Marinette Middle School News
April 2018
Message from Mr. Whisler
Summer Break is fast approaching. That is hard to believe, but it is. With the recent snowfall, one might think that we are in the middle of January. Nonetheless, the 4th quarter is quickly approaching - the 4th quarter begins April 10th - and the end of the year academic assessments will be occurring later this month. Students are counting down the days, and the school staff is starting to plan for the upcoming school year.
For some, the summer means great opportunities to travel, participate in warm weather sports, or to see family and friends. For others, the summer means a time where they don’t get to see friends, loss of routine, and time spent by themselves. For everyone though, summer means time outside of formal and state-required schooling. I see this as an opportunity to extend a student’s learning.
Summer learning loss is a reality for ALL students. The data shows us that when a student does not participate in extended learning opportunities (particularly Reading and Mathematics), the student back-slides in his/her academic skills. It is important that as a community we continue to work with our students, informally or formally, around their academic and social/emotional skills.
One great opportunity is the school district’s Summer Learning program. The program runs from June 18th until July 18th. There is still time to get signed up. All you need to do is call the middle school main office at (715)735-1500 and they will get you the information and assist with registration. The Summer Learning program will be held at the Marinette High School for all students. Transportation is provided for families living in designated areas of the City of Marinette, and Towns of Porterfield and Peshtigo. I strongly encourage you to sign up your elementary and middle school aged students to continue their learning and extending their curiosity.
There are also great things that a family can do at home. Many of them are low cost. I turned to the National Summer Learning Association for some guidance on ideas that I could pass on.
Those tips include:
Read. Read. Read.
Read with your student. Help them make a comfortable place to read.
Have Fun with Numbers.
Find creative ways to do math; have your student assist with adding up the grocery bill or the restaurant tip (15%).
Turn off the TV! Turn off the screens!
Have a dedicated day with no cell phone or video games.
Make Art!
Set up a craft bin and dedicate time each week to crafts.
Experiment! Do Science!
Get outside and talk about the natural sciences.
Eat smart. Eat healthy.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables as well as drink lots of water.
Get outside. Take a hike. Play in the sun. Go for a bike ride or a run. Visit a park.
Just get outside and get some fresh air.
Go to a museum (or library) - again and again.
Okay...I added the library...take advantage of what we have in Marinette and Menominee. You don’t have to drive all the way to Green Bay to visit museums and libraries.
Read a poem.
Find a silly poem or a famous one and memorize it as a family. It can become an “inside joke” later on.
Finally...go to sleep!
Middle schoolers need a lot of sleep. However, a regular sleep schedule is best. Try not to stay up late EVERY night!
A full length brochure is available here: Top 10 “Easy Summer Learning Tips” for Parents.
Learning should be happening all of the time. It’s not just for the school year. A family can buy a “summer curriculum” activity book at the bookstore or online, but it is not necessary. There are lots of things that a student and his/her family can do for free. Most importantly, by doing activities such as those mentioned above, you will combat the summer learning loss or “summer slide.” Your student will be better off when they come back at the beginning of the school year.
If you have questions about or would like assistance with setting up summer learning experiences or registering for the School District of Marinette Summer Learning program, please feel free to contact me at (715)735-1500 or mwhisler@marinette.k12.wi.us.
Message from Mr. Hanson
Get them involved:
Mr. Whisler shared with you the benefits of having your child attend our summer learning program. I’d like to get you thinking about summer activities to engage your student in. Extracurriculars, whether from 3:00pm to 5:00pm or during the summer months, provide an opportunity to learn and grow in new ways. Among the positive outcomes are: improved time management skills, opportunities to connect with the greater community, improved self-esteem, goal-setting, and even improved academics. Each of these outcomes promotes essential citizenship, job, and family skills- attributes we all want for our kids. Besides opportunities in athletics like soccer and baseball/softball, many programs are offered by our local YMCA, DAR, and Recreation Department.
Upcoming State Assessment - Forward Exam
Marinette Middle School students will be participating in the required state assessment - Wisconsin Forward Exam. The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, April 18th - English Language Arts Session 1
Thursday, April 19th - Math Session 1
Friday, April 20th - Math Session 2
Tuesday, April 24th - English Language Arts Sessions 2 & 3
Wednesday, April 25th - English Language Arts Session 4
Thursday, April 26th - Social Studies Sessions 1 & 2 (8th grade only)
Friday, April 27th - Science Sessions 1 & 2 (8th grade only)
Please make sure that your students attend school on these days. If there is a need for a medical appointment or pre-planned absence, please contact the middle school office so that we may proactively schedule a makeup session with your student. Additional supports for your student include:
Ensure that your student’s Chromebook is charged each evening.
Ensure that your student receives plenty of sleep the night before a testing session.
Ensure that your student eats a good breakfast before coming to school.
