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!
Honored,
Tom McCracken
@mccracken63
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