WMMS Tiger Times
Fostering Community. Empowering Students.
April 2022
4th quarter is in full swing and the rest of this school year will fly by! Take note of all that April has in store and join us in finishing out this school year on a positive note!
"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire."
- St. Catherine of Sienna
Students of the Week
Each week our grade level teams nominate students for a Student of the Week award. The student names are announced as a part of our Friday morning announcements and students receive a certificate and a treat from the office. Students are celebrated for academics, citizenship, or improvement in any number of ways.
March Students of the Week:
CATS (6th grade): Madelyn Wallace, Shealynn Davis, Payden Veach, Rebecca Ryle, Titus Tharp, Auxange Lukanu, Cameron Daugherty, Keely Smith
STARS (6th grade): Memphis Schnirch, Eleanor Best, Jason Schutter, Micki McIntosh, Jacobie Fountain, Keiara Hoff, Tyler Hanlin, Emerson Kirfman
Eagles (7th grade): Maddie Sorenson, Ethan Hale, Broderick Ratliff, Conner Hicks
Mag 7 (7th grade): Mackenzie Maize, Trinity Hines, Lexi Gardner, Samantha Lorenz
8th grade: Chloe Christopher, Kirsten Gonzalez, Abi Payne, Taylor Smith, Shelby May, Jean Davis, Jadis McAtee, Ariel Baker
Congratulations WMMS Students!
6th Grade MAP Test: April 27-28
7th Grade MAP Test: April 25-26
8th Grade MAP Test: May 2-4; Algebra I EOC May 5-6
MAP Testing Notes
We are also requesting that each student bring his/her own earphone/headphones to use during testing as there will be a component in which text-to-speech is used. If your student is unable to provide earphones/headphones, you will need to let the school know in advance of testing so that we can reserve a set for him/her.
The Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Grade-Level Assessments evaluate students’ progress toward the Missouri Learning Standards. The MAP Grade-Level Assessments include assessments in the subject areas of English language arts (grades 3-8), mathematics (grades 3-8), and science (grades 5 and 8). MAP Grade-Level Assessments provide important information that contributes to decisions concerning individual students, groups of students, and educational programs.
The MAP Grade-Level Assessments are administered online. Online assessments offer unique ways of assessing content and standards that are difficult to assess using paper-and-pencil tests. For example, listening can be assessed easily in an online assessment using a text-to-speech feature that allows students to listen to a passage and replay it as many times as they wish before responding to an associated set of questions. Additionally, online assessment allows for supports and accommodations that effectively meet a wide range of student needs. For example, a student has the ability to use a magnification feature within the system to enlarge an item. Another advantage of online assessments is that districts will receive student scores more quickly than in the past.
The MAP Grade-Level Assessments include multiple types of questions or items:
Selected Response (also known as multiple choice) items are composed of a question followed by a series of possible responses. Students must select the correct response or responses.
Constructed Response or Short Text items require students to supply an appropriate response rather than making a selection from a list of choices.
Performance Tasks/Events allow students to work through more complicated items using real-world scenarios.
Technology Enhanced items make use of technology in the presentation of the item, the ways in which students respond, or both. For example, students might watch a video and then drag and drop labels into a diagram, or click on specific parts of a text to provide a response.
You can preview the MAP Grade-Level Assessment administration system and the item types included on each assessment by reviewing the practice tests and tutorials that are available in the Missouri Assessment Program portal, called eDIRECT. Parents can access practice tests and tutorials by going to the MAP Grade-Level Assessment website (http://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/assessment/grade-level) and clicking on Grade-Level Online Tools Training in the "Quick Links" box. No login or password is necessary to review practice tests or tutorials.
After testing, your child will receive an Individual Student Report that will give you information about his or her achievement in terms of the content and skills assessed by the MAP Grade-Level Assessment at his or her grade level. Your child's Individual Student Report will include an Achievement Level, which will describe his or her performance for the grade level and content area as Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, or Advanced. The report will also include a short description of the knowledge and skills that are typically demonstrated by students in each Achievement Level for that grade level and content area. These reports will be mailed home in early fall.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) publishes a Guide to Interpreting Results (GIR) that provides additional detail about the content of the Individual Student Reports. Find this at http://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/assessment/grade-level.
Tips to make sure your student is ready to test:
- Prioritize bedtime. Make sure they get a good nights sleep several days leading up to testing.
- Make sure they have a nutritous breakfast.
- Maintain a positive attitude. Model a calm, upbeat attitude about the testing process.
It is important that our students perform to the best of their ability, but it is even more important that they realize their scores do not define who they are.
