Willowcreek Middle School

08/29/2026

CABALLERO'S TOP 5

Week 1 — We Are Off and Running, Braves!

WOW! What a first four days! We have officially welcomed our students to Willowcreek, and I couldn't be more proud of how well our first week has gone. Our students have learned about the important expectations, procedures, routines, and safety drills that will help them find success at Willowcreek.
Remember, at the end of the day, student choices are what will best serve them when they align with our expectations. We will continue to teach, redirect, support, and celebrate you along the way!

Now for this week's Caballero's Top 5!
1. BRAVES ATHLETIC ADMISSION PRICES

Here are the Willowcreek Braves Athletic Admission Prices for the 2026–27 school year:
Family: $10
Adult: $4
Student/Senior: $2
CASH ONLY — We are not accepting cards at this time.
Come out, support our Braves, and show your school spirit!

2. LIFETOUCH PICTURES

Wednesday, September 16th is Picture Day!
More information will be coming home regarding ordering and picture details. Get ready to show us those best smiles, Braves!

3. WILLOWCREEK SHOWCASE — BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Our Back to School Night has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m.
But we're doing it a little differently!
This will be our WILLOWCREEK SHOWCASE! Come see and learn about all the wonderful things your students have been doing at school. This is also a great opportunity to put a face with the names of the teachers and staff who work with your child every day. We hope to see you there!

4. ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL — YOU'RE GETTING THE HANG OF IT!

AM DROP-OFF:
It has looked SO much better! Thank you for meeting our expectation of “Drop and Go.” The morning line is moving much faster, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation.
Remember:
All students enter through Door B, unless a teacher or the school has contacted you regarding a different plan.
After 8:35 a.m., students must enter through Door A.
Students arriving between 8:35–8:40 will have five minutes to get to their locker and then report to class.
After 8:40 a.m., students are considered late and will need a pass from our Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Tuitman.
PM PICK-UP:
Thank you for waiting until 3:40 p.m. or later to arrive for pick-up. It has made a HUGE difference!
We have actually timed the process at approximately 12 minutes from dismissal to having our students picked up and the parking lot cleared.
TWELVE MINUTES! Not bad, Braves! 😎
Thank you for helping us keep things moving and, most importantly, keeping our students safe.

5. DON'T FORGET YOUR PICTURE ID!

If you are coming to Willowcreek to pick up your student or have a conversation about your student, please bring a picture ID.

Our secretaries will ask to see your ID so we can verify that you are listed in PowerSchool as someone who is authorized to have contact with or pick up your child. This is one of the ways we help keep ALL of our students safe.
Please also remind any emergency contacts, family members, or friends who may pick up your student that they need to bring a picture ID.

IMPORTANT: If someone comes to pick up your student and they are not listed in PowerSchool, we cannot release your student to that adult.
Please take a moment this weekend to double-check your PowerSchool information and make sure all emergency contacts are accurate and up to date.

ONE LAST THING…
We have a lot to learn. We have a lot to accomplish. And we have a lot to be proud of already.

Thank you to our students, families, and staff for your patience, flexibility, and willingness to embrace this new beginning. We are building the culture of Willowcreek together, and every day, I see more evidence that we are going to be something special.

Have a wonderful weekend, Braves!
Be Bold. Be Respectful. Be Accountable. Be Valuable. Be Engaged. Be Successful.

WE ARE BRAVES!

Principal Caballero

08/26/2026

What a great day! Our kids made Willowcreek come to life with laughter, smiles, and kindness!

We started our day with a Willowcreek assembly to introduce our teachers and staff as well as cover some of our building expectations (hallway behavior, cell phones, language, etc)

Before we started the assembly, we had plenty of fun with all the volunteers that took a “First Day of School” picture! ❤️🖤

Let’s Go Braves!!!

08/24/2026

Tomorrow Is the Big Day… ❤️🖤

FINALLY… OUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

We are SO excited to welcome our students back into the building and watch Willowcreek come to life!

