W-WMS would like to thank the community and families for showing their support on Honors Night. We appreciate all those who donated door prizes for the event. We had over 330 people show their support by attending the event. Congratulations to all the students that were honored on this night.

Our Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled for February 8-14 from 8-9:30 a.m. We invite you to our school to share in this celebration of books and reading. Not only does this event help raise funds to purchase essential classroom and library resources, it encourages reading among our students.

As students grow older, it is essential to keep books in their lives. Students who remain readers now are more likely to be lifelong learners. Readers develop larger vocabularies, a greater knowledge of the world, and higher academic achievement. In fact, studies indicate that being a reader is more predictive of success than intelligence, economic background, or gender. Our book fair provides a wide variety of age-appropriate books specificallyselected to appeal to middle school tastes and interests. Students will discover books that are fun, entertaining, inspirational, and a resource for dealing with real-life experiences and emerging emotions. In addition, our fair will have bestsellers that adults will findinteresting and useful.

A special Family Event will be held on Monday, February 11, from 4-7 p.m. Come browse and findbooks that can help your child stay connected with reading.

Also, on February 11, the middle school will be having open house from 3:30-6 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents or guardians to come and pick up their student's progress report and to meet with teachers. For those who do not attend open house, progress reports will be sent home on February 12.

The Beta Club will be selling candy grams February 5-13; the cost is $0.50 each. Students may purchase candy grams during homeroom each morning and they will be delivered on Valentine's Day. The students can have them sent to themselves or to a friend. If you would like to purchase a candy gram for your student, please stop by the main office.

Dress up week will take place February 11-14. Please encourage your student to participate each day. Monday is Boy/Girl Swap Day, and Tuesday is Superhero Day. Wednesday will be Rock Star Day. The weeks festivities will end with Hollywood Day on Thursday.

The Washington-Wilkes Middle School Student Council will be sponsoring a Valentine's dance on February 14 from 6-8 p.m. The dance is open to all students who attend W-WMS. Admission to the dance is $3 and students will be able to purchase refreshments.

There will be no school on February 15, 18, and 19. We hope that all the staff and students enjoy their winter break.

Yearbooks are still on sale for $26. The cost may be paid in full or in two installments of $13. If you or your student is interested in purchasing a yearbook, please see Joni Keiser, Dawn Pickens, or Pam Hall. Yearbooks are sold on a first come first serve basis until they run out. Please do not delay if you are interested in purchasing a yearbook.