What's new with Watkins Middle?

A weekly reflection and preview of all things WMS

WMS updates and reminders

Parent Teacher Conferences are this week. If you missed signups for the first date the window will open back up next week for the 9/26 conference date. Sign up here.
Students will begin our "In control-SEL" curriculum this week. During FOCUS block students watch informational 4/5 minute videos over topics for the week. These topics are then followed up with class topical discussions. This weeks focus for sixth and seventh grade is "Growth Mindset". While 8th grade's FOCUS is "High School Mindset".
Next week is national "Start with Hello" week. This works in conjunction with the Sandy Hook promise, and focuses on developmentally appropriate programming that raises awareness about social isolation and how students can create connection in the classroom, school, and community.
Sixth and Seventh graders will hold their September class meetings this week.
The 7th/8th grade welcome back dance will take place Friday September 27th from 6-8pm. Tickets will be sold at the door, stay tuned for more details. This is a behavior incentive event. Those students who earn any "In or Out" of school suspensions, or two hour detentions as of Monday September 9th will not be eligible to attend.
Be on the lookout for some information related to WMS students attendance at home Varsity high school football games. We had some behavioral issues at the first home game which will require some adjustments related to parent supervision at home events. More details to come.

Station rotation start

Students in Mrs. Brown's Math class started their use of station rotation in classes. Student's practice classroom and independent work expectations as a part of this process.

Scavengers on the hunt

Mrs. Diehm's 8th grade Math students were up and actively engaging with their Math challenges this week as a part of a Math scavenger hunt.

Hexagon hello

Students in Mrs. Telecsan's classes developed Hexagon representations of themselves. They then had to problem solve as to how to connect each hexagon based on similarities to ensure that the whole class was in the figure.

Dare to Compare

Students in Ms. Lisska’s class work on a “Dare to Compare” where they perform calculations to make a comparison and come to a decision. The solution process is open-ended, allowing students to create mathematical reasoning and to decide how to quantify in order to formulate a conclusion with their partner.

Order of operations

This week in Mrs. Rose’s math classroom students learned how to use the order of operations as well as how to compute integers. Students were able to work on a must-do can-do checklist where they completed a color by number/solved order of operations problems with negative numbers, solved a logic puzzle/found out where missing parentheses go in a problem, met with Mrs. Rose for small group and played a game of 24 where students create their own order of operations problems so that the answer is always 24.

Kickball extravaganza

Students were able to utilize their "Warrior Cards" to participate or watch our PBIS Kickball tournament on Friday. The shift to punch cards this year replaces our old PBIS ticketing system. Students can earn incentive cards each quarter through good behavior, good attendance, and academic excellence criteria. All students have the opportunity to earn these.

Surviving Middle School- For Parents

It has been said that the transition from Elementary to Middle School is one of the hardest transitions for kids and parents outside of the transition from high school to college. Increased task demand, increased expectations, greater student accountability, and lets not forget about all of the typical adolescent changes that parents are left scrambling to support their students with. This summer the WMS leadership team worked with our WMS school Psychologist, Noelle Thompson, to conduct a book study that focused on how we as a school can support students and parents during this turbulent age range. The book we focused on was called "Smart but Scattered teens". This book aims to help parents bridge executive functioning gaps for adolescents with gaps in impulsivity, time management, organization, working memory, and a slew of other areas. Each week we will share some nuggets of wisdom from this text for parents to trial out a home to help their student make positive gains towards greater independence. See our executive functioning support areas in the attached image. Stay tuned for more info each week.

Progress Book Set up assistance

Complete this form to have a staff member reach out to you regarding parent access to progress book.

Athletics

Please click the link below for all of your athletic ticketing and scheduling needs.

Hometown Ticketing

Varsity Ticket events are $7 up to 1 hour before the event. At the gate tickets are $8 (use of a card includes a fee at the gate). Middle School tickets are $5.

All athletes should enter and exit the building through the 600 hall (Door 7) entrance before and after practice each day.

Upcoming Events

9/16-9/20 Start with hello week
9/25 1st quarter interims
9/26 2nd Parent Teacher conference night
9/27 7th/8th grade Welcome back dance 6-8pm
10/3 Picture retakes

Watkins Middle School Google Calendar

Stay up to date with all our building happenings!

Contact us

Get in touch with WMS!

Email: jball@laca.org
Website: https://wms.swl.k12.oh.us/
Location: 8868 Watkins Road Southwest, Pataskala, OH, USA
Phone: (740)927-5767
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gowatkinsmiddleschool
Twitter: @WatkinsMiddle