After everything our community has experienced, tomorrow is a day we have all been waiting for.

Here are a few tips for tonight and important reminders for tomorrow:
1. Charge personal devices!
Have students charge their personal devices in a separate room tonight so they can unplug and get a good night's sleep.
2. Devices stay in lockers.
Students should turn their personal device(s) OFF and store in their school locker. No personal electronic device should be on a student's person unless a documented medical need has already been established through our nurses' office.
3. Fuel up!
Enjoy a healthy dinner tonight and a healthy breakfast tomorrow. And remember—all students eat breakfast and lunch FREE at school!
4. Lean in and learn!
The first three days are all about learning “How to School at Our New Willowcreek.” Students will learn our routines, procedures, expectations, and all the changes that come with our new school. Pay attention, ask questions, and make sure you understand.
5. Know where you're going!
Student schedules will be printed and available during B.U.I.L.D. TIME (Advisor). Tomorrow morning, MOD 1 teacher lists will be posted in the cafeteria and gym to help students know exactly where to go.

DON'T FORGET!
1. Doors open at 8:10 a.m. Please do not drop students off before 8:10 a.m. There will not be supervision available before that time. DOOR B for walkers, bike riders, and drop off.
2. Once students arrive, they stay. Once students are on the Willowcreek campus, they will not be permitted to leave in the morning.
3. No outside food or beverages. Students may not bring or consume outside food or beverages during the academic day at Willowcreek.
4. Academic Hours: 8:35 a.m. – 3:40 p.m.
5. Activity Bus: An activity bus will be available for students who maintain appropriate behavior while riding the bus. The activity bus will leave
Willowcreek at 5:30 p.m.

Parents & Guardians

Thank you for partnering with us to create the best possible school year for our students. Your support makes a tremendous difference!

I will continue sending a family message every weekend through ParentSquare—Caballero's Top 5—to keep you informed and connected with everything happening at Willowcreek.

If you ever have a question about the information we share, please don't hesitate to reach out through ParentSquare. I will get back to you!

Now, enjoy one last evening together and get some rest.

Tomorrow, we begin our journey!

WE ARE READY, BRAVES! ❤️🖤

LET'S GO!!!
Principal Caballero

08/21/2026

The Caballero Top 5 ❤️🖤

One School. One Family. One Week at a Time.

Welcome to The Caballero Top 5—a weekly message for our Willowcreek students, families, and staff!

As your principal, I want to make sure we stay connected, celebrate the great things happening at Willowcreek, and keep our focus on what matters most: our students and their success.

Each week, I’ll share five quick things that I want our Willowcreek community to know, remember, celebrate, or think about. Sometimes they will be reminders. Sometimes they will be celebrations. Sometimes they will be a challenge to our students. And sometimes they may simply be something to make us smile. Think of it as five minutes of Willowcreek connection each week.

This Week's Caballero Top 5

1. High School Football Games:
All students K -8th grade must be accompanied with an adult in order to enter stadium; they will not be permitted to attend if they aren't with an adult.
Backpacks and duffel bags will not be allowed and we will no longer make exceptions by storing these type of items in the K Building which was done in past few years.
All students are expected to move into stadium seating as soon as the game starts and after halftime is over.
There will Absolutely Be NO Football playing in the grass area on Visitors Side by concession stand.

2. Energy Drinks, Coffee & Fast Food Lunches:
Energy drinks, coffee, and fast food lunches will not be allowed during the academic school day. Please do not pack them or drop them off for your student. Thank you in advance for meeting this expectation.

3. Transportation:
I am asking that all families that have bus service to PLEASE utilize it, With the ongoing construction and issue of front parking lot backup, it would be very helpful to everyone if students that have bus service to ride the bus 🙂

4. Water Bottles:
Yes, water bottles are allowed at Willowcreek; please do not buy sq**rt sport bottles for the students as those are very tempting for "water fights". Thank you for your help in preventing the mess that could cause a slip and fall.

