Monday Memo from the Middle School-Sept 28, 2015

Winfield Middle School

Sept 28 - Oct 2

Define Busy: “Busy” is when you cease to live a life that is proactive and intentional, and begin living one where life happens to you. Your behavior becomes reactionary, your life lacks fulfillment and eventually even lacks basic maintenance.

Do you own your schedule? Or does your schedule own you? During this busy time of year, all sports are in season, so schedules have no room left for down time, “me” time, or margins of unscheduled time. Although the body can handle this stress in limited intervals,a release is necessary to maintain optimal health. Please take extra time to exercise and eat right while things are the busiest. Also, remember--seasons change. This busyness is temporary.

My brother sent me this shot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The years it took to build it. In his book, Outliers, author Malcom Gladwell claims overnight success takes five years. We are on that path! Keep the focus and goal in mind but not to the point of personal sacrifice.

Define Manners:   “Manners” are efforts to make those around you comfortable

Our board of education approved the Peer Mistreatment Handbook at their last meeting. We are reviewing the language in Ac Lab and during lunch conversations.  For example, some of the terms we discuss are

PEER CONFLICT,

MEAN BEHAVIOR,

BULLYING,

UPSTANDERS and

BYSTANDERS

Parenting Hints

We follow the PBiS Warrior Way at school, but at home, what can parents do to help? Here is one of my favorite writers on the perspective of student behavior, motivation and discipline without stress. Take a look at his website for practical and useful hints and ideas. His book, Parenting without Stress:  Punishment or Rewards shows how to use adult authority WITHOUT coercion or force.

Monday 9/28

Each day this week, The Crider Center ( www.cridercenter.org) will be presenting to the 6th graders in Mrs. Cosby’s Social Studies class a program examining the merits of healthy relationships . Information about this  went home last week with the progress reports.

Volleyball at Home against Troy @ 5:00pm

Cross Country at Elsberry 4:00pm

Tuesday 9/29

Football v Louisiana at home @ 5:00pm

Wednesday 9/30

During Ac Lab, we’ll have our Fall Fundraiser assembly.

Details can be found here on the  Fall Fundraiser Kickoff flyer.

The Middle School would like to get additional books for the library and new sound equipment for the gym, depending on the amounts earned. In addition, Student Activities and PBiS are always looking for contributions. Great prizes are available for top sellers.

Softball at Elsberry @ 5:00pm

Thursday 10/1

Middle School Softball Party

Volleyball to host Hannibal @ 5:00pm

Upcoming Events

See this district calendar maintained by Stacy Diederich for up to the minute details on most district events

Early Release Oct 7th

End of Term 1 (1st quarter) Oct 9th

Parent / Teacher Conference Dates

Middle School & Intermediate Oct 13th & 15th

Primary & High School Oct 12th & 14th

Fall Break Oct 16th, 19th & 20th (No school for students)

New Teacher Bio Pages

Some have asked for some way to get to know our staff new to the building.

Linked here, you will see a brief bio from Mr. Crump.

Stay tuned for bi-weekly updates from other new members of the team.

Conclusion

One of the best things about Winfield Middle School is the fun we can have, yet still work so hard at learning. Our students enjoy entertainment and good, fun competitive games. See our facebook page for proof as we show off Class Color Day and the assembly to the end the week! We all gathered in the gym and had a Knock-out Basketball Contest for the new Ac Lab Champion. Mr. Daugherty took the trophy back to the Batcave.

Mr. McCracken and Ms. Mix interrupted Ms. Hines discussing the warrior way, responsible, respectful and safe! Mix Money or McCracken Money?

Which is more valuable? Let’s find out!

There is talk of Pink becoming the new Gray!?!?

Maybe we could Gray Tape somebody to the wall!??

#Homecoming this year has gone smoothly due to the flexibility of the teachers, great behavior from the students and the support of the parents. Thank you to all.

October begins this week! WOW.

Tom McCracken

Winfield Middle School Principal

Staff Bio: Diversity & Experience

 Diversity & Experience

Staff new to the Winfield Middle School:
Benjamin "Benji" Crump

   At the Middle School, we look for diversity and experience with our staff.  We want to build an environment for students that embraces individuality, acceptances and compassion.  Below, we welcome Benjamin 'Benji' Crump as he introduces himself to the community.

"One of the reasons the thought of teaching at Winfield was appealing to me, is that it is very similar to the town I grew up in. Even though this is my first year of teaching here, this is my sixth year of teaching all together.  

