HLWW Middle School Newsletter

Welcome to the HLWW Middle School Monthly Newsletter! We hope this will provide additional insight on the many activities and events taking place at HLWW.

If you wish to be added to the mailing list, please email adamlakerpride@hlww.k12.mn.us

• April 16-19 5/6 Math MCA testing
• April 23-27 7/8 Math MCA testing
• April 26 two hour late start
• April 30- May 2 5th and 8th grade Science MCA testing

Austin Erickson, Tyler Hill, Dylan Marketon, Ethan Peterson

Colton Long, Thomas Thesing, Maddie Kleinwachter, Chloe Kieser

Congratulations to Lindsay Nowak on being selected for the Minnesota Band Director’s Association state 6-8 Honor Band. Lindsay was one of 85 students from all around Minnesota selected for the honor band out of the 268 who submitted auditions, and is the first HLWW student ever selected for this group!

by Heidi Cottingham, Student Services School Social Worker

Everyone every once in a while needs to take a break. All students at the Howard Lake Waverly Winsted Middle School have this opportunity in school social worker, Heidi Cottingham’s room. Students can take time during their day when they are feeling overwhelmed, need a break emotionally or simply just need some quiet time to “reset.” In the past few years “Mindfulness” has become a big buzz-word in mental health. What does it mean? Simply stated, Mindfulness is taking time to slow down, reset and basically catch your breath in the busy and craziness of our sometimes very fast paced, electronic, nosey world.

Students are taught in Heidi Cottingham’s room how to do just this. In a corner of her room set aside from everything is a corner called “The Quiet Corner.” This is a special space set aside and available for all students to use. There is a list of rules to follow and respect when using this space. Some of the rules include; have permission from an adult to use the space, be aware of the time. (They are allowed 10-15 minutes at a time, watching the clock or setting a timer are two ways they monitor this.) Another important rule students follow while using “The Quiet Corner” is taking time to be quiet. This is probably one of the most important rules for students to follow and they are very good about doing it. Taking time to be quiet is something we all need to be mindful of and practice.

When “The Quiet Corner” was created, a group of students came up with ideas for this space and how to use it. These ideas are also posted above the space; use a fidget, listen to calm music, read, close your eyes and count to 20, do coloring page, squeeze a pillow, play with the noodle knot, (this is a favorite item where kids take a long stuffed like noodle stretch it, pull on it or tie it into a knot,) write a note as to what is on your mind, and Beanie Baby deep breathing (students lay on their backs, take a Beanie Baby stuffed animal and place it on their belly and practice taking deep breaths and watching the stuffed animal rise and fall with each breath.) The great thing about this corner is all the activities listed are activities students can do at home to practice Mindfulness.

Pictured in “The Quiet Corner”, during Snowfest week on PJ day, in her PJ’s is Payton Baalson, a 5th grader that helped create this special place. When asked when she has used it Payton stated, “I’ve used it when I need a break, when I am frustrated, when I need to get away from distractions and do school work.” She also said that she likes it, “because it gives me a place to relax and quiet time away from the noise and I get time for myself for 10-15 min.”

“The Quiet Corner” has become a useful tool for students in the middle school to use. Hopefully, students will learn that when life gets stressful and overwhelming there are healthy ways to deal with these feelings and ways to reset. We also hope that student learn and realize they are empowered and have the skills to use these healthy strategies on their own, and sometimes it is as simple as, going to the corner.

By Melanie Lawrence, HLWW Middle School PE/Health/DAPE Teacher

The Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang are exciting for all of us watch; but students at HLWW Middle School are able to be a part of the action! 5th through 8th grade students participate in the PE version of the Winter Olympics competing in several events, over two weeks. Some of the events are an opening ceremony relay race, biathlon, skeleton, cross country skiing races, curling and bobsled. The events helped them learn facts and understand the real events and athleticism it takes to be an Olympian.

On the final day every participant received a Certificate of Participation and many students received a gold, silver or bronze medal(s) made out of spray painted wood and yarn ribbons during a medal ceremony. Each event is announced with the medal winners taking their place on a platform, receiving a medal over their head, applause and a picture of each group is taken. The medal counts are tracked for each country the students represent. They compare these to the actual competing countries of the 2018 games. Once all the medals and certificates have been distributed, the National Anthem of the winning country was played over the sound system in the gym.

