Don't let the GOOD get in the way of the GREAT!

January 30, 2017

Slow and steady wins the race.

Comparing the current eValuate score card with last year, again this month we notice positive, clear growth worth celebrating. It is better than last year across the board.

Well done, Team. Keep up the good work.

“Don’t Smile!”

Students typically bury their heads in thought and contemplation throughout the entire building. Math students ciphering, ELA authors creating, Social Studies debating deep thoughts and abstract ideas, science exploring space, PE burning up gobs of expendable energy and elective classes investigating various specialties. Welcome to the Middle School.

Frequently, this is the real deal! They needed very little prompting to “look like they were working!”  These views, although obviously posed, were actually real only just moments before.

Students could not keep from smiling, even when instructed “not to smile” and “pretend you are working!”

#BestPlaceEver

Cold and Flu Season is upon us!

Who is that masked man wearing the cool word cloud NJHS shirt?

Ask the photobombers!

To improve your chances of staying healthy, stay clean and wash your hands frequently. Limit the hi-fives and try a fist bump instead.

Additionally, student yearbooks are on sale. Order NOW but delivery won’t be till May. Here is a little step where we can encourage them to plan ahead. For only $15, they get a great nostalgic memento, fun memories and a chance to get as many signatures as possible from ALL their friends.

Schedule for January 30th - February 3rd

Monday

• Valentine's Day Chocolate Fundraiser Complete TODAY.
• Students to hand in money to office today

Tuesday

• Community Bright Futures Meeting at the Central Office at 6:00 pm.

Wednesday

• Early Release Feb 1st AND it’s also the date for our NAEP tests -

Thursday

• Chess Club in Mr. Utlaut’s room

Upcoming/Ongoing items to keep on your radar

• Yearbook Sales Window - Jan 23rd - Feb 17th
• Feb 6-13 NJHS CANDY GRAM sales at lunch, delivered Feb 14th during ac lab
• February 14th - Glow Dance 2:45-4:30
• Harlem Wizards at TBHS, Feb 19th @ 2:00 pm
• NJHS - DodgeBall Tournament - February 22nd 2:45-4:30
• March 10th - NJHS volunteer day at Food bank (7th/8th grade only)
• April 6- Bumper Volleyball Tournament 2:45-4:30

#NoDryEye

A bit more about #goodbye21. Emma came to the board meeting to listen to the recitation of her poem. Arriving early, her family gathered together in the lobby to prepare for the Middle School portion of the meeting. We had a few minutes to wait while the other buildings presented their recognitions. When asked if she was ready to read the verse, Emma replied with an emphatic “No!”  We did not want to pressure her into the recitation but when it came time to read the poem, she was right there, ready to perform and willing to confront the saga, one more time.

Moving, heartfelt and authentic! These are just a few terms that could describe the experience. Those fortunate enough to be in the room, saw a little girl overcome her barriers and conquer the obstacles of fear and rejection that might hold others back. Many in the audience were visibly moved by the event and those familiar with her backstory seemed most impacted.

About halfway through, Emma was about to break down when asked by her uncle, “Do you want Mr McCracken to finish?” she mustered up her courage and said “No, I got this!” Redoubling her efforts, taking comfort from her little niece, Emma pressed onto the finale, got through and received a raving round of applause from the audience. Thank you, Emma, for sharing your heart with us.

Here’s a video of the author reading that Poem.

Goodbye 21

God has a way of saying Goodbye

He says it through those who fly

They soar Through the Sky Seeking those who Cry

He tried to Run

But at Twenty-One he drifted toward  the Sun

He had A Goliath Heart and a Brand New Start

She is a Sweetheart With a face like a piece of Art and oh so smart

He was her Dad Who Wore plaid it was So sad  

Who Knew that little Green car Could leave Such A Scar

Left, Head Spinning, She’s just Skimming All the Memories

So, Loving But no one to Love She’s left alone in Sorrow wishing there was no tomorrow

Jesse, He was a family Man he just wanted to love his Daughter, now he Never Can

No one could ever be as Happy as Gabby Until there was no more Daddy

Candius Is a Great Mom she knew to be calm and knew her daughter like the back of her palm

The bond between that little girl and her Dad was Amazing it’s like she Would praise him

And for that little Girl nothing could  phase him

Without her Dad there’s an Empty Space inside, that little Girl lost all Her Grace

She was so sad it was like I watched her Heart Slowly Crack down the Middle

Sad doesn’t even Start to Express her emotion Her tears as White as the waves of the Ocean.

