In the Middle
Whitnall Middle School Family Newsletter
Whitnall Middle School Message
May 8, 2020

Hello WMS Community,

This week we are including some updates and continued information that can be found below.

We would like to thank everyone that was able to reach out to our teachers and staff this week to recognize Teacher Appreciation Week. We have a great group, but we also know that we have amazing students and families supporting them at home as well. During these times this is a true community effort.

Yours in learning,

Bob Antholine Ryan Relich
Principal WMS Assistant Principal WMS
Upcoming Dates

May 25 - No School Memorial Day
TBA - WMS Yearbooks


Grading Update
Earlier this week a message was shared about grading during Virtual Learning at WMS. If you were not able to view the link - it does work from a cell phone, but appears to work best from a computer. We are including the VIDEO HERE for those that may not have seen our communication or have not had a chance to watch the video.
WMS Staff Message(s)
A number of our staff members were able to participate in a video for our student community! Here is our message for our students!
Earth Day Video
Thank you to students and staff that participated in the activities organized by the WMS Science Department. HERE is the Video Link .
Google & Infinite Campus
As everyone continues to support and navigate virtual learning (teachers, students, parents, and even principals) we are seeing questions about assignments in google classroom saying turned in, but parents/students getting messages about missing work.

Submitting an assignment does not mean the work is completed or that anything is done. When a student submits in google classroom teachers are working to give feedback and in some cases letting students know that clicking submit does not mean everything is complete.

'Final' grades and missing work is officially monitored in Infinite Campus. We recognize the the expressed concerns and questions from families and hope that this clears up why messages may be coming about missing work.
Weekly Learning Schedule
Below is the schedule for students and teachers throughout the week for learning. Basically the classes students have each day are outlined. Classes DO NOT engage daily, but are on a rotation.

Each Monday and Friday in Grade Level Google Connects our Student Service team will be doing a Community Connection. Classes have been given a time-frame for learning. Within that time-frame it does not mean students are 'doing' things throughout, but there may be discussions, readings, videos, etc...

All Elective Classes are being designed around an approximate 30 minute time-frame.

THERE IS NO TECH ED for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. It will be offered next year.

Student Support
If a student is not engaging please anticipate being contacted by the classroom teacher or a member of our student service team. Our first goal is to make sure that everyone is safe. Second, we want to make sure that each student has access to what they need for learning. Third, we want to support in the engagement of learning and within each class.
We are here to support if anything is needed.
What to expect from Virtual Learning?
Linked HERE is a district message for students in Grades 6-8 around what to expect as WMS transitions to Virtual Learning. If there are any additional questions don't hesitate to contact Mr. Antholine or Mr. Relich .
Office Hours
Monday through Friday teachers have scheduled Office Hours where students can interact with their teachers via email. Teachers will also be hosting Google Meets to support students in their learning - Google Meets will be scheduled with students as needed each week during the Office Hour time frames.

WMS Podcast Ideas
Mr. Antholine & Mr. Relich are looking for topics to discuss on our Podcast to stay connected with our school community. If you have any suggestions we would love to hear from you! Fill out this GOOGLE FORM to share your ideas with us and MAYBE it will be on our next cast!
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School Sports 20/21 Information
High School Sports: 8th grade students thinking about trying out for sports freshman year of 2020-21, are invited to attend the ALL Sports Parent Meeting on Tuesday, July 7 at 6:00pm in the WHS Auditorium. This meeting will serve as the informational meeting for all sports for the year. All parents and students that plan to participate in a sport during the 2020-21 school year should attend. If anyone is not able to attend this meeting, a video of the presentation will be posted on the high school Activities website to view. All specific team meetings prior to the specific sport starting will be determined by the head coach and communicated by the head coach.

8th grade students interested in high school cheer : Want to be a part of an exciting program that has quickly become one of the best in Wisconsin? WHSCheerleading is holding virtual tryouts this week! Have you always wanted to try, but didn't think that youpossess the skills? That's OK. We will teach you! A slide presentation will be emailed to you with all the information. Please email Coach W at cwiglesworth@whitnall.com or Ms. Winstanley atmwinstanley@whitnall.com for more information


6th Grade Transition Video
While we were not able to meet on March 12 for our Transition to 6th Grade Night the administration at WMS along with our teachers have some ideas to help with the transition into 6th grade at WMS. One step would have been our presentation during Transition Night. While we currently don't know when we can next be back at WMS - we wanted to share out our Transition Night Slides which now have a principal's floating head talking in the corner. HERE is the link to the slides and voice over . As the principal of WMS I apologize for having to hear my voice during the video and the floating head in the corner of the video.
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

Kelly Peters- President
Kerri Bomberg - Vice President
Jennifer Radke - Secretary
Rebecca Freek - Treasurer
Your comments, questions and suggestions are always welcome and we're always looking for new faces. You can send us a message at wmspto@whitnall.com 
We also encourage you to like our Whitnall Middle School PTO Facebook page.

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/