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Welcome Dr. A.J. Muttillo (July-August 2008) - The Wake County Board of Education appointed Dr. Muttillo to become the new principal of West Millbrook Middle School effective July 1. He is now hard at work preparing for the 2008-2009 school year. Dr. Muttillo comes to WMMS from Wakefield High School where he has served as Assistant Principal, and most recently oversaw the creation of the Wakefield Ninth Grade Center. Prior to that he taught Language Arts at Martin Middle School and also served as Assistant Principal there. He comes with high accolades from those who worked with him at Wakefield and Martin. The West Millbrook faculty, staff, and students look forward to a great 2008-09 school year!

WMMS Artists' Work on Display (June-July 2008) West Millbrook has many talented artists. Currently 18 talented rising 8th graders are displaying their work at the State Employee's Credit Union on Bridgeport Drive in Stonehenge. Please drop by to see their work!

Mason Park - Second in the 2008 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year! (May - July 2008) This is another huge honor for rising eighth-grader Mason, who received national recognition last year for his volunteer spirit. Mason was the only youth volunteer nominated for this high honor by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and a second place finish is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations, Mason!

Danica Zoeller - Second in Sunday Star Regional Competition! (May-July 2008) Kudos to Danica Zoeller, a WMMS 8th grader (2007-08 school year). She finished a very close second in the News and Observer's 2008 Sunday Star vocal competition. Since all of her competitors were adults, winning second was a huge feat! We are so proud of her. Read the News and Observer article here. Congratulations, Danica!

Eighth grader, Danica Zoeller, is one of the five finalists in the News and Observer's "2008 Sunday Star" Award! (May 2008)
The winner will be selected by those who vote on the News and Observer website between now and noon on Friday, May 23. Let's support Danica, our talented young vocalist by voting for her this week. Go to the N&O Sunday Star Page to listen to her beautiful song and vote.

West Millbrook Orchestras Taste Success! (April-May 2008)
The West Millbrook Orchestras have been working hard and accomplishing a great deal this year! In addition to performing in the String Clinic that WMMS hosted in the fall, the 7th and 8th grade students performed at West Millbrook and Millbrook High School during December. Beginning orchestra students helped with the execution of String Clinic in mid-October, and worked hard at learning their new instruments and gaining musical skills throughout the fall. They performed for their families and friends at a “Beginner’s Concert” for instrumental music students in late October.

In late March, the Chamber Orchestra (7th & 8th grade) performed in an excellent concert for family and friends in the Millbrook High School Auditorium in recognition of “Music in Our Schools Month”. They also traveled to State Contest in Fayetteville on April 10th to perform for adjudication and written/taped comments. The ensemble performed music in Grade Level III and received a Superior Rating- the highest rating that can be awarded to an ensemble! As you may expect, Ms. Iseminger is extremely proud of all of her hard-working students!

WMMS Students Participate in the Special Olympics (April-May 2008)
The Autistic class participated in Special Olympics April 22, 2008. The eight boys had practiced with 2007 Special Olympics Coach of the Year Ron Miterko. The event was hosted by Ravenscroft. Some of the sports events included softball throw, standing broad jump, 25m dash, shot put, standing long jump, and the 100m dash. The students had a wonderful time and brought back plenty of blue ribbons.

Congratulations Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Oliver! (December 20007-January 2008)
Two WMMS teachers were awarded high honors in November. Mrs. Oliver received her National Board Certification on November 11 and Mrs. Robinson learned on November 15 that she was chosen by her fellow teachers at West Millbrook as Teacher of the Year. She was honored with a celebratory party by the faculty on December 3. (photos)

National Board Certification, offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), is a way to recognize the accomplished teaching that is occurring in the classroom. The certification process is based on high and rigorous standards that evaluates teaching practice through performance-based assessments; the ultimate result is improved performance and achievement for West Millbrook's students.

The Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

Be sure to congratulate both of these excellent classroom leaders when you see them!

Beta Club Shoebox Project A Success! (November - December 2007) On Friday afternoon, November 16, approximately 100 Beta Club students gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate the induction of our new members with a pizza party followed by our November/December service project. When the pizza was finished, students gathered in teams of two or three to fill festively-wrapped shoeboxes with toys and toiletries. By the end of the afternoon, 147 boxes were packed full! These shoeboxes will be delivered by the Samaritan's Purse organization to children of war, famine, and poverty on six continents and more than ninety countries during the upcoming holiday season. Read the entire story here.

I “Can” Make A Difference, Canned Food Drive!! (November - December 2007) Now through December 6, students at WMMS will collect canned foods to assist families in Wake County for the winter months and the holiday seasons.

