Who is right? What is right? Read on...

This week in the Middle School

Winfield Middle School Parent Blog

September 12, 2016

Attendance Matters:

90% of us here 90% of the time

It’s hard to mess up cookies and milk…  

She is thoroughly enjoying this surprise visit by the Attendance Team. They come by to see if everyone is present. Classes that are picked with 100% attendance get the pleasant little treat of cookies and milk!

As the adults in the school, we strive  to be authentic and inviting. As a result, we have been seeing great attendance rates, with even some days at 100% for subgroups, especially the 6th grade girls!

What’s going on at WINFIELD?

Screenshot

This screenshot of our district calendar shows just a bit of the detail available on the Calendar Homepage. Additional information can be found just by clicking and highlighting any event!

Find this by searching WINFIELD TANDEM CALENDAR in your favorite browser.

You can also get there from our Winfield Home Page or the links here and below!

This blog from the middle school is a summary of what we have going on. It is not meant to be the definitive, end all, be all planner for our building. That GREAT resource is our district TANDEM calendar maintained by the (@goWinfield) ACTIVITIES OFFICE. https://winfield.tandem.co/ Updates based on weather, water boil issues or transportation will often show up here first! Log into the page and subscribe using the button on the right side to get email or text updates to sporting events or programs. For a Middle School summary, see below.

THIS WEEK at WMS:

Monday

• 8th grade softball at Troy
• Cross Country at Bowling Green
• 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball to Bowling Green

Tuesday

• Special Musical Guests in Gym. Intermediate Students to join us - 12:30 - 1:30
• Football to South Callaway (Early departure and a late night. Be sure and get back to school on Wednesday. Attendance counts!)
• 8th grade softball at Troy

Wednesday

• 8th Grade Softball vs Warrenton

Thursday

• Volleyball vs Warrenton at home

Friday

• 8th Grade Softball vs Hannibal

Saturday

• 7th Grade Volleyball - Troy Tournament

 

#ExperienceTeachesBest

Last week, our staff participated in an experiment in social exploration. We all drew cards, like the game of Life, and each card portrayed a situation that may have offered some stress, some comfort and some choices that brought the real world even closer! Situations about job loss, poor health, and unexpected surprises such as evictions, unplanned pregnancy and insurance issues were thrust on the teams and together, they had to divide and conquer.

#Empathy through #experiences

#ThisFamily got evicted from their home right before payday and were struggling to find a place to live.

#evictionISNTpretty and when your chairs get tossed, it gets tough to find a place to call home.

#homeless shelters became familiar haunts when looking for suitable housing. The kids added another layer of stress to the situation as well.

Teacher Take-aways

Rules changed without notice.

Frustration abounds at every step.

The situations were familiar.

It was fun, educational, interesting and engaging.

    

What is your favorite class? LUNCH!

Warriors versus Warriors

This year, we battled Warrenton on their field. Compared to last year, when we ended up with a running clock because we were so far behind, we kept it to an 18 point game!

WELL DONE WMS FOOTBALL!

Competition or Collaboration or Communication?

  As we face problems, issues, obstacles and hurdles, I instantly think of the teachers in the middle school as the best resources for developing plans to address the problems. I know some concerns are not easy to articulate and others aren't easy to solve. Many times, it seems like the problem is so deeply ingrained, it is insurmountable. Regardless, I think of their opinions, ideas and brainstorming sessions as valuable. In fact, often times when I get over my stubbornness, we apply staff created and designed solutions addressing things with deft, tact and creativity. It was no longer necessary for me to solve every problem by myself!

  Back in the day, a realtor told me, “‘No’ means ‘Maybe’ and ‘Maybe’ means ‘Yes!’” As someone is looking for a house, they may like everything but the carpet! That is a ‘Maybe’ and it brings us one step closer to satisfying their housing needs. Additionally, ‘No’ just lets us know what is not working! All we need to do is keep trying to maximize the benefit for ALL parties, from the students and parents to the teachers and district. What works for ALL of us to help students achieve the most?!

  Gathering opinions, insights and experiences for the true good of the group maximizes buy-in, effectiveness and participation. Proposing ideas and brainstorming brings out the best.

We grow through collaboration by communication and shying away from the competition!

An argument seeks WHO is right. A discussion seeks WHAT is right!

Tom

McCrackens Monday Memo to the Middle School

Mom: How was school today?

