Visiting W-WMS for the first time and getting ready for a new school year in the sixth grade were (front row, l-r) Thomas Morgan, Page McAvoy, Carley Cosby, DeBriah Lee, (back) Assistant Principal Deleki Lee, Brandon Freeman, Chiquita Harden, Chelsea Burse, and Principal Bill Pendrey. Washington-Wilkes Middle School will open its doors to 387 students on Friday, August 4, and springing onto the campus for the first time will be class of 2013. "This is an exciting time of year for these six graders," said Assistant Principal Deleki Lee, "as they will undergo social and physical transitions." Lee also announced that open house will be held at the school on August 3, 2-4 p.m.

Several rising sixth grade students visited W-WMS on July 24, 2006, to find their way around campus before the corridors fill with other enthusiastic middle schoolers. The were greeted by Lee and Principal Bill Pendrey.

"Our theme for this school year is 'Georgia Performance Standards: The Journey Continues,'" Lee said, pointing out that the students, faculty, and staff will continue to "endower" into Georgia's new curriculum as it is implemented throughout various grade levels and content areas. "As this journey continues," she said, "parents are encouraged to motivate their children to have a fantastic school year by promoting the following suggestions: Get proper rest Eat a healthy breakfast & lunch

Participate in student's learning

Communicate with teachers & administrators

Try your best everyday

Use your agenda book to record assignments."

The assistant principal also reminded students that they will need school supplies. The supply list may vary by grade level, but a generic list that applies to all grade levels would include 2-inch 3-ring notebooks, wide-rule notebook paper, folders with pockets, No. 2 pencils, blue/black pens, five packs of dividers, highlighters, and composition books.

New to the faculty and staff at WWMS this year, in addition to Lee, are Al Dawkins, Michelle Fanning, Lise Kalla, Justin Ross, Natalie Schneider, and Shannon Thomason.

Open house is from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2006.