Donation boxes are located in the following places:

6th Grade building 100, (both) entrances

7th Grade building 300, (both) entrances
7th Grade building 200, main entrance
8th Grade building 900, main entrance
Main Office building, front & back entrances

For more information contact: Ms. Franks, Student Council Advisor or Ms. Poole, 6th Grade Counselor

"Students Make Strings Sing" (October-November 2007) This was the headline in the North Raleigh News Section of the N&O on Friday, October 19. The West Millbrook String (Orchestra) Clinic was held on October 11. In it's fifth year at West Millbrook, the five-school clinic is the brainchild of our outstanding orchestra teacher, Heidi Sue Iseminger. For the complete story, go to... http://www.newsobserver.com/nrn/story/742178.html

ATTENTION CARPOOLERS (October-November 2007) It has been brought to my attention that several parents are attempting to take a left onto Strickland Road from our parking lot. Not only is this " Right Turn Only", it is extremely dangerous and holding up traffic leaving the campus. I know that this might be an inconvenience for some, but it is classified as "Right Turn Only" for a reason. It is our purpose to make sure that you as parents and your children are safe leaving our campus. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

Deputy W. West
School Resource Officer
West Millbrook Middle School

The Book Fair is Here! (October-November 2007) Now that you’ve partied like a rock star, read like a star! The annual book fair is here through Tuesday, 11/6. Stop by and check out our great selection of books and see what the stars are reading! The hours are:
...* 11/1: 7:50 AM - 3:30 PM; 7 PM– 8:30 PM
...* 11/2: 7:50 AM - 3:30 PM
...* 11/5: 7:50 AM - 5:30 PM
...* 11/6: 7:50 AM - 1:30 PM
Everyone who stops by will be entered into a daily
drawing to win a free book! Anyone interested in
volunteering at the fair, please contact Martha
Radulovich at mradulo@aol.com.

AND THE WINNERS ARE .... (October 2007) Congratulations to the following winners of our West Millbrook Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Premium Membership incentive drawings: For joining at the Gold Level ($100), Poul and Deirdre Lindegaard won FOUR FREE PASSES FOR ALL WMMS HOME GAMES THIS SCHOOL YEAR! For joining at the Silver Level ($50), David and Donna Wells won a FREE PASS FOR ALL WMMS HOME GAMES THIS SCHOOL YEAR! For joining at the Bronze Level ($25), Mike and Sharon Luihn won a WMMS SPIRIT PACK!

Of course, the real winners are our children, the students of West Millbrook. The 28 Bronze, 19 Silver, and 13 Gold premium PTA memberships brought in nearly $3,000 extra for our PTA to use for the educational goals of West Millbrook. Although the Battle of the Brooks membership contest is over, it's not too late for YOU to join PTA! Just fill out a PTA form from the WMMS front office or this school website. Send it, together with your membership dues, by mail (WMMS/ 8115 Strickland Rd/ Raleigh, NC/ 27615) or with your student to his/ her homeroom teacher.

A Big Thank You to our PTA Parents (September 2007) Many thanks to all of the parents that helped with the staff "Back to School" Luncheon/ Pig Pickin'." The teachers and staff were honored to receive the attention! The food was delicious and the door prizes were a huge surprise. It was a great way to start the year!

The PTA Hospitality Committee asks that everyone thanks the following vendors for their generous donations to the door prize collection:

From Principal Smith (September, 2007) The staff of WMMS is off to a grand start. We are truly excited about this school year! We are beginning PAW Time (Literacy Period) this year for all students. This time is dedicated to Advisor/Advisee (Guidance Lessons), Literacy in Mathematics and Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary (EOG, EOC, SAT, ACT). This time is expected to be uninterrupted and focused. We are requesting each child to have a PAW Time journal (hard cover composition book) to keep in each homeroom. Please remember to ask your child about the day’s activities.

I encourage each parent to continue to use our school agenda/ planner to communicate with teachers and teams as well as monitor homework and class work. We will make every attempt to keep you informed of your child’s progress. Progress reports will be distributed every two weeks, beginning the week of September 10th. If you don’t see one, please jot a note to the teacher or team leader.

WMMS welcomes your participation and involvement and solicits your support!

MySpace Concerns (Spring/Summer 2007) Many parents are concerned with safety issues and other implications relating to the use of social networking websites such as MySpace. The Wall Street Journal reports that MySpace will soon offer free parental notification software. To learn more, go to the WSJ article. For additional information, go to MySpace Parent Safety Tips with other helpful links.

From Principal Smith (5/2007) This year has been full of challenges and opportunities and through them all we have risen to the occasion. Our students have faced another academic year with many fond memories and new lifelong friendships. Middle school is always the most transitional period in an adolescent’s life and it is the most exciting roller coaster ride one will ever experience as a parent. I hope all of you are proud of this year’s achievements, I know I am. WMMS has the best staff, students, and parent support group and I am honored to be the principal of this wonderful school. Have a GREAT summer break and I look forward to greatness from our students and school community again next year.

Congratulations Ms. Koch, WCPSS Teacher of the Year Finalist! (4/2007) The Wake County Public School System named 20 semi-finalists for 2007-08 Teacher of the Year. A Selection Committee reviewed portfolios submitted by each Teacher of the Year nominee at all 147 schools to identify the 20 semi-finalists. The semi-finalists include our very own GEMS team science teacher, Ms. Jennifer Koch!

