In the Middle
Whitnall Middle School Family Newsletter
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Whitnall Middle School Message |
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December 4, 2020
Hello WMS Families,
Cooler temperatures, disappearing daylight … all reminders that December is here! We were happy to have our in-person learners back in the building after the break, and we appreciate your support and your child's effort during the pivot to virtual learning, and then back again to face-to-face instruction. This week, due to virtual pivot and the long holiday, the staff placed added emphasis on safety measures, understanding that students were making the adjustment back to school. We hope the transition went smoothly for your family. Also, we want to thank our Distance Learning students for your consistent effort while learning remotely this entire semester. The district sent out correspondence about selecting instructional delivery options for second semester and the window is now closed. We are in the process of looking at the results and more communication will be shared in the upcoming days.
We will be holding our second WMS PTO meeting of 2020-21 next Wednesday, December 9, 2020 @ 7 pm, WMS STEM Commons. We hope to see you. Another way to support the PTO is to participate in another Eat and Earn event at Portillo’s Dec 7th 5 - 8 pm 8705 Sura Lane, Greenfield. Show THIS FLYER to our drive-thru order taker prior to ordering and 20% of the proceeds will benefit the WMS PTO
Our next In the Middle will be on Friday, Dec. 18th. Wishing everyone a great start to the holiday season!
Sincerely,
Chris D'Acquisto, Principal WMS
Ryan Relich, Assistant Principal WMS
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December 7 - PTO Eat & Earn
December 9 - PTO Meeting 7:00 pm
December 23 - Jan 1 - Winter Break
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Virtual Learning Resources |
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Does your child's device need repairs?
The technology department is offering additional, evening times for students and families to swap out devices for repairs. Monday, November 16 and Monday, November 23 from 3:30-5:30 PM, the team will be available to swap out devices at the high school’s main entrance. Prior to coming, please submit a Help Desk Ticket by visiting https://helpdesk.whitnall.com/portal.
If at any time during instruction you are not able to access the classroom link, or lose access during instruction please contact the WMS main office at 414-525-8660 or dmjones@whitnall.com .
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Eighth graders participated in a Constitutional digital breakout and these are some of the winners!
To set the scene-An evil villain has stolen the Constitution and plans to destroy it. It’s locked in a safe that is set to self-destruct in 35 minutes. Unless you can unlock the safe, this vital part of our nation’s history will be gone forever. Can you find the clues that will allow you to open the safe and become a hero?
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Canvas and Infinite Campus |
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Hello Whitnall families,
We just wanted to remind you that you can continue monitoring your children's daily progress and communication from teachers through Canvas. Canvas allows parents to view course content, student work and teacher feedback for all of their students with one login.
Infinite Campus is continuing to be used for progress reporting, attendance, and district messaging.
The Whitnall website provides online tutorials that can help families better understand how to navigate our online platforms. Please see the links below for more information:
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Grading Scale CHANGE for WMS fall of 2020:
Beginning in the fall of 2020, WMS will use a grading scale similar to the scale used at Whitnall High School. Rather than using the terms No Evidence (N), Beginning (B), Developing (D), Proficient (P) or Exceeding (E), WMS will now use a scale that builds from F through A. Please reference this document to view the grading rubric.
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Being tardy and or absent to class is a lost opportunity for students to learn. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. If your student has had excessive tardies or absences it will be addressed according to the attendance policies. Please reference the WMS Student Handbook
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Student Family Assistance Program |
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A healthy home and family life helps to nurture academic excellence. To promote healthy homes, minds and families, Whitnall is continuing to offer the Student and Family Assistance Program (SFAP) to all K-12 students and families. The SFAP is a free and confidential benefit, paid for by the school district, to help your family create a healthy, supportive home environment and develop strategies to overcome various life challenges. The SFAP offers direct counseling and consultation with licensed professionals using a family systems approach.
The SFAP offers families (up to) six consultations per issue. While many concerns can generally be resolved within the SFAP services, SFAP counselors will help connect families to additional community resources and/or insurance-based providers if they are needed.
To learn more about these services, please refer to our district webpage or call Aurora SFAP at 800-236-3231. You can also reach out to the Pupil Services staff at Whitnall Middle School for more information.
Courtney Fleischman - School Social Worker - (414) 525-8655
Nicole Lussier - School Psychologist - (414) 525-8795
Jim Gableman - School Counselor - (414) 525-8654
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Math MAP testing begins the week of December 7 for all IN-Person students. Students will be engaged in MAP testing during their math classes on Monday and Tuesday. Make-up testing will occur the remainder of the week during Connect class for those students that are absent during the testing days or those that need more time to finish.
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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.
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Next PTO Meeting: December 9, 2020 @ 7 pm, WMS STEM Commons
Kelly Peters- President
Jennifer Radke - Vice President
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.
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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.
Chris D'Acquisto Principal
414-525-8652
Ryan Relich Assistant Principal
414-525-8663
Building Daily Operations and Events/Teaching and Learning
Primary Contact: Chris D'Acquisto 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
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Whitnall Employment Opportunities |
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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)
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Whitnall Middle School | 414.525.8660 | info@whitnall.com | https://www.whitnall.com/schools/middle/
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