Middle School Student: Fine

Mom:  What happened?

MS Student: Nuthin'

How often does this conversation take place in kitchens and living rooms across the country?

This blog will help fill the gap between what happens at school and what parents need to know.

Check weekly for updates.

Winfield Middle School in July

Seasons at the Middle School, green grass, flowers and even snow, remind us of the frequent shifts in the focus, interest and energy of our middle school friends.  

This blog will strive to crystallize an inside perspective of the microcosm we call the middle school, organize the diversity and present a "behind the scene" point of view to this animated microcosm we call Winfield Middle School for parents, guardians and student care-givers.

Goal
Increase regular and consistent use of communication between Winfield Middle School and parents of our students, through a Monday blog sharing weekly, monthly and, upcoming events.  After a few discussions about various needs in the district as well as individual buildings, we thought a weekly letter/blog might support the daily announcements.  A link to this blog will be posted on the daily announcements as well as Remind 101.

Let's begin.

Components
Every day, I feel so honored and fortunate to be trusted to share with students of our community.  Daily, staff and teachers have heart to heart, serious conversations with students in classes, hallways and even lunch. For instance,  Friday we talked about "over-reacting" and how to address friends that are fine one day but get offended the next day, over the exact same behaviors.  Sensitivity and empathy is key here. Prior to that, Thursday we talked about integrity and doing things right, even though nobody is really watching.
One use of this column may be to share those conversations with parents and the community.

Life Lessons, such as Social Currency
As a staff, we address topics such as student motivation, discipline, accountability and "social currency."  Middle School students are often enthused and motivated by the amount of social currency they can earn from their teachers and each other.  Deposits and withdrawals are tallied continuously and mentally by each student.  Some accounts are filled with praise and encouragement.  Other accounts are filled with criticism and discouragement. Middle School students are hypersensitive to the perceived balance required to connect. Motivations shift from extrinsic to intrinsic after sufficient social capital has built up.  Building relationships between staff and student improves social capital. Middle school students gain confidence and security sufficient to take those educational risks necessary to grow and learn.  Hence, our favorite book, Green Eggs and Ham is really about intentional relationship building.

Middle School Clubs
We are working to allow and organize student clubs during our school day here at the middle school so bus riding students have an opportunity to participate.  So far this year we have these clubs and sponsors coming together to host meetings during Wednesdays when we do not have early release.
YEARBOOK - GUILE
STUCO - UHLMEYER
ART - FLAMM
PEER INTERACTION - MIX/MCCRACKEN
WJHS - HINES
SPIRIT/PEP - HOFF

Calendar of the Week - September 14th - 25th

Monday
Cross Country to Bowling Green
Softball hosts Troy at 4:30
Volleyball hosts Bowling Green @ 5:00 here

Tuesday
Winfield School Board Meeting-6:30 at Central Office
Middle School Football Game against Troy at our house -  Start time 5:00 pm –

 Wednesday

Early Release Day

Softball @ Warrenton Jr High at 4:30

Thursday

Volleyball at Warrenton @ 5:00

Softball hosts Elsberry at 5:30

Friday

End of Progress Report #2

Saturday

7^th Grade Troy Volleyball Tourney at 9:00 at Troy Middle School

Upcoming

Homecoming and Spirit Week is next week, Sept 21-26…  Assembly, fun outfits, daily.
Pepsi with the Principal - Sept 23, Middle School Cafe at 5:30 - School Improvement Meeting
Red Ribbon Week in October 26- 30th - Dodgeball Kickoff on Monday right after school

Crider Presentations to begin Sept 28th (www.cridercenter.org) to 6th Graders on youth issues such as healthy choices, cyber concerns and self-esteem.  Check out their website and continue to watch this site for additional information and forms as we approach the time frame. 

Winfield Middle School in January

As the snow blankets our infield, we are reminded again that life past is a story and we must go on, persist and endure.  Middle school is filled with extremes, therefore the staff at Winfield Middle School enthusiastically support all the variety that comes in this great time of life.

Thanks

Tom McCracken
tommccracken@winfield.k12.mo.us 
Winfield Middle School
207 8th Street
Winfield MO 63389
636-358-9268

 ps.   This blog, McCrackens's Monday Memo to the Middle School, will focus on the interests, needs and activities for parents of the middle school.  There are other blogs from Mr McCracken as well.  Feel free to peruse his education blog here.