I graduated from Truman State University with a degree in English and Education. Before I graduated I went to Vilseck, Germany to do my student teaching. I really enjoy traveling, so I got my first job teaching 4^th grade in Noorvik, Alaska (Have any of you ever seen the show, Life Below Zero?). I then moved to CenterPoint, Alabama and worked in the middle school. Then I moved back to Conway and taught 5^th grade for three years. Currently, I am here in Winfield. J My wife and I are currently buying a house near Winfield to make this area our home.

        My wife and I got married last year, and we just had our first child; his name is Tiernan. He is only 7 months old right now. My wife, Caylea, is also a teacher. She teaches third grade for the St. Charles School District.

        In my spare time I enjoy being with my family and our son. However, when Tiernan is sleeping, my wife and I also enjoy playing with our two dogs, Rhyme and Reason. I was very excited to move near Winfield, as some of my favorite things to do are to fish, hunt, and be outdoors (doing anything…).

         In addition to spending time with my family and being outdoors, I also enjoy reading. Some of my favorite book series’ and novels are Dragonriders of Pern, Zanth, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Lawn Boy.

        As a new 8^th grade ELA teacher, I think it is important to know that Language Arts was not my favorite subject in school. However, I greatly enjoyed it as I got older and realized I was able to express myself in writing in a way that no other person had ever written before. Every sentence was brand new! It is that enthusiasm and hope that I want each student to try and have for reading and writing as they grow as learners.

        I am greatly looking forward to getting to know each and every student, the parents, and the community here."

Pepsi with the Principal

 From Communication to Pepsi with the Principal

Wednesday 5:30pm at Winfield Middle School

Wednesday, the Middle School will be hosting a Pepsi with the Principal.

We will begin at 5:30pm in the Middle School cafeteria.

Topic: Communication 

Lunch discussions this week:
At lunch this week our character lessons addressed peer mistreatment, bullying, empathy for others and success. We also discussed the events and agenda for Homecoming Spirit Week Activities..  In fact, Friday we ended lunch with a story.  As the story goes, a few years ago  Mr. McCracken answered an interview question about success and tried to use his transcript with all A's as the proof of his success.  It was the WRONG answer.  A few years later, he was fortunate enough to get feedback from an interview committee member.  He was able to learn from his failure and learn a better definition for Principals' success. 
(Parents, ask your students how Mr. McCracken defines success now.)

F.A.I.L. =  First  Attempt  In  Learning

Parent Communication
Would anyone ever really hear, "Too much communication comes from the Middle School?" We think that would be an admirable goal. Staff discussions about improving this blog and other modes of communication are underway!  Considerations include Counselor's Corner,  staff bios,  and teacher posts.

Homecoming Week at the Middle School

Monday 9/21

HOMECOMING - BLACK OUT DAY 

Progress reports to go home with a letter from Superintendent Nancy Baker

Tuesday 9/22

HOMECOMING – TWIN DAY

Football to Bowling Green – 5:30 pm

Volleyball against Montgomery County – 5:30 pm 

Wednesday 9/23

HOMECOMING – DRESS LIKE A HERO (no cape)

Softball at Wright City 5:00 pm

PEPSI with the PRINCIPAL at the Middle School – Topic: Communication

Thursday 9/24

HOMECOMING – SUPERHERO WITH CAPES

Our entire faculty and staff of Winfield School is receiving training in Children Safety Issues through Mandated Reporter Training.  The Middle School teachers will be trained after school today.

Softball at Van Far 5:00 pm

Friday 9/25

HOMECOMING – CLASS COLOR DAY 6^th white, 7^th red, 8^th black

Ac Lab Challenge Assembly hosted by Ms. Gracey Friday morning.  Our assemblies share fun and ideals.

Saturday 9/26

HOMECOMING PARADE at 10:00 am  Clubs, Groups, Teams and Grades etc are invited to participate.

Softball Tournament at Troy High School 8:00 am,  9:45 am, 11:30 am, until 1:00 pm

High School Homecoming Game at the High School – Kick off at 1:00 pm.

Sunsets over Lincoln County regularly leave lasting impressions. Middle School also leaves lasting impressions.  We want this time to influence our students.

Upcoming

Homecoming and Spirit Week is next week, Sept 21-26…  Fun outfits daily and assembly on Friday, .
Pepsi with the Principal - Sept 23, Middle School Cafe at 5:30 pm - School Improvement Meeting
Red Ribbon Week in October 26-30th - Dodgeball Kickoff on Monday right after school.

Crider Presentations to begin Sept 28th (www.cridercenter.org) to 6th graders on youth issues such as healthy choices, cyber concerns and self-esteem.  Check out their website and continue to watch this site for additional information as we approach the time frame. 
Current methods to communicate with the Middle School 
Like us on Facebook
Follow Mr. McCracken on Twitter @McCracken63
Register with SIS for the email announcements from the Middle School office
Remind 101 - Text Msg Blast Service - Send @mrmccracke to 81010 on cell phone

McCrackens Monday Memo to the Middle School

Mom: How was school today?

