-6:30pm

  • • Students With A-K Last Name: Invited to attend Open House from 4:30-5:30pm

    • Students With L-Z Last Name: Invited to attend Open House from 5:30-6:30pm

• August 11th - First Day of School for STUDENTS

• Back-to-School Welcome Video- We're excited to welcome you all to a new school year! Please review this video which highlights some important beginning-of-year information. 

• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures - Please review this document and linked video which outlines arrival and dismissal procedures and travel pathway for car riders. 

• Student Schedules- Student schedules have been completed to start our 25-26 school year. Students and families will be able to pick-up their student's schedule at Open House. Please note: schedules will not be available prior to Open House. Should students and families want to request a schedule change, they will visit the cafeteria to complete a Schedule Change Request Form. Schedule Change Request Forms will be reviewed by administration to determine if the request can be granted. Final information regarding schedule changes will be shared with students/families following review. 

  • • Additionally, it has come to our attention that students are trying to find schedules in Canvas. Because we are currently working through the switchover to Infinite Campus, this is not an accurate picture of a student's schedule. Please do not refer to Canvas for student schedule information. Student schedules will be avaliable at Open House.

• Student Homeroom Information for Open House- Families should have received information via ParentSquare yesterday regarding student Homeroom teacher and classroom location. Please use this information when arriving at Open House to travel to the Homeroom teacher's classroom. Once there, students will find their full schedule, bus pass information, and important beginning-of-year forms. If you did not receive information regarding your child's Homeroom teacher yesterday, please call the school or visit the gym upon arrival to Open House. 

• Open House- We're excited to welcome everyone to Winkler's Open House event on Wednesday, August 6th from 4:30pm-6:30pm. During this time, new and returning Wolves will be able to pick-up schedules, bus passes, and forms while also having the opportunity to meet teachers and explore the building. We will have multiple information tables set up in the atrium and a food truck for families to enjoy dinner together and socialize with new classmates and friends. 

  • • Students with Last Names A-K = Invited to attend Open House from 4:30-5:30pm

    • Students with Last Names L-Z = Invited to attend Open House from 5:30-6:30pm

• 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.

• Free/Reduced Lunch Information- LINQ Connect is opening for families to begin applying for free or reduced meals in July. 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 visit the School Nutrition Program website for more information. 

• CCS Academic Calendar: As you begin to prepare for the upcoming school year, please take a moment to download the 2024-25 academic calendar linked below. 

  • 2025-2026 CCS Academic Calendar (10/14/2024)

  • For more information, please visit the 2025-26 district calendars webpage.

• 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:  If your student’s transportation needs have changed for the upcoming 25-26 school year, please contact us as soon as possible. The Edulog bus tracking system is currently disabled while bus routes are created and uploaded for the new school year. Users will receive notification in early August that it has been re-activated and updated with new information for bus riders in the 25-26 school year. Please contact Mary Ann Mundt, Winkler's Assistant Principal, at Mary.Mundt@cabarrus.k12.nc.us with any questions related to school transportation. 

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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 Athletic Director, at Dean.Davis@cabarrus.k12.nc.us. 

• 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.

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

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