Principal Ventura's Weekly Update: 01/27/2025

Good Evening Tiger Family!

As we start a new week, thank you for your ongoing support. Let’s work together to ensure students are prepared, engaged, and ready to succeed.

Now here are a few important announcements and updates for the week ahead:

Student Recognitions Awards Assemblies

Families are invited to our grade-level student recognition assemblies on the following dates:

  • On Monday, January 27, at 9 AM, we will honor our 6th grade students.

  • On Tuesday, January 28, at 9 AM, we will recognize our 7th graders.

  • And on Wednesday, January 29, at 9 AM, we will have our 8th grade awards assembly.

Tiger Paw Academy

Tiger Paw Academy will continue this week. Only students who have been invited and returned their permission slips may attend.

If you have any questions or wish to have your child considered, please contact their school counselor.

Course Requests for 2025-26

Students will continue registering for next year’s classes this upcoming week. Please review the WGMS 2025-2026 Course Catalog with your student. A link to the catalog is included in the email message. W-GMS 2025-2026 Course Catalog

Support Our Behavior Challenge

We're thrilled about our Behavior Challenge! The grade level with the fewest discipline referrals by February 28 will win a pizza party. Students with referrals or missing work won’t be eligible to participate. Let’s work together to help students stay focused and finish January and February strong!

Be Present, Be Powerful: Grade-Level Attendance Challenge

Families, we’re excited to bring back the Grade-Level Attendance Challenge! The grade with the highest attendance by February 12, 2025, will win a dance celebration on February 14 from 3-4:30 PM. Your support is key—encourage your child to "Be Present, Be Powerful" and help their grade shine. Let’s work together to show the power of teamwork and great attendance!

DCJS School Safety Survey

Students in grades 6-8 and staff will complete the Virginia School Survey in January and February 2025, focusing on support, engagement, discipline, and safety.

If you prefer your child not to participate, please contact their school counselor. For more details, refer to the attached letter.

 

 

January SEAC Meeting 

The next Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meeting will be held on January 28 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://cityschools-com.zoom.us/j/89154820580?pwd=v8DumcAP4bhvlB4cazzyoAPaibRI5m.1   

Meeting ID: 891 5482 0580  

Passcode: 26V8aN 

Please mark your calendars!

Give Kids a Smile Day

On Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic will host Give Kids A Smile Day. This event offers free health assessments, preventive dental services, and nutritional and health education for children aged 6 months to 18 years old.

For more information, please review the attached flyer. 

 

Give Kids A Smile Flyer

Free Vaccination Clinic on 3/12/25

The Virginia Department of Health will visit WGMS on March 12th to administer required vaccines for 7th grade entry. Permission slips must be submitted to the front office by January 29th. For questions, contact the school nurse.

Vaccination Consent Form

Upcoming Dates to Remember

  • 1/27: 6th grade Q2 Awards Ceremony @ 9 AM

  • 1/27: Division-Wide Spelling Bee at Walker-Grant Center @ 9 AM

  • 1/27: Boys' Basketball home game against King George @ 4:30 PM 

  • 1/28: 7th grade Q2 Awards Ceremony @ 9 AM

  • 1/28: January SEAC Meeting (Virtual) @ 5 PM

  • 1/29: 8th grade Q2 Awards Ceremony @ 9 AM

  • 1/30: Boys’ Basketball home game against Culpeper @ 4:30 PM 

  • 2/1: Free Children's Dental Clinic at Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, 9 AM – 4 PM 

  • 2/6: Early dismissal from students @ 12 PM

School Closing and Delays

We encourage all families to stay updated on school closures and delays. For detailed information and resources, please visit the FCPS website.

School Closures and Delays Link

Punctuality and Consistent Attendance

Attendance and punctuality are critical to supporting your child's success. If your child is healthy, please ensure they are present and on time.

Attendance Notes

Bus Behavior

Proper behavior is required on the school bus to ensure everyone’s safety. Failure to follow bus rules will result in loss of bus privileges.

Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures

Please notify the school office if your child’s afternoon procedure changes. Use the link provided. No changes are accepted by phone, and all changes must be submitted before 2:15 PM.

