In the Middle
Whitnall Middle School Family Newsletter
Whitnall Middle School Message
October 4, 2019

Hello WMS Families and happy WSD Homecoming week!

This week we concluded our school wide fundraiser for Gold in September childhood cancer foundation. Due to a reschedule we will be having an all school assembly October 11th for the pie a teacher event. Thank you to all that contributed AND congratulations to Mr. Carel's CONNCET class on bringing in the most money. They have earned a pizza lunch delivered by Mr. Antholine and Mr. Relich on Friday, October 11.

October brings a theme of anti-bullying to the forefront. On Monday, October 7th students will have 4 days to design an anti-bullying shirt for our school. On Friday, October 11 a winning design will be selected and made available for purchase to our school community. October 31st will be the day to wear the shirts which will be orange in color (anti-bullying) and it also happens to be Halloween.

As the weather gets cooler or maybe even snow - please know that access to WMS is not available until at least 7:15am. If a student is dropped off earlier there is not a guarantee that the building is open. As the weather changes remind your WMS student to dress for the weather as students will continue to go outside throughout the winter months.

Our second PTO meeting is coming up on October 9th at 7:00pm with a conversation centered around bullying at school, home, cyber, and in the community led by our parents. This conversation will start at 6:30pm

Have a great week and Mr. Relich and I hope to see many of you at the homecoming football game tonight.


Yours in learning,

Bob Antholine
Principal WMS
Upcoming Dates
October 4 - Picture Retake Day
October 9 - PTO Meeting
October 14 - PTO Eat & Earn 9th Slice
October 15 - PTO Eat & Earn Cafe Zupa's
October 24 - No School
October 25 - No School
November 6 - Math Club Starts
November 14 - Conferences 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Current Clubs
  • Chess Club Each Tuesday After School
  • History Club - Launching Soon w/Mr. Sandstrom. See Mr. Sandstrom for more information.
  • Robotics/VEX - Launching Soon w/Mr. Sporek and Mr. Jolin. More information coming in early November.
  • E-Sports - Coming Soon!
WMS Math Club
Beginning on Wednesday, November 6th and continuing the first Wednesday of every month, Whitnall Middle School will be hosting Math Club gatherings. This opportunity is available to all WMS students who have a strength/interest in mathematics and want a chance to dive deeper, challenge themselves, play and create math games, publish math videos, and compete with other mathletes. All WMS students are welcome to attend Math Club meetings. Permission slips are available in all math classes, so please see your teacher if you are interested! Permission slips are also linked HERE !
Outdoor Recess

With cooler temperatures approaching we want to remind you that students go outdoors for recess.
It is important that all children be able to participate in outdoor recess. Appropriate clothing for outdoor temperatures is essential. Please be certain that children come to school with warm jackets, hats and gloves in cold weather.

G9 Fundraiser Update
Thank you to everyone that participated and helped to raise funds for the Gold In September (G9) childhood cancer foundation. On Friday, October 11th we will hold we an all school assembly to learn a little bit more about the 'why' behind the foundation and to publicly thank all those that helped. Eleven WMS staff members stepped up and are 'willing' to take a pie in the face!
Principal topics? Assistant Principal topics?
LINK HAS BEEN UPDATED

Starting next week Mr. Antholine and Mr. Relich will be sharing a video communication alternating the weeks that we don't send out the In the Middle. We need some help! Are there questions that you think would be good for us to share some insight with our whole school community - let us know by completing this form !
Grade Level Homework Links
Below are links to each CORE areas daily homework. The information provided is meant as a quick check. More detailed information is available from each teacher and/or their google classrooms.
Rockin Careers Event
On Friday, October 18th from 9:00 AM to noon, 8th grade students in health science and manufacturing you will have an opportunity to experience activities related to Manufacturing and/or Health Science in a hands-on interactive way at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Space is limited to 50 students between these two areas. If more students sign up than we have openings, the selection will be based on how quickly you sign up as well taking into consideration behavior incidents. We will depart school at 8:30 am, and return approximately 12:30 pm. Students attending will eat lunch back at the middle school upon our return. 