The students will be able to wear their medals with pride throughout the day and will hopefully have a keepsake and memory for life. When the next winter Olympics comes around in four years and the current students are freshman to seniors, a few will remember this experience and come and see if their Olympic record still stands after all the events are completed in 2022.

by Kevin Riemenschneider

This year I was excited for the opportunity to coach the Middle School’s Knowledge Bowl team. Knowledge Bowl is a competition which consists of four trivia rounds against students of other schools. The first round is a written round in which teams will have thirty minutes to answer 30-35 questions. The next three rounds are oral. During these rounds students take on other student teams directly by buzzing in and answering the question correctly. These round consist of 40 questions. The subjects of the questions may be math, English, science, social studies, or popular culture. The HLWW Knowledge Bowl team competed in a total of ten meets this year.

The HLWW Knowledge Bowl team consisted of both an A team and a B team. Representing HLWW A was Madigan Primmer, Kyla Grimler, Xiomara Guitron, Rylie Klemnz, and Bri Mekosch. Representing HLWW B was Ezekial Riemer, Matthew Fleischman, Matthew Tate, and Donovan Larson. I am very proud of the students that I had the opportunity to coach this year. They not only demonstrated excellent team working skills, but represented the HLWW District well by respecting their opponents and the judges.

For our end of the year celebration both teams took on 7-8th grade teachers who formed a team of their own. The atmosphere was intense. The heckling, the yelling, the ridiculous celebrations--and that was just the teachers. In the end it was the teachers who would take home the win by a mere five points.

If asked what my favorite moment of the Knowledge Bowl year was it would be too difficult for me to answer. I could say jamming out to “Bohemian Rhapsody” on our way to the meets, or having Rylie asking me “Can we get ice cream after this?” Each day that I coached these students we always found ourselves laughing at the most ridiculous things. The memories, the experience, and the inside jokes were memorable for a lifetime.

P.S. “I don’t have a pet cat named Peder!”

The Middle School is collecting Box Tops for Education. 50 Box Tops = $5!

Gina Thesing has graciously volunteered to be our coordinator.

The collection box for these box tops is in the MS Office. Sheets which hold 50 box tops are available to pick up in the MS Office. You can take these home and attach your box tops to the sheet as you collect them. Bring the sheet in when it is full. Or if you just want to send the box tops in with your student, we will attach the box tops to the sheets.

Thank you for supporting our school by clipping and turning in your box tops!

Below is a list of all the products that will have box tops to clip.

BAKING & BAKEWARE - Annie’s® Baking Mixes • Fiber One™ Mixes • Reynolds® Genuine Parchment Paper • Reynolds® Non-Stick Baking Pans • Reynolds® Oven Bags • Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liners • Reynolds® Staybright Baking Cups

Cereal - Annie’s® • Apple Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ • Batman™ Chocolate Strawberry • Basic 4™ • Blueberry Toast Crunch™ • Cascadian Farm™ • Cascadian Farm™ Farm Stand Harvest Granola • Cheerios™ • Chex™ • Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ • Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ Blasted Shreds™ • Cocoa Puffs™ • Cookie Crisp™ • Fiber One™ • French Toast Crunch™ • Girl Scouts Thin Mint® Cereal • Girl Scouts Caramel Crunch® Cereal • Golden Grahams™ • Kix™ • Lucky Charms™ • Lucky Charms™ Frosted Flakes • Nature Valley™ Oat Cereals • Nature Valley™ Protein Crunchy Granola • Oatmeal Crisp™ • Peanut Butter Chocolate Blasted Shreds™ • Raisin Nut Bran • Reese’s Puffs® • Strawberry Toast Crunch™ • Total™ • Trix™ • Wheaties™

Food Storage - Ziploc® brand Big Bags XL (4 ct.) • Ziploc® brand Freezer Bags • Ziploc® brand Smart Snap Containers • Ziploc® brand Storage Bags • Ziploc® brand Twist ‘n Loc® Containers • Ziploc® brand VersaGlass® Containers • Ziploc® brand Vacuum Freezer System • Ziploc® brand Zip ‘n Steam™ Bags

