Marinette Middle School News
January 2018
MESSAGE FROM MR. WHISLER
From the Principal’s Desk
Marinette Middle School: Anchored in the Journey of the Whole Student
Goal Setting - It is an annual tradition for most Americans. Why is that? Notoriously, individuals set personal and professional goals every New Year only to be faced with disappointment in a relatively short amount of time. Nonetheless, goals are important and can have many positive effects. Some of those positive effects include:
Increased motivation;
Increased achievement; and
Increased sense of self-esteem.
At Marinette Middle School, we talk to our students about goals and goal-setting on a regular basis. Essentially, goal-setting is how we continue to get better. Our students set goals related to academic progress (hopefully, you saw that Trusted Adult letter at the start of the school year), but they are also encouraged to set personal goals. The hard part about setting goals is to make sure that they are realistic and have an identified action plan to assist with meeting the goal.
What goals does your student have? Do those goals include improving his/her academic achievement? What about saving money for that new video game? Maybe you have set a family goal of eating dinner together at the table three times a week. Whatever it might be, take a minute to discuss those goals with your student. This will help you know how you can best support your student in meeting whatever goal that he/she may have set.
Setting a goal and developing a plan are only the beginning of the process. It will be important for your student to receive regular feedback. This feedback may come in the form of a visual (i.e., chart) or verbal comments from a Trusted Adult. Effective feedback includes encouragement as well as reflection on the process thus far and how the student is putting in effort to meet his/her goal. Be sure to check-in regarding the action steps that your student has met to date as well. Regular feedback will increase the likelihood that you student will stay on track to meet his/her goal.
Finally, celebrate your student’s effort towards the goal; especially if your student meets the goal. Even if your student does not meet the goal, you can celebrate the effort that he/she put toward meeting the goal. It is important to remember that it is okay to fail. FAIL stands for First Attempt In Learning. Ask your student to reflect on what either allowed your student to meet or kept your student from meeting the goal.
Setting goals is a trait that all successful individuals possess. In order to continue to grow or improve goals are important. However, goals do not always get met. The key is to not give up; continue to set goals and seek to meet the new ones.
If you feel that you or your student may need some assistance with meeting the goals that your student has set, please feel free to contact MMS administration staff or Student Services staff. We are happy to assist.
MESSAGE FROM MR. HANSON
MMS Behaviors and Trends - Middle level students are at an age in which they are trying to define themselves. They are seeking control of their own lives more so now than when they were younger. As part of this stage of great individual growth they will sometimes overextend themselves. In fact, according to a recent Harvard study, “research indeed confirms that student disciplinary rates tend to rise at the middle school” Liiv, Karen E. MMS behavior data over the last three years indicates that, on average, 126 incidents for defiance have been documented prior to the winter break. This year that number is down to 68. That’s great news as defiance is a behavior that impedes learning for not only the offending student, but often others as well. But why are these incidents down? I think I have some answers:
Students understand what is expected of them at MMS. Staff members spend time communicating and reinforcing expectations. Students have input on developing classroom behavior matrices. When students understand clearly what is expected of them they are much more likely to achieve success (this is true at home as well). Ask your student to recite the MMS “PBIS Pledge.” I bet each student can say it in his or her sleep!
Relevant and impactful supports are in place for students. This includes the supports outlined in December’s Newsletter as well as the MMS Restoration Room. The Restoration Room is a safe place for students to de-escalate, process incidents, and most importantly, learn from their mistakes. Students will make mistakes. The best we (both at school and at home) can do for our students is to provide an environment in which students can reflect, learn, and grow.
MMS staff members continue to develop new skills. All MMS staff members have some training in de-escalation tactics, with many participating in an intensive two day course called Non-Violent Crisis Intervention. MMS staff members will be continuing professional development this year on Trauma Sensitive strategies as well. Teachers have been learning about trauma’s effects on brain development and the qualities of a trauma sensitive school.
Safety Upgrades
Outdoor Education Group
Social Emotional Learning
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an evidence based process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. - Casel
Why is it important?
Socially and emotionally competent children and youth are skilled in five core areas: they are self-aware, they are able to regulate their emotions, they are socially aware, they have good relationship skills, and they demonstrate responsible decision-making at school, at home, and in the community.
How do can I teach SEL at home?
Make connections - teach your child how to make friends, including the skill of empathy, or feeling another's pain. Encourage your child to be a friend in order to get friends. Build a strong family network to support your child through his or her inevitable disappointments and hurts. Connecting with people provides social support and strengthens resilience.
November Attendance Award
MMS After School Clubs
In an effort to keep parents and guardians connected to all of the various opportunities that MMS students have available to them, various MMS Before School and After School offerings will be listed. Please look for information in the daily announcements as well as with your student as information about school clubs may be sent home.
Current MMS Club Offerings
Game Club
MinecraftEdu STEAM Club
Art Club
World Drumming
Forensics
Be On the Lookout For…
SeaPerch
7th grade students involved with this club will learn how to build and program underwater robots. The culminating event will be a weekend competition against other area SeaPerch clubs. The MMS SeaPerch club will meet at least weekly after school until the date of the competition
Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) and Booster Club
The next MMS PTO/Booster Club meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23rd from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The meeting will be held in the MMS LMC. An important topic of discussion this evening will be an MMS Needs Assessment regarding how we can best serve our students and our families. Your input is much needed. This information will be used to construct a grant in hopes of securing funds for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant through the State of Wisconsin. Additionally, we will be checking in to see how we can support the MMS Booster Club through the 3rd quarter.