5. Doors Open at 8:10am:
Please remember doors will NOT open until 8:10am; please do not drop off your student until then. If your student walks to school, please reiterate that they should not arrive to the building until 8:10am. Also, reiterate to the students that once the are on the Willowcreek campus, they will not be able to leave the campus. If your child would like to stop at any of the surrounding businesses, this needs to be done BEFORE coming to school. Thank you so much for helping us meet this expectation.

A Message from Principal Caballero

We are building something special at Willowcreek. It won't happen overnight, and it won't happen without all of us. But if we consistently show up, take care of one another, hold ourselves to high expectations, and believe in our students, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.

Students, I see you.
Families, I appreciate you.
Staff, I am grateful for you.

Be Bold. Be Respectful. Be Accountable. Know You Are Valuable. Be Engaged. Be Successful.

Hope to see everyone very soon!
Principal Caballero

08/19/2026

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE!

It’s time to grab your red, white, and black, bring your school spirit, and get ready to CHEER ON OUR PORTAGE INDIANS! ❤️🖤

We can’t wait to see our Portage community filling the stands and supporting our student-athletes!

A friendly reminder: All elementary, intermediate, and middle school students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or trusted adult for the entire game.

Let’s pack the stands, show our Indian PRIDE, and make some noise!

GO INDIANS! ❤️🖤

08/18/2026

08/17/2026

WILLOWCREEK BRAVES:
You are invited to accept the challenge - - -
The No-School, Know-More Challenge
No electricity. No internet. No problem.

Can YOU B.U.I.L.D. your brain without technology?

Braves, our community has faced an unexpected challenge, but challenges do not stop us—they make us stronger.

If you accept this challenge, you will not need Wi-Fi, a Chromebook, or electricity.

All you need is:

A pencil or pen
Paper
Your brain
Your ability to observe, question, calculate, analyze, and create

While we are out of school, keep your brain sharp and ready for the start of the school year!

YOUR CHALLENGE:

Complete at least ONE challenge from EVERY academic area:

MATH
SCIENCE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
SOCIAL STUDIES
RELATED ARTS

You may complete additional challenges for bonus bragging rights!

IMPORTANT:

Your work should demonstrate 7th/8th grade thinking.

That means:

Use complete sentences when a written response is requested.

Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Show your mathematical reasoning.

Explain how and why, not simply what.

Support opinions with evidence or examples.

Take your time and produce work you are proud to turn in.

WANT A CHANCE AT THE BIG PRIZE?

Complete FIVE assignments from the list below—ONE assignment from EACH section.

Do your best work and complete all five activities.

Bring your completed work to the Main Office before the end of our first school day back.

Every appropriately completed packet earns a small sweet treat!

Complete all FIVE assignments = you're entered for the BIG PRIZE!

Be sure to have your name and grade on each page of work. If you can staple them together, great! If you can't staple them, no worries, we will do that for you in the office.

Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep your BRAVE brain powered up!

MATH CHALLENGES
CHALLENGE 1: THE $100 FAMILY MEAL

Your family has $100 to purchase everything needed for one family meal.

Without using the internet, create a realistic shopping list using prices you already know or can find from available materials at home.

Your meal must include:

A main dish
At least two side dishes
A beverage
A dessert
Your task:

List each item and its estimated price.
Calculate the total cost.
Calculate how much money remains.
Calculate the sales tax using a rate of 7%.
Determine whether you stayed within the $100 budget.
Explain one way you could reduce the cost if necessary.
BONUS: Calculate the cost per person if six people eat the meal.

CHALLENGE 2: MEASURE THE WORLD

Choose five objects in or around your home.

For each object:

Estimate its measurement.
Actually measure it.
Record the difference between your estimate and actual measurement.
Determine the percent error.
Then answer:

Which object were you most accurate at estimating? Which were you least accurate? Why do you think that happened?

CHALLENGE 3: CREATE A PATTERN

Create a numerical pattern containing at least 10 numbers.

