Here we go! Week #1 of WMS 2016-17

“Reach Them to Teach Them”

Winfield Middle School

Parent Blog

Issue 1

August 15, 2016

2016-17

Welcome Back

Even in PE Class, students and teachers were building connections, looking for common themes about life and reaching for teaching.  Day 1 here shows Coach sharing with some of our students.  Frontloading like this prepares the students to listen, relate to and trust their teachers sooner allowing greater things to be done later in the year.  By building these types of relationships, students and staff benefit from the tighter connections and trust.

Kickoff

It was truly spell-binding to see this team work together as we transitioned into this new school year.  The Middle School is really working to get ourselves #onthemap by #ReaachingThemToTeachThem.

Technology

The One to One program has a few details needing attention.  As digital natives, we want to embrace, endorse and ensure all our students have proper training in cyber issues, including security, cyber footprints and cyber manners.  To facilitate this awareness, the District is providing laptop computers for all middle and high school students in the 2016-17 school year and will base lessons and learning from the chromebook platform.

• An Informational Parent Meeting will be held at the Middle School for the parents of families receiving the laptops next Monday, August 22, at 5:30 PM.
• Both Middle School and High School parents will be welcome.
• Details to be discussed are as follows:
• All students may be loaned a laptop for the year.
• They must return their SIGNED PARENTAL AGREEMENT to take a computer home.
• They will be responsible for the devices, charging, bringing it to class, and security.
• All students will need to log onto a desktop computer to reauthorize and reset their passwords before the chromebook will work for them. Mrs. Hines is currently working to set this up in all ELA classes for the students.
• There will be an optional insurance policy for $30 that allows us to repair accidental damages for up to two claims per computer per school year.
• This fee is payable by September 2nd.
• The ELA classes will work with the library staff to hand them out accurately.
• We will issue them in order: 8th, 7th, & then 6th graders,with authorized paperwork.

This Week

Monday

• First day of practice for ALL Fall sports
• Physicals MUST be turned in before students are even allowed to practice.
• Stacy Diederich and Robert James will be here after school to assist collecting/organizing the student physicals
• Middle School Cheer Practice at the Intermediate Gym at 3:00-4:30.

Tuesday

• Winfield Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 at Central Office
• Middle School Cheer Practice at the Intermediate Gym at 3:00-4:30.

Wednesday

• Early Release Day
• Students staying at school will be expected to work on homework, read and remain under adult supervision while at school.  
• Students may also return home if transportation back to school can be arranged.
• Athletes need the days to practice before their first contests so attendance is vital.

Thursday

• PICTURE DAY FOR STUDENTS - These photos will go into the composite poster, the yearbook, ID Badges, and are available for ordering.  Dress nice.  Dress for success.
• Click here to order...   http://wagner.digitaleventpics.com/SC/index.cfm?fuseaction=EventLoad&eid=30096526&sn=WinfieldMS2016FallPictureOrderForm307866&fn=StLouisMO
• Middle School Cheer Practice at the Intermediate Gym at 3:00-4:30.

Communication:  From the Middle School, there are multiple methods of communication.

• DAILY EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS from our office share the direct upcoming events, plans, attendance data and inspirational messages.  Please call (636-668-8001)  or email (kristingross@winfield.k12.mo.us) the office to ensure you receive these regular announcements.
• A WEEKLY BLOG is also published to share an overview of upcoming events and perspectives of the  Middle School through the Public Relations Team. Links to this blog will come from REMIND, Facebook and Twitter.
• To subscribe to REMIND, text @mrmccracke to 81010 from your cell service.  This blind blast service allows you to get updates and links directly as they happen.
• Follow us on our Winfield Middle School facebook Page.  (MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT MISTAKENLY FOLLOWING THE KANSAS OR WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOLS)
• Follow Mr McCracken on Twitter @mrmccracken63 for any school or educational related topics as well.
• TEACHERS TOOLS:
• Teachers use SIS to update grades weekly.  The 3 week period between progress reports may not be enough feedback for some students so we will increase our gradebook updates.

• Many Teachers have REMIND accounts and will send reminders about assignments, tests and projects to those interested parents that have registered.
• Phone, email and even some text messages are frequent services we use.
• Calls to the office may be directed to emails or message taking.  Few staff have a voice mail so email is often the best way to correspond.

And yet, even after all of this, we sometimes hear things like, “I did not know that!”  Therefore, this year we want our communication to be streamlined but complete.  Frequent but not redundant. Pertinent yet sufficient.  Entertaining while vital.  Feedback, interaction and ongoing growth is our goal as we strive to be #thatschool filled with #thoseteachers trying to reach #EVERYCHILD.

“Car Riders and Walkers”

It looks like some students got a mighty big ride home on the first day of school this year.  Found in the gravel lot, this “Cool Truck” inspired many students to get a selfie!

Conclusion

Stay in touch this year.  Shortly, we will be planning an upgrade to our Pepsi with the Principal meetings.  The new format will be PIZZA, PEPSI AND THE PRINCIPAL.  Details will follow.

Tom McCracken