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September 22, 2024 Update for Families
September 22, 2024 Update for Families
Dear WMAES Families,
I hope this update finds you well! A heartfelt thank you to the DeerInWater family for hosting such a wonderful family event this past Thursday evening. Their incredible knowledge and generosity in sharing it with our community is greatly appreciated. We also want to extend our thanks to everyone who was able to attend and make the event a success.
As we prepare for the week ahead, please take a moment to review the important updates shared below. Your continued support and involvement in our school community truly make a difference, and we’re grateful for all that you do!
Warmest regards,
Nathan VanDuinen
Elementary Principal
Click Subscribe below at add our WMAES Family Calendar to any calendar app on the device of your choice. You can also click here to visit the calendar page and view information about subscribing.
Emergency Preparedness Drills and Standard Response Protocol
Emergency Preparedness Drills and Standard Response Protocol
As shared previously, on September 20 we conducted a scheduled lockdown drill as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our students and staff.
As part of our emergency preparedness, we utilize the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which provides a clear and consistent framework for how we respond to various situations. SRP uses five specific actions—Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter, and Hold—to ensure that everyone understands and can quickly implement the appropriate safety measures (more details in the poster below). These terms are designed to be easily understood by students, staff, and first responders alike.
I am pleased to share that our staff and students quickly and effectively followed the procedures during our drill, making it a success.
We encourage all families to familiarize themselves with the common language of the SRP. You can view a summary of the SRP terms and protocols in the poster below. This ensures that everyone in our community is aligned with our emergency preparedness practices.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a safe school environment.
SRP-K12-2021-Poster_EN.pdfSRP-K12-2021-Poster_SP.pdf
PBIS at WMAES
PBIS at WMAES
We are excited to continue implementing our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) plan across all grades! PBIS plays a vital role in fostering a positive learning environment by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors that help students thrive both academically and socially.
At West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, our SOARing expectations—be Safe, Own your actions, Act responsibly, and be Respectful (SOAR)—guide students in their daily interactions and help build a strong school community. These expectations are central to our school culture and help support our students in making positive choices.
We look forward to continuing our PBIS journey and will keep you informed as we celebrate our students’ progress in meeting these important expectations.
Lost and Found
Lost and Found
Our lost and found in the elementary entryway is quickly filling up with hoodies, zip-up fleeces, and jackets! If your student is missing any items, please check the lost and found after dismissal/pick-up. Thanks for your help in getting these items back to their owners.
WMAES Text Updates Opt-In
WMAES Text Updates Opt-In
Please refer to the information below for everything you need to know to sign up for text updates from WMAES. We look forward to being able to utilize texting as a convenient means of providing links to our newsletters, reminders about upcoming dates, weather-related closing notifications, and more. As shown in the flyer below, simply text Y or Yes to 67587 from a number you have on file with the office to get signed up. Coming soon, we will also be sending a one time opt-in message to all numbers on file who have not opted in to provide the option of doing so at that time.
SMS Text Opt-In Flyer 67587 Eng and Esp.pdf
Fall NWEA MAP Growth Testing
Fall NWEA MAP Growth Testing
At WMAES, we administer NWEA MAP Growth assessments to all students from young fives through fifth grade. These assessments take place during three testing windows—fall, winter, and spring—and are focused on both math and reading. The fall testing window for WMAES begins on September 16 for Grades TK-2 and September 23 for grades 3-5. As these dates approach, I want to offer a brief overview of how MAP Growth works and explain the essential purpose it serves in your child’s education.
What is MAP Growth?
MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your child’s responses. If they answer correctly, the next question becomes more challenging; if they answer incorrectly, the next question is easier. This allows the test to meet each student where they are and provide a personalized assessment of their current level of knowledge.
Why is it important?
MAP Growth is not a graded or evaluative test. It is used to gather important information about your child’s current learning level and helps teachers tailor instruction to their individual needs. The goal is not to assign a score but to better understand what your child is ready to learn next. This helps us provide the right support, challenges, and interventions to ensure each student is making progress.
For more detailed information about MAP Growth, you can explore A Family Guide to MAP Growth. Additionally, NWEA provides an extensive Family Toolkit with resources to help families understand MAP Growth and support their children.
If you’re looking for ways to help your child prepare, visit Student Resources and select the appropriate grade level range for helpful tools.
NWEA MAP Growth offers us an invaluable tool for understanding where each student is in their learning journey, helping us plan instruction that meets their unique needs. I hope this information clarifies the role of the test and how it supports our commitment to the success of all students at WMAES.
Dollar No Uniform Day September 27
Dollar No Uniform Day September 27
Popcorn Day September 27
Popcorn Day September 27
The WMAES Parent Team has once again made it possible for us to host a popcorn sale for students Friday, September 27. Bags of popcorn are 50 cents. Families will still be able to sponsor an entire class for a donation of $10. Students are able to purchase multiple bags of popcorn if desired.
Picture Day – October 2
Picture Day – October 2
Mark your calendars! Picture Day is coming up on October 2.
On Picture Day, students may wear school-appropriate clothing of their choice and do not need to wear school uniform tops or other uniform items.
We look forward to seeing all those smiling faces on Picture Day!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up soon! Mark your calendars for the evenings of October 9 (virtual) and October 10 (in-person). We look forward to connecting with you to discuss your student's progress and continue partnering in their education. Sign-up information will be shared soon.
Also, please note there will be no school for students on Friday, October 11.
Treats on the Trail October 24 - Candy Donations Appreciated
Treats on the Trail October 24 - Candy Donations Appreciated
We’re looking forward to one of our favorite annual community events, Treats on the Trails. Treats on the Trails provides a fun, safe trick-or-treating experience for families on the beautiful trails at WMAES. Donations of bags of individually wrapped candy in support of the event are greatly appreciated. Candy donations can be dropped off in either the elementary or secondary office.
Families can begin entering the trails at 5:00. Costumes for students are encouraged but not required. Costumes must be appropriate for school (e.g. no weapons, blood, etc.). We encourage families to bring a bag or bucket for each child that will be receiving candy. We hope you’ll join us for this fun family event!
important details and reminders:
important details and reminders:
Families can begin entering the trails this evening at 5:00.
The last opportunity to begin the trail is at 6:00.
Costumes for students are encouraged but not required. Costumes must be appropriate for school (e.g. no weapons, blood, etc.).
We encourage families to bring a bag or bucket for each child that will be receiving candy.
After completing the trail, stop by the cafeteria to visit the Scholastic Book Fair and some of our community partners.
Candy Donations Needed for Treats on the Trail!
Candy Donations Needed for Treats on the Trail!
Help make our Treats on the Trail event a success! We greatly appreciate your support. We are looking for donations of bags of individually wrapped candy, which can be dropped off at any of the main offices.
Thank you for helping make this event special for our students!
No School for Students on October 25 and November 1 - Staff Professional Development
No School for Students on October 25 and November 1 - Staff Professional Development
September Menus
September Menus
WMAES Sept BREAKFAST 2024 .pdfWMAES Sept LUNCH 2024 .pdf
Uniform Online Ordering
Uniform Online Ordering
Purchase uniform apparel any time from the convenience of home with free shipping.
Online Uniform Store Link: WMAES Apparel
You can also enter the URL https://wmaesapparel.secure-decoration.com/ in any browser to access the store.
A convenient printable format of Important dates for the 2024-25 school year can be found below
A convenient printable format of Important dates for the 2024-25 school year can be found below
WMAES Families Calendar List 24-25.docxPage updated
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