Question du jour??? Maybe?

Winfield Middle Staff Blog

December 1, 2016

Grades due this weekend

Question du jour

2016

Same time in 2015

After only a few short weeks of reviewing the actual questions, we begin to see fruits of our labor!

In the top Green Chart, we see solid growth throughout so much of the chart.  As compared to last year in the Red Chart, it seems substantially different.  

When I went into a class and tried the Question du jour, I got it wrong. It wasn’t because I did not understand “redundancy” but because I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE QUESTION WAS ASKING!  I “read” the question and thought I knew what it was asking but missed the mark.  The question was looking for the reader to identify two positives answers but I identified one negative.  Yes, I had identified something, but it was not what they were asking!  This gentle reminder verifies our simple yet effective intervention of the Question du jour.  Let’s continue to foster these activities across the curriculum, allowing each of us to emphasize the need for continued exposure and familiarity.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

   The Cold and Flu Season strikes with authority!

We are still above last year but it is tough to battle the seasonal trends.

We are bringing back the Attendance Challenge with a Vengeance.  We started on December 1st with the AC LAB.  If your class gets make a consistent mark in your slot.

Once a prize is given out, we will adjust accordingly.  

Big 5 Data goes here

Mid-Year DeBriefing

Reviewing the Student Surveys with each of you, I feel privileged to be a part of these discussions.  The revelations of the need to connect, the evidence from the student results, their accurate “reads” and sometimes contradictory indications are met with openness and objectivity.  I am honored to be a part of this process.  Seeing so many of you with solid scores above the state average reassures me that many are right where they need to be in life.  Please feel free to continue the discussion if necessary and ask if there is anything I can do to support you in your growth or next steps. I am so fortunate to work with this estimable staff! 

Schedule for December 5 - 9th  

Monday

• Liberty Financial Visit to the Middle School this PM.  Please stop by during your plan hour.
• 7th Grade Basketball at Orchard Farm, Girls then Boys

Tuesday

• Climate/Culture Meeting in Gracey’s Room

Wednesday

• Warrior Way Store
  Early Release
• Intruder Training
• CPI Recertification
• Pepsi with the Principal
• Early Release Holiday Feast (Specialists and Office)

Thursday

• 7th/8th Grade ELA planning day
• Basketball against Clopton
• Girls travel there
• Boys at home
• Attendance Challenge Returns with a Vengeance!

Friday

• Basketball against Louisiana
• Girls travel there
• Boys at home
• Items for Giving Tree due to Emily
• Breakfast for Secret Student Santa before school in the library
• Book Fair to be delivered.

Upcoming/Ongoing

• The NJHS Giving Tree for Lincoln County Adopt-a-Family is up in our library (See Emily)
• This year we also added the Camp Avery Boys and Girls Club
• Per request of our budding PTO.

Schedule for December 12 - 16th  

Monday

• 6th Grade ELA planning day
• 8th Grade Girls and Boys vs Frontier Middle School at home
• Book Fair

Tuesday

• Dec 13 PBiS Tier 2 in the AM and PBiS Tier 1 in the PM with RPDC Rep
• Book Fair

Wednesday

• Dec 14th - HS/MS Choir Concert
• Book Fair

Thursday

• 8th Grade Basketball travel to South Middle School
• Girls then Boys
• Book Fair

Friday

• Warrior Way Store?
• Book Fair

Schedule for December 19 - 21st  

Monday

• Dec 19th - Middle School Band Concert- Book Fair open late
• Toys for Tots AC LAB Challenge hosted by the Winfield Fire Department -
• Santa to “Pick up” on December 19th during AC LAB
• Blizzard Bum- Wear comfy clothes

Tuesday

• Activities Committee Meeting in Higgins Room
• Winter White Out- Wear all white

Wednesday

• Early Release / End of Quarter 2
• Ac Lab Challenge
• Christmas Craze- Ugly Sweater/ Christmas-y Attire

Highlights:

• We may align our end of the semester dress days with the published high school themes.  Staff participating in the events may dress accordingly.  
• Consider sharing the Daily Announcements that Kristen sends out with students in AC LAB on the projector screen. It may help students see things one more time and be a bit more aware of their surroundings. Placing the announcements on FREEZE and leaving it up for bit will get them in the habit of looking there for that type of information.  
• Then talking points in AC LAB might be:
• Attendance from the prior day.
• Quote of the day
• Sports schedules
• Upcoming special events
• Thanks for the great Mid-Year visits.  The feedback setting seems effective and beneficial.  

Have a wonderful wrap up.  Grades due this weekend.

Thank you, for EVERYTHING.

Tom