Transportation Form

Intentional Computer Damage on the Rise

Please partner with us in encouraging students to handle their laptops with care. Families may be responsible for up to $560 if devices are intentionally damaged. For more information, please review the linked school board policy for more details.

Policy JN

Student Laptop Charger

Is your student in need of a new laptop charger? If so, please use the link attached to this message to purchase a replacement: https://fxbg.link/3w9Z2Hv

School Safety

At WGMS safety is our top priority. I want to remind everyone that "play fighting" is not acceptable. Any behavior resembling fighting will not be tolerated.

SpeakUp for Safety

The new SpeakUp for Safety tipline for students in grades 6 through 12 is now live. This confidential resource allows students to report bullying, threats, or safety concerns via email, text, or phone.

If you have an urgent concern, you can call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you witness or have information about a crime or potential crime, you can text "FPD Tip" to 847-411 to send an anonymous tip to Fredericksburg Police.

School Dress Code Reminders

Students are not permitted to wear pajamas, slippers, or bring blankets to school. If students arrive with these items, they will be asked to change, and blankets will be collected for parents to pick up in the front office. If your student(s) is in need of warm weather clothing, please reach out to their school counselor.

FCPS Mental Health Resource Website

Please explore the FCPS Mental Health Resource Website. It provides helpful information and access to community resources to support our students and families. Your awareness and sharing of these resources can make a difference!

Mental Health Resource Website

Reading Makes Cents

WGMS is participating in the statewide Reading Makes Cents reading program. This challenge is sponsored by Virginia529, who will be awarding 14 lucky students with a $529 college savings account.

For more information, please review the linked flyer: Reading Makes Cents Flyer

Kindergarten Registration

Fredericksburg City Public Schools Kindergarten registration will be hosted on the following dates, times, and locations:

  • Lafayette Elementary School: January 28 @ 5-7 PM

  • Hugh Mercer Elementary School: January 30 @ 5-7 PM

  • Walker-Grant Center: February 11 @ 5-7 PM

Please reference the flyer for additional information and use the QR code on the flyer to pre-register: Kindergarten Registration Flyer

Athletics

Please consider coming out and supporting our student athletes.

This week the team will battle in two games:

  • 1/27: Boys' Basketball home game against King George @ 4:30 PM

  • 1/30: Boys's Basketball home game against Culpeper @ 4:30 PM

Please remember that students are not permitted to stay after school to attend sporting events without a supervising adult.

Spirit Gear

Show your Tiger pride with our school spirit gear! Grab yours today and wear it proudly.

WGMS Spirit Gear

ParentSquare

If you haven't already, please activate your ParentSquare account to stay up to date on all of the happenings at WGMS. You can access ParentSquare on any device by downloading the free mobile app or by visiting www.parentsquare.com.

Parent_Guardian - Getting Started Guide (English).pdf
Parent_Guardian - Getting Started Guide (Spanish).pdf

Title I

Title I is the largest federal aid program for elementary, middle, and high schools. Through Title I, the federal government designates money to school districts around the country based on the number of students in need in each district. Each district uses its Title I money for extra educational services for children, such as:

  • Class size reduction

  • Additional teachers and paraprofessionals

  • Parent resources

  • Instructional materials and supplies

  • Tier 2 and Tier 3 support services

The focus of the Title I program is to ensure all students meet challenging content and achievement standards. Title I also authorizes federal grant programs that provide funds for reading instruction, services to migrant children, services to neglected and delinquent children, comprehensive school reform, and dropout prevention.

All FCPS students in grades K-8 are eligible to receive programs funded through the Title I grant.

School

Principal

Assistant Principals

Phone

Hugh Mercer Elementary School

Dr. James Snyder: English

Mrs. Malmgren: Title I

Ms. Sarah Cook: Math

(540) 372-1115

Lafayette Elementary School

Dr. Jacinta Calzada-Mayronne: Title I & Math

Ms. Pam Diggs

Mr. Tony Lewis

(540) 310-0029

Walker-Grant Middle School

Mr. Stephen Ventura

Mrs. Emma Brown: English

Dr. Kisha Frye: Title I & Math

(540) 372-1145

Thank You

Thank you for your continued support and here is to another wonderful week ahead.

Go Tigers!