Washington Middle School Counseling

This last week of 2008 ended abruptly due to snow in our new winter wonderland of Seattle. Teachers and students will have to scramble on our return on the 5th of January to make up lost work and exams, and enter grades for the mid-quarter, while preparing for the end of first semester (!). The Counseling Department has been assisting the PTSA and the YMCA in the school’s annual holiday giving, but this too was cut short. So, the holidays will extend this year until January.

Also put on hold were ongoing work with peer mediation, classroom groups and presentations, one-on-one talks with students, academic and personal assistance with students and their parents, discussions about possible upcoming changes to our school via the School Board’s end-of-January vote on the Superintendent’s recommendations, and other details of our jobs. We are looking forward to picking up where we left off when we all return in 2009.

We wish you all a safe end to 2008 and a wonderful 2009!

The first quarter ended (auspiciously?) today. teachers will have until Wednesday the 12th to submit their grades. Report cards will be mailed out Friday, and parents should receive them before the parent-teachers conferences scheduled for Wednesday the 19th (3:00 to 5:00) and Thursday the 20th (5:30 to 7:30). These conferences are the only ones scheduled for the entire year, and they are possible thanks to the generosity of your PTSA. Even though sheer numbers limit each parent to about 5 minutes per teacher, we highly recommend you attend the conferences. You can meet all your student’s teachers (and vice versa), and get a picture of how they see your child. If you need more time for a particular subject, you can arrange a private meeting with the teacher later. All 3 grade-level counselors will also be present, and will be available to try to answer any questions you may have.

Over 1,000 energetic middle schoolers enjoyed the new floors, shades, lockers and fresh paint of the newly-remodeled Washington Middle School on their first day of the 2008-2009 school year. Great weather, lots of parent volunteers, PTSA support, and a well-prepared staff made for smooth sailing. Positive comments from students and parents lifted our spirits, and helped us through some difficulties with end-of-the-day transportation. Everyone made it through, and if the first day is any indication, we have a terrific school community to look forward to this year.