** Distribution List Notice **

We have updated the distribution list for this newsletter.

We added email addresses for new PTA members, in addition to several email addresses that were previously unassigned to any group within our system and were not receiving our newsletters.

If you are receiving this newsletter today but have moved on from WMS or do not wish to receive these for any reason, please click on the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email to be removed. Thank you!

PTA Trivia of the Week

Where did Halloween originate?



Scroll down for the answer!

PTA Memberships and Donations

Join the PTA today! Please note that you have to join each year - memberships do not roll over from year to year. The cost is $15 per person and $30 per family. Join

Please also contribute to a specific class fund for $40. Donate to Class Funds

Please also consider making a donation of any amount to help with events like Wolf Paw prizes, classroom grants, PALS Day, and more. Donate

Donations are tax deductible!

Administrative Reminders

Sign up for the WMS PTA Weekly Newsletter

If you received this newsletter as a forward, please sign up to get it weekly. Click here, and then click on Get the PTA Weekly Newsletter.

WMS Morning Announcements

Keep up with the latest news that your kids are getting each morning. Click here for the WMS Morning Announcements!

PTA Volunteers

If you are interested in getting more involved, please reach out to our PTA President at president@wmspta.org. We would love to hear from you!

**ANNOUNCEMENTS**

Message from the PTA President, Dave Badanes

Dear WMS Families,

We have a lot to look forward to this fall, so here’s what’s coming up.

Parent Social - Trivia Night, this Wednesday, October 28th at 6:30pm at Clare and Don’s. This is a chance to relax and get to know other WMS parents. If we see strong demand, we may try something bigger and more formal in the spring, so stay tuned!

PTA General Membership Meeting (Virtual), Wednesday, November 4th at 6:00pm. Please join us for our next general membership meeting. E-bike and e-scooter safety will be a topic, since many of you told us you’re interested. We helped organize a presentation for students during PE class, and we’ll follow up with parents at this meeting. We hope you’ll join us.

Courtyard Chaos is Friday, November 13th! Mark your calendar. We’re also excited to introduce our new grade level volunteers, who are helping the PTA stay connected with families across every grade. In the coming days they’ll be reaching out to ask for volunteers to help make the event a success, so stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox.

ParentVue and Canvas tutorial recording. If you missed the WMS Counseling Quarter 1 Parent Coffee this morning, the session, which included a ParentVue and Canvas tutorial and organization and time-management tips, was recorded. We’ll share the link in an upcoming newsletter.

Thank you for all you do for our school community.



Warmly,

Dave

WMS Volunteer Spotlight - Cristina Marcus - Communications VP

About me: I am a mom to Nic in 8th grade and Sofia, who is a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts and who also attended WMS. My husband and I have lived in north Arlington for more than 20 years!

About the volunteer position: This is my third year serving as the Communications VP for the WMS PTA. Before that, I was the Communications VP for Yorktown High School. My primary responsibilities are to publish this newsletter every Monday and post helpful information on social media.

Why I volunteer:  I volunteer because I like communicating useful information that helps fellow parents stay connected to the WMS community. I also volunteer for my son's Scout troop (shout out to Troop 641!). My kids have always appreciated and valued my volunteer work - they like that I generally have a good sense of what is going on at their school and in our community.

Join Us for Parent Trivia Night - THIS WEDNESDAY at Clare & Don's!

We’re really excited about our parent social THIS WEDNESDAY, October 28, at 6:30pm at Clare and Don’s.

It’s a chance to relax and get to know other WMS parents!

Restaurant Fundraiser at Lebanese Taverna - Nov. 19

Please join us at Lebanese Taverna on Thursday, November 19!

Dine in or carry out at either of their two locations:

- Westover restaurant location: 5900 Washington Blvd. (reservations recommended)



- Market location: 4400 Old Dominion Drive

For online orders, be sure to include "WMS" in the Notes section.

Gift cards and catering also count.