2022-2023 Enrollment: Focus on Electives
See the WMMS Enrollment guides for more information about 6th, 7th and 8th grade courses.
- 6th grade students who were in band will remain in band for 7th grade unless a parent or guardian contacts the counseling office. All other students (not in band) will be in quarter long electives: Art, Music, Foriegn Language, & FACs.
- 7th grade students who were in band will remain in band for 8th grade unless a parent or guardian contacts the counseling office. Band students will additionally have 2 elective classes. All other students (not in band) will have 4 electives. All students will be taking surveys in their Computer/STEAM classes in the coming weeks to select the electives they most want. We will try to get them in their top picks as classroom space allows. It is not a guarantee the student will have all of their choices.
WMMS School Counselors
Mrs. Yoder- Grades 6th and 7th (Magnificent 7 Team): myoder@kirksville.k12.mo.us
Mrs. McConnell- Grades 8th and 7th (Eagles Team): jomcconnell@kirksville.k12.mo.us
KHS School Counselors
Kourtney Buckallew - Last Name A-K: kbuckallew@kirksville.k12.mo.us
Katie Mendez - Last Name L-Z: kmendez@kirksville.k12.mo.us
Lindsey Fraser - KATC & Acad Alt: lfraser@kirksville.k12.mo.us
7th Grade Immunization Clinic
ATTENTION ALL 7TH GRADE STUDENTS AND PARENTS!
REQUIRED 8TH GRADE VACCINATIONS:
All incoming 8th grade students are REQUIRED by the state of Missouri to show proof of a t-dap booster and Meningococcal vaccination PRIOR to the start of 8th grade.
If you know your student has already received these vaccinations:
Please provide a copy of vaccination records to the William Matthew Middle School Nursing office.
If you do not want your child to receive the mandatory 8th grade vaccinations:
Parents must provide a religious or medical exemption.
Medical exemptions can be obtained via a physician
Religious exemptions can be obtained from the Adair County Health Department
VACCINE DRIVE:
The CARES center has volunteered to put on a vaccination drive for incoming 8th grade students. This is an opportunity for all current 7th grade students to receive both their t-dap and Meningococcal vaccinations during school hours. Students will be called to the nursing office during advisory for their vaccinations to be administered by CARES center staff.
WHEN: April 20th and 21st with a makeup day on April 22nd
TIME: 2:00 PM-2:45 PM (during advisory)
WHERE: William Matthew Middle School Nursing Office
HOW DO I SIGN UP MY STUDENT?
The following items must be dropped off at the William Matthew Middle School Nursing Office by April 14, 2022:
Copy of current insurance card
Consent form
Contact Nurse Gabby at William Matthew Middle School or the CARES center for further questions! We hope to see your students there.
Mental Health Minute
A representative with the North Central Missouri Children's Advocacy Center in Trenton, MO visited WMMS to discuss with all of the students about technology and safety. This is a great time to discuss with your family any thoughts or concerns you may have and to hear from your child what they learned. Topics covered include:
Defining Cyberbullying and how to report it
Consequences of cyberbullying
Healthy & Unhealthy relationships, how to spot both
What is Empathy?
Digital dangers, how to spot unsafe situations online
The CATCH of technology,
Choices
Attachments and Relationships
Time
Character and Reputation
Health and Safety
Types of Abuse; Physical, Emotional, Neglect, Sexual
JBA, Jr.
Truman State University will offer JBA Junior July 11-15 for up to 50 students who are currently in grades 4-6. Registration opens April 4. Click here for more information.
The JBA Junior Mission
We want students at JBA Junior to learn, explore, and have fun! We also want them to believe that college is a real and attainable future goal.
JBA Junior gives area youth enhanced access to Truman State University. The program aims to give area students a chance to broaden their horizons by spending time learning and exploring at Truman, guided by our faculty and staff. Our goal is to spark students’ interests through engaging and diverse classes and activities. Our hope is that students attending JBA Junior will walk away encouraged and excited to learn and grow beyond the school day.
