The Wigwam Express
December 2020
Wigwam Creek Middle School
Jaguar Leave Your M.A.R.K.
Motivate and Support
Achieve Excellence
Recognize Greatness
Kindness, Connections, and Confidence are at the core of who we are.
Location: 4510 North 127th Avenue, Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Phone: 623-547-1100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wigwamcreekmiddleschool/
A Message From the Principal
December 1, 2020
Dear Jaguars,
Happy December! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. First and foremost, Ms. Gunning announced on Friday, November 20, 2020, we will not be returning to in-person learning until after January.
We have received feedback from several families over the last few weeks regarding various aspects of distance learning. Most of the feedback has been extremely positive, while some of it has been constructive. With that said, I appreciate any and all feedback. We are working diligently over the next few weeks to sustain and improve in several areas of our performance. From communication about student performance to online instruction, staff will be attending various professional development sessions in order to further develop their skills and teaching practices.
Please read below on the various ways you can support your child, as well as the teachers, with his/her education.
I want to express my gratitude to every member of our Jaguar community. I sincerely hope everyone had a restful, happy, and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Tassin and the Wigwam Creek Staff
Technology Tutorials
In the August Newsletter, I shared the following tutorials to assist students and parents with accessing Google Classroom and other programs on Google Suite from home. These videos can be accessed whenever you or your child have a question about "How To" when it comes to accessing various platforms.
Since we are back in distance learning, I felt it might be useful to reshare these resources with students and parents. I have added a few more tutorials explaining some of the other platforms being used as well. Over the next week, teachers and staff will also be adding this link to the signature line of their emails for easier access.
How do I get into Google Classroom?
How do I join a Google Classroom with a code?
What is a Google Meet? How do I use that link to see/hear my teacher?
How to Join a Google Meet through Google Classroom
Google Slideshow
Everything you need to know about Zoom
Zoom Tutorial-Longer (11-minute video)
Zoom Tutorial-Shorter (8-minute video)
How to use Nearpod as a Student
Nearpod Tutorial for Students(4.5-minute video)
Flipgrid Tutorial
Flipgrid Tutorial for Students
Please feel free to reach out to your child's advisor if you have questions or need assistance.
6th Grade-Ms. Baczynski-baczynski@lesd.k12.az.us
7th Grade-Mr. Whitman-whitman@lesd.k12.az.us
8th Grade-Ms. Hale-hale@lesd.k12.az.usCommunication-Quick Guide
Two-way communication is crucial to ensure student success. Below is a quick guide for students and parents on how to get the information you need to help you and/or your child achieve. (Note: I also include a quick link at the bottom of the newsletter each month, that will lead you to this same information.)
Email-You can always email your homeroom and/or content teacher(s) with your questions. If you feel as though you're not getting the response you need, please reach out to an advisor and/or Ms. McQuarrie, the Assistant Principal, or myself, Mrs. Tassin. The expectation is that all staff will respond to emails within 1-2 business days.
Not sure where to find an email? Here's a link to our staff directory on the Wigwam Creek Middle School webpage.
Website-Our district and school websites are updated frequently. Please visit each site for specific information. The links for both are as follows:
Parentvue/Studentvue-These are great apps. for parents and students to access in order to stay up to date with a student's grades. Every student received an email with his/her login code. Parents also received an email with login information. If your code is incorrect or you have forgotten your password, please email Ms. Adair, our registrar, at adair@lesd.k12.az.us See more information about these two apps. below.
By Phone-Our front office opens at 8:20 and closes at 4:30. Please feel free to call us at 623-547-1100.
Parentvue/Studentvue
The district recently changed the website for our Parentvue/Studentvue accounts. In order for parents/students to access the app on their phone please follow the directions below:
PARENTVUE/STUDENTVUE APP
Click in the bottom left corner gear shift looking thing. Delete Litchfield Elementary School District from the list. Click the button at the top: Add another district URL and enter the zip code: 85340, select Litchfield Elementary School District.
PARENTVUE/STUDENTVUE COMPUTER URL
Parentvue from a desktop computer, delete any prior bookmark and recreate a new one using:
Clubs and Activities
Teachers sponsor extracurricular activities to help involve our students in activities outside of the academic arena. We believe this is truly important to developing a well-rounded individual. East year we post our schedule on our website and it is included in a link at the bottom of each newsletter. Since we have shifted to distance learning, activity sponsors are hosting activities virtually so students can continue to benefit from these character building experiences. Please click on the link below, or visit our website and click on "Clubs and Extracurricular Activities" to see a schedule for this year's clubs and activities.
Mr. Molina, our new Band and Strings instructor has published a letter for all students who are interested in joining Band and/or Strings. Please read the letter below.
We encourage all students to get involved and join something that piques your interest. As always, reach out to our front office with questions. 623-547-1100
Virtual Band and Strings Opportunity
Clubs and Tutoring
Revisit Grading Practices
In August and September letters were sent home to all families regarding the new grading practices being adopted district-wide. In addition, Wigwam offered a "New Grading Practices" session at our curriculum night held on September 17th. The session was recorded and sent out by teachers in a blast for those parents and families who could not attend. I have included both letters as well as the session recording below to help answer any of your current questions with regards to grading. As mentioned above, I, as well as my leadership team, will be working with teachers to further develop their practices. Since this year has come with a great many changes, grading and digital communication will be continue to be a central part of that training.
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to receive a report from Google Classroom on your child's progress with regards to completing assignments, please email your child's advisor and he/she will add you to the email list.
6th Grade-Ms. Baczynski-baczynski@lesd.k12.az.us
7th Grade-Mr. Whitman-whitman@lesd.k12.az.us
8th Grade-Ms. Hale-hale@lesd.k12.az.usAs a reminder, Google Classroom is used to report assignments while Studentvue/Parentvue is used to report how your child has performed on assessments. What you see on Studentvue/Parentvue translates to the final grades on the report card. ALL students have the opportunity to redo a test AFTER he/she has attended a reteach session for a particular concept. Teachers offer reteach sessions at different points throughout the week and communicate those opportunities to the students daily.
Connectivity Issues
Supporting Our Students Through Collaborative Partnerships
We ask that you support this partnership in order to provide our students with every opportunity possible to be successful.
As a staff we commit to:
- Communicating weekly via email so students AND parents are equipped with up-to-date information on how students are performing in class.
- Reaching out to students and parents each week to communicate positive feedback.
- Making parent phone calls when students are absent to check on their well-being and to see if there is any additional support we can provide from our end.
- Reflecting upon and refining our practices to ensure that we are providing our students with the best education.
- Offering reteach and retake opportunities when a child has not mastered a standard.
- Taking into consideration the whole-child and ensuring that we are meeting not only their academic needs, but their social and emotional needs as well.
As parents we ask that you commit to:
- Ensuring that your child is attending each class on time, every day.
- Checking-in with your child daily and asking them to share one new piece of learning from the day.
- Reaching out to your child's teacher(s) and/or advisor when you need additional support.
- Offering grace and patience when/where applicable.
- Attending each class on time, every day.
- Asking for help when there is something you cannot do or something you do not understand.
- Reaching out to your teacher(s) and/or advisor when you need additional support.
- Engaging in your classes and interacting with other students and your teachers.
- Completing your homework assignments so you are better prepared for your assessments.
- Attending reteach sessions when you need additional help with a concept you don't understand.
- Trying your best.
- Getting rest.
- Remembering that you are loved and supported by your family and every single staff member on campus.