Here at Penn Wood Middle School we are actively working to improve the writing performance of all of our scholars. In an effort to improve in this vital area, we must understand why writing is so significant for the development of our scholars.

Scholars become better readers, thinkers, and learners in all subjects (including specials) by processing their ideas through writing. Writting assigned across the curriculum also helps scholars prepare for the day-to-day communicative tasks they'll face on the job, no matter what the job is.

There are countless studies that confirm, students who process what they've learned through writing retain that information longer, improve critical thinking skills, and become more nuanced readers and writers.

The more writing done in a subject, the more the scholar engages with the material in that subject.

We are in the early stages of introducing focused writing in all subjects. We know that this new experience may be a big adjustment for some of our scholars.

Please encourage your child to do their best to embrace the opportunity to improve as learners!

Ms. Spivey

Assistant Principal

Penn Wood Middle School

William Penn School District

Check out the news below and see how powerful our scholars are!

Supporting You Scholar's Typing Skills

Since schools are now online and computers are the new normal, scholars are faced with the new issue of learning how to type. This skill is not easy to learn, but without it scholars could take longer to complete assignments or become discouraged in their abilities. Together we need to support our scholars and help them grown these skills to become proficient typers.

Scholars do no longer have to sit through long and mundane classes to learn and practice these skills. Today, there are multiple games and other applications that encourage students to learn how to type while playing games! These games or activities are fun and engaging, which makes scholars want to keep playing or come back to them. Each game is set up differently, but each teaches students about the home keys and build up from that skill. Scholars will learn to type small words then larger words faster and faster. As this skill develops school can become much easier again.

Look at the article below for some supports and fun games to help your scholars grow their typing skills.

Absent from School? SEND IN THAT NOTE!

Keep your child's teachers and administration informed in the event of an absence. Sending the teachers an email makes them aware of the situation in the event extended due dates are needed. Accurate attendance must be maintained. You can help by sending an absence note WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE ABSENCE to: pwmsattend@wpsd.k12.pa.us

How Late is Late?

Whether In-Person, or Virtual, scholars are marked late at 8:05 AM. Please make sure your child signs into their 1st period class when virtual. That is the class where attendance is taken for the day, and absences can trigger a truancy notification.

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION!
We have reached the half-way mark for the year. Now is a great time to check and update any changes to your information we have on file: home address and phone number, cell phone, and email address. If any of these have changed since the start of the school year, please call the school or email updates to thill@wpsd.k12.pa.us (7th) or sgok@wpsd.k12.pa.us (8th).

Water Bottles

In an effort to further mitigate the potential spread of the Covid-19 virus, traditional water fountains will not be functional in PWMS. In an effort to give scholars an alternative source to get water throughout the day, the WPSD has purchased and installed new water bottle filling stations throughout each building. In response we will now be allowing scholars to carry water bottles in the building, and in the classroom throughout the day. We ask that scholars bring water bottles that can be refilled and reused, and not bring outside beverages into the building, such as sodas, and juice. Water bottles must be plastic or stainless steel, NO GLASS BOTTLES.

Chromebooks for In-Person

As scholars come back into the building, we will be utilizing a hybrid model. This means a percentage of scholars will be in the building, while the rest of the class will be attending virtually via Google Meet. To accommodate this new hybrid learning model all instructional resources will be provided and completed digitally, regardless of whether scholars are in the building or virtual. As a result, scholars will need to bring their chromebooks with them when they have school in person. Scholars should charge their computers at home, in preparation for in person learning, as charging stations will be limited throughout the day. Due to the new one to one chromebook initiative in the district, additional and or replacement chromebooks are limited. As a result, it is imperative that scholars bring their chromebooks with them when they are learning in person and that they take care of their chromebooks.

Asynchronous Friday: NOT A DAY OFF!

Parents, on Fridays scholars are expected to complete 2 lessons in EXACT PATH - 1 reading and 1 math. These lessons are counted as a quiz grade each week, so completing them does two things:

1. Gives them a chance to practice a skill taught in reading or math or to practice a skill in their personal LEARNING PATH
2. Can help to boost or maintain their grade in ELA and math

PLEASE CHECK IN WITH YOUR CHILD TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE COMPLETED THIS WORK!

Friday's are also days when teachers host Office Hours to provide individual help with classwork. If your child needs help, please have them attend office hours. Times are posted in each teacher's Google Classroom.

Exact Path

Exact Path is a digital progress monitoring program that we use here at PWMS. The program is designed to assess the individual needs for each scholar, and to help them improve in those areas at their own pace.

Exact Path is one of the many key tools for scholar improvement, and is extremely beneficial when uzlitzed on a regular basis. Currently each scholar at PWMS should be working in Exact Path during their Core Plus class on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It is crucial to the continued growth and performance of our scholars that they make every effort to use this time to utilize the Exact PAth program and work towards achieving growth in all areas.

March 29th-April 2nd

• Spring Recess

April 5th

• No school for scholars

April 20th

• End of Quarter 3

April 26th

• Report Cards are Issued