Dear Firebird Community,

I hope you and your families were able to enjoy some time together over Fall Break. It has been great to see the kids back on campus this week -- ready to get the second quarter rolling!

One of the great things about our school calendar is the quarterly chance for a fresh start. The second quarter brings new opportunities for our students to demonstrate progress in the classroom, get involved on campus, and contribute to our school community. Please encourage your child to make the most of the junior high experience and make positive connections at Willis. Remember that we are here to help! Our teachers, counselors, administrators, and staff members are willing and able to provide supports to your child -- just communicate the need.

I am looking forward to the second quarter and infinite possibilities. We thank you for supporting your child and our school community.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Jeff Delp, Principal

Email: delp.jeff@cusd80.com
Location: 401 South McQueen Road, Chandler, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-883-5707
Twitter: @principaldelp

This week, students in Mr. Howell's seventh grade social studies class were studying the Industrial Revolution. A collaborative and high energy learning environment is a hallmark of Mr. Howell's teaching. Students are seated and small groups and have lots of opportunities for meaningful discussion and interaction. Clear learning targets and supporting questions are provided so students always know what they will be learning.

During a recent visit, students shared that they appreciate Mr. Howell's support in helping them maintain/organize their class notebook and use it as a tool for learning. They were excited about opportunities to learn about geography and compete for a position on the class geography knowledge leader board. In addition, they spoke about a welcoming classroom and environment and described Mr. Howell as a teacher who is kind and makes coming to class and learning fun.

Thanks for all you do Mr. Howell! We are glad you are a Firebird!

We are extremely grateful to the Chandler Education Foundation for their recent award of classroom grants to five of our Willis teachers. Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Wiese and Ms. Jagelka, and Mr. Golding all received awards to fund projects and equipment for their classrooms. These grants are made possible by the generosity of our Chandler students and families during the annual Cash for Classrooms Campaign. Congratulations to our four grant recipients and thank you to the Chandler Education Foundation!

The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) class participated in the College Road Trip presented by the University of Arizona in Tucson. Students participated in major exploration, team challenges and a campus tour. They enjoyed seeing the technological advancements displayed on campus and the other interesting areas of the campus. Of course, Chic-Fil-A was a bonus provided by the University.

Culinary club sliced up some veggies and cooked up ground beef to make delicious beef tacos this week. It's a very popular club for good reason!

We're having a book fair! Starting next Friday, October 27, students will be able to come to the media center from 8:30-3:30 to explore and buy things from our book fair. Thursday, October 26 we will be having a VIP preview day for teachers and students. If you would like a pass for the preview day, please talk to Mrs. Dial or your ELA teacher. Get more information about what we will have available on our website.

Book Fair Homepage (scholastic.com)

Congratulations to all our student-athletes who will be representing the Firebirds this upcoming season. We will be cheering on our cross-country, girls’ softball and boys’ basketball teams as they compete against the other schools in the east valley conference. Please come out and support the student-athletes this season. You can find schedules and keep up with all the scores by visiting www.eastvalleyconference.org or at https://www.cusd80.com/Page/41656

As you may know, Willis and the other CUSD Junior High Schools follow the Characters Matter curriculum with their teams. I have had many parents ask about this program and what it entails. Character Matters encourages, equips and empowers coaches to intentionally integrate character in their sport. The essence of coaching has more to do with character and contribution than wins and losses. It is measured in strong character and changed lives not trophies, status, or statistics. Real success transcends the bottom line. Can you imagine a common thread woven throughout an entire program to establish a character culture unlike anything else in the country. Character produces results and maintains excellence. This describes our program!!!

Most coaches know the importance of character but long for a game plan and practical tools to develop it in their players. The training and curriculum our coaches have received affords them a common thread that can be woven throughout their program and puts everyone on the same page to establish, strengthen and unify a character culture. While our student athletes may remember wins and losses, it is what they learn through sport that will help them find success now and in the future.

Our choices - good or bad - have consequences. We make hundreds, maybe thousands, of choices every day...even mundane or small actions have consequences. We tend to think of a consequence as negative, but it is simply a result or an effect of a related action.

For adolescents, making decisions can be more difficult because they do not always think about the end result of their choices because that part of the brain is still developing or there are worries that they may not be accepted by other kids. It is important to teach and guide students through positive decision-making processes and understand how their friends can influence behavior, as part of developing critical thinking skills.

8th Grade Counselor: Maria Falcon-Murray

(480)883-5728 falconmurray.maria@cusd80.com

7th Grade Counselor: Michele Chapin

(480)883-5726 chapin.michele@cusd80.com

STEAM and 7/8 Support Counselor: Shauna Goldberg

(480)883-5706 goldberg.shauna@cusd80.com

School Social Worker: Kimberly Boersma

(480)883-5717 boersma.kimberly@cusd80.com

School Behavior Specialist: Kacy Irvine

(480)883-5731 irvine.kacy@cusd80.com

School Psychologist: Jennifer Duffy

(480)883-5780 duffy.jennifer@cusd80.com

Here is a link to the Mental Health Resources in our community:

Mental Health Resources

Monday, Oct. 23rd

• 4:00 HW Hub - MC
  

Tuesday, Oct. 24th

• 4:00 HW Hub - MC

• 4:00 Chess Club - M19

Wednesday, Oct. 25th

• 8:15AM Student Council (C4)

• 3A/B/C Craft in the MC - Halloween Clothespins
• 4:00 HW Hub - MC
• 4:00 Fantasy Club - M19

Thursday, Oct. 26th

• 3A/B/C Bullet Journaling in the MC (Weekly)

• 4:00 HW Hub - MC
• 4:00 Drama Club - M18

Friday, Oct. 27th

• BOOK FAIR in MC

• 3A/B/C Movie in the MC (weekly)

Website: cusd80.com/wjhs
Location: 401 South McQueen Road, Chandler, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-883-5708
Facebook: facebook.com/wjhsfirebirds
Twitter: @willisfirebirds