Operation Clean Sweep - A Success! (4/2007) Many thanks to the huge number of Beta Club members and parents who gave up their Saturday morning on April 21 to participate in Operation Clean Sweep. Our campus is much prettier and MUCH cleaner thanks to their efforts. Students, please be sure to thank your friends who participated, and PLEASE be careful to pick up any candy wrappers and other trash that accidentally drops from your hands and notebooks. Let's work together to keep West Millbrook beautiful!

Congratulations to Our "Top Youth Volunteer," Mason Park (3/2007) Mason is a sixth grader at WMMS and is a volunteer youth advocate who promotes philanthropy and charitable fundraising on behalf of a variety of organizations. His acts of volunteerism have earned him the honor of being one of two "North Carolina's Top Youth Volunteers" selected in the 12th Annual National Awards Program on February 13, 2007. If that's not enough, this young man got his own day in the Capital City. Charles Meeker, the mayor of the City of Raleigh, proclaimed Tuesday March 20, 2007 "Mason Park Day". (Entire article here.)

"Dance Explosion" Participates in Day of Dance (3/2007) Members of West Millbrook's dance company, Dance Explosion, performed at Wake County Schools Day of Dance. The Day of Dance was held on Saturday, March 17th at Durant Road Middle School. (Full Article)

Daylight Savings Time Changes this Sunday (3/2007) In August of 2005 the United States Congress passed the Energy Policy Act, which changes the dates of both the start and end of daylight saving time (DST). When this law goes into effect this weekend, DST will start three weeks earlier (2:00 A.M. on the second Sunday in March) and will end one week later (2:00 A.M. on the first Sunday in November) than what had traditionally occurred. Please keep this in mind when you are preparing for school next week. We will be losing an hour on Sunday morning.

Picture of Robert Nelson, Tigers Team, explaining the features of the West Millbrook Future City entry, Simcinaty, to Raleigh Mayor, Charles Meeker on Saturday, January 12 at the History Museum.

March Madness is Coming (2/2007) The West Millbrook Annual March Madness showdown is scheduled for Thursday, March 1, 3:30 – 7 PM in the gym. Come cheer on your friends as the 6th grade plays the 7th grade in basketball and the winner plays the 8th grade. Then cheer on your favorite teachers as the women take on the Lady Cats basketball team and the men take on the boy’s basketball team. Bring the whole family and enjoy a pizza dinner (pizza, chips, dessert, and drink). There will also be a free-throw contest and a raffle for fabulous prizes! Raffle tickets will be sold during the games and you do not have to be present to win. Each child received a packet of information and raffle tickets to sell. All tickets and money can be turned into their teacher anytime up until March 1. Don’t miss this fun event! Admission is only $3.

Red Cross Blood Drive Scheduled for Thursday (2/2007) Did you know that every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood? The Builders Club will be sponsoring a blood drive at WMMS on Thursday, Feb 15th from 2:30-7:00 pm in the Multi-purpose Room. Anyone interested in making an appointment to donate blood, donate refreshments or volunteer to help out the day of the drive should contact Stephanie Blocher. Donors must be at least 17 years old. Walk-ins will be accepted the day of the drive. However, to help make the process quicker for you, please complete and return the downloadable form to sblocher@wcpss.net. Help save a life today!

Teacher of the Year (1/2007) Congratulations to Ms. Jennifer Koch, West Millbrook Teacher of the Year 2006-2007! This honor is given each year by the faculty to one teacher who demonstrates excellence in teaching, and who is a leader within the school. Ms. Koch is in her fifth year as the Science teacher on the 6th grade GEMS team, and is also the Science Department Chair. She is a graduate of NCSU where she was actively involved in the Teaching Fellows program.

Booking With the Pack (12/2006) Over 40 of our students and parents attended the NC State v Winthrop basketball game December 4, 2006as a reward for students that completed the "Booking With the Pack" reading challenge (115 of our students particpated in the reading challenge).

Many scholarship athletes from numerous NC State sports teams were in attendance. These student athletes were most gracious in interacting with the middle school students and signing autographs. This was a terrific opportunity for our students to interact with student athletes.

The students and parents had a terrific time at the game. The Pack pulled off a hard fought victory in the closing minutes of the game.

Thanks to Danielle Boucher, Intern for Director of Academic Support Program for Student Athletes at NCSU for all her work with Booking with the Pack and for planning and organizing this great event.

OCC Shoebox Project - A Huge Success! (12/2006) On Friday afternoon, November 17, a majority of the 149 Beta Club members met for pizza and fun as they packed an assortment of small gifts in 151 shoeboxes destined for underprivileged children on each of the six populated continents.These gifts will be distributed by the Samaritan's Purse organization between mid-December and mid-January. The Beta Club members would like to thank members of the WMMS community who contributed to the success of the project by sending in gifts and shoeboxes.