Knockerball?
February 22, 2016
It’s a pretty big deal…
Our Middle School teachers discuss and debate the merits of various types of motivation; the purely intrinsic, the purely extrinsic, or the balance of the two. Intrinsic motivation is when a student comes to school and is internally motivated to achieve, earn and engage without too much outside prompting. On the other hand, other students are motivated when enticed with some reward, prize or tangible event. Hence, the www.knockerballweststl.com event last week during our assembly was created to reward those who had already and consistently earned an advanced or proficient score on their eValuate tests, OR students who had raised their scores on both tests. The top 50 students were selected and a secret call was made to their parents to try and arrange for a clandestine approval of participation in Knockerball. This way, parents got a call commending the efforts of their students, then were asked to keep a secret because the event was A PRETTY BIG DEAL--as alluded to in the flyer below. In fact, a facebook video of just a portion of the event has just about gone viral. As of Saturday, within 24 hours, it received over 1200 viewings. 
On the Men’s Team, Mr. Crump and Coach Davis prepare to battle against their opponents for the Staff Round of Knockerball. See our facebook page for the viral video.
Priority: Attitude or Accomplishment?
Motivation, student accountability and the question of grades surface often in this middle school. We often ask ourselves, “What is more important to us as teachers, citizens and people? Do we want a student to be with us with a good attitude, even though his work may not be done? Or do we want want students whose work is done but their attitude is lacking?” Do we have a choice between the two? Is it more important for us to value one over the other? Do we, as teachers have a lot of influence over either??? Together, as a team, we all want the best for our students, both now and in their future. We want them to know the feeling of enjoying success, even though “success” at this point in their lives requires learning the foundations of what will come later in high school: chemistry, physics, trigonometry literary interpretation. In this photo, Coach Stokes, an alumni of Winfield’s own high school, prepares for a duel with his friendly rival and colleague Coach Rodgers, in the Knockerball Challenge. After their AC LAB Wrestling Challenge in December, their rivalry has only intensified on the surface. If you were to meet either of them individually, they would banter and boast like true professionals! Great to have you both, guys.
On a positive note…
eValuate Cycle A of Content Tested
...and eValuate Cycle B of Content Tested
Math Scores:
The A test: 23, 27 & 31 and the B test: 22, 25 & 28
Here we see math scores increasing steadily on both tests. Each month shows a building-wide improvement. Individual grade levels are shown but individual student scores are only available through SIS or your student. We still have the March and April diagnostic assessments before our MAP testing in the spring. Anticipation and energy are getting higher throughout our building as we consider everything surrounding those important statewide assessments. While those tests measure individual student progress from year to year, a compilation or “collage” of all the scores in the building is also established. That collage allows us to compare our students, teachers, and scores with all the other schools in Missouri.
ELA Scores:
The A test: 41, 42 & 48 and the B test: 45, 48 & 47
Similarly in English/Language Arts (ELA), we are seeing growth as well. A slight dip in the scores of the recent group of 7th graders reflects either an anomaly or in increase in the rigor of the questions. We are presently working to determine the cause and then considering our options going into the spring MAP tests.
Speaking of the MAP testing…
Parents, PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE ANYTHING FOR Thursday or Friday, MAY 5th & 6th FOLLOWED BY MAY 9th, 10th or 11th. The Middle School will schedule our building testing on those dates.
Upcoming Agenda Details
Yearbook orders were due last week. You may be able to send in a late order! Please contact the office.
Saturday
Follow @goWinfield on Twitter for the latest on the Quest for Hardware at the State of Missouri Wrestling Championship. It really was a pretty big show!
Wednesday
Technology Debrief with Mr. Neels regarding the IT team’s recent conference on educational technology.
Thursday
PBiS Tier - Care Team Meeting
In Progress
Harlem Wizards - Last week, with nothing but his wits and a basketball, ToJo from the long established www.harlemwizards.com entertained nearly 1,000 students in our gymnasium. Although that day featured no special tricks or abilities, ToJo’s experience, voice and obvious ease and confidence drew the students to him. On February 28th, however, the entire team will be joining ToJo for sky-high slams, antics, audience participation and the rapid-fire comedy that has kept the Wizards performing constantly for 53 years. All proceeds are dedicated to raise funds for and awareness of the Lincoln County Educational Foundation.
- Spring Sports/Track tryouts begin next Monday Feb 29th - start running now!
- Middle School MAP Schedule Established - MAY 5, 6, 9, 10 & 11
- Middle School’s block schedule to will align with the High School’s schedule throughout the last month of school
- Transition program - Summer Academy for the 8th Graders
- 8th Grade Shadow Days at the High School
- 5th Grade Transition and Shadow Days for the 5th graders.
PBiS
Tier 1 - Data, Warrior Way Tickets, The Warrior Way Store
Tier 2 - Care Team
Ms Guile’s and Ms Stroud’s 1st hour classes tied each other in the contest to enjoy the spoils of their labors. Does it seem like that Principal is in the middle of every meal ever served at the Middle School???
Attendance Contest Cycle
Another area we track statistics on is our attendance. Missouri’s statewide district supervisors prefer that we have 90% of the students here 90% of the time. Class periods compete against each other; the first to reach five days of perfect attendance earns a pizza party or fresh, hot cookies, right out of the oven!
Parent Communication Parents, are you getting enough communication from the middle school? If not, try adding these as additional sources of Middle School News!
Blogs
Remind 101
Assemblies
Facebook / Twitter
SIS Gradebook Update
Make-up snow day - Thursday, March 24th, (Last day of school before Spring Break)
Conclusion
It is such an honor to watch everyone associated with the middle school put themselves aside and work together to serve the students. The Knockerball Event was a huge success. The upcoming Harlem Wizards show is exciting. Pizza for attendance works. We may even expand that to any group that gets five perfect attendance days. Thanks to everyone who helped out, from putting up the decorations, operating the Go-Pro, forming teams, “black spots,” dueling coaches, and good fun for all.
Sincerely,
Tom McCracken
On behalf of the Staff and Students of Winfield Middle School
On behalf of the Staff and Students of Winfield Middle School
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