VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025
INFLIGHT NEWS
A Note from Mrs. Rod PAGE 1
The WNS Middle School Newsletter
A NOTE FROM MRS. ROD November and December have been full of activities and events. Middle schoolers have been practicing their leadership skills in grade-level buddies and family groups, as well as showcasing their innovative spirit at our Entrepreneurial Day. With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is a wonderful opportunity to find ways to insert gratitude practices into your family routine - looking for small moments to highlight the good, special, and/or positive in our full and busy lives. Additionally, I highly encourage families to find ways to be of service to our larger Los Angeles community during this holiday season. These opportunities can be greatly impactful for students to see how they can help others during a time that can often get quickly centered on getting things over giving things. I, myself, remain enormously grateful for this WNS community and the joys of watching our middle schoolers become confident, capable, and compassionate individuals.
With love,
Mrs. Rod
INFLIGHT NEWS
In this issue 7th/8th Grade Dance PAGE 2 It’s A Jungle Out There! PAGE 3 Robotics Spotlight PAGE 4 Mock Trial Spotlight PAGE 5 Buddies PAGE 6 Entrepreneurial Day PAGE 7 Dates and Announcements PAGE 8
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7th/8th Grade Fall Dance - November 7 On Friday, 11/7, 7th and 8th graders came together for their first dance of the year! The theme—Masquerade—was chosen by our Executive Board members, and the Student Council helped bring the night to life by setting up the MPR with lights and decorations. Students had a great time dancing, enjoying delicious snacks, and hanging out with friends.
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It’s A Jungle Out There! - November 17 Students who volunteered for this special fall puppet elective created “It’s a Jungle Out There!”, the first production at WNS to use hand puppetry without a traditional puppet stage. Instead, puppeteers were fully visible alongside their puppets, allowing the audience to watch both the puppets’ expressions and the actors’ performances at the same time. Adapted from an original story by middle school theatre teacher Ms. B, the show drew on her experience in educational theatre with the Bronx Zoo to offer exciting moments of audience participation. Designed especially for young audiences (ECC–2nd), the production gave our youngest learners a performance crafted just for them. Student puppeteers trained in proper handpuppet technique, stretching, practicing precise movements, and working in front of mirrors to bring their characters to life. “It’s a Jungle Out There!” was also a meaningful milestone, marking the final play to be performed in the Black Box Theatre.
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Robotics Team The WNS Robotics team started off the season with a strong performance at their qualifying tournament, where they competed against forty teams from schools in L.A. and Orange Counties. Their scores qualified them to move on to the Southern California Regional Championship on December 6th in Burbank. They worked hard to prepare and finished a respectable sixteenth place out of forty teams, which was unfortunately below the cutoff for an invitation to the state championship.
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Mock Trial Competition The WNS Mock Trial Team competed in the 48th Annual LA County Mock Trial Competition this year, finishing among the top ten middle school teams in the county. California Mock Trial is a simulation of a criminal trial using hypothetical cases developed by Teach Democracy and based on California law. The Los Angeles Mock Trial Program involves over 2,500 middle and high school students who study a case, conduct legal research, and work with volunteer attorneys to learn courtroom procedures and trial preparation. Students portray lawyers, witnesses, court clerks, and bailiffs, developing their analytical skills and communication abilities while gaining a working knowledge of the judicial system. Angie Lu earned MVP honors twice during competition rounds, and Samirah Greene received an MVP award as well.
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Buddies Buddies had the special opportunity to meet in both November and December, spending time together celebrating their love of reading and creativity. Students worked alongside their buddies to read a book of their choice and then collaborated on a drawing that represented the story. We always love seeing our buddies learning and creating together!
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Entrepreneurial Day - December 17
WNS recently hosted its 4th Annual Entrepreneurial Day, a celebration of creativity, innovation, and student-led business ventures. Our 6th and 8th graders had the chance to design products, market their ideas, and sell directly to their peers. From handmade crafts to delicious baked goods, the campus was buzzing with energy as students practiced real-world skills in buying, selling, budgeting, and promotion. Many 8th graders also connected their booths to their SWIM projects, using the event as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the causes they’re passionate about. We’re already looking forward to our next Entrepreneurial Day this spring, when our 5th and 7th graders will take the spotlight and bring their own creative products to campus.
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Upcoming Dates 1/5 - School Resumes 1/16 - School is closed for a faculty and staff professional development day 1/19 - School is closed for MLK Day 1/23 - Semester 1 ends 1/26 - Semester 2 begins 1/30 - 6th Grade Family Game Night (6:30 - 8:00pm)
Announcements FRIDAY IS SPIRIT DAY! Please help us by removing your child’s devices at night and supporting our no-chewing-gum policy at school.
Coming up in our January issue: Winter Showcase Performance Photos Buddies Curriculum Spotlights Family Groups 6th Grade Family Game Night
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