Frozen Foods - Annie’s® Frozen Snacks • Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ Bites • Green Giant™ Vegetables • Pillsbury™ Toaster Scrambles • Pillsbury™ Toaster Strudel™ • Totino’s™ Party Pizza® & Pizza Rolls® Snacks

Household Cleaning Products - Finish® Dishwashing Detergent • Lysol® Bathroom Cleaners • Lysol® Disinfectant Spray & Wipes

Meals and Sides - Annie’s® Mac & Cheese • Annie’s® Microwavable Mac & Cheese Cups • Annie’s® Soups • Betty Crocker™ Specialty Potatoes & Potato Buds • Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad • Green Giant™ Canned Vegetables • Hamburger Helper™ • Old El Paso™ Bold Stand n’ Stuff Shells • Old El Paso™ Dinner Kits • Old El Paso™ Rice & Beans • Old El Paso™ Shells & Seasonings • Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Taco Boats • Old El Paso™ Stand n’ Stuff Shells

Paper Products - Select Kleenex® Tissue bundles • Scott® Bath Tissue • Scott ® Paper Towels • Scott Naturals™ Flushable Cleansing Cloths

Produce - Green Giant™ Fresh Herbs • Green Giant™ Fresh Vegetables

Refrigerated and Dairy Products - Annie’s® Refrigerated Dough • Annie’s® Yogurt Tubes • Go-Gurt® Multipacks • Pillsbury™ Refrigerated Cookies • Yoplait® Original and Yoplait® Light Fridge Packs

School and Office Supplies - Boise POLARIS® Premium Paper • Boise® FIREWORX® Premium Colored Paper

Snacks - Annie’s® Cookies • Annie’s® Crackers • Annie’s® Crispy Snack Bars • Annie’s® Fruit Snacks • Annie’s® Granola Bars • Annie’s® Organic Popcorn • Annie’s® Organic Puffs • Annie’s® Snack Mix • Annie’s® Toaster Pastries • Betty Crocker™ Fruit Flavored Snacks • Bugles™ • Cascadian Farm™ Granola Bars • Cereal Treat Bars • Chex Mix™ • Fiber One™ Bars, Brownies, Cookies, and Streusel • Fiber One™ Cookie & Brownie Bites • Food Should Taste Good™ Snacks • Gardetto’s™ Snacks • LARABAR™ (multipacks) • Larabar™ RENOLA Grain Free Granola • Mott’s® Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks • Nature Valley™ Backpacker Chewy Oatmeal Bites • Nature Valley™ Baked Oat Bites • Nature Valley™ Bars • Nature Valley™ Biscuit Sandwiches • Nature Valley™ Clusters • Nature Valley™ Granola Bites • Nature Valley™ Granola Cups • Nature Valley™ Protein Soft Baked Granola Bites • Nature Valley™ XL Sweet & Salty Bars

Tableware - Hefty® Deluxe™ Plates and Platters • Hefty® Easy Grip® Cups • Hefty® Everyday™ Cups • Hefty® Everyday™ Soak Proof Plates and Bowls • Hefty® Printed Cups • Hefty® Style Plates • Kleenex® Dinner Napkins (50 ct.)

Waste Bags - Hefty® Blackout Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags • Hefty® Cinch Sak Large Trash Bags and Lawn & Leaf Bags • Hefty® Easy Flaps® Tall Kitchen Bags and Large Trash Bags • Hefty® Odor Block® Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags • Hefty® Renew® Tall Kitchen Bags and Trash Bags • Hefty® Steel Sak® Trash Bags • Hefty® Twist Tie Tall Kitchen Bags and Trash and Lawn & Leaf Bags • Hefty® Ultimate • Hefty® Ultra Flex® Trash Bags

Another way to donate $ to our school is through the Coca-Cola Give Program.

It is easy! Go to Coke.com/give and then click on Donate to School; put in our zip code and our school will pop up. Follow the instructions to set up your profile. Once you have a profile, you can enter the codes from your coke products or set up the profile on your phone and scan the code. Each product has a different level of value.

Our school has already received a check for $84 this year. If everyone participates we could increase this amount significantly!

Checks to the school are distributed quarterly.

Thank you for supporting our school!