MS LC Newsletter

Hello MS Learning Coaches!

It is November, and for at least today, it feels like it outside, too! Our November Vision of a Graduate is being a contributor. There are many avenues in life that we can contribute to. In school, some keyways to contribute are to the classroom in sharing learning, questions, and perspectives. One unique aspect of our school is that we have students from all over the state with a variety of cultural backgrounds and locations - some in inner-city and others very rural, which brings many perspectives into one classroom. We can learn so much from one another. When students are not attending CCs they are missing out on not only being able to practice their communication and contribution skills, but also are missing out on learning from others. Early in November I will be sending an academic update including CC attendance. We do not ask learning coaches to teach the subject matter but rather please ensure your students are coming to class, showing their learning by engaging and completing work, and helping to support their time management.

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.

On October 25 some WIVA families joined in seeing the stage production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical, shout out to everyone who attended, including Mrs. Smith (8th grade ELA who is passionate in ensuring students get a variety of Language Arts experiences.

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: 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.

Nov 4 - End of Quarter 1 (grades are only issued at end of semester for MS)

Nov 27-29 - No School

Nov 30 - final due date, all November work must be submitted

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

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 Night Fire by Michael Connelly

This is a crime novel in which two veteran LAPD detectives team together to solve a cold case that happened over 20 years. An exciting crime novel that has plot twists on every page turn!

Mr. V's Soup of the Month

Chicken Tortilla

Email: mvaneffen@k12.com

Phone: 608-838-9482 ext 1013

Middle School Principal

Quote of the month

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." ~ Arthur Ashe

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