The Elevator Version or the Living Room Version?

Middle School Parent Blog

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The Elevator Version or the Living Room Version?

My wife and I were invited over to some friends’ house for dinner a few weeks back. We sat in their living room for a time, then the guys went out into the back to light the grill, while the ladies stayed inside. I noticed, when it was only two people in a smaller setting near the grill, the tone of our conversation became more transparent and unforced. We waited for each other to finish thoughts. We asked each other direct questions that demonstrated prior knowledge. We waited for the answers and allowed plenty of time for processing. We were able to talk about more than the weather, the Cardinals or each other’s health. It was a time of connecting. I felt refreshed, energized and reminded that I was in a good place in my life.

The next day, Jayne and I were heading down to her doctor's appointment on the 8th floor of the Brentwood Building. We walked in the building and noticed another couple looking at the marquee, trying to find their doctor’s office. As they turned around, Jayne realized they knew each other. , As we rode the elevator to the 11th floor, the ladies began chatting about common friends and family. Who was ill, why we were in the building, lost friends and even the uncommonly warm weather, but they couldn't really finish any of the conversation. The elevator stopped, the women promised each other to “get together soon” and we stepped out onto our floor.

I found myself feeling exhausted from the quick snippets of stories. As I compared this incident with the refreshing time with friends the evening before, I understood--perhaps for the first time-- the difference between a LIVING ROOM VERSION of a story and an ELEVATOR VERSION of the same story.

The elevator version is quick, conveys facts, ideas and basic information. It contains few details, though, and possible important omissions. The Living Room Version is longer, filled with details, often drawn out and maybe even embellished a bit. There is time for interaction between the speaker and the audience, with reflection and segues often following a path to deeper, more significant conversation.

I began to wonder about my version of stories presented here at school. Do I try and force a living room version of a story when I only have time for an elevator story, shoving too much into a small window, and thus forcing others to “drink from a fire-hose?” By trying to get it all done, am I really adding to the frustration level? Or, do I give the elevator version, possibly omitting critically important information?

Regardless, as I continue to practice, hone and develop my communication skills, I realize those skills will never be perfect. I will never be able to convey my intended message with flawless precision. But perfection, of course, is not the goal. The goal is to serve others as skillfully as I am able, sometimes using the living room version, other times using the elevator version, yet always remaining cognizant and aware of my message.

This group of professionals took huge risks by battling the students in an honest game of DODGEBALL. Teachers taking these risks sets the tone for an environment where students, too, will take a chance, try a new type of problem and cultivate the humble trappings of learning.  

Nice effort, Mrs. Cosby, Mrs. Hines, Mrs. Stroud, 144, Mr. Davis, Mr. Crump, Mr. Daugherty, Mr. Ross, Mr. Higgins and Mrs. Fisher!

Some of our other successes this year…

Google Docs - We now enjoy building-wide access to common documents, allowing us to work at our own pace, time and location, while also reducing the amount of paper we use.

PBiS - Our overall number of incidents requiring disciplinary measures have dropped substantially this year.

eValuate - We have moved toward more relevant and rigorous lesson plans in response to the data received from this formative tool.  

Warrior Way Store - On two Fridays a month, we host a store where students can exchange the tokens they have received as incentives and rewards. They can get whatever we have available in this store: snacks, pens and pencils, toys, posters, and Winfield wear. The feeling of security that accompanies having resources to “spend” for what you want is a necessary ingredient for students of poverty to take an educational risk.

Speaking of success, these young men are growing and changing right before our eyes. We welcomed them to the middle school three years ago and are now preparing to send them on their way. They are our contribution to the next generation. They have developed physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and even relationally, adapting to our style as much as we are adapting to theirs.

Ask them who won the DODGEBALL contest.

Middle School Calendar

Saturday

Warrenton Track Meet

(I can’t wait to hear, “We don’t want to attend that meet. WINFIELD is there!”)

Monday - Red Day

• Binder work for 7th hour; we will take a beginning look into next year

Tuesday - Black Day

• Binder work for 6th and 8th hour; just like yesterday, we will take a beginning look into next year

Wednesday - Red Day

• Middle School Track Meet at Louisiana

Thursday - Black Day - Here we go…  

• The first day of getting #onthemap here at the Middle School

• Algebra End Of Course exams at the High School

Friday - Regular Hours

• National Junior Honor Society Induction at 2:00 pm in the Gym

Upcoming

5/1 Character Word for May and the Summer - Self-Discipline

5/2-6 Teacher Appreciation Week  -

Think about a special note for one of your student’s favorite teachers

5/4 Spencer Library - (Meet the New York Times bestselling author April Henry. Get back home and in bed early for Map Testing the next day!)

5/5 MAP Testing - Middle School

Steering Committee - Mr. Higgins Room 7:20

5/6 MAP Testing - Middle School

5/10 MAP Testing - Middle School

5/11 MAP Testing - Middle School

5/12 Six Flags  - Leadership Students

5/13 SEMI - Students must be in attendance the day of the dance to attend Semi

5/16 Field Day  -  ALL Middle School students will begin the day with a “Pink & Purple” Assembly, and review expectations for Field Day

5/17 Final Ac Lab Challenge! - Dunk Tank - eValuate - Locker Clean Out; Survey Day

Board Of Education Meeting - 6:30 Central Office

5/18 Chris’s Cakes for consistent attendance and winners of Student of the Month

5/19 Last Day, Half Day, 8th Grade BBQ & Walk-Out (8th grade graduation)

HOW CAN A PARENT GET INVOLVED???

Help with the Warrior Way Store during occasional lunches at school

Provide tutoring after school

Provide supervision during needed times

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Please, call the office if you have suggestions or would like to participate in any of these or additional types of activities at the Middle School.

SUMMER SCHOOL

This year, we will be inviting students to summer school based on attendance and achievement in MATH and ELA. Candidate lists are being compiled right now. If you would like for your student to be considered as a candidate, please contact our office. The dates for summer school are June 1 - 28 at the High School, from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Friday.

SUMMER ACADEMY

Another transition program we sponsor helps to orient and ease students into the High School routine. This program is called the SUMMER ACADEMY. Eighth Grade candidates will be selected, invited and hosted to participate in this outstanding, acclaimed program. Activities at the High School build connections, relationships and prepare the students with a boost and head start as they transition to the complex world of high school. FACT: a student with a poor freshmen year is far more likely to drop out and never recover from the setback of the credit system. High school students must earn over 22 high school credits to graduate. Successful completion of the SUMMER ACADEMY starts students off on the right foot with their first .5 credit, before they even enter school in August!

April ord of the Month:   Confidence - The assurance that you can accomplish the task before you

“We don’t want to go…”  

Last week I stopped by the high school to watch our Middle School Track Team--all 70 of them--compete in their home meet, earning great accolades, hardware and glory. I drove from there to Montgomery County for the High School meet on the same night. It was there I had this vision of the future, where our track team becomes one of reputation and esteem. One day, other teams will look at us and think, “No, we don't want to go to that meet because Winfield is there and they are too good!”  This will happen with work, persistence and continued dedication. Talent alone will not be enough, but we will get there.

Thanks Winfield for allowing us to be a part of your life. We cherish every part of it!

Still trying for the Elevator Version…

Tom McCracken

WInfield Middle School