Washington-Wilkes Middle School will hold its annual Open House/Orientation on Thursday, August 6, from 2-4 p.m. Parents and students are invited to visit the school to retrieve students' schedules and meet teachers.

The faculty and staff are excited to welcome all students and parents, especially our rising class of 2016 to our brand NEW facility! Our students will find that learning is job #1 at W-WMS. Our teachers work extremely hard to create exciting and valuable learning experiences for our students. In effort to engage our students in these experiences, we would like students to come to school prepared to learn. Please keep the following guidelines in mind as you help our students prepare:

l Students are expected to be neat, clean, and dressed in a manner that is conducive to learning.

l Students should wear a belt and tuck their shirts inside their pants. The waistband of pants should fall no lower than two inches below the waist. Seats of pants drooping at or below the knees are not allowed at WWMS.

l Skirts, shorts, dresses, etc. must reach fingertips when the wearer is standing up straight with hands extended by the side.

l Shirts, blouses, etc., that expose the stomach, chest, etc. are too short and should not be worn at school. Sleeveless shirts must have at least a two (2) inch strap at the top and no undergarments should be visible with the arms extended.

l Clothes with cuts, slits, and holes or see through clothing are not allowed.

l Haircuts, clothes or other apparel advertising drugs, alcohol or that bear vulgar language will not be allowed.

The entire dress code is outlined in the handbook that students receive the first day of school. Parents and students are encouraged to read the dress code in its entirety.

In the way of school supplies, the supply list may vary by grade level, but listed is a generic list that applies to all grade levels: (2 inch) 3 ring notebooks, wide rule notebook paper, folders with pockets, number 2 pencils, blue/black pens, 5 packs of dividers, highlighters, composition books, and a neck strap designed to hold the ID card. Detailed school supply lists are available in the WWMS lobby and in local stores.

W-WMS also welcomes more highly qualified teachers to its staff. Joining us this year is Brandon Cain, sixth grade math, Ansley Johnson, sixth grade science, Melanie Stokes, connections art teacher, Tabitha Lott, seventh grade Language Arts, and Keith Johnson, ISS coordinator.

Parents are asked to enter the second driveway (north drive) when dropping off or picking up students. Please turn right immediately upon entering the north drive and follow the two-lane drive around to the front of the school. Parking is available in the front lot if you need to come into the school. Please do not use the first driveway (south drive). It is reserved for buses, vendors making deliveries, and staff.

Again, we are looking forward to an excellent school year and your continued support of our students and school system. Visit us on the web by going to www.wilkes.k12. ga.us.