WAMS Weekly Update - 8/24/25

WAMS Weekly Update - 8/24/25

Aaron Acome

August 24, 2025

August 24, 2025

Good Afternoon Western Alamance Middle School families,

We are so excited to welcome our students back to school tomorrow morning! Please continue reading as we have several important announcements for you as you plan for the first week of school. 

First Day of School - Monday, August 25: Students may not arrive on campus before 7:55 AM. Between 7:55-8:10, students will be supervised in the gym. Homerooms will open at 8:10 AM, and all students should arrive by 8:25 am. When students arrive, staff will be available to help guide them to the correct location. All students arriving at school prior to 8:10 am will report to the gym and sit with their grade level.

Car Rider Drop Off and Pick Up Information: 

WAMS Car Rider Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures 2025-26

All traffic coming onto campus for drop off and pick up should turn right into our car circle from Center Crest Dr.

Arrival

  • All car riders will drop-off in the car circle from 7:55-8:30am in one line. Cars should pull all the way up to the flag pole and not stop in the middle of the circle.  

  • Students will enter the building at B wing and report to the gym.

  • Students will sit by grade level in the gym until released to homeroom at 8:10am.

  • Students eating breakfast will go directly to the cafeteria upon arrival.

  • Students are marked tardy if they are not in homerooms by 8:30 am.

Dismissal

  • Walkers will be dismissed at 3:30pm and car rider names will be typed beginning at 3:30pm. Any student needing to leave prior to them must be picked up before 3:00pm. Students can not be checked out after 3:00pm. 

  • Cars should follow the map above for entering the car rider line.

  • Name tags should be displayed on the front dashboard with students first and last name and grade level. Please write names in large bold print in order to see names clearly.

  • When entering the circle, cars should pull all the way up to the flagpole and not stop in the middle of the circle. Students will walk to their designated vehicle.

  • Students must be picked up by 4:00pm or as soon as the car rider line is complete. If car riders are left after the car rider line is complete, we will follow these steps per semester (the steps start over at the beginning of the new semester):

  • Step 1: Verbal reminder to the parent

  • Step 2: Written reminder to the parent

Technology Insurance: We encourage everyone to purchase technology insurance.  The cost is $25 and must be purchased each year.  This can greatly reduce your cost if your student breaks their screen, loses a key, or breaks a port in the chromebook. Technology insurance can be purchased during the first 10 days of school and is good for one use. The link to purchase chromebook insurance is here: https://osp.osmsinc.com/ABSS/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc2013/Product.aspx?productid=AT052-409

ABSS Mobile Learning Handbook: Please read the linked ABSS Mobile Learning Handbook. In order to receive a laptop, all students must return a signed Student/Parent Mobile Device Agreement form. That form can be printed off from the mobile learning handbook. We will also have copies of the form for students during the first week of school.

Infinite Campus: As you are aware, ABSS transitioned from PowerSchool to a new student information system, Infinite Campus (IC), over the summer months. This new platform will now be used to access student schedules, grades, attendance, and more. On Monday, August 4, parents/guardians received a message from ABSS with instructions on how to create their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account. Please be sure to check your email to get started.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application: Breakfast and lunch are not universally free for all students. If you would like your child to eat meals at school, you will either need to put money on their online account or you will need to secure a free/reduced lunch status by filling out the required form. Paper forms are available in the WAMS main office or you can fill it out online. Please make sure that you have been approved for free or reduced lunch or that your child has lunch money in their account.

Fall Athletic Schedules: We’re excited to kick off the 2025–2026 athletic season! Below are the tryout dates and times for our fall sports:

  • Football (7th & 8th Grade): Begins Monday, August 11th | 5:00–7:00 PM

  • Cross Country (Girls & Boys): Begins Tuesday, August 26th | 3:30–5:00 PM

  • Boys Soccer: Begins Tuesday, August 26th | 3:30–5:30 PM

  • Cheerleading: Monday, August 25th & Tuesday, August 26th | 4:00–6:00 PM

  • Volleyball: Begins Wednesday, August 27th | 3:30–5:30 PM

To be eligible to try out for a fall sport, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Passed all core classes and at least one encore class during the second semester of last school year 

  • Had no more than 13 total absences during the second semester

  • Have a current physical and all required forms uploaded and approved in DragonFly Max