Washington Middle School PTSA

Dates to Remember:

• First Day of School:  September 8, 2010
• 2-Hour Early Release Day:  September 29, 2010
• School Picture Day:  September 30, 2010
• Curriculum Night:  October 7, 2010
• Professional Development Day – No school for students:  October 8, 2010

Regular School Hours = 8:05 AM – 2:35 PM

September 2, 2010

Ice Cream Social for all new incoming students.  4-5:30 PM in the WMS Lunchroom.

Special Orientation for new 7th and 8th grade students will take place on Thursday, September 2, from 2:30-4:00.  Ice Cream Social immediately following.

Please take note of the following 2 important announcements:

SCHOOL SUPPLIES LIST

• 3-Ring notebook/binder with dividers and a pencil pouch
• 6- 10 composition books for use in Language Arts, Science, Math, Reading, or other classes
• 8 ½ by 11” wide or college-ruled notebook paper
• #2 pencils and a small sharpener or mechanical pencils, ball point pens (blue or black ink), and a pink eraser

Individual teachers may require additional supplies, such as colored pencils or markers.  If your son/daughter needs assistance in getting any of these supplies, please contact the grade level counselor.  We have school supplies available here – with no fuss – for those students who need them.

Washington Dress Code

While it is recognized that choice of attire and grooming are matters of expression and are subject to fashion and current fad, any article of clothing or manner of hairstyle or make-up that interferes with the educational process or is inappropriate for the school atmosphere is prohibited.  School is the student’s work place.  This work place requires non-distractive clothing that does not endanger the wearer, others, or the education environment.  As such, students are expected to follow the WMS Dress Code by wearing clothing that is suitable and appropriate to school at all times.  Because of the number of portable classrooms at WMS, and because of the varied climate of Seattle, it is important that students make every attempt to layer clothing, especially during the months of November – March.  Since it is impossible to include every detail of a dress code, as items being worn become an issue they will be addressed in the daily bulletin and PTSA newsletter.  As a general rule, students who are not sure if an item is appropriate should consult with their counselor or grade level administrator before wearing it to school.

Restrictions

1. No clothing with pictures, words, or symbols/numbers promoting drugs/alcohol, guns, tobacco/smoking, sexual harassment, disparaging or demeaning treatment of others, or other illegal behavior, satanic representations, pain, death suicide, hate messages, or obscenities.
2. Pants must fit at the waist and cannot be more than two sizes larger than a student’s waist size.  Sagging or raised pant legs are not allowed.  Pants with holes or excessive rips must have leggings or tights worn under them.
3. Skirts, skorts, and shorts must be no more than two inches above the knee.  Wearing “leggings” or tights under a mini-skirt is not appropriate.
4. Form fitting or low-cut tank tops which expose cleavage or undergarments, spaghetti straps, halter tops and muscle shirts are not allowed.  Tops must have straps at least 1.5 inches wide.
5. Shirts and tops must be large enough and long enough to totally cover waistline/midriff skin – even when arms are raised.
6. No hanging garments such as belts, suspender straps, bandanas, rags, gloves.
7. Chains, safety pins, and/or spiked dog collars are prohibited.
8. No pacifiers are to be worn or carried.
9. Large, bulky, and heavy-duty jackets, such as those worn for skiing, camping, or extend outdoor activities, are not appropriate for wearing during class hours.  Such coats must be placed in student lockers upon arrival to school.  Light jackets, wind-breakers, jean-jackets, hooded sweatshirts, light-weight vests, or coordinated warm-up suits are suitable attire.
10. Hats, hoods, bandanas and scarves (except religious head coverings) are not to be worn inside the school building.  All of the above items are to be left in your locker.
11. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.
12. Partial wearing of clothes is not appropriate for school.  Examples:  Both arms must be in shirts or jackets – one hanging sleeve is not appropriate.
13. Outdoor ear-warmer headbands are not allowed.  The only headbands allowed are stretchy athletic bands or bands that young ladies wear as hair accessories, with a maximum width of three inches.

At WMS, we have a “No Tolerance Policy” for students who fail to dress appropriately.  Grade-level administrators will have the final say on whether or not any clothing is or is not appropriate for school. If a student chooses to wear clothing that is inappropriate, they will be given the opportunity to correct their inappropriate clothing choice.  If necessary, their parents/guardian will be notified and arrangements made for appropriate clothing to be brought to the student or for the student to be sent home to change into appropriate clothing.