November 8, 2018

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL DIANNE CARTER

Happy Thursday, Wildcat Families!

It has been yet another great week to be a Wildcat!  We are in that close-to-a-break grind that can sometimes be rough for everyone.  I am confident that we are all looking forward to a week with no alarm! As usual, I have to share a couple of moments that brought me joy this week.  Today, they are from conversations with teachers. First, I was talking with one of our teachers today whose face lit up when she shared a story about how one of her kids has truly turned a good corner in the last few weeks.  He had been struggling this year, but it's almost like a switch flipped - as of a couple of weeks ago, he is like a new person in a good way. Getting to see this happen is one of the most rewarding moments in this profession.  Second, I was walking around checking in on groups working together on Tuesday afternoon. When I walked into one room, I was greeted with two very excited teachers because they had just come up with a new and open-ended way to teach an upcoming lesson.  I love seeing our crew genuinely excited about doing good things for our kids!

Now for the info items:

Collecting our History - Our Sixth Grade GT students are working on a project to create a multi-media presentation on the History of West Ridge.  We are hoping to interview former students, staff, and community members who may have been a part of West Ridge over the last 30 years.  If you or anyone you know may have "connections" to our school from any point in the past, could you please complete this brief Google Form to let us know?  Thank you so much for your help as we gather this information from those who helped shape our WRMS history!

Vote for Maya! - Maya Cidale (one of our 8th graders) was 1 of 18 students selected in the state of Texas to participate in a PBS music special.  She is needing votes to make it to the next round. Please consider helping her out by going to vote at this link: https://celebrationofmusic.com/maya-cidale  (Be sure you listen!)

SMART tags -  Please check in with your Wildcat and be sure they have their SMART tag to use each day as they get on the bus!  Thanks!

Season of Giving - It's coming soon!!!  There is more information below, but soon we will start our collection of gifts to help change the holidays for about 50 families in Austin.  I have seen the receiving end of this project. Talk about spreading joy… More to come soon…

That is all for this week.  I hope you all have a great weekend!

Enjoy!

Dianne Carter

Guest Speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Laura Sanchez Cross

Texas Army National Guard

LTC Laura Cross was commissioned into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant in May 2004 in the Military Intelligence (MI) branch.  She received her commission through Army ROTC at Boston College where she received a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Communications.

LTC Cross began her career in the Regular Army in the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). She served in several positions as Battalion S2 for the Division Special Troops Battalion in Fort Hood, Texas and Baghdad, Iraq, Executive officer for the 4th Brigade Combat Team Direct Support Military Intelligence Company, the Division Special Security Officer and the Secretary of General Staff.

In November of 2009, LTC Cross joined the Texas National Guard where she held several leadership positions to include Training Branch Chief for the TXARNG G3, Deputy G2 for the 36th Infantry Division, Executive Officer and Secretary of General Staff for the Texas Army National Guard. LTC Cross also commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company in the 636 MI Battalion of the 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. She is currently the Brigade S3 for the 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade and was recently selected to become the 636th MI Battalion Commander on November 18, 2018.

LTC Cross has a Master's Degree in Technology Commercialization from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a graduate of the Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College and the Functional Area 30 Qualification (FA30) Course.

LTC Cross' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.

She is married to former Captain Benjamin Cross, who works for the Legislative Budget Board, and has three sons, Jackson (9), Julian (8) and Dylan (5). Her family currently resides in Austin, Texas.

Reminder to cheer parents, please sign up for your child's two required basketball games as soon as possible! We need 8 girls per game! Link has been emailed or found here : Basketball sign up

Our Sixth Grade GT students are working on a project to create a multi-media presentation on the History of West Ridge.  We are hoping to interview former students, staff, and community members who may have been a part of West Ridge over the last 30 years.

If you or anyone you know may have "connections" to our school from any point in the past, could you please complete this brief Google Form and let us know?

Thank you so much for your help as we gather this information from those who helped shape our WRMS history!

~The WRMS Sixth Grade GT class

ADOPT-A-FAMILY Coming Soon!!!

WILDCAT CLUB NEWS

TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped us feed our wonderful West Ridge staff last Friday. We were able to treat the teachers to tacos from Eldorado Café, salad, sides and sweet treats. We couldn't do it without you!!!

LOST AND FOUND

Thank you to Jennifer Blankenship who posted LOTS of pictures of the items still in Lost and Found. Please take a minute to look through them on our Facebook page to see if you need to send your kiddo by the cafeteria to take one last look before ALL items are donated on Friday, 11/16.

PIE DAY

We are so thankful for the teachers and staff here at WRMS. Let's show it with pie! Our goal is to provide a pie to every staff member. Having one less thing to worry about over the busy holiday will allow them more time to spend with friends and family.

Thank you! Click on THIS LINK to purchase a pie online.

DON'T MISS OUR NEXT WILDCAT CLUB MEETING

Friday, November 9th, 9:00am

WRMS Cafeteria

Don't want to miss a thing this year at WRMS? Join the Wildcat Club on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildcatclub

It's a GREAT Day to Be a Wildcat!

Karen Martin and Terri Ganem-Budiselich

WRMS Wildcat Club Co-Presidents

NEWS

Join Eanes ISD for Family Coding Night on Wed, Nov 28 at Westlake High School. Explore computer science side-by-side with your student. Coding Classes (sign-up required) and Tech Stations on robotics, coding, 3D printing, drones, STEAMcarts & more. 

Eanes ISD is beginning discussions on items for a potential 2019 bond. We invite the community to join in on November 13 & 27 as we discuss Facilities. Visit www.eanesbond.com for more information.

Spotlight, featuring Hyline, Star Steppers & Dance, is Wednesday, November 14 @ 7:00 PM in the PAC at Westlake High School. The show is FREE and all are invited.

Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard presents highlights from last year as well as challenges & opportunities facing our District. Upcoming presentations are Nov 14 at Hill Country MS and Nov 16 at Valley View ES. If you missed the presentation at your child's campus, join us at any of our other campus presentations. Visit www.eanesisd.net/sod for full schedule.

Shows run Thursday, December 6 - Sunday, Dec 9 at the Westlake Community Performing Arts Center. To buy tickets, visit https://www.NutcrackerSpectacular.com

SCHOOL CALENDAR

WEST RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
9201 Scenic Bluff Drive, Austin, Texas 78733

http://wrms.eanesisd.net

View in browser |  Unsubscribe |  Forward to a Friend Link