Marinette Middle School News
March 2018
Message from Mr. Whisler
Prepping for the Test!
That’s right folks. In just a few short weeks it will be that time again. The state assessments are right around the corner. As a school community, we have discussed in part the district-wide screeners that we use to determine student academic support in Reading and Mathematics. However, there is one other standardized test that the State of Wisconsin and the School District of Marinette uses in making decisions related to students’ academic growth, achievement, and the performance of the state’s public school districts and individual schools. That test is the Wisconsin Forward Exam.
Taking a standardized test has changed a lot in just the 17 years that I have worked in Wisconsin’s middle schools. It used to be that students would sit down, break open a paper testing booklet, and use a #2 pencil to fill in a bubble sheet. Now, however, the students complete the entire Forward Exam on their Chromebooks.
As school staff, we are committed to doing everything that we can to support the MMS students in a successful testing experience. In the coming weeks, ALL MMS students will be provided direct instruction and practice with the various Forward Exam online tools and specific test-taking strategies that should assist them in navigating the test. As to the content of the Forward Exam...the students have been learning that throughout the year.
The school staff and the students can not do it on their own. This is where you come in. I ask of you to take a moment to read through the linked article Essential Standardized Test Taking Tips for Parents by Derrick Maedor (2018). Maedor provides parents and guardians a number of ideas for supporting students during the testing experience.
In addition to the information in Mr. Maedor’s article, here are some suggestions from the Marinette Middle School staff of ways that you can help your student through any standardized testing experience:
Encourage your student to plug in his/her Chromebook the night before testing. It is critical that your student’s Chromebook is fully charged so there are not problems during the day’s testing session.
Make sure that your student brings earbuds or headphones to school the day of testing. There will portions of the test where students will be required to listen to items on the test.
Talk to your student about taking his/her time during the test. The Wisconsin Forward Exam is an untimed test. Students have as much time as they need to complete the questions.
Review with your student ways that he/she can plan their writing. Students have been shown and will review in the coming days various graphic organizers to use with writing.
Encourage your student to use the available scrap paper when working through math problems. Students often say, “I did the math problem in my head!” The problem with this is that easy mistakes can be avoided by writing down the math problem and steps. We will be encouraging students during the math portions of the Wisconsin Forward Exam to use the available scratch paper.
Some easy test-taking strategies to review with your student include:
Reread passages once or twice to be sure that your student has all the necessary information.
Read the question before reading the accompanying passage.
Underline important information.
Bring a book with to the testing session. Students that finish early will need to wait patiently while the other students in the testing environment complete their tests. Electronic reading devices (i.e., Kindles or iPads) will not be permitted. Students’ Chromebooks will not be available as the Chromebooks will be in kiosk mode and only able to access the Wisconsin Forward Exam.
Make sure that your student gets a good night sleep the nights before each of the testing sessions. Typical middle school-aged students need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night.
Make sure that your student gets a good breakfast the morning of the testing session. Breakfast is available at Marinette Middle School each morning. If you need assistance with this in any capacity, please call the MMS Student Services department.
I am sure that there are many, many more “tips” that we could share, but these few will get us started. Please be prepared for more information about the Wisconsin Forward Exam prior to the scheduled testing window (April 18th - April 28th).
If you would like more information about the Wisconsin Forward Exam, please reference the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website - https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/forward, or feel free to contact the Marinette Middle School Main Office and/or Student Services department at (715)735-1505.
Message from Mr. Hanson
Hello parents and guardians:
Reminder:
As we wrap up our first week of daylight savings it is a good time to remind everyone of the importance of sleep for adolescents and pre-adolescents. The link here provides a one page graphic on sleep needs for middle and high school students. For students aged 6 to 12, between 9 and 12 hours of nightly sleep is optimal. For students aged 13 to 18, 8 to 10 hours are suggested. This link includes some information on strategies to help ensure that your student is able to receive enough sleep.
What’s happening at MMS?
Data Trends
Some positive behavioral trends have been identified through our SWIS behavior data management system. The numbers school-wide look like this:
Click here for DATA TRENDS GRAPH
I have heard from many of you that you have talked to your student(s) about being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe at MMS. This is great! I sincerely mean it when I say that the MMS staff and I very much appreciate your cooperation as we continue to seek improvements in behaviors overall, and create an optimal and safe learning environment for all students!
ALICE TRAINING
Lastly, we know that the world now is not what it was just a generation ago. Gun-related school violence has occured now in 43 of our nation’s 50 states. And recently we saw the tragedy in Florida. Four years ago the School District of Marinette began training all school employees in ALICE. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. At MMS, since 2015, we have conducted whole school drills that provide students and staff the opportunity to practice and to discuss a worst-case scenario. We will be practicing again this Spring. ALICE provides us with this platform; the knowledge and practice that supports us to be as safe as we can.
The basic premise of ALICE is that communication is done in plain language, and that as we gather information we make decisions on which actions are best. ALICE is not sequential, meaning that while one action may be appropriate for some situations, it may not be appropriate for all. In one circumstance evacuating may be best, while locking down may be best in another. I am pained to have to communicate this information to you, as I wish we lived in a world where school shootings and other school safety concerns were non-existent. We discuss ALICE and practice ALICE strategies to do everything we can to better ensure student safety, even in the event of a worst-case crisis. If you would like to discuss our safety plans, or seek more information, feel free to contact me at mhanson@marinette.k12.wi.us or (715) 735-1504.
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
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?
Encourage children to talk about how they are feeling. Listen with empathy so they feel understood. Help them see that feelings are normal and that all feelings are okay, it is important to understand them, and that understanding and talking about feelings helps you to manage them. For more information go to https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/mental-health-matters/social-and-emotional-learning/suggestions-for-families
Fundrasier Pick Up Reminder
Just a reminder that Cookie Dough Fundraiser items need to be picked up Thursday, March 22nd in the MMS Small Gym from 2:30-5:00 pm.
Thank you for your support!!!
Printable calendar for March 2018
SeaPerch
Pictured Hilary H (volunteer) Tom K., Kylei, Lizzy, Marisa, and Ryan.
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.
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
Genius Hour project
CHART YOUR COURSE!
Marinette Summer Learning takes place June 18th through July 18th, no school July 4th-6th.
Summer Learning is available for students in 4K-8th grade and takes place at Marinette High School. The summer learning day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
A few highlights of Summer Learning
-Held at Marinette High School
-Free Bussing with pick up and drop off locations (register through Westlund Bus Lines)
-Free Breakfast and Lunch
-After School Program from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Register through YMCA)
-Cruisin' into 5K program for students entering Kindergarten in the Fall
**Registration closes on March 29th. Please sign up before then!
Donation Drive for Abundant Life homeless shelter
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
SeaPerch
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 will discuss the school-wide Title I academic needs assessment, and continue to discuss planning for a Spring parent/guardian “date night.”
Lost and Found
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.
Middle Years - March 2018
Check for Learning
Answer the following question to be entered to win a $10.00 gift card for a local gas station.