EAST MIDDLE NEWS JANUARY 15-20, 2018 Be Proactive ! Inclement Weather Policy Any Superintendent or Transportation Director will tell you that one of the most difficult decisions to make is whether to close, delay, or open school on days of inclement weather. This is a challenge because it is based upon the probability of students and staff traveling safely to our schools. The process begins at 4:00 a.m., with district personnel and weather spotters strategically placed throughout the county, and monitoring road conditions. During this time, district officials are in consistent contact with Bowling Green officials, law enforcement agencies, and the news media for the latest update on weather forecasts. The goal is to make a decision no later than 5:30 a.m., in order to inform our district parents, students, and employees in a timely manner. Because this decision is made early in the morning, there may be a need for a revision later, if there are rapidly changing weather conditions. It is important for parents to continue checking television and radio stations after the initial announcement, in the event weather conditions dictate a change. Although we realize these decisions are subject to second-guessing, I ask that you remember all decisions are based solely upon the safety of our children, and we will always err on the side of caution. WHAT FACTORS GO INTO MAKING THE DECISION TO CLOSE/DELAY/ or DISMISS EARLY? Weather forecasts from radio and television stations (the time snow/ice or freezing rain is expected to start and end) Predicted amount of snow/ice accumulation Weather conditions expected after the snow/ice Assessments of road conditions by school officials, Kentucky Department of Transportation, and various law enforcement agencies Assessment of school parking lots and accessibility to each building Anticipated impact on traffic WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER BECOMES SEVERE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY? Every effort is made to keep students in school through regular dismissal; however, it may become necessary to dismiss students earlier than normal to ensure their safe transport. School officials monitor weather conditions throughout the day in consultation with local weather officials, the Kentucky Department of Transportation, and various law enforcement officials. HOW CAN PARENTS BE READY? Parents should always be prepared for an early dismissal by having an identified procedure for their child to follow in these situations. We request parents not drive to school to pick up children who normally ride the school bus in the afternoon. This additional traffic created at school may complicate an early dismissal by increasing traffic both at the school and on the local roads. In addition, it may hamper communication efforts by school employees who are working quickly to ensure each child has a safe transport home. EMERGENCY CLOSING/DELAY INFORMATION SOURCES: WBKO-TV (13) WTVF-TV (5) WKRN-TV (2) WBGN-RADIO WBVR-RADIO WCLU-RADIO WCVK-RADIO WGGC-RADIO WKCT-RADIO WKLX-RADIO WKYU-RADIO WPTQ-RADIO WSM-RADIO WCPS Alert Now Messaging System We ask that parents and students do not telephone the schools or the district office for information pertaining to the operation of schools on days of inclement weather. Due to limited staffing in our offices, these calls may delay our ability to notify school staff and the public of important decisions in a timely manner. An announcement of school closing and/or a delay will be made on most of the local television and radio stations as soon as possible. You will receive this information via Twitter at @WarrenCoschools, @robclayton10, and through our Alert Now email and phone call services. I trust this communication provides you with relevant information, and allows you to better understand our process to ensure your child’s safety during inclement weather. Please share your questions with your child’s principal or feel free to contact the Warren County Schools Transportation Department at 842-8311. !Thank you for entrusting us with the safety of your child each day. Begin with the End in Mind Monday • MLK Jr. Day( No School)! Tuesday • School-wide Spelling Bee 9:00 a.m.! Thursday • WCPS Board Meeting @WCHS 7:00 p.m.! • Boy/Girl Basketball Doubleheader @St. Joseph 5:30 p.m.! Friday • Winter Sports Pep Rally 1:30 p.m.! Saturday • 7th Grade Basketball County Tournament Boys@Drakes Creek/Girls @Moss TBA! Putting First Things First Our school-wide expectations areExemplary PRIDE as listed below.Leaders Each week, each team recognizes one student for being an “Exemplary Leader,” someone who’s doing a great job meeting and/or exceeding our expectations at WEMS. These are our exemplary leaders this week: Kenleigh Sullivan Josh Tapp Grace Johnson SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD “The time is always right to do what is right” ~Martin Luther King Jr. YEARBOOKS ON SALE We are now having pre-sale orders for WEMS Yearbooks and pre-sale orders will go until January 31st and the cost is $35.00 per yearbook. You may order a yearbook by contacting our Librarian Lee Ann Shearon or you can order a yearbook online through the WEMS Website. There will be a limited supply of yearbooks available in May on a first come, first served basis at the price of $40.00. THINK WIN WIN! ! SHARPEN THE SAW! SUPER SATURDAYS! Because Learning Doesn't End on Friday! Super Saturdays encourages students in grades 1 – 8 who are of high ability or have high interest in a topic to pursue their passions outside the regular classroom. Through a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning, students explore and investigate math, art, science, history, writing, music and performance under the thoughtful guidance of experienced teachers and in the company of enthusiastic, like-minded !peers. Each year, over 1000 students enjoy the benefits of Super Saturdays.! The Center offers two, four-week sessions of Super Saturdays each year, the first in the early fall and the second in the winter. Both sessions are held on Western Kentucky University‘s campus in Bowling Green, KY. Choosing from more than 30 classes, students take one class over the course of these four !Saturdays. Each session is two-and-a-half hours in length.! Special discussion sessions are held for parents during their child’s classes. These Parent Seminars are led by staff members of The Center as well as other experts in the field of gifted education. Topics vary !from session to session but all focus on meeting the needs of children who are gifted and talented.! Super Saturdays presents young, gifted learners with the opportunity to continue the learning process in an environment that encourages learning for the sake of knowledge. In turn, these students share their discoveries with friends and classmates in their weekday classroom. Super Saturdays exists to open new !doors of learning at an age when it is absolutely critical to inspire the minds of gifted learners.! Some parents have shared their thoughts about Super Saturdays. One mother said, “We feel that the best assets of Super Saturdays are the opportunities our child has to explore and write about her favorite subjects. We also like the socialization factors that the class offers to the children to meet and interact with other students.” Another parent shared, “ There are so many topics and classes to choose from. It allows kids exposure to things they are interested in, but may not get in school or at home.” A third parent offered, “Super Saturdays gives kids a chance to use their imaginations to build something fun. It allows their brains a chance to work in a fun environment without restrictions sometimes imposed in school !settings.”! For articles and photos of past camps, please go to the Super Saturdays page on The Center's blog, !Happenings at The Center for Gifted Studies.! Application https://wku.edu/gifted/super_saturdays/winter-super-saturdays-2018-application.pdf! !Dates: February 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2018! !Place: WKU's Campus, Bowling Green, KY! !Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.! !Cost: $80! For more information, including athletic schedules and scores, check out our school website: www.warren.k12.ky.us/~wems/Sites/Home.html. Follow WEMS on twitter at www.twitter/WEMSNews. Warren East Middle School Expectations Always Positive Taking Ownership of our Learning Working Toward our Goals Empowered to Reach Excellence Respecting our Differences ! ! ! " .