Dear Windom Area Middle School Families,

As we dive further into the winter months, we are inspired by the perseverance and dedication we see in our students. The challenges of January and February, combined with the academic load of school, ask a lot of our learners. It's during this time that we need to reiterate the importance of having a little GRIT—Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity—

Each day, your children come to school ready to tackle complex problems, collaborate with peers, and grow academically and personally. It's not always an easy path, but it is one that builds strong, capable individuals. We appreciate the families, that instill these values in your children and for supporting them through the highs and lows of the school year. Please understand that we at school will continue to instill these values in your children. We are going to do this everyday and want your support.

As we look ahead, let's remind our students that having GRIT does not mean never feeling down or discouraged; rather, it means having the courage to push through those moments, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Let us all continue to encourage our students to embrace challenges with courage and determination. Together, we are building a community of resilient learners and leaders.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our school community. Let’s make this month one of growth and achievement!

With GRIT,

Dane Nielsen
Principal, Windom Area Middle School

We are now into the second half of the school year. While we enjoy the days of winter season, we look forward to finishing the school year with excellence.

I want to take a few moments to discuss AI, or Artificial Intelligence. The incoming of AI is something relatively new, but the manner in which it has been turned to by many in our school community lately is spurring many conversations regarding responsible usage. AI, like any new phenomenon in education, will take time to fully integrate in a meaningful way. Much as the introduction of computers in the 1980's & 1990's, the internet in the late 1990's and 2000's, and 1-1 devices & cellular technology in the 2010's, AI provides us opportunities and challenges. I have turned to AI to create ideas or ensure I am presenting well rounded ideas, while looking this way as a resource and not in replace of my human mind and the message I wish to articulate. AI can provide guidance when one feels at a stopping point or in a place lacking direction forward on an assignment. AI should not be used in replace of genuine human thought and explanation. Use of AI exclusively as a means of completing an assignment requiring genuine human thought is a new form of plagiarism and will be treated as such. Students will be asked to complete an assignment a second time, and likely in a different manner, so as to prevent the usage of AI for that which should be coming from a human mind. We will be forming a committee to explore a responsible AI policy that we hope to implement fully in the 2025-2026 school year. Please discuss the responsible use of AI with your student(s) and we will continue to partner with you in the ever-evolving world we help our students navigate.

I want to close by giving a couple major shout outs - February 3-7 is National School Counselor Week and February 15 is School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. Leah Lovell & Jenni Squires serve our Middle & High School students every day and help so many students in an infinite number of ways that cannot all be listed here. The countless number of students who have looked to our counselors to help them get through something tough, or receive future guidance are lucky to have such caring and inspiring people to be there for them. Thank you Jenni & Leah! School Resource Officer Dana Wallace has been with our school for over ten years, and you can see Dana in our building everyday ensuring the safety and security, but also offering a friendly and caring face to our students while relationships are built. Officer Dana is a steady presence for our school community and I want to extend a note of appreciation and thanks.

It is a joy to be your High School Principal, let's have a great month of February!

Bryan Joyce

High School Principal

Our Windom Nursing Department consists of District Nurse Jessica Matt & Elementary Nurse Jacki Larson. Both Nurse Jessica & Nurse Jacki care deeply for the well being of students and they have put together a great resource website for your use. You can click on the image to view the site. In the winter months we typically have an increased frequency of sickness, please communicate illnesses to the office and make sure to help your student stay healthy at home.

Here are some helpful reminders to stay healthy in the cold & flu season:

• Get plenty of sleep and have a consistent bed time
• Practice good hygiene - good hand washing and regular (daily) bathing as well as appropriate coughing and sneezing etiquette (into elbow/sleeve)
• Do not share utensils or other items that may contain OPG's (other people's germs)
• Get regular exercise
• Eat a regular healthy diet including 3 meals a day - ensure meals are high in nutrients and low in sugars/artificial ingredients
• Drink plenty of water - at least 6-8 cups/day

Should Windom Schools cancel school and utilize student E-Learning, HS students will have course materials to complete electronically and this content will be available in Infinite Campus and/or Schoology. Students who do not have internet available at home can complete coursework for E-Learning within 48 hours of returning to school. Middle school students will have materials sent home to complete and return when school resumes.

Reminder - if your student will be absent, please let our office know by calling 507-831-6910 or by emailing attendancemshs@isd177.com. We now have an office cell phone that you can text/call - the number for the office cell is 507-221-3511. All absences require a notice within 48 hours, at that point the absence becomes unexcused.

Email: bjoyce@isd177.com, dnielsen@isd177.com

Website: https://windomasdmn.sites.thrillshare.com/
Location: 1400 17th St. PO Box 177 Windom, MN 56101
Phone: (507) 831-6910, (507) 221-3511
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindomAreaSchoolDistrict/
X: @Windom_Eagles