Breakfast is available at MMS from 7:30am - 7:55am each morning.
Ensure that your student has a set of headphones that he or she can have at school for the testing sessions.
If you have questions about the Wisconsin Forward Exam, please contact Principal Mike Whisler at (715)735-1505 or mwhisler@marinette.k12.wi.us.
Therapy Dogs
This is why the Marinette Middle School brought therapy dogs into Ms. Sexton's Social Emotional Learning class. The dogs, one of which is pictured below, came in to show students how animals can be helpful for coping with their emotions. Students learned about what skills the dogs had, where they visited, and how they could assist with mental health disorders. Students were able to pet the dogs and benefit from the therapy they provided.
Alice and Wonderland
Come support Marinette Middle School Drama Club! Join us in viewing the original production of Alice and Wonderland, March 24th at 1:00, 3:30 and 6:00 pm.
Play Performance times, Friday, May 11th at 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 12, at 7:00pm
School Fundraising
Marinette Middle School is looking for creative ways to raise funds for various activities and items that would benefit all students. If you have ideas, or would like to serve on a fundraising committee, please contact Principal Mike Whisler at (715)735-1505 or mwhisler@marinette.k12.wi.us.
Currently, we are exploring the Scrip Card program. Families will hear more about this as we move into the 2018-2019 school year. This program allows families and individuals to purchase gift cards to areas business (Marinette, Menominee, and Green Bay) and a portion of the purchase price comes back to the sponsoring school. This is a great way to shop and support Marinette Middle School.
MMS also participates in the Box Tops program. Keep those Box Tops and bring them in to school. There is a bin in the Main Office where Box Tops are collected. This is a great way and easy way to support MMS as well.
Genius Hour Project
Dress Reminder:
PB & J! Picture Books & Jammies Drive: April 9-13, 2018!
We all know the feeling of snuggling in new pajamas with a book to read before bed, right? Let’s share this feeling with little ones that are caught in the transition between homes and help instill the importance of reading in their everyday lives. If you would like to help in this cause, please donate new children’s pajamas (any size) and/or a new or gently used book to any of our libraries.
Help us give back to our community and foster the love of reading at the same time!
We would like to help children who need to utilize the Rainbow House, Red Cross or the Homeless Shelter. These organizations help families in our community in VERY difficult situations by providing skills and resources needed by families at risk.
Operation Disruption Reduction:
Students and teachers have engaged in “Operation Disruption Reduction” since mid-March. Teachers track points scored by each class of the day based on the number of disruptions noted during that period. The fewer the disruptions, the more the points earned. I’m happy to say that each grade has earned their first incentive by accumulating 500 points. We upped the ante for our next goal at 2000 points. Students have shown great improvements in this area.
The Student News by Bella M. and Kaydence C.
Bella and Kaydence: "Mr. Whisler can we write a school newspaper?"
Mr. Whisler: "Why not! Go ahead and submit a couple articles for our monthly newsletter."
Bella and Kaydence: "Yeah!!!!"
5th grade students Bella and Kadence want to make sure that MMS students and their families are aware of the happenings around the middle school. If you have ideas for the newsletter, contact mwhisler@marinette.k12.wi.us. The ideas will be passed on to Bella and Kaydence.
Spring is in the Air!
If you are going to summer school there will be a artist club for young artist such as yourselves and there will be sign ups after the first week of summer school! (Kaydence C. will be running this club and will provide you with the information you need, etc.)
Help the environment by picking up a little bit of trash please take the time to pick garbage around the school remember a little bit goes a long way.
Riddle of the month: What is lighter than air but 100 people can not lift it. What is it?
Contact Bella M. or Kaydence C. for answer.
Good books
Looking for suggestions of "good reads?" Check out the suggestions below:
- Amulet (suggested by Bella M),
- The Quilt Walk (suggested by Valerie P.),
- Wonder (suggested by Hannah A.),
- Captain Underpants (suggested by Libby T.),
- Wings of Fire (suggested by Bella M.),
- Dork Diaries (suggested by Kaydence C.).
IMPORTANT DATES
April 9
End of Quarter
April 10
Reading Comes Alive
5:30pm - 6:30pm
April 16
No School
April 18
Forward Testing begins
April 24
PTO Meeting
6:30-7:30pm
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
Art Club
World Drumming
Forensics
Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) and Booster Club
The next MMS PTO/Booster Club meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The meeting will be held in the MMS LMC. During this meeting we discuss the school-wide Title I academic needs assessment, and continue to discuss planning for a Spring parent/guardian “date night.”
Printable calendar for April 2018
a
Middle Years
Check out this month’s edition of Middle Years. Topics covered include: planning for standardized tests, bonding with your tween, and the dangers of internet challenges.
Check for Learning
Answer the following question to be entered to win a $10.00 gift card for a local gas station.