THANK YOU PTO
ATTENTION 8TH GRADE STUDENTS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
IMPORTANT DATES
January 15, 2018
Community Education Class
6:00pm-7:00pm
Retirement:Turning 65 soon? What should you do?
January 15, 2018
Incoming Freshman Orientation
6:00pm
Marinette High School Auditorium
January 18, 2018
MS Band and Choir Concert
7:00pm-8:30pm
Marinette Middle School Gym
January 22-26, 2018
Black out week
Tri City Hands of Hope
January 23, 2018
PTO Meeting
LMC, 6:30pm-7:30pm
January 24, 2018
End of Quarter 2/Semester 1
January 26, 2018
No School
February 2, 2018
MS Dance
5-6 grade 3:00pm-5:00pm
7-8 grade 6:00pm-8:00pm
Printable calendar for January 2018
Black Out Week
This year’s Black Out week is January 22-26th and we will be raising money for Tri City Hands of Hope
Click links below for more information on events and how to order a t-shirt/sweatshirt
Genius Hour Projects
Olivia H., 5th grader at Marinette Middle School, held a fundraiser for the Menominee Animal Shelter this past weekend. Families brought in their pets and had them photographed by Angie Smith (PhotoSmith Photography), 4th grade teacher at Garfield Elementary School. Proceeds were donated to the animal shelter. Thanks to all who came to support Olivia and the animal shelter.
Save the Date...
Attention! Save the date for February 26, 6-7:30pm for a human trafficking awareness presentation by Kali Bartz and Chloe Boburka, 8th grade MMS students. Information about what human trafficking is, how to help others stay, keep your students and yourself safe, and the effects of human trafficking in Northern Wisconsin. Coffee, hot chocolate and baked goods will be for sale during the event.
Funds raised will be donated to the Rose Home and Speed the Light Project Rescue.
MMS students and staff hard at work
MMS Tech Ed students work hard on there projects in class to sell at the craft show. The money earned at the craft show goes towards supplies and helps pay for student activities and travel if necessary. Scott Mackintyre, School District Maintenance and Tom Karban, MMS Tech Ed teacher helped work the craft show with volunteer students.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Student Council
National Junior Honor Society
Join Archery Club Today!!!
Hello MMS Families!
Ms.Scheer and Marinette Middle School are in the second year of the Archery Club. This is open to all 5th-8th grade students. This club is for students of all archery abilities and knowledge levels. New members are always welcome to check us out when they are able to. Whether you have never shot a bow and arrow before or have a bow of your own, this is an opportunity for you to increase your skills. The club will follow the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) curriculum. Ms. Scheer is BAI (Basic Archery Instructor) certified through NASP and is the advisor for the club. NASP is the largest youth archery program with 2.23 million student archers and grows at about 1000 schools per year. The Archery Club will provide all equipment needed; bows, arrows, and targets. Students are not allowed to bring their own equipment for safety reasons (arm guards and finger grips and some releases are allowed). There is a small fee ($10) to join, to help pay for equipment, scholarships are available (please write a letter to Mr. Whisler). I have included our remaining meeting dates below, if you have questions please email me at jscheer@marinette.k12.wi.us.
January
Thursday Jan. 11, 3:15-4:15 Middle School Gym
Tuesday Jan. 16, 3:15-4:15 Middle School Gym
Monday Jan. 22, 3:15-4:15 Middle School Gym
Thursday Jan. 25, 3:15-4:45 Middle School Gym
Monday Jan. 29, 3:15-4:45 Middle School Gym
February
Thursday Feb. 1, 3:15-4:15 Middle School Gym
Monday Feb. 5, 3:15-4:15 Middle School Gym
Tuesday Feb. 13, 3:15-4:45 Middle School Gym
Thursday Feb. 15, 3:15-4:45 Middle School Gym
Monday Feb. 19, 3:15-4:45 Middle School Gym
Monday Feb. 26, 3:15-4:45 Middle School Gym
DASH FOR CASH
This year our Dash for Cash participant is Ms.Scheer and she will be designated to dash for cash for our MMS Archery Club! Ms.Scheer will have an opportunity at the Gamblers game on Saturday January 20th at 7:05pm to collect as much money as she can for equipment for the Archery Club. She will be competing against other teachers from all over the Northeastern Wisconsin area. Tickets for the game are $14 for adults and $9 for students ages 3-14. $3 from each ticket sold goes back to our school. You can pre=purchase your tickets and they will be ready for you at will call the day of the game.Orders are due January 12th and forms are available in the MMS office. It is also $2 Jumbo Hot Dog and $2 soda night with a Post Game Skate with the Gamblers! If you have questions please call or email Ms. Scheer at 715-735-1522 or jscheer@marinette.k12.wi.us
For more details click on link
Culinary Cookie Decorating
Middle Years
Check out this month’s edition of Middle Years. Topics covered include: How to Stop Bullying, Tech-free Time, Community Service, and much more.
Middle Years - January 2018