If you have questions please see Mr. Gableman. jgableman@whitnall.com
October is Anti-Bullying Month
Throughout October, there will be a number of student activities planned by the WMS Anti-Bullying Committee and supported by Student Advisory and Student Council.
Prior to the PTO meeting on October 9th at 6:30 PM, a parent to parent discussion around bullying will take place if you would like to attend or participate.

2020 Washington D.C.
Our first parent meeting was held for the May 2020 Washington D.C. trip for 8th and 7th grade. If you would like more information please contact aarcos@whitnall.com or scusick@whitnall.com or access this PDF.

A couple of questions from the first meeting.
When is the NYC trip?
  • Our team of wonderful teachers that organized the NYC trip yearly have stepped down. That was part of the reason to alternate the years for the D.C. trip. It takes a lot of planning and time to organize and alternating the years allows more time to be part of the planning. At this time we don't have any building leadership for the NYC trip.
Will there be a Washington D.C. trip next year?
  • No. The next Washington D.C. trip will be 2022. That is why we opened it up to both 7th and 8th grades.
Is there fundraising opportunities?
  • WMS has not done fundraising for trips in over 10 years. We understand the cost can be high and are looking into options for some. The company we work with has said fundraising for a trip of this size usually doesn't result in anything substantial to help offset. BUT - we are checking.
School 'Stuff'

Student Absences: .
Please report your students absence to the school by 8:00 a.m. You may use the Absence Reporting Form or call the attendance line at 414-525-8650. .
No call and no note will result in the absence being recorded as truancy. If a student has a medical/dental appointment, we encourage you to provide an excuse from the provider.

Appointments/Planned Absences
If your student has an appointment, special event, leaving early, etc. Please contact the office prior to the event so we can have your student waiting for you in the office. You may use the Absence Reporting Form or call the attendance line at 414-525-8650. . If the student will be gone more than two days, please utilize the Planned Absence Form


Pick Up & Drop Off Information
As shared previously - busing and car drop-off/pick-up have been adjusted to decrease congestion near the Edgerton intersection where many students cross. While it may take some time to adjust we appreciate your patience with us and one another.

The map attached HERE shows an aerial view of the drop off.

PTO

Upcoming Meetings: (held in WMS library 7 - 8)

October 9
November 13
January 8
March 11
May 13

EAT AND EARN:   9th Slice Pizza 10/14 This is a PTO Eat and Earn that will celebrate Mr. Seavert and his success in making it into the Packers Hall of Fame as a “SUPER FAN”. 9th Slice in Hales Corners will donate 20% of sales to WMS PTO. There is no time frame, it is an all-day fundraiser. Packers-Lions game is on night, Mr. Seavert will be at the restaurant in his superfan gear and the Packer game will be on. We will get a cutout of Mr. Seavert dressed in his superfan gear for the bulletin board to help advertise. We will have a drawing for an autographed copy of the Green, Gold & Proud book that Mr. Seavert has a page dedicated to him. He may also have a Packers mini-helmet autographed by a player that he can raffle off. Lets celebrate Mr. Seavert and all that he does for our students, school and community!

Café Zupa 10/15 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm


WMS Leadership
Please use the following information to determine whom to contact for different questions. If you have any questions on how to direct you call/questions please contact Ms. Dawn Jones, WMS Secretary at 414-525-8660.

Bob Antholine Principal
414-525-8652
@Antholine (twitter)

Ryan Relich Assistant Principal
414-525-8663

Building Daily Operations and Events/Teaching and Learning
Primary Contact: Bob Antholine Email

Student Attendance and Behavior
Primary Contact: Mr. Ryan Relich Email

School Counselor
James Gableman
414-525-8654

School Psychologist
Nicole Lussier
414-525-8795

School Social Worker
Courtney Fleishmann
414-525-8655
Important Links and Resources
Whitnall Employment Opportunities
Did you know that you can find employment opportunities at Whitnall through WECAN and daily substitute opportunities through Teachers On Call ? Consider taking a look at what's available!
 (Athletic Coach, Custodian, Food Service, Kitchen Worker, Noon Hour Supervisor, Paraprofessional)
 (Educators and Paraprofessionals)
 (Educators/DPI Licensed Positions)
Whitnall Middle School | 414.525.8660 | info@whitnall.com | h ttps://www.whitnall.com/schools/middle/