Monday, December 14, 2015

Holiday Blog for Parents of WMS - 121415

Parent Blog
December 14, 2015


As We Head Into the Holidays


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Secret Santas spent the week teasing their intended victims. All week long, students have been dropping little tokens, treats and gifts to the staff member assigned to them. Boxes and bags filled with personal and individual clues lead to the REVEAL on Friday morning before school. Staff spent all week trying to guess, but the final announcements confirmed all their suspicions.


Collaboration among adults
One of the best ways to support students is for adults to communicate. Teachers will be calling homes this week to facilitate those conversations, talking with parents and proving to students that we all care together. Success means we all improve, not just a few of us. Phone calls are an opportunity to dialogue with parents of struggling students, offering strategies and support so students can get critical coursework completed before the end of the semester. Occasionally, students postpone an assignment, assuming they have plenty of time to get the work done and handed in to their teachers. Then the end of the semester sneaks up on them and they fail the semester, often times because they have not turned in a major project. Seldom does a student not understand the material. They are not yet organized. Most parents have a good pulse on their pupil’s performance, but just as an extra reinforcement, teachers may be calling to ask for help in getting all the work completed and submitted for grading.
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Student Stress
Characteristically,  middle school years are filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, students are developing into their own individuals. They are still the offspring of their parents but are becoming a new person. This potential identity crisis causes insecurities and outbursts. Yet, on the other hand, students want to fit in and be just like their friends. Peer influence is blamed for as many accidents as the phrase “watch this!” :)  This range of emotions, feelings and dissimilarities within the same student, within the same day and often within the same class period is what makes our jobs so exciting. It also endears each student to us.


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The best photobomb ever!?
This Week at WMS…
Photobombs seem to be everyone’s favorite at WMS. We all want to jump in and contribute. This feel of fun develops a foundation for students to enjoy themselves, feeling safe and secure. Then, when asked to take an educational risks, it seems a little easier. Students will not be as willing to share when they feel discouraged, unappreciated or even the victims of sarcasm and harsh talk. But when students are comfortable and confident, they may take a chance, grow, mature and learn. Some of these photos show our students thoroughly enjoying themselves.
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Persistence
We are focusing on finishing what we have begun. The book fair, projects, assignments, and final tests are overshadowed by the impending two week “holiday.”  Most of us will not add major assignments this last week of school since many have projects culminating during this last week. This stress or pressure may result in random outbursts, even from students typically level headed and calm. We do spend time guiding and redirecting these students and often times, conversations are all that’s necessary. In very rare occasions, consequences might become necessary, but only as a last resort. We admonish, encourage and remind students to remain focused and disciplined all the way to the finish line.



That’s a Wrap
The middle school hosted Minute-to-Win-It type games between students and their grand people. Students could invite an adult guest who has made a meaningful impact on their lives. Nearly fifty people lined up and took the challenge, braving the potential ridicule of hundreds, all in the name of fun, approbation and glory for winning the ultimate prize. One student even went home with a Razor Scooter from Wal-mart, funded by the PBiS Program. Stay tuned and encourage your student to get involved. We are always working to go over the top.


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Could you launch a wand of pipe insulation through the opening if this mouth?  You may be a good candidate for the next contest. Stay in touch with your student for details on the next one!


End of the Semester Schedule
BOOK FAIR GOING ON UNTIL THURSDAY


Monday 12/14
8th Grade Basketball travels to Frontier Middle School


Tuesday 12/15
Winfield School Board Regular Meeting at the new Central Office


Wednesday 12/16
A big day for all 7th graders as they take the field trip to the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. As a class, they are currently reading the novel version of the production they’ll be seeing Wednesday, Peter and the Starcatchers. This novel, a prequel to the traditional story of Peter Pan, initiates a variety of conversations about growing up, including the subject of  “The Peter Pan Syndrome.” This syndrome describes the occasional reluctance among young men to launch into adulthood and start off on their own. Instead, they spend time looking for a mother figure to step into their lives. The men fear commitment, thinking they might get a better offer. Modern media capitalizes on this with shows such as Two and a Half Men and Failure to Launch.
Art Show/Contest


Middle School Band Concert at the Middle School at 7:00 pm


Middle School/High School Choir Concert at the High School also at 7:00 pm


Thursday 12/17
8th Grade Basketball - Home against South Middle


Friday 12/18 - Half Day - Dismiss at 12:32
Ac Lab Challenge “Christmas Variety Show”
Penny War Finale


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Great friends add so much. One of mine sent me this reminder:  

As we head into this winter transition season, please keep this in mind: so many of our students might become discouraged or sad while missing their friends. Of course, they might not say they miss school but their friends are always a great part of the day, especially in middle school. We are looking forward to seeing them again in January 2016.


