BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY LETTER

 SCHOOL HOURS

The hours of operation for Whitewater Middle are 9:15 am to 4:15 pm.  Class begins promptly at 9:15; therefore, students eating breakfast need to arrive by 9:05 to ensure they have adequate time to eat and get to class on time.  The school office opens at 8:30 am and closes at 5:00 pm.  Please know that students cannot be dropped off in the morning prior to 8:45 am.  Additionally, students cannot have an early dismissal after 3:00 pm in the afternoon.  It is extremely important that students arrive on time and remain throughout the school day.  Any person picking up a student must be on the student’s authorized car rider application form and show a picture ID.  WE WILL NOT RELEASE CHILDREN TO ANY PERSON NOT ON THE AUTHORIZED PICK-UP LIST.

PARENT SQUARE

We are excited to use ParentSquare to keep you updated on everything happening throughout the school year. You should have received an invite in your email to register your account. It is very important that you register ASAP so that you don’t miss out on any important updates. If you did not receive the update, or you’re having trouble accessing the site or app, please reach out to our Dean of Students,  Ms. Davenport, at kenyatta.davenport@cms.k12.nc.us! You can also register at ParentSquare.com using the phone number and email associated with PowerSchool.  If you are not receiving email and text communication from us, please call the school.  

OPEN HOUSE

This is an opportunity for your family to meet the staff at Whitewater Middle School.  We encourage you

 to come from  5:00pm - 7:00pm, Thursday, August 24th.  We invite students and families to tour the

 school and visit their classrooms.  Students will receive their schedules at this time as long as they 

enrolled prior to August 16, 2023.  At this time you can also visit our Innovation Lab to receive your

student’s Chromebook that will be assigned to them for the school year.  

SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE:  

Whitewater Middle School is a uniform school.  There are no exceptions to this expectation.  Please 

follow this policy so that your child can have a successful day at school.  If your child is not wearing 

the appropriate uniform, you will receive a phone call from the school so that you can bring the 

appropriate clothing.  If you are unable to come, appropriate uniform clothes will be provided so 

they can be in class.  The uniform policy is located on our school website (http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/whitewaterMS/Pages/Home.aspx).  Students may wear jeans and 

their uniform shirt on Fridays.  

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT/SCHOOL SAFETY

Whitewater Middle School will follow the CMS Student Code of Conduct. This comprehensive handbook has been developed to help 

your child receive quality instruction in an orderly educational environment. It describes specifically what CMS expects from each student 

and helps the district maintain an environment in which every student can learn and be successful.  Families can access the CMS Student 

Code of Conduct at this website https://www.cmsk12.org/domain/36. Evolv Body Scanners: In order to continue with preventative 

measures to increase student and school safety Whitewater Middle School is equipped with  Evolv body scanners. This demonstrates the

 district’s overall commitment to providing a secure school environment where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

CELL PHONE POLICY

To enhance the learning experience and protect valuable instructional time, we want to remind all students are NOT ALLOWED to use their personal cell phone during school hours, in accordance with Rule 5 of the Code of Student Conduct. Cell phones must be turned off and stored during instructional time.  

This measure will contribute to a focused and distraction-free atmosphere, allowing our educators to deliver the best possible education to every student. Students will continue to have access to the internet using district-issued devices, and any additional use of other personal technology devices for instructional purposes will be at the discretion of the school principal. 

ABSENCES

When a student is absent from school, they should bring a note from their parent, guardian, or health care professional within forty-eight (48) hours after the absence to the front office.  The note should include the student's legal name (not nickname), CMS student ID number, and the reason for the absence, and the date(s) absent from school. The attendance secretary will determine whether the absence can be excused per CMS board policy.  Absences are excused (with verification) for student illness, medical appointments, death in the immediate family, court proceedings, or quarantine.  

LUNCH

Whitewater Middle School is part of a program called the Community Eligibility Provision Program.  All students at Whitewater Middle will be able to eat breakfast and lunch each day at NO CHARGE.  Parents will not be required to complete any forms for their children to receive breakfast and lunch daily.  Students are welcome to bring lunch from home if this is desired.  If a child has allergies or special dietary needs, please complete the appropriate paperwork with the school nurse to ensure his/her needs are met. Students are NOT permitted to use any food ordering services during school hours (Doordash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc).

EMERGENCY INFORMATION SHEET

On the first day of school students will receive a student information sheet.  It is very important that you complete this for each of your children.  This helps us contact you and take care of your child in the event of an emergency.  For your convenience, this form is also located on the school website.  Please feel free to complete this form early at OPEN HOUSE and give it to your child’s teacher.  

