At William Annin, a group of teachers compose a team which teaches and works with a common group of students. Currently, each grade level has three teams of teachers, each consisting of five academic teachers, a school counselor, and special education teachers. The teams are referred to as “gold, blue, or green” and have approximately 150 students each.  The teams allow for a large grade level of students to be part of a smaller, cohesive group of students who share the same academic classes and teachers. These teachers meet regularly during a common team meeting time to plan curriculum and discuss the needs and progress of their students. They also are able to discuss cross-team curriculum progress, interdisciplinary units, field trips and special activities for their students, as well as schedule parent conferences and special education meetings.  In addition, the team concept helps to provide support in the transition between elementary school and high school.

• Regarding a specific class – contact the teacher first! Teachers see over 125 students daily and may not be aware of your concerns. This is an important first step in problem solving. If you don’t get the issue resolved, you may contact the guidance department and/or the department supervisor. You may also reach out to the building administrators, who include the Principal and Assistant Principals, for assistance. The teachers and administration are here to help and want to know of your concerns!
• Social Issues – contact guidance. Do not feel that you and your child are alone.  Each student is assigned a Guidance Counselor each year at William Annin.  Their job is to help your child navigate their way through middle school.  The website for the Guidance Office is: www1.bernardsboe.com/WilliamAnninMiddleSchool/Guidance.aspx

• Busing -  You will be receiving a postcard in the mail regarding your child’s bus route.   For further information go to:        http://www1.bernardsboe.com/BernardsBOE/Transportation.aspx
• Driving -  Drop off --- in the main bus loop between 7:20 and 7:40.   The first bell rings at 7:40 am and school starts at 7:45 am.  Students are expected to be in their homeroom by 7:45 am when the second bell rings.   Please be courteous of other drivers, form a single line, pull forward as far as you can and only allow students to get out of the car in designated areas in front of the building.  This helps to keep traffic moving!
• Pick up --- DO NOT ENTER THE MAIN BUS LOOP!  Line up in the parking lot.  Please be aware of students walking to their cars.
• Walkers -  Please ask your student(s) to use designated cross walks and pay attention to traffic and crossing guards!

• Students will receive a lock and locker for their books, binders, coats, and other relevant school items. On the first day of school, students will be given time to practice opening their locks.  Teachers are available to help. 
• Students will also receive a lock in Physical Education.  Your general locker and lock will change each year.  Your Physical Education locker will change every year too but the lock will remain the same.
• Students may bring in magnetic dry erase boards or other magnets to decorate inside of their locker.  Nothing glass or breakable is permitted, for example, glass mirrors.  A bottle of water may be kept in their locker.   Lockers may not be decorated on the outside even on birthdays.

• Friday Folder - Every family should sign up for the WAMS Friday Folder. The Friday Folder is sent out each Friday and includes important information about your child’s school. Please go to www1.bernardsboe.com/Newsletter_Sign_Up.aspx and sign up to receive these notices if you have not already done so.
• Daily Announcements – William Annin posts the daily announcements made in school every day on its website: www1.bernardsboe.com/WilliamAnninMiddleSchool
• Williamanninpto.com - Important PTO News and Announcements can be viewed on the Home Page of this website.  Additional relevant websites can be accessed by scrolling down to the  "Related Links" section at the bottom of the Home Page.

• School sports are run through a PTO parent organization called WAMS Athletic Organization (or WAMS-AO.) 

After school athletics at WAMS can be found in the following ways:

• Clicking on WAMS-AO (Sports) Page of this website (Left sidebar).
• Clicking on the William Annin Middle School Website, under STUDENTS, ACTIVITIES, SPORTS ... or click here.

Additional questions can be directed to Rita Zarabara at wamsao@bernardsboe.com.

• If your child is an existing student in the district, she/he should already have an account set up through Nutri-Kids.  The account number will be the same as last year. 
• If you are new to the school district, please log onto MyNutrikids.com to set up your child's account.  The student's ID number is the number that is given when they checkout.  Menus are posted online. 
• It is recommended that you set up a notification with Nutri-kids which will inform you when your child's account balance is getting low.  This will help make sure your child's account does not run out of money.  If your child's account runs out of money, the person at the cash register will ask the student to set aside their food and go to the main office to call home and get a pass before they will be permitted to eat their food.
• Aid is available to families who need help with lunch purchases.

• Once a week students will be required to go to a classroom for the first half of lunch where they can work on homework.  This avoids overcrowding in the cafeteria.

• Once a week students in 6th and 7th grades will be required to leave lunch and go to study hall for the second half of their lunch period where they can work on homework.  This too addresses overcrowding. 
• It is recommended that students bring lunch on days of delayed lunch and study hall at least in the beginning of the year so that they have enough time to eat.  Sometimes the lines do get long.

• Lunches may be dropped off in a bin in the main office labeled 6th, 7th, or 8th grade as long as it is delivered before the lunch period begins.  Students will be called up to pick up their lunches.

• Please send a note indicating when you will pick up your child.  They will be given a pass to leave at the designated time.  You will meet your child in the office and sign them out.  They cannot leave the building alone.  If it is an unscheduled / emergency appointment, it is best to call the office first and let them know when you will need to pick up your child.

• If your child is late to school for any reason, it will be logged as a tardy.  Students may be tardy 10 times per semester before a detention is issued.

• Please call the school nurse and report the absence at (908) 204-2614, ext. 103
• Teachers will work with students to help make up work missed.  Each teacher posts their homework on their website each night so your child will be able to see that day's assignments.  Students are typically allowed the number of days absent to make up their work.  Therefore, if they are absent for 2 days then they should have 2 days from the date of their return to make up their assignment.