In the Middle
Whitnall Middle School Family Newsletter
Whitnall Middle School Message
September 6, 2019

Hello WMS Families!

Summertime is great, but there is something special about a school filled with learners and teachers. It's so nice to have the building active again after a summer break.

Mr. Relich (our assistant principal) and I have enjoyed connecting or reconnecting with our WMS students as they begin to dig into their classes. There are lot of events that start to come up pretty quickly and starting next week Student Council, Student Advisory, and our Student Anti-Bullying teams will begin to recruit team members for the school year. All three allow for different ways to engage in our school. Information for all three will be shared through our announcements and our grade level google classrooms.

We are only four days in, but it's been a great start to the 2019-2020 school year. If there are ever any questions please reach out to any member of our office team - information on 'who' can be found at the bottom of this message.


Yours in learning,

Bob Antholine
Principal WMS
Upcoming Dates
September 11 - Parent Communication Meeting at District Office 6:30pm - 7:30pm
September 11 - PTO 7:00pm - 8:00pm in the WMS Library
September 12 - Eat & Earn Portillos
September 27 - No School/Staff Development
November 14 - Conferences 4:00pm - 8:00pm
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.
How was school today?
Both Ryan and I live it at home too - the question, "How was school today?" Sometimes as parents/guardians we get lucky and we learn a lot about what took place during the day. If you ever have one of those days or weeks or months where it gets really hard to find out about the life of your middle schooler(s) here are some questions that might help:)!

  1. Tell me about a moment today when you felt excited about what you were learning.
  2. Tell me about a moment in class when you felt confused.
  3. Were there any moments that you felt worried today?
  4. Were there times today when you felt one of your classmates demonstrated care for you or someone else?
  5. What was challenging about your day?
  6. What do you appreciate about your day?
  7. Can you tell me about a conversation you had with someone at school?
  8. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
  9. Want to ask me something about my day?

Cell Phone Reminder
Just a reminder about the Cell Phone guidelines at WMS. Students are allowed to have access to their phones before and after school, during lunch, and passing times. Cell Phones need to be turned off and out of sight in classrooms. Please refer to the student handbook for the WMS cell phone procedure technology policy
Fee Questions
School fees, chromebook insurance fees (optional), and athletic fees are all accessible through your infinite campus portal. Please be sure to check that you are current, as fees are required to be paid before students can participate in activities. If you have any questions regarding fees you can contact Julie Sobush at 414-525-8661 or jsobush@whitnall.com. If you need assistance with your infinite campus account you can contact Kay Larson at 414-525-8526 or klarson@whitnall.com.
Picture Retake Day
Starting with the 2019-2020 school year the Whitnall School District has a new photography service - Visual Image Photography (VIP). Families can register for pictures online prior to our school picture dates. For families of WMS HERE IS THE LINK . Picture retake day will be the beginning of October, an IC message with exact date and information is forthcoming.

Middle School Athletes
  Any new athletes that have never completed online registration will need to access their Infinite Campus account to get their student ID number in order to register for athletics. Any previously registered athletes need to use the same account and student ID as they have used in the past to register. If you have any questions please contact the High School Athletic department at 414-525-8512 or the Middle School Athletic Department at 414-525-8661.

2020 Washington D.C.
Last year during our parent meetings at our PTO time the idea of alternating our Washington D.C. trip was brought up. Starting with the spring of 2020 the Washington D.C. trip will take place every other year. The trip will also now be open to both 7th and 8th grade students so the opportunity is still available.

The 2019-2020 Washington D.C. trip will take place May 5 through May 8 of 2020. Currently Ms. Arcos and Ms. Cusick are leading up the trip. More details and parent meetings will be coming up quickly in later September or early October.
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)

September 11
October 9
November 13
January 8
March 11
May 13

EAT AND EARN:   On Thursday, September 12, The WMS PTO will be hosting the first eat & earn event of the school year! It will be held at the Portillo's located at 84 South on Layton Ave (8705 West Sura Lane) from 5pm - 8pm. You are required to show this flyer. Thank you in advance for your participation!

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/