Winfield Middle School
Staff Blog
March 10th, 2016
Middle School Word of the Month: EMPATHY
Understanding the feelings of another
Some of these images will be shared with the BOE
Attendance
Academics
Grade Distribution - How many of each types of grades are we assigning to our students?
As we discuss topics such as SBG, academics, accountability and scores, surround topics such as grades and their distributions over various populations in the building. The meaning of a grade is also addressed. For instance, does an “A” mean the student understands the content perfectly OR has done all the work and will earn Advanced or Proficient on the MAP test? Think about how many times it takes to pass the driver's test. The end result is the same: a License to operate a motor vehicle.
Pi Day
All three math teachers will celebrate Pi Day on Monday 3/14 in all of their classes. Students are encouraged to bring round pies, plates, bowls, forks, spoons, napkins etc to share! Math teachers provided the activities- coloring Pi, memorization contest, videos highlighting the importance of Pi and MORE!
Descriptive Writing: From Anne Frank to the “Boy in the Striped Pajamas”
On a positive note…eValuate Data
Cycle A
Cycle B
March eValuate Data coming soon
Discipline
Types of Incidents this year
School Year: 14-15
So far into SY: 15-16
Current Middle School Events
Monday
- Binder Team
- 8th Grade Shadow Day
Tuesday
- Board of Education Meeting - Central Office @ 6:30
- 8th Grade Shadow Day
Wednesday
- Early Release
- Data from last Friday, SIS, 3rd Quarter Grades &
- 8th Grade Shadow Day
Thursday
- 8th Grade Shadow Day
- First 5th Grade Shadow Day
Friday ( All School Things in One Day)
- Ac Lab challenge in the AM
- Ross to host
- Warrior Way Store
- 8th Grade Shadow Day
- 5th Grade Shadow Day
- Glow Night VolleyBall Tournament - Fundraiser @ $20/TEAM - See Hines to connect
- 5th Grade Transitions - Shadow Days for the 5th graders (let your 5th grade friends know about this too please)
- March 17, 18, 21, 22, 24 (Complete before Spring Break)
- Some overlap with the 8th grade days
90/90 Attendance Challenge:
Attendance Challenges for each class, against the standard and not against other classes. Any class that earned the 10 perfect attendance days before spring break gets pizza. Let us know when you are close so we can plan accordingly.
Of the students below 90%, we have a few that are so close to the mark. How shall we prompt them to attend this last quarter of school? Others are “not likely” to reach that goal this year but the dozen or so that are on the bubble could put us back into the black!
Parent Communication
The Middle School staff prides itself on publishing grades, using technology and connecting with our parents. As usual, 3rd quarter grades were compiled, emailed to parents and hardcopies given to students in 8th hour. Together, we eventually want to reach all parents as soon as possible.
Conclusion / Inspiration
Since Winter Break, we have gone through a lot. We have battled illnesses, successes, accident and tragedy but you all have shined throughout. I can think of no better team! The upcoming last quarter is a few days longer in duration but we have no idea what it holds. We are however planning some special events, building programs and getting ready for milestones in our student’s lives. We want to serve all our students with the various events. From the struggling students finding their first tastes of success to those regular workers that come to us with talents, habits and work ethics to reach goals. Neither group is insured of happiness. As John Lennon said, “When i grow up, I want to be happy!” True happiness doesn’t come from outside sources. It can only come from within.
AND... Speaking of empathy...
We believe students can develop empathy, understanding and compassion. But it comes through circumstance, putting yourselves in other peoples shoes and trying to see their struggles as real and valid. This is not natural or easy but we must practice our eyesight, as the quote from last week eluded to, "seeing from the heart."
Story: A mom discovered her child had developed a lifelong illness or condition. She shared that with me and I replied, "I did not know you were so strong!" She stopped. She had been needing the encouragement to know she could persist. She needed to know that other people had beat this thing, too. Other families struggled too. Other children learn how to cope, adapt and even thrive. She just needed encouragement.
Our students as well need us to do that the most: encourage. Often times, school is really the most or even only encouragement some of them EVER receive! Keep up the compassionate and sincere empathetic attitudes for our students!
Sincerely,
Tom McCracken
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