Student Support Services

Support services at Western Middle School are varied and cover the entire spectrum from special education to academically talented; from students with special emotional needs to those kids who are emotional “super kids”; and from students who need academic assistance to those who only need direction and support to achieve their highest potential.

A wide range of special education services (speech, learning disabilities, emotionally impaired, cognitively impaired, physically or otherwise health impaired, vision impaired, etc.) are provided at the middle school in conjunction with the Jackson County Intermediate School District.  More than ninety students received support through federally mandated special education programs.

     In the social and emotional arena, a male and a female counselor are available for individual, small group, or large group counseling on any topic.  Students feel free to drop in and talk about any concern.  Group counseling focuses on a variety of adolescent needs from peer acceptance to communication with parents or other authority figures.

Many students who do not qualify for special education services receive additional help through the state funded At Risk Program.  Through the College Incentive Program (C.I.P.) students who meet the guidelines and are invited into the program are offered a two year tuition free education at Jackson Community College.  Growth in math, science, or reading skills is generally significant for students in one of these programs.  In addition, Middle School 2 is offered for severely at-risk students who are either academically or behaviorally challenged.  Students who qualify can apply for participation in the R.I.O.T. (Restoring Ideal Options for Teens), a second semester after-school program.  R.I.O.T. students participate in a number of enrichment activities including horseback riding, scuba diving, rock climbing, bowling, and swing dancing.

All students at the middle school receive an assignment book at the beginning of each school year so they are able to become increasingly responsible for completion of their assignments.

Student Activities

Activities at Western Middle School offer a broad scope of opportunities designed to maximize student involvement.  Activities include but are not limited to:

*  Interscholastic teams in football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and track for 7th and 8th graders

*  Panther Parliament - An elected body of students that meets biweekly and is designed to address
         student needs and to plan and organize various school related activities

    *  Midwest Talent Search - Students earn the opportunity to compete based on high levels of
         performance on the Metropolitan Achievement Test in 7th grade.

*  District-wide spelling bee for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders

*  Fine arts competitions in vocal and instrumental music and a county-wide art competition

    *  “Job shadowing” for students in 6th and 7th grade - This hands-on experience adds focus,
         excitement, and learning to the unit on Career Education and High Tech 2000.

*  Social activities are provided through middle school fun nights which are planned approximately
        twice each month.

*  Annual end-of-the-year trip to Cedar Point for 8th grade students

*  C.P. Federal Credit Union – available to all students

*  After school clubs are available in chess and checkers, and reading.

*  Homework Club meets on Monday through Thursday after school.

    *  Reward Party for fundraiser participants

Parent and Community Participation

Many opportunities for parent involvement exist at Western Middle School:  parents volunteer at fun nights, field trips, reward days, and sporting events.  There is no PTO or PTA at Western Middle School but the principal meets monthly to update parents on building and student accomplishments as well as upcoming projects and events.  In addition, middle school parents are active with the Athletic Boosters, Fine Arts Boosters, and Academic Boosters.

Parents provide many other auxiliary services as presenters during career education units, as classroom volunteers, and as helpers to sort and deliver the yearly fundraiser items.  Parent meetings are held several times a year focusing on the Quest program, parenting skills, and the interscholastic sports program.  An orientation is held for all parents of incoming students in the spring and fall.  A “Back-to-School Night” for parents and students is held each year prior to the first day of school.  Certainly, parents are an integral part of the Western Middle School family. 

Parent-teacher conferences are held in the fall and in the spring.

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