Thunderbird Times

Please make sure you vote on or before February 25! Learn more information about this Zero-Rate-Change Bond Issue here: usd259.org/bond25. Feel free to email aerway@usd259.net with any questions.

Conferences will be held the following dates and times. They are come and go, no need to make any appointments!

Tuesday, February 11 from 4pm- 7pm

• Wednesday, February 12 from 4pm- 7pm
• Thursday, February 12 from 8am- 3pm (There will be NO SCHOOL on this day.)

Parent-teacher conferences are a crucial part of a child’s educational experience because they provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to communicate directly about their child's progress, challenges, and overall well-being at school.

Here are some reasons why it’s important for parents to attend conferences:

1. Understanding the Child’s Progress: Conferences give parents a detailed update on how their child is doing at school. Teachers can provide specific examples of strengths and areas for improvement, allowing parents to support their child's development in a targeted way.

2. Building a Partnership: When parents attend conferences, it shows the child that both home and school are invested in their success. It helps build a collaborative relationship between the parent and teacher, which benefits the child’s learning experience. When both parties are aligned, it fosters a sense of community and support around the child.

3. Addressing Concerns: If a child is struggling with certain subjects or facing behavioral challenges, attending a parent-teacher conference allows parents to address these issues. It gives teachers and parents a chance to develop strategies together for helping the child improve.

4. Learning More About the Teacher’s Perspective: Conferences allow parents to hear directly from teachers about how their child interacts with peers, approaches tasks, and participates in class. This provides a fuller picture of the child’s school experience than just what’s shared in report cards.

5. Showcasing the Parent’s Involvement: Kids often do better when they know their parents are involved in their education. Attending the conference reinforces to the child that education is a priority, and it encourages a sense of responsibility and pride in their learning.
   
   

Ultimately, parent-teacher conferences strengthen the support system for a child, creating an environment in which they are more likely to thrive academically and socially.

Marshall is hosting a book fair during conferences. The fair will be open the following times:

• Tuesday, 2/11 from 3:30pm- 7:00pm
• Wednesday 2/12 from 3:30pm- 7:00pm
• Thursday 2/13 from 8am- 11am and 12pm- 3pm
  
  

Stop by and check it out!

6th Graders will not attend school on Friday, February 7. (7th and 8th Grade students will still have school on this day.)

We will be welcoming 5th grade students who are coming to Marshall next year as 6th graders on that day.

As the weather is colder, please make sure your student has a dress code colored sweatshirt/ sweater/ hoodie. Students need to still be in dress code with the warmer clothes they wear. As a reminder, this clothing should be solid white maroon, navy, or white. Black and grey are not dress code colors. Coats should be stored in lockers during the school day.

This month we are featuring our wonderful 2nd semester Student Teachers! They work hard in our classrooms helping and teaching our students as they finish their education degrees to become teachers. THANK YOU to all three of them for all they do at Marshall!

Mr. Pfalzgraf has been student teaching with one of our 6th grade science teachers, Ms. Western.

We asked him a few questions to get to know him better!

• What is something interesting about you that you'd like us to know?
• I used to coach middle school basketball before moving to Wichita.
• Why did you decide to become a teacher?
• I was a para for a year and a half and decided that pursing teaching was what I wanted to do.
• Who was a role model of yours when you were in middle school?
• My 8th grade history teacher was my role model. He always made sure everyone knew he cared about you, and he was always a bright spot of any day.

Mr. OConnor has been student teaching with one of our 8th grade social studies teachers, Ms. Loesch.

We asked him a few questions to get to know him better!

• What is something interesting about you that you'd like us to know?
• Something interesting I would like to share about myself is my love for clothes and shoes. Shoes (primarily) are one of my favorite hobbies. I collect shoes and have owned hundreds of pairs over my time of collecting them. Whether they are Jordans, Adidas, Nikes or collaborations with those brands, I love them!
• Why did you decide to become a teacher?
• For me, the reason I wanted to become a teacher is because of my experience with the school district that I was in. I was hurt and left unsupported and I had a teacher that still made me look forward to school. I want to be able to provide that same experience for students today. To know that they matter and even if they are having a rough time that they have someone in their corner that is on their side.
• Who was a role model of yours when you were in middle school?
• In middle school I was still trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to be. My role model was definitely a science teacher that I had. He later became a high school teacher and I had him for both middle school and high school. He is the one that made school fun, safe, and I knew that he cared about each and everyone of his students.

Ms. Henry has been student teaching with one of our 6th grade math teachers, Ms. Tallman.