They will donate 20% back!

Breast Cancer Donations: Grade-Level Competition to Pie a Staff Member! Deadline Oct. 30.

Message from Ms. Hogwood:

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, WMS is raising money to support a great cause—and we’re turning it into a friendly grade-level competition!

 6TH GRADE vs. 7TH GRADE vs. 8TH GRADE! (grade level donation links)

Students can donate during their grade-level lunch from Wednesday, October 7th through Friday, October 30.

Which grade level will come out on top?

The grade level that raises the MOST MONEY will earn ultimate bragging rights AND one student from winning grade level will have the chance to PIE A WMS STAFF MEMBER IN THE FACE!

BUT WHO WILL GET PIED? THAT'S THE SURPRISE!

Families can also join the competition by making donations online through the WMS website.

Every donation makes a difference! Rally your classmates, spread the word to your families, and show everyone what WOLFPACK PRIDE is all about!

May the best grade level win!

WOLFPACK, LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN!

PTA Reflections Program - Entry Deadline is Nov. 20

National PTA’s 50+ year Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Every year, over 300,000 students participate in the program, advancing from the local to the state to the national level, earning recognition and prizes for their talents.

The student-created theme for the 2026-2027 Reflections program is: “What My Culture Means to Me”

Visit Virginia PTA’s Reflections and National PTA’s Reflections websites for more information.

For more information, contact reflectionswmspta@gmail.com

YHS Dance Team Junior Dancer Clinic - Nov. 3

Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Yorktown High School

The Yorktown Dance Team is looking forward to spending Election Day with your kids! 

They will learn skills and choreography, play games, and perform what they have learned at the end of the day. 

Registrants are divided by grade and all skill levels are welcome! Pizza and snacks are included as well as a T-shirt.

K-8th grade are welcome!

REGISTER HERE: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ydt-junior-dance-clinic

PTA Trivia of the Week - ANSWER

Halloween is believed to have connections to the festival of Samhain celebrated among the Celts of ancient Ireland. On the day roughly corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin. This date was considered the beginning of the winter period, when livestock were brought in from pasture and land tenures were renewed.

It was held that the souls of those who had died returned to visit their homes and those who had died during the year journeyed to the otherworld. People set bonfires on hilltops to relight their hearth fires for the winter and possibly to frighten away evil spirits. People sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by ghosts believed to be present. In such ways, witches, hobgoblins, fairies, demons, and the like may have come to be associated with the day.

Teen Hangouts at Central Library - Grades 6-12

Teen Hangouts for grades 6-12.

Dates:

- October 27

- November 3, 10, 17, 24

- December 1, 8, 15

Art supplies and snacks provided!

Volunteer Opportunity at Central Library - Grades 7-12

Volunteer opportunity for grades 7-12.

Join the volunteer corps - a monthly meeting to learn more about volunteering and work on projects.

Dates:

- November 5

- December 10

WMS GENERAL INFORMATION

Main Phone Line: 703-228-5450

Attendance Line: 703-228-5444

Technical support: 703-228-2570, Monday through Thursday from 7 am - 9 pm, and Friday from 7 am - 6 pm



Technical support information: click here.

ParentVue: click here.

Morning announcements: click here.

APS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

Upcoming APS Community Engagement Opportunities:

School Board Advisory Councils

Applications are open for the 2026–27 school year. This is a meaningful way to share feedback and help support our schools. Consider applying this summer. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply online by Oct. 31.



Thu, Oct. 22 School Board Meeting: Appointments to School Board Advisory Councils; Strategic Plan Priority – Student Well-Being: Focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL); Action on School Board FY 2028 Budget Direction and School Board Legislative Package

7:00 pm     Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2nd FL School Board Room, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

Arlington Community Opportunities and Events:

More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español Монгол  አማርኛ   العربية (Other languages)

Have content for a future PTA Newsletter? Send it to our Communications VP by Thursday and we will include it in the following week's newsletter.