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.
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
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