Principal

Dear Wapato Middle School Families and Community,

Welcome back! I am incredibly excited about the year ahead at Wapato Middle School. Each new school year gives us an opportunity to build on the progress we have made, strengthen our relationships, and continue creating a school where every student feels safe, supported, challenged, and proud to belong.

Our theme this year is One Pack. One Mission. It represents what I believe makes Wapato Middle School special: we are stronger when we work together. Our students, staff, families, and community all play an important role in the success of our school.

This year, we will continue to focus on high expectations for student achievement while creating a welcoming environment where students know they are valued. We want our students to be challenged academically, develop strong relationships with their teachers and peers, and learn the skills they need to be successful well beyond middle school. Just as importantly, we want WMS to be a place students are excited to come to each day.

We have already seen what is possible when our staff, students, and families work together with a shared purpose. This year, our goal is to keep that momentum moving forward. We will continue strengthening our instructional practices, using data to better meet the needs of our students, building opportunities for student voice and leadership, and finding meaningful ways for families to be connected to our school.

As principal, I am proud of the direction Wapato Middle School is headed, but I am even more excited about where we can go from here. Building the school we want for our students takes all of us. It happens in classrooms, hallways, athletic events, family nights, conversations, celebrations, and in the small choices we make every day.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being an important part of our WMS community. I look forward to another year of Growing Stronger, Together as we take on this year as One Pack. One Mission.

Here’s to a great 2026–2027 school year!

Erin Gonzalez
Principal
Wapato Middle School