MS LC Newsletter

Hello MS Learning Coaches!

We are back to school on December 2nd for a full 3 weeks of school. After winter break (12/23-1/1), time will fly by and the end of the semester will arrive fast. To be ready, ensure you are checking on your students courses each week to ensure they are not missing work. I would love to see all our student unplug and relax over break. Our final due date is the end of each month so students who have missing work can work over winter break to get in missing items or any retakes.

The Middle School mind is always changing and adapting. Make sure time on devices is limited. Read a book, play board games or make up your own game, get crafty or create new artwork, get outside for fresh air, help a neighbor, or go out and explore. I know as an adult making dinner gets old, plan a day where your kids plan and make it (they might even surprise you). Learn more about the Middle School brain at our LC Advisory in Dec which will be on 12/20 at noon.

Please read through this newsletter for a variety of updates as well as attendance and LC Advisory recordings at the end.

Vision of a Graduate Focus

This month's focus for staff as part of our Vision of a Graduate is being a contributor. Teachers support students in this goal by encouraging student feedback and engagement in class, allowing students to share their perspectives, and facilitating open ended discussions and projects.

Where students can practice this skill

ClassConnects are one example that students have access to each day. This could be in class, homeroom, or clubs. Asynchronously, in communications to teachers or in work they do at home or in their communities. Students can contribute ideas, time, skills, and/or material items in reaching a common goal.

How this applies to the real world after HS graduation

In any job, employers are looking for staff who contribute. It could be as complex as coming up with new ideas or processes or as easy as looking for a staff member to contributes to a positive work environment. We also have many students who are passionate about various causes. They can contribute time to volunteer, ideas to bring awareness to communities, or material goods to support others.

Each week in homeroom has a different focus. At the beginning of the school year we focused on relationship building and allowing students to get to know each other. Throughout the year we will focus on both academic skills, ACP (academic and career planning), and digital literacy awareness. The last homeroom of the month we also make sure students dig into their grades and complete a plan for any missing work or redoing low scores prior to the last day of the month.

Homeroom sessions are every Wednesday at 9am with their entire homeroom. Some students who may need added supports may be required to attend additional sessions in order to ensure they have supports in place to be successful in our school.

Learn more by checking out the recording for the LC Advisory from November (see link at bottom of newsletter)

Students in 8th grade Civics completed a project in which they could propose a change to the constitution. They needed to know what requirements currently exist, what changes they would make, and why. Students were able to display their argument for change in many ways. Some students took their project offline while others used digital tools to create their informational display. If you have a student in Mrs. Coleman's Civics class, ask them what they wanted to change in their project.

In grades 6-8 we use PBL (project based learning) to allow students to dig into topics, but they do so much more in building skills! For example, in this case they are not only learning civics, but they are also practicing their research, argument, art or technology, and communication skills.

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 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: Digital Literacy in Homeroom

December 20: The Middle School Brain

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.

Dec 6 - Asynchronous Day for students - they DO have class and work to complete, no live CCs

Dec 23 - Jan 1 - No School - Winter Break

Jan 2 - School is back in session

Jan 17 - Last day for Work Submission for Semester 1

Jan 20 - No School

Jan 21 - Virtual Field Trip and Fun Day

Jan 22 - Sem 2 begins

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

Our school counselors strive to provide student services as well as SEL (social-emotional learning) to all of our students. See the newsletter each month for more information.

https://secure.smore.com/n/46x8v-24-25-counselor-connect-7-8

Middle School Associate Principal

Quote of the Month

"In November, you begin to know how long the winter will be." — Martha Gellhorn

Gear up for winter!

What is Mr. V reading?

The Leroy Butler Story: From Wheelchair to the Lambeau Leap

The book looks at Leroy Butler's story of determination and success from childhood health problems to a football hero with the Green Bay Packers.

Mr. V's Soup of the Month

Loaded Potato Soup

Email: mvaneffen@k12.com

Phone: 608-838-9482 ext 1013

Middle School Principal

Quote of the month

"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together." ~ Vesta M Kelly

What is Ms. Cherney reading?

A few years ago I cut my subscription to National Geographic Magazine. As much as I loved the publication, I could not keep up. Thus, I have a stack of magazines from years back that I haven't gotten through. In place of a book at night, I have been reading various articles. I find myself drawn to the scientific topics and perspectives it brings. I also love the images. I know we have many students to love art and photography. I would love some day to see a name I recognize as a photographer in that magazine!

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