Sunday, January 15, 2017

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

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