Thanks


Tom McCracken

PS. If we have a snowy day over the break, look for a team of us at Blanchette Park, cooking BBQ, taking sled rides and having an overall good time.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Pearl Harbor Day -

Pearl Harbor Day
Winfield Middle School
Parent Blog
December 7, 2015

#TBT photo from 2014
Their #gameface last year as compared to their #gameface this year...
#Gameface photo from 2015
 
Building a pattern of going the extra mile, our Middle School basketball team practices over Thanksgiving Holiday, as a new tradition.
Last year - 11 showed
This year - 18 were there
Next Year - ???

#overnightsuccesstakesfiveyears:
A a handful of researchers and authors have written about the Rule of 10,000; this theory suggests  five years of practice (equal to 10,000 hours working forty hours a week) are required to excel at  a specific skill.  Perhaps
as a school, we need a similar  investment in time and practice to reach our goals. Above, these pictures show progress and growth both physically and psychologically at our “optional” Thanksgiving basketball practice. From 11 players showing up for practice the first year to 18 showing up the second year, we are on the right path.

Growth:
Maybe readers of this blog (if there really are any) have noticed, I like to look back over time to celebrate growth, change and development of myself and those around me. We've made great strides in discipline and are just about halfway through the school year. Well done. To remind ourselves where we are going, we often look back and see the progress, observing things getting better as each of us discovers more about ourselves and those around us.

Principal Goals:
“What’s my name?”  If a student comes up to me and asks that, it breaks my heart if I don’t already know. Therefore, I am working to learn ALL THE STUDENTS’ NAMES in the building. Yes, it is a big, hairy, audacious goal, but I have heard great encouragement from the students. They want me to succeed. They clearly enjoy the personalized interaction. We talk about Christmas trees, decorations, shopping, free time, traveling, weekends, sports, birthdays, grandma, etc, but most important, we just talk. Looking at the numbers, it may take me all year but if I learn 3-5 names a day, that will help me reach my goal. So, if you see me with my own set of flashcards, I may be practicing my names! What goals are you currently working toward?

MATH & ELA eVALuate
Students throughout the district have been taking regular assessments in Math and ELA  called eValuate. These computerized tests are designed to help guide teachers in what students still need to learn and help students know what they don't know yet. Taking the tests monthly helps reduce some of the pressure and get students accustomed to testing on computers. Their classroom teachers schedule the tests and learn the scores nearly immediately. Strong correlation exists between the results on this test and the results on the MAP test. Our goal of getting half of our students into the advanced or proficient category is one of our top priorities. In return, to show our support and gratitude to the students for doing their very best, we are building a special event for after we get the results back. We would love to take any student that improves a MAP score or maintains a Proficient or Advanced status to Brunswick XL  Zone in O”Fallon, our treat!  

PBiS - Monthly Character Traits for 2016
Jan              Integrity
Feb              Consideration
March            Empathy
April            Confidence
May             Self discipline

Schoolwide, we will begin to discuss these traits monthly beginning in January. Ac Lab lessons, Lunch Talks, Posters and Door Decorating are just a few ways we can put and keep these terms fresh in our thoughts. Research repeatedly confirms the importance of affirmations, thinking positively and not allowing negative thoughts to dominate our thoughts. These terms will guide us through till next summer. (Wow! It’s hard to believe we are considering summer already!)

Upcoming Middle School Calendar/Events

Monday 12/7
Pearl Harbor Day across our Nation. We expect President Obama to make another proclamation again this year to remember this tragedy.
Boys and Girls 7th Grade Basketball at home starting at 5pm
Thursday 12/10
Boys and Girls 7th and 8th Basketball against Clopton
Friday 12/11
We may have special guest from DESE.
Ugly Sweater Day Assembly at the end of the day
Sweater Model and Student Social after school
Boys and Girls, 7th and 8th Basketball against Louisiana
12/11 THROUGH 12/17
BOOK FAIR  in the library

Upcoming Events
8th Grade Basketball - Frontier Middle
Winfield School Board Regular Meeting at the new Central Office
7th grade field trip to the Repertory Theater of St. Louis
Art Show/Contest
Middle School Band Concert
Middle/High School Choir Concert
8th Grade Basketball - South Middle
12/18 Half Day - Ac Lab Challenge Christmas Variety Show - Think Ed Sullivan


Just for Fun!
I received a text message from a teacher who is currently teaching the novel Treasure Island in class: “Warning: Beware of the Black Spot.” A literary device as developed by Robert Louis Stevenson became the hot topic of discussion. I was forewarned!  Later that day, I stepped into that classroom with a folded piece of paper, complete with hidden black spot. The teacher opened it up and the students all sat in anticipation wondering what was contained on the note. Nothing, but a BLACK SPOT. Auuuggggggg!
The next day, a black spot mysteriously appeared on my door. (See photo above)  Four culprits were identified and at the following lunch, each was handed a napkin, allegedly to wipe their faces. Again, hidden on the corner of each individual towelette with a black spot. Back at you!
A few days later, our esteemed Superintendent was observing classrooms and enjoying the feel of the building. The tour guide handed her a slip of paper with instructions to "give it to a former pupil."  After a few steps around the room and a pregnant pause, the message was conveyed. A folded piece of copy paper was laid on the corner of a student's desk. The pupil looked astonished, wondering, what action he took could have caused the Superintendent of Winfield School District to pay any attention to him at all. With innocence, he opened the folds and saw the BLACK SPOT! We had been had!
Beware. You too may fall victim to the Black Spot.

