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Volume 2 | Issue 6 |
September 22
, 2017
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If you missed Flash the Falcon out and about in the community, you can catch up on his adventures on our social media accounts! Flash has been undergoing a makeover, thanks to local businesses. He got in shape at the Wisconsin Athletic Club, chose a healthy diet at Sendik's, got a "talonicure" at Legacy Salon, and more! His big reveal is
tonight
at the Homecoming game during halftime! And expect to see more of Flash throughout the community in the future; he wants to show himself off!
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Modifications to Whitnall Reporting Systems (or Grading Scales)
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As we enter a new school year, we continue to adjust our practices in the best interest of student needs. Our district has long grappled with finding and using grade reporting systems which clearly communicate levels and depth of learning in all of our schools. The ‘traditional’ systems we have all known for decades often convey scores which don’t necessarily reflect true understanding and sometimes reward compliance over actual learning. The search for a means to more authentically communicate
learning
and
growth
to both students and parents has led to some slight modifications of WSD grading scales at each level.
You can find more detail
HERE
!
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Parent Listening Sessions on Grading/Reporting
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There has been a great deal of research and discussion surrounding grading and reporting, and we would like to invite parents to attend a listening session to help understand the ‘why’ behind these conversations. This will also be a time for us to collect thoughts from our parents and community, helping us form more decisions as we continue on this journey. Listening sessions will be held for each level:
Date:
October 10, 2017
Location
: WSD Community Board Room (entrance facing tennis courts on 116th)
Times:
6:00pm (EES & HCE)
6:30pm (WMS)
7:00pm (WHS)
WHETHER OR NOT YOU ATTEND: Please add your questions, concerns, or thoughts to our
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Upcoming Hales Corners Library Opportunities
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Lego Club:
First meeting is Monday 9/25.
Teen Advisory Board:
First meeting is Thursday 9/28. This is a great activity to get teens involved with decisions made by our youth services librarian, Patrick Lodge, on programs, services, and collection purchases.
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It has been a fun week leading up to Homecoming! When students returned on Tuesday, they returned in pajamas. On Wednesday, they showed their class spirit. On Thursday, they dressed for America. And today was all about Whitnall pride! Tonight is the Homecoming game (GO FALCONS!) and tomorrow is the Homecoming dance!
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Advisory
kicks off our day by building community, setting a positive tone, increasing student excitement about learning and improving academic and social skills! We are implementing Morning Meeting (click
here
for more information) this year as a way to be more responsive to the needs of our students.
Morning Meeting takes approximately 25 minutes. We begin class by gathering together, often in a circle, to
greet
one another, so that every child hears his or her name spoken by a classmate in a friendly and cheerful manner.
Next, students
share
interesting news with each other in a structured way. Sharing helps students listen carefully, think about what they hear, formulate good questions, and learn about each other. Our young adults know that their ideas are valued and that their peers care about them.
After sharing, there is an
activity
for the whole class. We might do an activity related to community building, our Student Handbook, or our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) system. These activities help the group feel united, reinforces building-wide expectations, and helps students practice cooperation and problem solving.
Finally, we send the students off with a
morning message
. These messages may be inspirational, a reminder, or a positive idea for them to consider as they transition to their next class.
Every day, Morning Meeting provides a opportunity for our middle schoolers to know that school is a safe place where every person's feelings and ideas are important!
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This is meant to make the world a little smaller. How phenomenal for a child to know that the same book they are reading is being read in classrooms across the globe. Since its inception, there have been more than 2,000,000 students from more than 60 different countries participate! All students at WMS will participate October 2- Nov 10!
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This year, Whitnall Powerlifting will be accepting 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to come and be part of the team.
Middle school students are not eligible to compete in the Wisconsin High School Powerlifting Association (WHSPA) but are permitted in USA Powerlifting sanctioned meets, which include National and International competitions.
Whitnall Powerlifting has a long reputation of excellence in regional, state, national, and international competitions. In its 12 years of existence, they have won 7 straight state championships and 3 straight national championships. They have sent eight lifters to the World Championships, and four of those lifters won and became World Champions.
Just this past summer, senior Carlie Walker competed at Worlds, where she won the silver medal and set a World Record in the bench press.
Whether you would like to compete or just learn the proper techniques of weight training, give Whitnall Powerlifting a try. Our practices typically run two hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays. Practices begin in October.
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Please remember to send a note with your child if they will be going home using a different method than what is on their schedule. If your plans change during the day, please contact the office at 414-525-8910 before 3:00 pm so that we can be sure to notify the students in a timely manner. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as this will help us ensure that all students are in the right place at the end of the day.
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Edgerton’s Picture Day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27th. All students will have their photo taken to be used on Infinite Campus and in the yearbook. If you do not want your child’s picture taken, please contact the school office at 414-525-8900. Order forms were sent home with students this week. If you are interested in ordering a photo package, complete the form and send it back to school with your child on or before September 27th.
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On Saturday, November 18th, Edgerton Elementary’s PTO will be hosting its annual craft/vendor fair along with a holiday shoppe for kids to purchase gifts by themselves. We are looking for volunteers to help out with this event, specifically to help children through the holiday shoppe. If you, or someone you know (high school or middle school students, grandparent, etc), would be willing to help out for part of the day - please email:
Heidi Sorrem
by Friday 9/29. This is a great opportunity for scouts, DECA or NHS students! An official sign up genius will be sent out in October, but we need to commit to the Holiday Shoppe soon and can't without your help.
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Please remember to pay your school fees for this school year. You can pay online via your Infinite Campus parent portal or send a check made payable to Whitnall School District to school with your child. Thanks in advance for your prompt attention.
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The first weeks of school have been busy! Please check out our
HCE School Report
for a glimpse into HCE classrooms!
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Tailgate Tuesday is September 26! Join us at dismissal (3:35pm) to meet and greet with other families, while students play on the playground. The PTO will be selling hotdogs, chips, beverages, and desserts!
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