Then:

Identify the pattern or rule.
Write the next three numbers.
Explain the rule in words.
Represent the relationship using an equation or expression.
Challenge yourself: Create a pattern that would be difficult for another student to identify.

SCIENCE CHALLENGES
CHALLENGE 1: BE A FIELD SCIENTIST

Spend 20 minutes observing an outdoor area.

Do not simply make a list of what you see. Record scientific observations.

Identify:

At least 5 living things
At least 5 nonliving things
At least 3 interactions between living and nonliving things
At least 2 questions your observations create
Then write a testable question that could be investigated by a scientist.

Example:

Instead of:

“Why are there bugs?”

Ask:

“Does the amount of sunlight affect the number of insects found in an area?”

CHALLENGE 2: WEATHER SCIENTIST
Observe the weather at least three different times during the day.

Record:

Time
Temperature estimate
Cloud conditions
Wind conditions
Precipitation, if any
Other observations
Then analyze your data.

Write a conclusion:

What pattern did you notice? What evidence from your observations supports your conclusion?

CHALLENGE 3: SCIENCE DETECTIVE
Choose one everyday phenomenon you have noticed.

Examples:

Why does a cold drink develop water droplets on the outside?
Why does a shadow change throughout the day?
Why does food spoil?
Why does metal feel colder than wood?
Why does a wet towel eventually dry?
Write:

What you observe
Your initial explanation
A scientific question
A hypothesis
What evidence you would collect to test your hypothesis
You do not need the internet to complete this challenge.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS CHALLENGES
CHALLENGE 1: THE POWER OF PERSUASION

Choose a topic you care about.

Examples:

School uniforms
Cellphone use in schools
Homework
School start times
Four-day school weeks
Sports eligibility
School lunch choices
Write a persuasive response of at least 5 paragraphs.

Your response must include:

A clear claim
At least 3 reasons
Evidence or examples supporting your reasoning
An opposing viewpoint
A response to that opposing viewpoint
A strong conclusion
Remember: Don’t just tell us what you think. Convince us.

CHALLENGE 2: CHARACTER UNDER PRESSURE

Think of a character from a book you have read.

Answer: How does the character respond when faced with a difficult situation?

Write a well-developed response that:

Identifies the character and conflict
Describes the character’s response
Explains what the response reveals about the character
Uses specific examples from the text
Explains whether you agree with the character’s choices

CHALLENGE 3: WRITE WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY

Write a short story beginning with: “By the time I realized what was happening, it was already too late.”

Your story must include:

A clear setting
A developed character
A conflict
Rising action
A turning point
A resolution
At least one example of figurative language
Dialogue

SOCIAL STUDIES CHALLENGES
CHALLENGE 1: WHAT MAKES A COMMUNITY STRONG?

Recent events have shown us how important a community can be during difficult times.

Write a well-developed response answering:

What responsibilities do individuals have to their community during a crisis?

Your response must include:

A clear claim
At least 3 examples
An explanation of why each example matters
A connection to something you have observed in your own community

CHALLENGE 2: MAP MASTER

Create a detailed map of your neighborhood, community, or an area you know well.

Your map must include:

A title
Compass rose
Legend/key
At least 15 labeled locations
Roads or other transportation routes
Natural features
A scale or reasonable estimate of distance
Then answer: How would geography affect the way people move through and use this area?

CHALLENGE 3: ORAL HISTORY

Interview an older family member, neighbor, or trusted adult.

Ask them:

What was life like when you were my age?
What was school like?
What technology did you use?
What major events do you remember?
What is one thing about your childhood that is very different from mine?
What is one thing that has remained the same?
Then write a one-page historical reflection comparing their experiences with your own.

Remember:

You are not simply reporting the interview.

Analyze the similarities and differences.

RELATED ARTS CHALLENGES - You only need to complete one assignment from this section.

PE — DESIGN A TRAINING PLAN

Create a 7-day physical activity plan.