About the Academy
JBA Junior is the “younger sibling” to the highly popular Joseph Baldwin Academy. For over 30 years, Truman State University has hosted junior high students during the summer months. Now we begin a new chapter, welcoming upper elementary students to participate in JBA Junior: a one-week day program filled with engaging academic opportunities for students from the Northeast Missouri region. Among the engaging activities we have planned are:
8th Grade Social Contract
Listen
Effort
No Put-Downs
Respect
Responsible
Forgiving
Treating and acting maturely
Cooperative
Patience/time
Honest
Kindness
Don’t pressure others
7th Grade Social Contract
Respect
Equality
Safe
Kind
Accepting
Understanding
Patience
SOLAR
Motivating
Honesty
Cooperative
Positive
Golden Rule
Honor
Calm
No Judging
Motivating
Patience
Considerate
Responsible
6th Grade Social Contract
Fair
Consistent
Respectful
Responsible
Effort
Considerate
Calm
Listen
Golden Rule
Helpful
Accepting
Kind
Forgiving
Safe
Encouraging
No Put-Downs
Honest
Positive
Cooperative
Understanding
Calendar of Events
- STUDY HALL: Every day at 7:10 -7:43 am in the computer lab (no study hall on late start days)
- Choraliers: Monday and Friday mornings at 7:15 am
- FCA: Thursday mornings at 7:15 am in room S7 with Mr. Cook (Dcook@kirksville.k12.mo.us)
- April 6: Track @ Moberly 4:00 pm
- April 6: Cheer Tryouts, KPS gym 5:30 pm
- April 7: Track @ Schuyler Co
- April 11: 2 hour late start
- April 11: Track @ Macon 4:00 pm
- April 11: Cheer Tryouts, KPS gym 5:30 pm
- April 12: Cheer Tryouts, KPS gym 5:30 pm
- April 13: Track @ Clark Co. 4:00 pm
- April 13: Cheer Tryouts, KPS gym 5:30 pm
- April 13: School Board Meeting 6:00 pm
- April 14: Track @ Putnam County 2:00 pm
- April 14: Cheer Tryouts, KPS gym 5:30 pm
- April 15: No School
- April 18: No School
- April 20: Track @Macon 4:00 pm
- April 25: 7th Grade MAP Testing
- April 26: 7th Grade MAP Testing
- April 27: 6th Grade MAP Testing
- April 27: Track @ Mexico 3:30 pm
- April 28: 6th Grade MAP Testing
- April 29: 7th & 8th Grade Dance; 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- April 30: Track @ Marshall 10:00 am
2021-2022 School Calendar
On a regular school day, the building opens at 7:10 and first hour begins at 7:48. Students who plan to eat breakfast at school should be here by 7:30 to have enough time to eat and make it to class on time.
Late-Start: When we run a late-start, each building will begin 2 hours later than normal. For WMMS that means our building will open at 9:10 and first hour will begin at 9:48. Students will be dismissed at 2:45. The bell schedule for early out is located in the student handbook that is linked later in the newsletter. Breakfast is not served on late-start days.
Remaining scheduled late start dates: April 11.
The District may also use a late start due to inclement weather. See the District Transportation webpage for complete details.
Early-out: On early-out days, the middle school will dismiss at 12:45.
Remaining scheduled early-out dates: May 19
The District may also use early outs due to inclement weather. See the District Transportation webpage for complete details.
Tyler SIS Parent Portal
Tiger Alerts! Textcaster
Kirksville R-III Calendar
Who should I call?
Scheduling/Student Concerns: Mrs. Yoder (6th grade and Mag 7) and Mrs. McConnell (8th grade and Eagles) are here to help! (660) 665-3793 extension 4
Medical Concerns: Nurse Gabby can help if your child has medical needs or if you have questions about your child's health. (660) 665-3793 extension 5
Classroom Questions: The easiest way to reach your child's teacher is via email. Click here for a list of emails.
Transportation: If you have a question about your child's bus or about signing your child up to ride the bus, please contact the transportation office at (660) 626-1444.
General Questions: If you are not sure who to contact for your specific question, our amazing office secretaries, Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Reed, can help answer your question or connect you to the right person. (660) 665-3793
CARES Center
Purpose: To provide accessible and affordable urgent/walk-in and preventative/well health services on-site at the school district’s campus to students, faculty, and staff. Students will not be able to be seen at the center without the consent from their parent/guardian. (*We are currently able to do some appointments via virtual/telehealth visits.)
Location: The center is located in the northwest corner of the Kirksville Area Technical Center (KATC) at 1103 South Cottage Grove. Using the north entrance to the building, the CARES Center lobby is the first door on the right. There will be limited, designated patient parking west of the entrance.
Hours of Operation: 7:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday
Some of the Services Provided at the CARES Center: Urgent/Walk-in care, Preventative Care, Wellness Visits, Immunizations (free for medicaid eligible and uninsured students through VFC and billed as normal for commercial), Flu Vaccine, Sports Physicals, Point-of-Care Testing (ie - Rapid Strep and Influenza Testing), can arrange for COVID testing if needed.
Team at the CARES Center: Provider (either Physician or Nurse Practitioner), Licensed Nurse, and Clinic Coordinator
Complete Family Medicine CARES Center at (660)956-7011