IMMUNIZATIONS

Rising 7th grade students are REQUIRED by the state of North Carolina to have all immunizations completed and updated by August 29, 2023 in order to start school.  This includes a TDap and meningococcal shots for students entering 7th grade.   Please call the school if you need information about free clinics.  We are forced to exclude students who are not in compliance with law; students may not come to school if they have not been properly immunized.  Please take care of this prior to the start of school.  

Online Payments ONLY

We are excited to announce that we are using online payment for parents this school year. It's an easy way to pay for field trips, or any other activity online. This will allow you to make a payment any time of day, no rushing to the bank or trying to get a money order. Once a field trip is approved, students will receive a link to use for payment. 

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Please inform your child’s teacher in writing about where your child is to go after school hours and how the child is to get there.  It is important for us to know if your child will be a car rider, van rider, or attending an after school program.  This information will be considered the usual customary dismissal plan for your child. NO phone or verbal transportation changes are allowed for safety reasons.  A written notice must be given for any changes to the dismissal plan, and notices must be received by the teacher or in the office before 12:45 pm on the day of the change.  Please do not simply give verbal directions to your child.  For safety and security reasons, teachers have been instructed to follow the usual and customary plan unless there is a written request for change. For the safety of all students and to ensure a smooth dismissal, there will be NO early dismissal for students after 3:00PM. 

BUS RIDERS

We have included your child’s bus information in this mailing.  Look over the enclosed bus schedule for the appropriate pick-up time.  Be patient as we work through the first few weeks.  It is difficult to adjust bus routes until all children begin to ride their buses each day.  Your child’s bus sticker includes:  your child’s name, address, school assignment, AM & PM bus numbers, stop location and estimated pickup and delivery times.  Please make note of your child’s bus number, bus stop, and time to expect your child to be picked up and dropped off.  There may be more than one bus that will come through your area.  You want to be sure that your child boards his or her ASSIGNED BUS.  Please have your child at the bus stop at least 10 minutes prior to pick-up time.  If you need to contact the transportation office with a bus question or concern, please call 980-343-5018.  Any transportation changes for your child require a form to be completed online.  Go to www.cms.k12.nc.us and click on Transportation Services Request Form.  Check back in 3-5 business days to see if the new bus stop has been approved. 

MORNING CARPOOL PROCEDURES

• Car riders unload at 8:45 am.  Supervision is not provided before 8:45 am, so please do not drop your child off before the start of the school day. Students are not to be left standing at the front entrance of the school prior to 8:45 am.

• School personnel are assigned to the front loop to assist with the carpool process.  Please have students ready to exit vehicles in this area.  For safety purposes, students must unload only at the main entrance.

• Please do not park in the bus parking lot.  State law prohibits private vehicles from parking on the bus lot during arrival and departure times.

AFTERNOON CARPOOL PROCEDURES

• Carpool begins promptly at 4:05 pm and ends at 4:30 pm.  Please make plans to pick your child up on time.  (A note or phone call to the school no later than 3:45 pm is required to notify the school of a change in transportation.  Calls will be screened for identification purposes.  Additionally, ID is required if there is a change in the person picking up your child.)

• The carpool line in the afternoon will loop around the staff parking lot, so when you pull up the main entrance, your passenger side door will be facing the curb.

• Please remain in the carpool line. For safety and security reasons, please do not attempt to enter the cafeteria or stand on the sidewalk area during dismissal. This enables the carpool line to run smoothly and safely. Please do not park and have your student walk to your car. This disrupts the flow of traffic and is a safety concern. 

HEALTH ROOM: A message from our School Nurse, Ms. Tracy McMinn

If your child requires medication to be administered during school hours, please contact your child’s healthcare provider for the appropriate medication forms. Children are NOT allowed to carry medications in school without proper documentation from a licensed healthcare provider.

North Carolina law requires all students entering the 7th grade after July 1, 2015 to receive the following immunizations: 1 TDaP and 1 Meningococcal vaccine. If documentation of required immunizations is not presented, parents and/or guardians have 30 calendar days from the first day of school to provide documentation or your child may be excluded, at the discretion of the principal, from school until proof is presented. Please contact me by phone 980-344-3400 or by email tracy1.mcminn@cms.k12.nc.us. 

FALL ATHLETICS

We are happy to provide our 7th and 8th grade students with an opportunity to try out for fall sports.  Fall sports include cheerleading, football and volleyball.  Tryouts for Fall sports will be held on Monday. August 28th after school.  Please note this is also the first day of school.  Any student trying out for a team must have a recent physical and required paperwork.  All paperwork can be submitted electronically through https://max.dragonflyathletics.com/