WMS Parent Blog
February 8, 2016
After blogging about sunsets last week, my wife Jayne and I saw this color from the Winfield Lock and Dam #25 on the Mississippi River. The bald eagles had left their isolated respite on the drifting ice in the center of the river and had made their way skyward to their overnight perches.
Hope for the future, right here in front of us
One privilege I enjoy is supervision and overseeing our building. Friday, while touring classrooms before our guest speaker arrived, I stopped by one room filled with students diligently working on their projects. They sat in small groups, pairs and even individually. Regardless of their seating, each pair of eyes was focused on a page of peer written prose. In this activity called “peer editing,” students gain perspectives from a reader and a writer instantly broadening their view. They write, then read, offer suggestions, pose questions, and return papers. It was during this unscheduled pop-in observation that I was struck. I knew instantly that our our future with these students right here in front of me as the stewards, was going to be alright. I was encouraged, amazed, a bit impressed and somewhat inspired to know that collectively, we were going to endure. I could see these children continuing their educations, finding out more about their own interests, passions and strengths and maturing into the finest of young men and women. They were truly our future and I was instantly assured that we are in good hands. They were careful, intentional and deliberate, yet still children. As the future of our communities, holding the potential power to vote, to participate in our government, to serve as teachers, doctors, office workers and various professionals, these students were motivational. Thank you for trusting us with this task!
Rules of the road, to keep our future intact
We have recently reassessed our procedural guidelines for cars delivering students to school in the morning. Increasing numbers of drivers are dropping off their passengers and then driving past buses while students are unloading. This has happened several times, including while the buses have their stop signs engaged--as every licensed driver knows, this is not only against state law, but also puts students at enormous risk. Our highest value in this school district is the safety of our students; a value which we will not compromise. Therefore, we are increasing our vigilance toward students getting safely into the building, and drivers showing compliance to state law. Drivers may notice new traffic cones placed in the drop off area, clearly identifying appropriate routes.
A somber note
Tina Meier, the mother of Megan Meier, came to share her story with Winfield Middle School on Friday. She brought her message of tragedy, bullying, despair and hope to a gymnasium full of students, staff and parents. Click the link below to refresh your memory about the details of this event that made international news and riveted the nation’s attention. Tina Meier travels constantly, speaking around the world, and has told her story thousands upon thousands of times in the past nine years. Her morning with us included her speaking on the specifics of the natural, unintended consequences of cyber-bullying and story fabrication. She also described more subtle, but equally vicious, forms of bullying, and even some great verbal comebacks to silence verbal bullying. And finally, of course, she told her own story of her daughter’s suffering at the hands of cyber-bullies. When she finished speaking, several students lingered in the gym to speak with her, tell their story, share hugs, etc. Tina stayed and spoke with students as long as they wanted to talk. She is an exceptional woman who found a way to channel a personal tragedy into something redemptive, healing and life-giving for communities all over the world. We know that students everywhere are longing to find their own direction based on their passions, talents, abilities and friends. They must be free to pursue this in an environment that offers security, supportiveness, and kindness. Unfortunately, tragedy visited the Meier family. Tina Meier now champions communication, safety and education to anyone and everyone she meets. Look her up on www.meganmeierfoundation.org to learn the rest of her story.
Upcoming Schedule
Monday - 2/8
Binder Team meetings allow teachers to meet within the daily schedule to collaborate, cooperate and compare. We are protective of this rare opportunity to address our shared concerns.
Tuesday - 2/9
Principals also meet to address building and district concerns. Next week is our Board of Education meeting so we meet this week prior to brief each other and prepare our presentations.
Thursday - 2/11
Care Team Meeting in the morning before school to address behavioral issues among struggling students and possible interventions as written about elsewhere in this blog.
Friday - 2/12
Today marks two thirds of the way through third quarter. Teachers will tally and figure Progress Report grades over the weekend, to be emailed out on Monday of next week.
Upcoming
It’s A Pretty Big Deal and The Glow Dance - details shortly
Final details on MAP dates and end of the year planning will be published in upcoming issues of this blog. Stay tuned.
Diversity, Experience and Passion for People...
A few weeks ago, I mentioned diversity, experience and a passion to serve students instead of serving content. Forthcoming issues of this blog will share and expound on personal experiences surrounding those topics.
Most Sincerely,
Tom McCracken
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