Our first day together was full of energy and joy! Students reconnected with friends and teachers, sharing highlights from their summers and setting intentions for the year ahead The day was a wonderful reminder of the excitement a new school year brings, and we look forward to all that’s to come.
First Days of School Highlights & Social Contract PAGES 1-2
Middle School Retreat PAGE 3
Buddies PAGE 4
8th Grade Pen Ceremony PAGE 5
Family Groups PAGE 6
Upcoming Dates and Announcements PAGE 7
ring the first few days of school, students spent time iewing expectations, receiving devices, and learning ir class schedules, while also getting to know their chers and classmates They jumped right into ademics by reviewing their summer math packets, cussing their summer reading, and exploring the sential questions and units they will study this year.
set a strong foundation, we placed special focus on first four weeks of school. Students created SMART als to guide their intentions for the year, practiced brain aks to support their learning, and worked together to ablish expectations for success in middle school.
OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL CONTRACT
To start the year, we revisited the social contract that students created last year, refining it into a more concise and memorable version. This contract reflects the core values we hold at WNS and serves as a guide for how we interact as a community. To start the year off strong, students reviewed the expectations and discussed our middle school social contract as a foundation for success.
Middle School Retreat: September 5
Each year during the final electives season, a Middle School Retreat Planning elective is offered. Students from the 6th and 7th grades come together to brainstorm and plan the Middle School Retreat, turning their ideas into reality for the entire Middle School division
This year, we took the middle school back to Sky Zone, where students enjoyed jumping, playing basketball and dodgeball, tackling obstacle courses, and flipping into foam pits. After a fun-filled morning, everyone returned to WNS for a catered lunch from Chick-fil-A, ice pops, and a competitive Middle School challenge.
The middle school competition featured activities like a water balloon fight, dunk tanks, least to greatest, and more. The winning group allocated $100 to donate across the four charities: Private School Village, Safe Place for Youth, Friends of Ballona Wetlands, and the Westside Food Bank. Congratulations to the Purple A team!
Buddies: September 11
Our first buddy activities of the year brought so much joy across all grade levels! The 8th graders and kindergarteners worked together to create “All About Me” booklets, which they shared with one another before heading to the MPR to practice our new way of sitting for Community Gathering.
7th graders took part in a fun activity where they traced and decorated each other’s hands, filling them with words and images that represented who they are and what they enjoy. This was an engaging way to get to know their buddies better.
Meanwhile, 6th graders spent time reading with their buddies before practicing how to enter the MPR for Community Gathering
This year, buddies will have the chance to sit together during our Friday Community Gatherings, creating even more opportunities to bond. Buddies is always a special time when older and younger students come together to build connections and create magical moments.
8th Grade Pen Ceremony: September 26
The Pen Ceremony has been a meaningful tradition here at WNS for 18 years, marking a very important milestone for 8 graders. Each 8 grader receives an engraved pen, symbolizing the beginning of their final year and highlighting the power and responsibility of their words and actions. We hope these students use their pen with pride!
Family Groups: September 26
The Family Groups program is a beloved WNS tradition that brings students and teachers from across grade levels together to build connections and community. During this first meet-up, our Core Group led fun icebreaker activities such as a name web and question circles, giving students the chance to get to know one another. Everyone especially enjoyed welcoming new Kindergarten members and reconnecting with returning group members. We’re already excited for our next Family Group gathering on Halloween!
Upcoming Dates
FRIDAY IS SPIRIT DAY! Beginning Friday, 10/3, and every Friday after (unless otherwise specified), the entire community is encouraged to wear WNS gear to celebrate community and belonging. Feel free to wear any kind of WNS gear every Friday!
Thursday, 10/2 - No School; Yom Kippur
Monday, 10/13 - No School, Professional Development Day
Monday, 11/3, & Tuesday, 11/4
5th and 6th Grades: Parent-Teacher Conferences
7th and 8th Grades: Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences You choose whether they are in-person or on Zoom.
Announcements
Don’t forget to make your home technology agreement. We highly recommend using Common Sense Media’s example agreements and guidelines on apps, games, and movies
Please remove devices from your child’s bedroom at night.
Help us support students in meeting our few no’s:
no gum chewing or candy
no Crocs
no smartphones
Coming Soon...
Grade Level Retreats
Curriculum Snapshots
Buddies
ExecutiveBoard Speeches&Elections
2nd-8th grade students and faculty listened to 20 speeches from 8th graders, all committed to making change and being great school representatives.
The following 8 student were elected to be executive board members: Landon Ahn, Caitlin Dixon, Carter Faill, Ezra Gessesse, Major Jones, Lavr Konov, Kai Mitchell, and Lucy Wyman. These students will help lead Community Gatherings, plan our dances, run entrepreneurial day, and meet regularly to ensure all at WNS areseen,heard,andsupported
We are so proud of all the students who had the courage to get on stage and speak in front of the whole WNS community!
