In the Middle
Whitnall Middle School Family Newsletter
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Whitnall Middle School Message
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December 13, 2019
We are nearing Winter Break and we haven't seen much of the predicted Polar Coaster since early November!
At our January PTO meeting I will be having Mr. Todd Stacey (Director of Technologies) attend as there have been a number of questions around Google Classroom. Mr. Stacey will be running a brief information meeting on 'Google Classroom for Parents'.
The building has been active outside of the classrooms! We are heavy into our sports season, all of our musical areas have or are performing their concerts, we are finishing up our FALCanStruction, field trips, and much more. Hopefully you have had a chance to check out one of the outside classroom events!
When we return from Winter Break - it is time to start thinking about the 2020-2021 school year! If you are an 8th grade student start to look for information from Whitnall High School for freshman registration. The evening of February 6th will be a high school information night. Information for 2020-2021 7th and 8th grade students will come directly from WMS.
Enjoy the Winter Break!
Yours in learning,
Bob Antholine
Principal WMS
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Dec 13 - Holiday Band Field Trip
Dec 13 - Winter Dance 6:30 pm
Dec 14 - Holiday Band at Food Drive
Dec 17 - Choir Concert
Dec 23 - Jan 1 - Winter Break
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Student Council is sponsoring Spirit Days next week.
Monday: Hat Day, bring in $1.00 to Student Council in the lobby to get your stamp/sticker to wear your hat. Money raised will be donated to #teamtrees
Tuesday: Dress as your favorite (school appropriate) movie character)
Wednesday: Career Day,
Thursday: Ugly Sweater Day
Friday: Color Wars: 6th grade is Green, 7th grade is White, 8th grade is Red,
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Teen Depression and the Holidays
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According to The National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 3 million U.S. teens aged 12 to 17 had at least one major depressive episode in the past year and as the holidays fast approach, these feelings often worsen. The holiday season can be difficult for teens with the onslaught of social media posts, school parties, and other social gatherings. Feelings of depression can cause teens to avoid social interactions, which can be especially difficult during the holidays. Unfortunately, withdrawing from holiday festivities often worsen their feelings of loneliness and symptoms of depression. You can reach out to our team for any resources you may need.
Jim Gableman, Counselor 525-8654
Courtney Fleischmann, Social Worker 525-8655
Nicole Lussier, Psychologist 525-8795
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With recent reports of school safety concerns in the local headlines we want to remind you of our Districts commitment to school safety. We practice our safety procedures to ensure staff and students know what to do if an emergency were to ever take place. Results of the districts safety drills were shared at the most recent board meeting.
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Chromebook Protection Plan Deadline
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This is a final payment reminder for families that selected the optional
19-20 Chromebook Protection Plan
during the annual online registration process. This optional protection plan has a separate annual enrollment fee of $20 which is not included as part of the regular school fees.
The optional Chromebook Protection Plan is not active until paid in full. If you have not already done so, please finalize any unpaid Protection Plan fee(s) so that your student(s) laptop will be fully covered for the school year should any unintentional damage be incurred. Payments can be made online through the
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
or in person at your students’ school.
All Chromebook Protection Plan fees must be paid in full to ensure coverage. Any unpaid fees will be voided and students unenrolled from the plan. Thank you
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In an effort to incentivize and reward positive behavior, we will be holding our first of three incentive days on Friday, December 20th. The criteria for this incentive day focused on appropriate technology use, which includes both cell phones and Chromebooks. In analyzing our behavioral data it was clear that cell phone violations and Chromebook misuse were an issue across the grade levels. This data was presented to all grade levels. In addition, students were made aware that they would be eligible to fully participate in this incentive day if they did not have more than two technology violations from October 28th through November 21st, and they did not receive any major incident referrals the week leading up to the incentive day. Eligible students will have an to opportunity to attend specific grade level field trips or participate in fun activities in the building throughout the day. Students deemed ineligible will have prescribed activities in the building lead by specific staff members and will have the opportunity to participate in some choice activities in the afternoon should they complete the tasks they are responsible for. More communication to parents will occur in the next few weeks about field trip options, permission slips, and students who have been deemed ineligible to attend their grade level specific field trip.
PERMISSION SLIPS DUE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4TH. NO LATE SLIPS CAN BE ACCEPTED
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Grade Level Homework Links
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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.
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Upcoming Teen Center dates:
December 20 February 7 & 28
January 10 & 17 March 13 & 20 April 3 & 17
All Teen Center participants are required to complete a
Waiver of Liability
form signed by a parent/guardian and turn it in to Teen Center staff.
For more information and to download a printable Waiver of Liability form, click the Teen Center 2019-2020 link above.
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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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Upcoming Meetings: (held in WMS library 7 - 8)
January 8
March 11
May 13
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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.
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
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Important Links and Resources
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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 | h
ttps://www.whitnall.com/schools/middle/
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