We asked her a few questions to get to know her better!

• What is something interesting about you that you'd like us to know?
• I am crazy about sports. I play volleyball, pickle ball, tennis, and soccer. I am very organized. I love to sing but I don’t think I am very good at it. I like spending time with children. I planned my wedding in four days.
• Why did you decide to become a teacher?
• Being a teacher has always been a dream of mine since I was a child.
• Who was a role model of yours when you were in middle school?
• In middle school, I was inspired by my Biology teacher to become a teacher.

Our 6th grade students had the opportunity to go on a field trip to the US Figure Skating Championships! Check out some pictures from their trip.

Our Robotics students start their tournaments this month! Tournaments are held the following times/ places:

• 2/1 Pleasant Valley
• 2/8 Coleman
• 2/22 Christa McCauliffe

We are very proud of our WAL students! This group of about 16 students will be competing at a tournament at AMAC on February 22. The tournament begins at 9am with awards to follow.

This is our 24/25 Marshall Lady Thunderbirds Team. They are doing amazing things on and off the court. They participate in a variety of things around Marshall ranging from Choir to Band to StuCo. They are representing our school well and maintaining their grades.

We have started our Boys Basketball season playing teams out of our division for the 1st three games. That allows our players to get their bearings and to get the nervousness out of their system prior to our 1st official game against GPA on Feb. 3rd.

Spring Assessments at Marshall Middle School

We are preparing to begin our Spring assessments at Marshall! These assessments give us valuable information that help our teachers understand how students are progressing in school and identify areas where extra support may be needed. They also guide teachers in planning lessons that align with grade-level state standards to meet students’ needs. In February, we have the following assessment scheduled for our students:

February 19th and 20th: Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA)
This assessment will be administered to 134 select Marshall students enrolled in the ESOL program in grades 6–8. The KELPA measures growth in English language proficiency to ensure that all English learners are prepared for academic success. Students will be assessed in four key areas: speaking, writing, listening, and reading. The results help teachers, the school, and the district plan the appropriate level of support and participation in the ESOL program. To learn more about this assessment or other Kansas State Assessment Programs, visit ksassessments.org/families.

Parents of students taking the KELPA will receive an email from me with a reminder of the testing schedule. We kindly ask for your support in ensuring that your child is present for both testing days to complete the assessment.

How can you support your child and our school during assessments?
Here are some practical tips to help your student have a successful testing experience:

1. Get a Good Night's Sleep: Ensure your child gets plenty of rest the night before to stay alert and focused.
2. Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Provide a nutritious breakfast to fuel their brain and body for the day.
3. Be on Time: Make sure your child arrives at school on time to reduce stress and prepare calmly for the test.
4. Stay Positive: Encourage your child, remind them of their hard work, and help them approach the test with confidence.

Thank you for supporting your student and helping us ensure a smooth and successful testing experience!

Mrs. Brown

Building Assessment Coordinator

Tutoring is one of the best resources students can utilize to help with their grades and understanding of material being taught in classes. It is important students get help early on if they begin to struggle - putting it off makes it more difficult to catch up! Make sure your student is getting the help they need by taking advantage of the services listed below:

After School Tutoring is available with Ms. Favre (Room 124) Tuesdays- Thursdays from 3:25- 4:25. No need to sign up - students can just show up at Mrs. Favre's room on days they want to attend tutoring after school.

Students also have the opportunity to attend tutoring during recess. 6th grade is in Ms. Favre's room (124), 7th/8th grade meet in the Art Room (120) for recess tutoring with Ms. Guldner.

After School Tutoring and Lunch Tutoring will end for the semester on Friday, December 13.

Check us out! The best way to stay up to date with Marshall current events is to follow us on social media, and regularly check the Marshall website.

Marshall Webpage: https://www.usd259.org/marshall

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshallFamilies/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marshallusd259?scrlybrkr=bb4d4182

Marshall Announcements: https://bit.ly/MarshallVideos

Would you like to be more active as a Marshall parent? Joining our PTSO may be the answer! Our first meeting is coming up on Tuesday, October 15 from 6:00- 6:30 in the Marshall Library.

If you are interested in being a PTSO member and have not signed up yet, please email Angie Erway at aerway@usd259.net with the following information:

• Your name
• Your student(s) name(s)
• Your phone number
• The best email address to reach you at

PTSO members are active at events, have the option of attending at least 2 PTSO meetings per year (typically during Parent Teacher Conferences), meet other Marshall parents, and more!