MS LC Newsletter

Hello Learning Coaches!

Can you believe we are a month into school already? During this first month teachers have worked to get to know their students in homeroom and in their courses: figuring out their strengths, where they need support, and the best way to communicate with you, their LC! While we do not expect you to teach science or math, we do need students to be present and engaged in their learning. Sometimes, that means we need your help.

Non-negotiables:

- Students need to be schooling daily

- Students need to be attending any required CCs

- Students need to be making progress in their daily work

We really need your support in getting students to do the above behaviors. Middle School student's brains are still forming and creating new connections each day. Unfortunately, this means they are still struggling to organize, have good time management, and sometimes be focused due to all that is going on in their bodies. From all of us to you, thank you so much for partnering in your student's education to help us reach our school goals of all students making at least a years worth of growth this school year!

Vision of a Graduate Focus

This month's focus for staff as part of our Vision of a Graduate is being a self-directed learner. Teachers support students in this goal by modeling resources the students have for if they are stuck, inviting students to use inquiry and practice inquiry in their classes, as well as ensure the asynchronous courses have materials that set up students for success.

Where students can practice this skill

One example is our gradebook. In each course under grades, students will find what is due, when it is due, when the final attempt is due, feedback on completed assignments, the link to the item, and in addition, the link to any helpful lessons or resources. I encourage you, as the LC to sit down with your student at least weekly to view Grades in each course together. Remember to complete M's (missing work) and redo 1's and 2's using the feedback or reviewing the lesson to improve.

How this applies to the real world after HS graduation

Many jobs or life situations required individuals to take the initiative to find a solution, investigate a problem, make decisions in how to best use our time, or persist when information is not right at hand. Being a self-directed learner also means knowing when you have found a solution and what to do next or when to seek help.

Starting the first week in October, students will be getting an automated update from their homeroom. If you or your student have questions, please connect with your student's homeroom teacher. These notices are to support students in staying on track. It also gives LCs an idea of how things are going overall for your student. We do encourage you to log in at least weekly with your student to go into Grades in each course.

The best way for LCs to check students grades during the semester is by going into each course and clicking on 'Grades'. The meaning of M, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are the same on their end of semester report cards. Check the video for more information. M's mean that the student's work is missing. Help your student make a to do list to get any missing work submitted. Students should be re-doing any work that receives a 1 or 2.

If you are new to our standards based grading system check out this video: https://youtu.be/FlI_EzG2tGk

Click here for a step by step guide to checking grades

All of our courses, including electives, are now up and running. This week, LCs of students near, at, or above grade level reading, who are passing all of their courses, will be getting an email with additional elective options. This includes exploratory Spanish or Chinese and a Music Elective. You know your student best which is why we send this to you for sign up. Keep an eye on your email.

As a reminder, all 7th graders have Career Explorations 1 either in semester 1 or 2. Other career exploration courses are options to those who were not missing work last year. If you would like your 7th grader opted out of Career Explorations 1 please complete this to opt them out.

k12 Zone is a virtual world where students can take part in activities and connect with other students via mic, camera, and/or chat. No matter the zone (below), students need to follow WIVA expectations.

WIVA Middle School students have access to our WIVA Middle School k12 Zone Monday-Friday 3:30pm-4:30pm. These sessions are hosted by a staff member from WIVA. Any student is able to attend. All students must follow acceptable student behavior as outlined in the student handbook.

K12 National Zone is turned on throughout the day. This is an opportunity for student to connect to other k12 school students from across the U.S. While this is a great opportunity to learn about students in other states, students do need to attend their required CC sessions. If you find this becomes a distraction or would not like your student to partake, you can request to have them banned from the zone through your student's counselor.

K12 Zone Digital Citizenship guidelines: K12 Zone Digital Citizenship Guidelines.pptx

MS Digital Citizenship smore: https://secure.smore.com/n/ycft0x

Each month our middle school students of the month will be posted on our website. Congratulations to this month's winner and other nominees!

