The W-WMS Tiger Corner news staff members for the 2008-2009 academic year are (l-r) Kelsey Brooke, Justin Denard, Kohen Wolfe, Tiare Tatum, Ivy Safrit, Grace Ann Branch, Brandon Freeman, and Emily Treadwell. This year W-WMS has a new "Tiger Corner" staff: Grace Ann Branch, Kelsey Brooke, Justin Denard, Brandon Freeman, Ivy Safrit, Tiare Tatum, Emily Treadwell, and Kohen Wolfe. The students were selected by the school principal, Bill Pendrey, and are all enrolled in the eighth grade gifted language arts class. In addition to writing this newspaper article, the students will also publish the Tiger Paw, a quarterly newsletter for WWMS. Lise Kalla, business and computer science and career development teacher, is the news staff advisor.

Washington-Wilkes Middle School received recognition by the State of Georgia as a 2008 Title I Distinguished School for its high academic achievement, according to national criteria, marking the second consecutive year for this distinction. This is also the fourth year that the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was met, a cornerstone of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. To celebrate their success in meeting AYP four years straight, the students were invited to a dance held in the gym on Friday, August 29. There was a real DJ and refreshments for the students to purchase.

The middle school is seeking nominations for parents to join its school council. The purpose of the school council is to help improve communication and parent involvement at W-WMS. The council consists of a group of mostly parents, the principal, two teachers, and business persons in the community. The council works together to provide advice, recommendations, and assistance on education reform to increase student achievement. Nominations will be accepted at the middle school office through Friday, September 5.

An open house will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, September 8. Parents are encouraged to come by and pick up their child's progress report, meet with their teachers and cast a vote for the school council nominees.

In sports, the first home game for the middle school softball team is on September 2 against Glascock. It will be played at 4:30 p.m. behind the elementary school. The W-WMS football team will play a region game against Warren County on September 3, for the season opener. The game will be held at Tiger Stadium at 4:30 p.m. Come to these games and show all your tiger spirit!!