WAIMEA, Hawaii – Families of Waimea Middle School’s 6th to 8th grade students are invited to campus any day next week Mon., July 29, through Fri., Aug. 2 for “Gear Up” to pick up their child’s class schedule, purchase mandatory student uniforms, pay fees as needed for bus, food service, yearbook, class dues and student activities, and also to sign up for free after-school Homework Help+ and athletics.

“Gear Up” hours are from 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Monday and Thursday; 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Tuesday.

WMS “Gear Up” helps families and students prepare for the start of the new school year at 7:55 a.m., Mon., Aug. 5. Please note that WMS will begin its class day five minutes earlier this next school year. The first bell will ring at 7:50 a.m. and students are expected to be in class at 7:55 a.m. If not in class by this time, they must report to the office for a tardy note. Families and students are asked to be on time for school beginning the very first day because every minute of class time is critical and late arrivals are disruptive to lessons.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

While no pre-registration is required for students moving from Waimea Elementary School to WMS, families with students transferring into WMS from any other school must come to campus as soon as possible to complete necessary registration procedures. This includes academic placement tests for incoming students.

STUDENT SAFETY

Come the start of the new school year, the one-way gravel entry drive on the back (or south) side of the WMS campus will again be used to maximize student safety during peak morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. As was required in prior years, all drop-offs and pick-ups must take place at the cafeteria to improve student safety. Families are asked to continue to exercise extreme caution when driving on campus – observing the 5 mph speed — to optimize student safety.

MANDATORY UNIFORMS

At WMS, uniforms are mandatory daily, but purchasing new uniform t-shirts is not essential. Students may wear the Pa’ahana or Waimea pu’u uniform shirts from prior years. Other uniforms from past years may no longer be worn and special shirts for athletics, K(Arts), East Coast Travel, etc. also may not be worn in lieu of uniform shirts.

Price for uniform t-shirts for the 2013-2014 school year is $8 each, or a package of five uniform t-shirts for $35. Included in the five-pack are two royal blue and two gray Pa’ahana shirts and a black shirt featuring the scenic pu’u (hills) of Waimea.

FREE HOMEWORK HELP+

Families coming to “Gear Up” also are urged to sign up their child for free Homework Help+ (tutoring), which runs from 2:25-3:25 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Aug. 20. All students participating in Homework Help+ enjoy free healthy snacks. Bus transportation also is provided for tutoring students on the same basis as when provided after the regular school day.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

WMS families can pick up a School Supply list when they come to campus, or the list can be downloaded from the school’s website: www.WaimeaMiddleSchool.org.

STUDENT PLANNER, EMERGENCY CONTACT CARDS, FREE/REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS, ETC.

Every student will receive a complete information packet on opening day to take home to his/her family. This includes a Student Planner, a Family Emergency Contact Card, and an application for Free/Reduced Lunch, etc. Students are expected to bring their Student Planner with them to school every single day and then to share it with family members each evening to track progress.

BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS

Menus will be sent home to families on opening day and are also posted on the school website.

For more information, call WMS at 887-6090 Ext. 222 or go to the school website: www.WaimeaMiddleSchool.org or “Like” the school at www.Facebook.com/WaimeaMiddleSchool.