Notification of Language Assistance Services: Any parent who is limited in speaking, writing, or reading English may request the school to provide access to services such as interpreters and/or translated documents. To request services please email Miriam Mueller-Owens at mmowens@wivcs.org. Prompt access to the appropriate services and/or translator will be coordinated.

Asistencia de idioma: Cualquier padre que se limita al hablar, escribir o leer Inglés podrá solicitar a la escuela para proporcionar acceso a servicios tales como intérprete y / o documentos traducidos. Para solicitar los servicios envíe un correo electrónico o llamar al Coordinador de ELL. Se coordinará el pronto acceso a los servicios apropiados y / o al traductor.

Are you having computer issues? You can call or chat with tech support. When you do this make sure to keep your ticket number in case our school needs to look into progress on the solution.

Call: 866-512-2273

Online: https://www.help.k12.com/s/ and you will see on the bottom right a "chat with us" option

If your student will be absent for a partial day, you can let the teacher know and then make sure to view recordings or complete missing work when your student returns. If your student will be out an entire day call the attendance line or email to let them know. When students are absent 3 or more consecutive days a doctor note is required. If you are planning a vacation please complete the pre-planned absence form linked below.

Attendance Line: 608-838-9482 ext 0 -or- Email: Wiattendance@wivcs.org

Attendance | Smore Newsletters

Pre-Planned Absence Form

Learning coach advisory at the middle school is time for admin to connect to learning coaches to share ideas and gain feedback about our school and programming. Below are the topics for the year, past recordings, and upcoming dates. Sessions are held in Engageli and will appear on your LC log in ClassConnect schedule.

September 27: MS Programming

October 25: Grades and how LCs can support

November 22: Engageli

December 20: k12 Zone

January 24: STAR

February 28: State testing

March 21: Xello

April 25: SY 24-25 Planning

May 23: 5th Grade LC session

In addition to MS LC Advisories that are held with the Middle School administrators, Dr. Cutler and Lynne Heinzelman host a monthly all schools advisory. Our Family Council will be presenting at some of these as well! Hear from other Learning Coaches about great ideas that they have used. These sessions are the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5pm.

September 30 - Final Due date - all work from September is due

October 16, 5pm - All Schools Family Advisory

October 25, noon - MS LC Advisory

October 31 - Final Due date - all work from October is due

Do you want to see the whole calendar? Check it out: https://wiva.k12.com/academic-calendar.html

Upcoming outings:https://secure.smore.com/n/ge08v-upcoming-gatherings-24-25

(You can bookmark this link as it gets updated as new events are added throughout the year, it can also be found at the bottom of each monthly newsletter.)

Stride National Newsletter: Here is the link

Learning Coach mental health series:https://stride.widen.net/s/9fxkxglmkt/webinar-mental-health-series-cook-center-sessions

Middle School Associate Principal

Quote of the Month

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." ~ William Butler Yeats

What is Mr. V reading?

1776 by David McCullough

A detailed narrative of the pivotal year in the American Revolutionary War, focusing on both American & British perspectives. It highlights key events such as Washington's leadership, the challenges faced by the continental army, and the significant battles. McCullough emphasizes the uncertainty of the war's outcome & the resilience of the American forces during their struggle for independence.

Mr. V's Top Fall Soup

• Chili (any type!)
• Chicken Tortilla
• Chicken & Dumpling
• Broccoli Cheddar

Email: mvaneffen@k12.com

Phone: 608-838-9482 ext 1013

Middle School Principal

Quote of the month

"If we are truly effective teachers, then we are creating autonomous, independent, and self directed learners." ~ Robert John Meehan

What is Ms. Cherney reading?

Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain by Zaretta Hammond

Our staff is continuing our book student to continue efforts in supporting equity in learning for all students in our schools. Each month we have a few components to read and then we come together in groups to share our learning and classroom applications.

Email: ccherney@wivcs.org
Website: wiva.k12.com
Location: 4721 Dale Curtin Drive, McFarland, WI, USA
Phone: 608-838-9482