#Backstory

An organic experience like that, where things come together and a student gets a chance to overcome, build confidence and reach beyond themselves reminds me of WHY we all take these jobs in education. After Emma presented to the Board of Education, her parent wrote:

Thank you to you for the opportunity to teach Emma that there are situations that arise in life that although may be difficult are worth the temporary struggle and uncomfortable environment. She was so proud of herself for facing all those people despite her fears when we left! She was terrified. What a great life lesson especially when facing a fear. Teaching her in a scary situation that she felt pressure in, to have Faith. That in a situation (even like the ones she confronts at school) in the end she did it. It wasn’t all that bad even if it seemed terrifying in the beginning!

;)

This would be one more contribution to a scrapbook, one like we all build, reminding us of the children, families, lives and in turn, the future that we influence daily with every conversation. Keep up that great work and remember it is for today AND tomorrow that we serve community of Winfield School District.

Humbled and honored to be a part of this experience at Winfield Middle School.

Tom McCracken

Rank the following terms: Attendance, Achievement, and Behavior

Jan 23, 2017

Second Semester Progress Reports are coming later today

The Game of Life!

Lessons from the Middle School

Working with these students, they could be practicing anything from serving coffee, to counting money, laundry, shopping, cooking food, and other skills necessary for life. Above, they are appreciating the Lincoln County Retired Teachers Association for their endorsement and funding of the Keurig machine. Once again, a staff member went above and beyond, and now our students benefit from those efforts!

Thank you Ms. Dahlia.

What are our areas of focus at the Middle School?

Attendance, Achievement, and Behavior

Middle School Attendance

Fundraisers  

Fundraisers allow us to do few extra little things for students throughout the day.

At lunch, a few (10-20) students have received a little sample treat from our fundraiser guy, Rick.

These really are some of the best chocolates available.  

The students are selling these to raise funds for various activities, like Knockerball last year…

Motivation flows from students when teachers use relevant materials to present rigorous content based on relationships.

We really do have to reach them to teach them!

Focus on the Minors to Reduce the Majors

Schedule for Jan 23rd - 27th

Monday

• Valentine's Day Chocolate Fundraiser all week
• Yearbook sales, now through February 17th. Contact Ms Harmon or Ms Guile for details

Tuesday

• Board of Education Meeting at Central Office at 6:30pm
• Highlights include the Student Work Sample
• Student of the month candidates

Thursday

• Chess Club in Mr. Utlaut’s room

Here’s a fun #TBT pic from an attendance contest last year

Friday

• Valentine's Day Chocolate Fundraiser concludes -

Upcoming/ Ongoing items:

• Yearbook sales window - Jan 23rd - Feb 17th

• Early Release Feb 1st / NAEP tests -
• Harlem Wizards at TBHS, Feb 19th @ 2:00 pm
• The Megan Meier Foundation is Hosting the Feb 24th Workshop

Nice work Ms. Gross!  

Word of the month:

“FAIRNESS”

Trying to stay as brief as possible, I wanted to reiterate on ALL the positive I see throughout the community: authentic praise, sincere smiles, high fives (or fist bumps), teachers out of their comfort zone, parents holding students to their individual high standards esteeming rigor over difficulty, mindful that fair does NOT mean equal. Assignments may actually differ, but each student gets what he or she needs to succeed! That is true education, one that takes each person to their next level!   

NAEP Exam

We have been selected to represent in the NAEP tests. A few 8th graders will be chosen to act as our Ambassadors. Additional details: found here.

Conclusion:

Fear of Failure!

Gamification is only one way to help students learn to overcome the fear of failure. Authentic praise and encouragement from a caring adult is another.

Avoiding phrases like, “We only like winners!” or “Second place is for losers” or

“No losers allowed!” is where this starts.

Anything that ties performance or achievement with approval reinforces the idea that learners are not worthy unless they perform perfectly the first time.

For instance, there is no way to match, copy, reproduce, duplicate or even truly describe the colored nuances between the two cloud sets, seen in the same sky. Even this photo fails to portray the depth and breadth of the beauty displayed over our Lincoln County sky. We might try to paint it to capture the beauty, but would fall quite short. In the same way, we can’t reach the  pinnacle of perfection, no matter how high we try. Failure is necessary, mandatory, and even vital for life-changing growth.

