In the Middle
Whitnall Middle School Family Newsletter
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Whitnall Middle School Message |
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October 30, 2020
Hello WMS Families,
As we enter November, it's hard to believe we are one quarter of the way through the school year. Communication about your child’s progress is vital. As shared in a previous Connect, your child's midterm grade reports will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on November 13th. The midterm grade will represent the culmination of learning to this point in the school year. For details on grading and reporting systems at each level, please access WSD Grading Info - Fall 2020. Conferences are coming up for WMS on Nov. 19th and you will be receiving more information about virtual sign up next week.
The WMS PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th. The meeting will be held at WMS starting at 7 PM. Prior to the meeting, from 6:30 to 7:00 PM, there will be a Principal Chat. Hopefully, you will be able to join.
Let's have a great November. Thank you to our veterans who we honor on Nov. 11th and every day of the year. Happy Thanksgiving
Sincerely,
Chris D'Acquisto, Principal WMS
Ryan Relich, Assistant Principal WMS
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November 2 - No School
November 3 - No School
November 11 - PTO Meeting
November 19 - Virtual Conferences 4 - 8
November 25 - 29 - Thanksgiving Break
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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.
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- Students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle every day to school. Our water fountains are equipped with a touchless, sensor activated bottle filler.
- Please remind your student to come to school with their mask. If possible, be sure your child has an extra mask in their backpack or locker if needed.
- Please check to make sure your child's mask fits properly. We are asking that students wear their mask properly and that it covers their nose, mouth and chin.
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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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Distance Learning Resources |
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Does your child's device need repairs?
Please contact helpdesk@whitnall.com to arrange for a loner device. With advance notice, device swap out could take place at the same times as device pick up.
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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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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7th & 8th girls basketball and Wrestling (all grades)
Sign up has been extended until Wednesday November 4th at noon. If you would like to participate in either of these sports you must be registered and have a current physical on file by November 4th at noon.
Wrestling begins on Nov. 4th in the Aux gym at 3:15pm, and 7th & 8th Girls Basketball starts Nov. 9th at 3:15 in the main gym. If you have any questions please contact Julie Sobush at jsobush@whitnall.com or Dave Pentek at dpentek@whitnall.com. You can also check out the WMS Student website under Athletics for sport specific 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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Ms. Wagner Chorus Teacher
What is one of your hidden talents?
One hidden talent I have is I am pretty good at piano.
What would the students be surprised to find out about you?
I teach the Rock Band class at the High School! I teach guitar, bass, drums, and piano.
How do you spend your summer breaks?
I spend them playing volleyball and tennis, as much as I can!
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?I always get my first day of school outfit ready at least a week in advance.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Believe in yourself, and try new things. Even if you mess up, at least you tried. That's better than not trying at all!
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Mr. Ricchio Tech Ed Teacher
What is one of your hidden talents?I
I play guitar and am teaching myself to play piano.
What would the students be surprised to find out about you?
I am a pretty decent cook/baker. I read a ton of cookbooks and try to learn new techniques and recipes often. I lived in Italy for a couple of years and spent some time learning to cook from some of the best home cooks.
How do you spend your summer breaks?
I like to travel, camp, hike, mountain bike, fish, and complete house projects during my summer vacation.
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?
I like to start out the year by showing my students who I am as a teacher and as a person. I feel like it helps me to build relationships with students when they can see the things we have in common or ask questions about the things I do that they find interesting.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Surround yourself with people, experiences, and things that align with your goals, motivate you to accomplish great things, and open your eyes to multiple perspectives.
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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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PTO Meeting November 11, 2020
The meeting will be held at WMS starting at 7 PM. Prior to the meeting, from 6:30 to 7:00 PM, there will be a Principal Chat.
If parents want to attend virtually they need to email us at wmspto@whitnall.com by November 9 in order to get the link.
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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