Whittier Wire
September 17, 2023
Upcoming Events:
- October 3: State testing begins
- October 6: Staff Workshop Day - No school for students
- October 9: Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day
- October 20: Progress Report 1
- October 27: Middle School Dance, 6:30-8:30
- November 12: Tri-Town Family 5K
Hitting Our Stride
We just completed our first 5-day week of the year, and it feels like we have a lot of positive momentum at school.
- We held our fifth evacuation drill on Thursday, and it went very smoothly. The alarm went off, and students moved quickly, quietly, and safely to the doors. They lined up silently and waited for instruction. We were able to return to the building in a timely manner.
- We had grade level assemblies to teach students about Valor Points and emergency procedures.
- Teachers and students are developing classroom routines. Teacher reports are extremely positive.
- Fall sports are underway. All teams had their first games and meets of the season last week.
- Band and chorus met four times last week. We have some roster movement as students are making decisions about their participation. Some are struggling with the idea of giving up academic support time to be in band or chorus. My suggestion is students should participate if they have interest. Homework can be done at home.
- Laptops are going home daily. Please speak with your child about charging their laptop at night and leaving the cord at home. We saw many of you dropping off your child's laptops in the morning after they left them behind. Thanks for your help!
- Clubs will start rolling out as we move into October. Mrs. Lachapelle held an interest meeting for Student Council. It was well attended. Next week, students will be able to present to their Roundtables if they are interested in representing their group.
- Our first dance of the year is on the calendar for October 27th.
We look forward to Week 4.
Mrs. Martin: Counselor's Corner
It has been a joy to get to know many of your children during this busy month of September. It is fun to stand in the hallway as the kids pass from classroom to classroom and see the comfort and connection they find in each other. September marks the start of the school year and it is also Suicide Prevention and Awareness month.
A common misconception about suicide is that if we talk about it, we will give people who are feeling down the idea to commit suicide. This is false. When we talk about depression and suicide, we destigmatize it. As much as you are able, keep the communication lines open with your children. Mental health and suicide prevention will be covered more deeply in Wellness class with Mrs. Yorkey and myself.
Please be aware of the Maine Crisis Line 1-888-568-1112, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255. Have a great weekend.
Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) at Whittier
The BARR program at Whittier is done to help students be successful, not only at school, but out in the world.
How do we do it?
Each student has a BARR case manager (one of their academic teachers) who they meet with during Academic Support/Flex time.
Each week the team teachers meet in block meetings. Every child is discussed and plans are created for students who might need some extra support.
I-Time lessons are completed each week with the students. This is the curriculum that ties in with the BARR program.
What is I-Time?
I-Time is a key tool for building assets in students. The term “I-Time” is used because these sessions focus on students learning more about themselves and building personal strengths or assets that will help them become successful in life.
The curriculum includes team-building activities, education in communication and social competencies, and energizers.
The purpose of I-Time is to create a positive school climate by engaging students and teachers in activities to build individual and group strength.
Parents are an important part!
It is crucial for the success of any child for parental involvement, including within their education.
You may have received an email from your child's teacher asking about his or her strengths. Thank you for taking the time to respond and helping us get to know your child better.
There may be times where you are invited in to talk to your child’s teachers in the block meeting setting. This is a time where all of the key players in the child’s life can help to make a plan for success for the child.
Be on the lookout for opportunities to get involved in your child’s education at Whittier. If you have any ideas of how you might like to get involved please reach out to Mrs. Adams, Mr. Vincent, or one of your child’s teachers.
Thank you for all of your efforts! We look forward to continuing to work together to support your child!
Mrs. Goss's students are practicing how to add and subtract integers.
Mrs. Patenaude: Grade 7 Math
In Grade 7 Math, we are working on Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers. A great game to practice this strategy at home is "Build or Battle" using the card game "War".
Directions:
1) Each player gets 26 cards.
2) The black cards are positive integers and the red cards are negative
integers.
3) The number on the card represents the value of the card.
4) The face cards have the values below:
Jack: 11, Queen: 12, King: 13, Ace: 1
ROUND 1
Each player holds their cards face down.
On the count of 3, each player throws down a card face up.
The first player who correctly says build or battle for an addition sentence wins the cards.
The player with the most cards at the end wins.
ROUND 2
Each player holds their cards face down.
On the count of 3, each player throws down a card face up.
The first player who correctly says the sum wins the cards.
The player with the most cards at the end wins.
Here is a link to a video that shows how to play as well:
Mrs. Edwards: Chorus
We have had a great start to the year in Chorus! The students already sound amazing and we're only a week in. Thank you to all of the families who are supporting their child's involvement in music at Whittier. We are so excited to prepare music to share with you at our first concert on December 13th!
Students were given a copy of the WMS Band & Chorus Handbook, which requires checking in with their families and returning a signature page. As always, I am happy to answer any questions you might have, and I am so excited for the year ahead with these musicians!
You can follow RSU 16 Music on Instagram (@rsu16music) and Facebook (RSU 16 Music), and on our website: www.rsu16music.weebly.com.
Mr. King: Whittier Athletics
What a week! Thursday was a great day with the boys soccer team taking two from St. Dominic's, 6-4 and 3-2, while FH beat Gray New Gloucester 3-1. Alyssa Mason led the girls in cross country, winning the race at Lake Region. Josh Varney finished a respectable 4th.
I am happy to announce that we did finally secure our fall coaching staff. Each of our coaches are excited to be working with your children.
Girls Soccer-Rhonda Lausier: rlausier@rsu16.org
Girls Soccer-Angela Brown: ambrown5235@gmail.com
Boys Soccer-Spencer Martinez: martinez93079@gmail.com
Boys Soccer- Garrett Goss: Ggoss@rsu16.org
Field Hockey- Deb Downing: ddowning@rsu16.org
Field Hockey- Nyah Levesque: nyahlevesque@gmail.com
Cross Country- Emily Stefansson: estefansson@rsu16.org
Cross Country- Matt Walker: MatthewDWalker@cmconnect.cmcc.edu
High school game attendance - Please help us keep your kids safe. At our FB games, we ask student spectators to leave their footballs at home. The tackle football games that break out behind the bleachers are not supervised and are discouraged. We have begun a "No re-admittance" for football games. Once people enter, they are to stay at the games.
This week's schedule:
Monday
Field Hockey @ Sacopee Valley 4:00
(CC-Not attending Greely Relays)
Tuesday
8/7 GSoccer Hm vs Tripp MS 3:30/4:45
8/7 BSoccer @ Tripp MS 3:30/4:45
Wednesday
(MS FH vs St. Dominics canceled)
Thursday
8/7 GSoccer @ Freeport
8/7 BSoccer Hm Freeport
Cross Country @ Brunswick Junior High
Tri-Town Family 5K
Registration is open...and it's free! Let's get the word out there and make this the biggest and best event so far.
We are seeking local sponsors to help make the big day a special one. Tell your friends. All sponsors of at least $100 by October 13 will get their logo on the back of the event shirt. Interested potential sponsors should contact Shawn Vincent (svincent@rsu16.org or 998-3462). This is a great event for students, families and all members of our communities.
Visit the website to register or get more information.
Bruce M. Whittier Middle School
Email: svincent@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/bwms
Location: 1457 Maine Street, Poland, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 998-3462
Facebook: facebook.com/WhittierMidknights