Honored,
Tom McCracken
@mccracken63


Sunday, November 22, 2015

WMS Parent Thanksgiving Thoughts 2015

This issue of the Winfield Middle School Parents’ Blog will cover the next two weeks. Keep watching, though, for additional emails, daily announcements and facebook updates through the Thanksgiving Week, including the upcoming Presidential Proclamation.

Happy Thanksgiving - 2015

ASSIGNMENT: Try to list three things you are thankful for EVERY day, at the same time in the same way, 
either writing them down or telling another person or some other habitiual way. 
A book I am reading, The Happiness Advantage, claims remembering just three positive features, incidents or good things works wonders for our outlook. 
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Pink, Purple or throw-back currency.  Students at WMS collect and trade them for bling, school supplies and fun trinkets of appriciation from PBiS.

Teachers have unique opportunities and responsibilities...
Watching students and teachers interact all day allows us the privilege of seeing  students grow up right before our eyes. They arrive in this building playing with toys, but leave the building three years later, nearly ready for car keys. We would not trade our students for any others!
Welcome to the middle school.

Do not confuse compassion for weakness!
Is there a thing such as too mean?  
Can you be too nice?  
How about not smiling until Thanksgiving?  
These questions are often asked by teachers, parents and others adults trying to guide students into a healthy and productive future. This light reading offers an articulate perspective on how to reach and influence students who cross our paths, along with implications for reaching students in any setting.

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How about a ride in this ride to Pizza Hut?

“The trouble is you are not trouble!”
Watching our district improve behaviorally, academically and socially provides us with encouragement, enthusiasm and renewed passion about our jobs day in and day out. As we develop interventions for ALL learners (and not just those who are struggling) we think about what works and what does not. We think about being in a classroom, and consider how we like to be treated. We then articulate and implement a broad range of initiatives  to reach students at all levels of ability and serve their needs. If we find we don’t have the tricks, we look into current research scholarship and develop what will work. Thinkers such as Hattie, Marzano, etc, as well as sources as accessible as Pinterest, are filled with ideas of effective, kid-tested interventions. We spend a lot of time looking at data, numbers, strengths, areas of growth and potential development.

All the 7th graders are invited to take a day off school.  Would you pay $10 to attend a show, have a lunch and hang out with your firends all day?  I would!

Jeans Days for Teachers
Our seventh grade teachers are assembling a grade level field trip to The St. Louis Repertory Theater during a school day, December 16th. For $10, students will travel to Webster Groves, attend a tour back stage, share a meal, watch the play that is tied to their curriculum and ride back in time to get them on the regular bus home that same day! Teachers are even supporting the cause, paying $8 and contributing to students possibly needed a bit of support. This contribution allows teachers  to wear jeans everyday from November 30th to December 4th.

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Thanks PBiS for organizing this Warrio Way Store. 
It seems like a good way to reach another group of students.

Monday 11/23
Teachers had all grades entered into the system yesterday. Today the grades were emailed to parents and guardians.
Basketball against Montgomery City
Boys travel there
Girls host them here

Tuesday 11/24
Lincoln County Counselor’s Meeting @ Central Office
Basketball against Wright City
Boys travel there
Girls host them here

Wednesday 11/25 & Sunday 11/29
The Middle School Boys will have Basketball practice during Thanksgiving Break. #boom   #nextlevel  See the Coach for details!

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Rollin' on out to the Pizza Hut!
Monday 11/30
Basketball against Warrenton
Boys travel there
Girls host them here

Tuesday December 1st  (Can you believe we are here, already?)
8th Grade Basketball against Wentzville - here

Wednesday 12/2
Early Release Day
Our teachers will participate in an Active Shooter Training as presented by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department

Thursday 12/3
Lincoln County DART (Drug and Alcohol Reduction Team) is administering an area wide survey to 6th, 9th and 12th graders through the County. They will be at Winfield Middle School on 12/3 to survey the 6th graders during Ac Lab. Parents may opt out in writing or by emailing mismith@pfh.org with their student’s name and the words “OPT OUT” in the body of the email.
Basketball against Montgomery City
Boys travel there
Girls host them here

Friday 12/4

Winfield Middle School is a great place to work. Students seem to enjoy being here. Discipline is at an all time low. Attendance, having room for growth and achievement, is poised to soar as well. Ask your students what the “real trouble” is at the middle school. See if they listened to our talk.