Your plan should include:

Cardiovascular activity
Strength
Flexibility
Balance or coordination
Rest/recovery
For each activity, identify:

Activity + Duration + Purpose

Then write a paragraph explaining how your plan supports overall physical wellness (3-5 sentences).

Safety matters: Choose age-appropriate activities and do not exercise in unsafe conditions or during severe weather.

MUSIC — THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE

Create a 5-song personal soundtrack.

For each song, explain:

Why you selected it
What emotion it creates
What memory or experience it connects to
What musical element stands out to you

Then answer: How can music influence a person’s mood, memories, or identity? Support your response with examples.

ART — SHOW WHAT WORDS CANNOT

Create an original artwork representing:

“WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BRAVE.”

Your artwork should communicate an idea—not simply decorate a page.

Include at least three symbols representing qualities you believe a Willowcreek Brave should demonstrate.

On the back, write a one-paragraph artist statement explaining:

What you created
What your symbols represent
Why you chose them

08/16/2026

Willowcreek Family, We Are PORTAGE STRONG! ❤️🖤

Willowcreek Families,

We know that our community is still recovering from the devastating storm that impacted Portage last Tuesday. Our hearts continue to be with every family who has been affected. We know that many of you are still without power, and we understand that these days have been difficult and stressful.

But through it all, our Portage community has come together like no other. Neighbors helping neighbors, families supporting families, and our community showing what it truly means to be PORTAGE STRONG! 💪❤️

Although our schools remain closed, we want to remind our students that school will be back—and we are so excited to see you! While you are at home, there are a few simple things you can do to get your mind ready for our BIG first day. And remember, you do NOT need power or Wi-Fi to do these things!

Five Ways to Get Ready for School

* 📚 Read Something! Grab a book, magazine, comic, or anything you enjoy reading. Even a few pages each day gets your brain back into learning mode!

* ✏️ Practice Your Writing! Write in a journal, make a list of goals for the school year, write a letter to a friend, or simply practice your handwriting.

* 🧠 Get Your Brain Moving! Do a puzzle, crossword, Sudoku, word search, or play a card or board game with your family. Challenge your brain without needing a screen!

* 🎒 Get Organized! Start gathering your school supplies, cleaning out your backpack, picking out a first-day outfit, and getting everything ready for your return.

* 💭 THINK ABOUT YOUR GOALS! What do you want to accomplish this school year? Think about one academic goal, one personal goal, and one way you can make Willowcreek a better place for others.

Most importantly, take care of yourself and your family. Rest. Help where you can. Spend time together. Be patient.

Willowcreek is waiting for you, Braves! ❤️🖤

Our first day may look a little different than we imagined, but our excitement, energy, and passion for our students have NOT changed.

We cannot wait to open our doors, welcome you back, and begin this new chapter together.

WE ARE WILLOWCREEK.
WE ARE BRAVES.
WE ARE PORTAGE STRONG!

With love and care,

Principal Caballero

08/13/2026

Portage Proud!! Come out to the High School and grab a free lunch with us! We will be here till 2:00.

08/11/2026

Willowcreek Family,

Sadly, due to the severe storm and its impact on our community, our first day of school has been canceled. We know this is not the way any of us hoped to begin our school year, but the safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff will always come first.

A message regarding the cancellation was sent by the district through ParentSquare. If you did not receive the message, please reach out to the Willowcreek office when we reopen, and we will be happy to assist you.

Most importantly, we are praying that each of you and your families are safe and doing okay. ❤️ Please take care of one another, check on your neighbors, and stay safe as our community continues to recover from the storm.

While this storm may have changed the date we return to school, it has not changed our passion, excitement, or energy for beginning this incredible journey together!

We are still ready.
We are still excited.
We are still BRAVES! 🖤❤️

We cannot wait to welcome our students through the doors of Willowcreek and begin this new chapter together. Our first day may be delayed, but the BRAVE spirit is stronger than ever!

Stay safe, Willowcreek Family. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Principal Caballero