Middle School Student: Fine

Mom:  What happened?

MS Student: Nuthin'

How often does this conversation take place in kitchens and living rooms across the country?

This blog will help fill the gap between what happens at school and what parents need to know.

Check weekly for updates.

Winfield Middle School in July

Seasons at the Middle School, green grass, flowers and even snow, remind us of the frequent shifts in the focus, interest and energy of our middle school friends.  

This blog will strive to crystallize an inside perspective of the microcosm we call the middle school, organize the diversity and present a "behind the scene" point of view to this animated microcosm we call Winfield Middle School for parents, guardians and student care-givers.

Goal
Increase regular and consistent use of communication between Winfield Middle School and parents of our students, through a Monday blog sharing weekly, monthly and, upcoming events.  After a few discussions about various needs in the district as well as individual buildings, we thought a weekly letter/blog might support the daily announcements.  A link to this blog will be posted on the daily announcements as well as Remind 101.

Let's begin.

Components
Every day, I feel so honored and fortunate to be trusted to share with students of our community.  Daily, staff and teachers have heart to heart, serious conversations with students in classes, hallways and even lunch. For instance,  Friday we talked about "over-reacting" and how to address friends that are fine one day but get offended the next day, over the exact same behaviors.  Sensitivity and empathy is key here. Prior to that, Thursday we talked about integrity and doing things right, even though nobody is really watching.
One use of this column may be to share those conversations with parents and the community.

Life Lessons, such as Social Currency
As a staff, we address topics such as student motivation, discipline, accountability and "social currency."  Middle School students are often enthused and motivated by the amount of social currency they can earn from their teachers and each other.  Deposits and withdrawals are tallied continuously and mentally by each student.  Some accounts are filled with praise and encouragement.  Other accounts are filled with criticism and discouragement. Middle School students are hypersensitive to the perceived balance required to connect. Motivations shift from extrinsic to intrinsic after sufficient social capital has built up.  Building relationships between staff and student improves social capital. Middle school students gain confidence and security sufficient to take those educational risks necessary to grow and learn.  Hence, our favorite book, Green Eggs and Ham is really about intentional relationship building.

Middle School Clubs
We are working to allow and organize student clubs during our school day here at the middle school so bus riding students have an opportunity to participate.  So far this year we have these clubs and sponsors coming together to host meetings during Wednesdays when we do not have early release.
YEARBOOK - GUILE
STUCO - UHLMEYER
ART - FLAMM
PEER INTERACTION - MIX/MCCRACKEN
WJHS - HINES
SPIRIT/PEP - HOFF

Calendar of the Week - September 14th - 25th

Monday
Cross Country to Bowling Green
Softball hosts Troy at 4:30
Volleyball hosts Bowling Green @ 5:00 here

Tuesday
Winfield School Board Meeting-6:30 at Central Office
Middle School Football Game against Troy at our house -  Start time 5:00 pm –

 Wednesday

Early Release Day

Softball @ Warrenton Jr High at 4:30

Thursday

Volleyball at Warrenton @ 5:00

Softball hosts Elsberry at 5:30

Friday

End of Progress Report #2

Saturday

7^th Grade Troy Volleyball Tourney at 9:00 at Troy Middle School

Upcoming

Homecoming and Spirit Week is next week, Sept 21-26…  Assembly, fun outfits, daily.
Pepsi with the Principal - Sept 23, Middle School Cafe at 5:30 - School Improvement Meeting
Red Ribbon Week in October 26- 30th - Dodgeball Kickoff on Monday right after school

Crider Presentations to begin Sept 28th (www.cridercenter.org) to 6th Graders on youth issues such as healthy choices, cyber concerns and self-esteem.  Check out their website and continue to watch this site for additional information and forms as we approach the time frame. 

Winfield Middle School in January

As the snow blankets our infield, we are reminded again that life past is a story and we must go on, persist and endure.  Middle school is filled with extremes, therefore the staff at Winfield Middle School enthusiastically support all the variety that comes in this great time of life.

Thanks

Tom McCracken
tommccracken@winfield.k12.mo.us 
Winfield Middle School
207 8th Street
Winfield MO 63389
636-358-9268

 ps.   This blog, McCrackens's Monday Memo to the Middle School, will focus on the interests, needs and activities for parents of the middle school.  There are other blogs from Mr McCracken as well.  Feel free to peruse his education blog here.