W-WMS is proud to announce that Katy Meech, eighth grade Georgia Studies teacher, was selected teacher of the year. This is Mrs. Meech's fifth year at our school and her eighth as a teacher. She will be considered along with a representative from each of the county schools for the title of Teacher of the Year for Wilkes County.

Parents and students of Washington-Wilkes Middle School will now be able to view student progress through PowerSchool, the school's student information system. PowerSchool is used to take attendance, store grades, view report cards, fees, a school bulletin, and more. PowerSchool brings together students, teachers, parents, and administrators in an easily used web-based data system. Information about the program was sent home last week and parents are encouraged to login and view their child's grades at http://powerschool.wilkes.k12.ga.us/public/home.html.

This year 14 eighth graders will participate in the W-WCHS marching band, directed by Jeff Thomas. The marchers include Aaliya Berry, Jesse Echols, Cecelia Eligio, Abby Foster, Jazlyn Harris, Ariel Lewis, Brianna Martin, Courtney Pate, Chandler Pharr, Reyna Smith, Leslie Souther, Mary Strother, Samantha Thornton, and Shelby Wall. After two long weeks at band camp, the students have memorized tunes by Stevie Wonder including, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," "Superstition," "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," and "Sir Duke." They played their first half-time show Friday, August 28, in Banks County.

The students in Lise Kalla's eighth grade career explorations class taught their classmates about some skills they will need now and in the future. The students worked in teams to create skits, posters, or PowerPoint presentations about 10 work ethic skills identified by the Georgia Department of Education that employers want in their workers. The work ethic skills are: attendance, teamwork, attitude, organization skills, cooperation, character, appearance, productivity, communication, and respect. According to Kalla, the objective of the assignment was to have the students practice and demonstrate these work ethics in the process of creating and presenting their topics.

The middle school softball team has started a new season. The eighth grade players are Leslie Souther, Dominique Welborn, Brianna Martin, Jesse Echols, and Jemi Davis. The seventh grade players are Teniyah Barnes, Faith Bradford, Dorian Favors, Jamille Favors, Brittany Gresham, Haley Lavendar, and Madison Powell. The W-WMS softball team is coached by Rosilyn Hunt and assisted by Angel Heard. Let's all wish them a good season!