1. WAMS Parent Forum August 18, 2015
Mr. Aaron Taylor, Principal
Dr. Diane McCallum, Assistant Principal

2. Who should I contact if I have a concern?
I have an academic concern.
Please contact the teacher, either via or by phone.
I have an attendance concern.
Please contact Mrs. Fleagle, WAMS attendance secretary.
I have a concern about a medical condition my child has.
Please contact Mrs. Peggy Fetterhoff, WAMS nurse.
I have a question about my child’s lunch account.
Please contact Mrs. Wanda Poper, WAMS cafeteria manager. Please understand she may not respond the same day.
I have a discipline concern.
Please contact Dr. McCallum, WAMS assistant principal

3. WAMS Guidance Counselors
Mrs. Lynne Corea, 8th Grade Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Pamela Shoap, 7th Grade Guidance Counselor

4. Core Classes 60 minutes each
7th Grade
8th Grade
Math (Math 7, Pre-Algebra, or Algebra I)
World Cultures
Life/Physical Science
ELA (Reading, Writing, Grammar)
Math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, or Geometry)
American Cultures
Earth/Physical Science
ELA (Reading, Writing, Grammar)

5. Related Arts 40 minutes each day, 30-day rotation
7th Grade
8th Grade
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics)
Art
3-D Design
Music
Health
Computer Applications 1
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics)
Art
Media
Music
Health
Computer Applications 2

6. Other items on your student’s schedule
What I Need (WIN)
Braves Block
40 minutes each day
Phys. Ed. once per 6-day cycle
40 minutes each day
Time for student support (e.g., extra help, make-up work due to absences)
Band and Chorus (students attend their scheduled Braves Block when not in band or chorus)

7. How do I read my child’s schedule?
Students report to Braves Block first thing tomorrow morning!
WAMS operates on a 6-day cycle
All students have 4 core classes (red)
All students have lunch (blue)
WAMS has 3 lunches: A, B, C
Students have one of the following combinations:
A lunch, class during 5B & 5C
B lunch, class during 5A & 5C
C lunch, class during 5A & 5B
All students have a Brave’s Block (green)
Remaining periods are the following:
Reading Acceleration and/or Math Acceleration
WIN
Related Arts (30 days each, in the order listed on student’s schedule)

8. Expectations The following items are not to be worn to WAMS
Clothing/jeans with holes, rips, and/or tears
Tights/leggings unless covered by a knee-length top
Low-cut tops
Shorts and skirts shorter than 4” above the student’s knee
Flip flops and athletic slides
Purses larger than the planner
Cell phones may not be visible or audible during the school day.
If a cell phone is confiscated by a staff member, the student will receive a 60-minute detention and a parent/guardian must pick up the phone at the school office.
Unexcused Tardies
Student will receive a lunch detention on the day of the unexcused tardy
Students will use their planner as a hall pass throughout the day

9. Responsibilities of WAMS Students
Arrive to class on time
Take the most direct route to class
Ask your teacher before leaving the room
Complete all homework, classroom, projects, and other assignments on time
When absent, students are expected to ask their teachers for missed work
Show respect to all teachers, staff members, and other students at all times
Treat school materials and equipment with care.

10. Cyber Harassment
Act 26 – Cyber Harassment of a Child, was recently signed into law in Pennsylvania
Defies the cyber harassment of a child as a crime
Permits juveniles to be charged with this crime
Includes offenses that includes “repeated communication,” “seriously disparaging statements,” and online activity that causes “emotional distress.”
Please help us by…
Monitoring your child’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc…)
Talk to your students about the type of pictures, messages, and posts he/she puts online
Students can receive school consequences in addition to criminal charges

11. School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS)
Follows the same Character Counts pillars as WASD Elementary Schools
Responsibility
Trustworthiness
Respectfulness
Citizenship
Caring
Fairness
Students earn rewards for positive behavior
Character building lessons will be incorporated throughout the school year

12. Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Available to help students struggling with a barrier to learning
Referrals can be made by teachers, students, and/or parents
WASD partners with Healthy Community Partnerships to provide this service at no cost to families

13. Grading Policy
See further information in the WAMS Student Handbook, located at the front of each student’s planner
Late work is accepted up to 2 days late for 50% credit

14. Extracurricular activities
Athletics
Activities
Information about athletics will be provided in announcements. Interested students will be invited to meetings during Braves Block.
Fall sports
Boys’ and Girls’ cross country
Field hockey
Winter
Wrestling
Boys’ and Girls’ basketball
Spring
Boys’ and Girls soccer
Boys’ and Girls track
Girls’ volleyball
Band
Chorus
Student Council
Yearbook
School Play
Leo Club

15. Parent Forum Meetings Meetings on…
Monday, September 21 Your child’s PSSA Score Report with Secondary Math Coach, Mrs. Jana Eskridge
Monday, November 16
Monday, January 25
Monday, March 21
Monday, May 16
Meetings are structured as a large group presentation followed by audience Q&A
We are always looking for volunteers to support our school and students through
Organizing fundraisers
Supporting student activities
Providing resources for our staff

16. Tell us what you’d like to hear about at Parent Forums…
Visit Dr. McCallum’s website and complete the short survey for “Future Parent Forums.”

17. Questions? Thank you for your attendance this evening!
Please feel free to contact Mr. Taylor and/or Dr. McCallum throughout the year