February 26, 2024
Middle School News
For all student trips, please be sure to check out Field Trips on the West Geauga Middle School website under Resources for updated information. There are several dates that need special attention, such as final payment and medical forms due. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes in terms of planning these events, so please don't wait until the last minute!
For those parents whose students are in the WolverSTEAM club, please note the dates have been changed. We have updated our EVENTS page on the website.
Please click the link below for important information regarding spring Ohio State Testing.
Feb 27 WolverSTEAM 6th grade
Feb 28 Tri County Spelling Bee (Go Darren!)
March 3 Art Show begins @ Geauga West Library 1-3pm
March 4 Final Day to Register for 6th Grade Camp
March 5 WolverSTEAM 7th/8th grade
March 7 PTO Meeting
March 11-22 Student Council Fundraiser
March 21 Rock Your Socks - wear mismatched socks
March 22 3rd Quarter Grades Posted to IC
March 25-29 Spring Break
April 22 8th Graders tour High School
Order your yearbooks here!
Save the Date - 8th graders will tour the High School on April 22. More information to follow.
Welcome WGHS Class of 2028!
West Geauga High School is incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with your students throughout their high school careers! February 21st, the WGHS Counseling Department had the privilege of attending the middle school 8th grade social studies classes to discuss the expectations, opportunities, and successful strategies to navigate the high school for the next four years.
Below you will find the presentation that was given to the 8th grade students as well as presented at the parent meeting. Also attached is the information necessary for your students to select their elective course choices. When the Academic Plan is unlocked for students, we will reach out to have all 8th graders enter the 2 elective courses of their choice and 2 backup alternates.
The WGHS counselors cannot wait to work with your students throughout their high school career!
Tardy Policy
WGMS families, please be aware that starting on April 2nd, upon our return from spring break, we will be issuing consequences for unexcused tardiness to school. Each morning, we will track that students are in their first period class ready to learn by the bell. If a student were to earn 3 unexcused tardies, a lunch detention will be issued. Lunch detentions will continue to be issued if a student hits 6 unexcused tardies and at 9 unexcused tardies in the quarter. If a student accumulates 12 or more unexcused tardies to school, an In-School Restriction will be issued. At WGMS, we are aligning our student tardy policy with the student tardy policy at WGHS to establish consistency. Please reach out to Mrs. Dorko should you have any questions.
CCP Information
Attention 7th and 8th grade students interested in College Credit Plus (CCP). This is an opportunity to take college courses at West Geauga. To participate, you must turn in an intent form by the state-mandated deadline of April 1, 2024. If you have any questions about CCP or want to learn more, please contact WGMS Counselor, Mrs. Weisbarth (lindsey.weisbarth@westg.org).
WGMS Scheduling Information
The time for scheduling is approaching and we want to share details about the process with students and families. The new 24-25 Program of Studies will be posted on the WGMS website under the academics tab and will provide families a comprehensive outline of the courses offered to our students for the upcoming school year by the end of February. Current 6th and 7th graders will be recommended by their current teachers for their courses for next year. Students in an accelerated track will be recommended to continue if they are achieving 80% or higher on unit assessments.
In regards to electives, students in 6th and 7th grade will decide between taking Choir or Band.
In 8th grade, World Language is also offered. This course counts as a high school credit and is not required for 8th graders to select a language, but offered if interested.
In the upcoming weeks, students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade will complete a Google Form to indicate their choice in music and 8th graders will have a Google form to complete for World Language options. These Google Forms will be posted for students to access on Google Classrooms and monitored by Mrs. Weisbarth for completion.
It is our goal, by the year’s end, to provide a drafted schedule for your child for the upcoming year ahead. This will allow parents time to ensure they are comfortable with the selections and course work. We will work closely together to ensure that schedules will be built based on academic strengths, needs, and student preferences.
Middle School Spring Sports Update
Spring sports will begin soon for 7th and 8th graders. You may have already received some information through Final Forms if you have registered for a spring sport.
In order to try out or practice with a team, athletes must have a completed physical on OHSAA paperwork on file. This packet must be uploaded into Final Forms or handed to an administrative assistant in the middle school office. Parents must register through Final Forms (linked here or found on the Middle School Athletics web page). Once registered, select all sports your athlete is interested in participating. Registering in Final Forms and submitting your physical OHSAA paperwork must be done before tryouts.
Below is an overview of the Spring season:
Baseball -
We are hoping to have two club baseball teams approved by the Board of Education during the Monday, February 26 board meeting. Two coaches are also being recommended to the Board that evening. If approved, it has not yet been decided if there would be an "A" and "B" team, or a 7th and 8th grade team.
Tryouts will be conducted by the high school coaching staff and will be held on the respective dates below in the middle school gym at 3:30 pm, then players will be walked over to West Geauga High School for the second part of tryouts. Players should be picked up at 5:30 pm at the high school. An attempt to go outside will be made if weather allows.
Thursday, February 29 - 7th grade only
Friday, March 1 - 8th grade only
Tryouts are closed to parents. Some 7th graders may be asked to attend the 8th grade tryout as well if further evaluation is needed. Athletes will be informed if they make a team and which one as soon as possible after tryouts are complete.
There is a fee to play on the baseball team, which will be figured out after the rosters are made. As a reference, last year it was around $150.
Softball -
Tryouts for club softball are Monday, February 26 and Wednesday, February 28 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm in the middle school gym. Athletes are encouraged to attend both days, but it is not necessary. The coach is Nancy Obuchowski and her email is nobuchow@ccf.org.
Lacrosse -
We did not have a volunteer coach or enough players interested to field a team this spring. Hopefully that will change next year.
Track -
The West Geauga Middle School Athletic web page for Track & Field (linked here) has a lot of information posted including a parent meeting, clothing order and season details. There are no tryouts for track. Every 7th and 8th grader is able to be on the team. The coaches are: Mrs. Frazier, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Murray and Mr. Yokules. Practice will begin on March 13.
If you have any spring sport questions, please contact Middle School Athletic Director, Frank Vosicky (frank.vosicky@westg.org).
Thank you to all of the parents who were able to join us on February 21 for the Online Safety Parent Presentation held at the high school. As a follow-up to the discussion, several parents requested resources for monitoring and implementing parental controls on their child's social media. Below is a list compiled by the ESC of Northeast Ohio that you may find helpful.
Bark Parental Controls -
Bark monitors texts, email, YouTube, and 30+ apps and social media platforms for signs of issues like cyberbullying, sexual content, online predators, depression, suicidal ideation, threats of violence, and more. Families can manage when their kids can access the internet on their devices, as well as which sites they’re able to visit. You can set bedtimes and block access to a wide variety of websites — including streaming, gaming, and adult content, and more.
InternetMatters.org -
Online safety tips/Guide for parents of 11–13-year-olds
Set Up Safe Checklist: Set your child up for online safely with these simple tasks.
ConnectSafely -
Webwise.ie -
Take IT Down-
This service is one step you can take to help remove online nude, partially nude or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before you were 18.
Common Sense Media-
West Geauga Middle School
440.729.5940
www.westg.org