It is the fear of failing, letting others down or not earning enough love that stifles many learners. Students may tend to doubt their efforts, thoughts or growth are sufficient to meet another’s expectations. Hence, they self-impose a posture of withdrawal, frozen from even trying, because that leads to rejection. Too often, students  act out to avoid the trial or educational adventure if the fear of failure rests within their consciousness. They wear their own handcuffs, motivated to avoid rejection due to missing the mark.

Additionally, caring adults adjusting their attitudes and actions, speaking words of hope, positivity and encouragement among ourselves and with our students with NO COST TO OURSELVES overcomes this negativity. I understand that students need anywhere from four to twelve positive interactions to overcome a single negative comment. (Even then, the negative comment still remains lodged in their cranium.) The positivity permeating this place extends far deeper than these walls!  

Keep it up, Community. Together, we are truly changing the world, one positive comment at a time!

Humbly,

Tom McCracken

 

Caught or Taught? What is most important?

Jan 16, 2017

Last Friday at the Middle School

At the Middle School, we relish the adventures in challenges, obstacles and surprises.  But sometimes, even we need to say “uncle” and try a re-do.  After the ice storm we had a few weeks back, we did not want to

re-enact any part of that evening again this past Friday.  Although, the Ice Event in December brought out the best in the community! It was amazing and impressive the way so many people throughout the entire county stepped up to help out, kept calm in the face of uncertainty, joined in and worked tirelessly till ALL students were safe at home and accounted for. We'd rather skip that part.

Overall, we did learn a lot that night, some of which borders on avoidance, like...

“Maybe we really don’t want to do that again.”

The Band Concert

The combined Make up Band Concert with Christmas in January demonstrated many hours of practice, growth and improvement and even though it was after Christmas, it was pleasant to listen to them perform.

The Harlem Wizards are coming back again this year

Team member “Rocket” works the packed house with an easy agility, both verbally and physically. He entertains everyone in the room with antics, teasing and showmanship.

The rest of the Harlem Wizards will be back:

February 19th at 2 PM at Troy Buchanan High School.  

Tickets Available through the central office 636/668-8188

You’ve been TRICKED!

A fun game of HIDE-N-SEEK with this young man right after the amazing upset where “Rocket” was tricked!

Family friendly fun and entertainment.

Schedule for Jan 16th - 20th

Monday

• MLK Day IS NOW a makeup school day. School WILL be in session.
• Valentine's Day Chocolate Fundraiser all week (Till January 23)
• Delivery will be Feb 9th, just in time for Valentine’s Day
• Proceeds go to a GOOD CAUSE!

Wednesday

• Early Release Day

Thursday

• Chess Club in Mr Utlaut’s room

Upcoming/Ongoing

• Middle School Yearbook Sales Window - Jan 23rd - Feb 17th
• Board of Education Meeting - Postponed to January 24th

• Early Release - Feb 1st

Also on February 1st:

Selected 8th graders take the NAEP tests

All we provide is the location and some of our 8th grade students they have selected.

NAEP will come and bring everything necessary.

They come to school, administer the tests, both written and online.

Additional details will follow.

Has anybody ever heard of Oyler Ohio?  

Me neither, till I saw this video.  

         Over the break, I did hear about a clip investigating a school in Ohio with very similar demographical background and struggles, along with their plan to address those concerns. Look here for a brief Trailer or review and a complete investigation can be found here on the documentary with a post by NPR as well.

Word of the month from the top of our Student Planners :

“FAIRNESS”

Strike a pose

Practicing their dab…  New this year, we are adding a few Whole Class Pictures to the Yearbook (that goes on sale SOON).  The 6th, 7th and 8th graders went separately to take a few pictures.  Some were fun, some serious and others were just plain silly.  You decide which type was this.

Caught or Taught?

As demonstrated above, with the picture depicting different attitudes, poses and faces, students are exploring, testing, trying and pushing the edge of the envelope in a quest to build, discover and create themselves.  Yes, our students express a great range of diverse emotions, feelings, attitudes and friendships, all before lunch! Yet that is what makes our task so valuable and important.  As adults in their lives, we strive to model consistency, deliberate decision making, steadfast attitudes and even tolerance for the widest range of perspectives. We even model failure, deliberately pointing out our shortcomings and mistakes followed by the subsequent recovery and reconciliation.  As we display these attributes, our students flourish, even though behaviors still fluctuate widely.  We want what they are taught to match with what they caught after they leave us. Hence, the Middle School.

Your Principal,

Tom McCracken