Again, this blog will cover the upcoming Presidential Proclamation, Thanksgiving and carry us into December.

Have a safe holiday.

Tom McCracken

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Next Level Lessons in Middle School

Respect others,
Respect your surroundings,
Respect yourself...
November 16th, 2015


Winfield Middle School is filled with learning opportunities, over and over again!
Even a brief review of the events of last week reveals the frequency and diversity of the exposure our students have to encounter something new. The Veterans’ Assembly, Breakdownstl, and the basketball tournaments provided a backdrop for students to consider new horizons on many fronts.


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For instance…
The Veterans’ Assembly, held in the middle school gym, hosted over two hundred veterans and a thousand students and staff. An event like this is created to honor and show gratitude to the Veterans in attendance, those currently serving and those who have gone ahead of us. Students singing, creating and sitting quietly and attentively is all the Veterans expect. Veterans appreciate the student offerings, knowing each contribution comes from the heart and personally expresses gratitude and thankfulness directly related to a Veteran’s sacrifice. From my very limited perspective, seeing the faces of Veterans and students alike radiating pride, joy, and warmth confirms in my heart that our message was felt. We are proud to host this annual event at Winfield Middle School.




And the next day…
A local organization called www.breakdownstl.org presented their message of nobility, new beginnings and commiment to the high school students first, but then also to the Middle School students. Seventh and eighth graders traveled by bus over to the high school, loaded up in their gym, and then sat attentively while this troupe presented in song, dance, drama and speech. Student-sensitive topics such as safety, choices, peer pressure and fresh starts were discussed with enough outspoken frankness to maintain interest and enough earnestness to convey importance. Our students loved it. After the assembly, we sent the seventh graders back to school for lunch and the eighth graders had a unique opportunity to connect with the cast, mingling, visiting, sharing and then culminating in an impromptu “dance off” that morphed into a beneficial opportunity for students to talk about things with true peers.




And finally…
Basketball Tournaments in the middle school often lead to discouragement and disappointment. This year however, our teams have noticed the results of playing as a team, working the plays, taking shots, and earning fouls for additional opportunities to score. Games scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays made the school nights a bit challenging, but students understood that the academic challenges were as taxing as the physical challenges. Lessons in winning are as valuable as lessons in losing and this week we had both. The final outcomes left our athletes with memories that may last their lifetimes!  Those memories and lessons are the reason we set up the extra curricular activities.




Accreditation
We have achieved full accreditation this year based on the scores below.


District and Building Data
Here are some numbers and figures we discuss with our Board of Education. They show an upswing from the prior year, but we still have a great distance  to go. Please stand with us in raising achievement levels, improving behavior and getting students to school EVERY SINGLE DAY. Success is a goal that takes all of us to truly realize our fullest potential.
On January 20th, 1961, John F Kennedy said, “Ask not what your school can do for you, but what you can do for your school.”  (school = country)
I have a similar approach in my mind and heart as I review this data above. I can only ask what I can do to support improving these scores.
Can I work harder or smarter?  
Am I focusing on the wrong things?
Should I focus my energies on something more productive?  
Am I too soft on my evaluations?  
Should I tell people what to do more?  
Should I micro-manage more?  


I ask myself these types of questions every time I see this data and reflect on the final outcome. I know I am only one person, but being part of a team is one of my highest values. I can really only find success if those around me have also found success.


Any time at WMS
Being part of this staff team at Winfield Middle School brings me a sense of pride and honor. Watching this group of teachers work so hard at building relationships, giving extra chances, teaching students first, content second and walking alongside our students stirs my heart. Successes and breakthroughs happen every day. Please feel welcome to stop by for a visit at any time. We appreciate the unannounced visits since they allow us to truly shine and demonstrate our authentic activities. We may be busy but we will work to host all our visitors


Monday - 11/16
7th grade basketball to Silex


Tuesday - 11/17
Top Fundraisers earned their Limo to Lunch Ride
  • 2 shifts begin at 10:30
  • 20+ sales and 25+ sales (25+ get to take a friend)  
  • Permission slips ARE REQUIRED
Board of Education Meeting at 6:30
Boys basketball at Orchard Farm


Wednesday - 11/18
Early Release
Girls to host Orchard Farm


Thursday - 11/19
Basketball v Silex tonight


Friday - 11/20
End of Progress Report grading period - all assignments should be turned previous to this day

Wednesday - 11/25 - 11/27
Thanksgiving Break


Upcoming

Teachers participate in Active Shooter Training - Early Release - 12/02/15