WMS Weekly Bulletin
March 4-9, 2019
Why Digital Citizenship?
Approximately one year ago, our CSISD School Health Advisory Committee presented information to our Board of Trustees about the misuse of digital devices and social media that was happening during the school day while students were in class. The outcome of this presentation led our Board of Trustees to challenge our Technology department to help alleviate this issue. Some quick changes were made: greater restrictions for WiFi access (thus, the new logins on guest WiFi), a stronger firewall, and daily usage limits (at middle school scholars are allowed to have devices before/after school and during lunch for personal use).
More valuable than any network change was the expectation of teaching the appropriate use of digital devices to help students of all ages understand the control they have (and do not have) when using online services. Enter: Commons Sense Media and Digital Citizenship lessons.
Stephanie Ryon, our CSISD Digital Learning Coordinator, spearheaded the scope and sequence of K-12 lessons from Common Sense Media that teaches students how to thrive in the digital age with free, research-backed lesson plans. As a campus, we were charged with using these lessons to enhance our learning environment throughout the year, and so we are.
If that wasn't enough to help you understand why we need digital citizenship training for our scholars, take a look at the following two images.
These two images came from Coach Clayton's class during Thinking Thursday last week.
Y'all. This was only two hours and only 16 phones. That's 138 notifications!
Our scholars are growing up in an age much different from the one I grew up in. Thus, we have to teach them how to use their devices appropriately. We have to teach them what it takes to balance their face-to-face life with their digital life. We have to teach them the consequences of a misstep, hopefully before it happens.
As you go into Thinking Thursday this week, take this example of what it looks like in our own building of being a little too connected and make a difference in the lives of our kids!
Go Warhawks! And, remember, you belong here.
-Mishler
Week in Review
Thinking Thursday - March 7th
This week is an A-Day which means we will go to 4th-7th periods after the morning session is complete. It also means that band scholars will check in to their Thinking Thursday team room BEFORE going to the band hall for split rehearsal/digital citizenship lessons.
All rosters have been updated in the WMS RTI Rosters spreadsheet to include which 8th grade scholars will attend History tutorials and which scholars will go to band.
You will receive a BLUE roster in your box for attendance and passes for 8th grade scholars by Wednesday.
Thinking Thursdays Math Teacher Rotations
As the remaining core content teachers get their chance for some RTI tutorials, the math teachers will be sliding into their spots during the following three Thursdays. If you are a core content teacher, please make sure your partner teacher knows who will be stepping in for you when it's your turn for tutorials. See the chart below.
New Bell Schedule Goes Live AFTER Spring Break
Your concerns have been heard! When scholars return from Spring Break, we will be on a new bell schedule. Scholars will have 4 minute passing period windows. This means 1 minute will be added to many of your classes. Additionally, the ending times for each period still end in increments of 5 (:00, :10, :15, etc.) to reduce confusion on when a period will end.
This information will be presented to scholars via announcements later in the week. A printable version of the bell schedule is available HERE. You can also access a version in picture form HERE. We hope this reduction in passing period times will help keep scholars in class and allow you to make positive contacts during hallway monitoring times.
We also have a modified procedure for bells in the morning prior to 8:25 AM. Please see the chart below for when different areas of the school will dismiss. Some areas are dismissed by the on-duty staffulty monitoring those locations while others are dismissed by bells you will hear. The bells during this time will be a different tone than the regular school bell you hear to change classes.
From Nurse Flater
Please contact me with your rosters at least two weeks before your trip. I also need to know where you are going, the times you are leaving and returning, and lunch plans if that applies. I need this information to plan medications and any special diets that might be needed. Thank you for your understanding!
Technology Update
Here are the changes you may see in the future:
- eSchool Plus (TAC) -----> Power School SIS
- Gradebook -------> Unified Classroom
- TalentEd (Where you fill out T-TESS/ATR Forms) ------> Unified Talent
Relay for Life
Congratulations Orchestra
Warhawk HERO Points
Our Wellborn Warhawk quality of the week is: Courageous.
Scholars will be able to earn Warhawk points for courageous actions. Courage may be trying something new, going on the path less traveled, or standing up for an opinion. Use your professional judgement to help determine what is courageous for your own students. We have provided sample materials on the announcements to start a discussion in your advocate classes about how scholars may demonstrate courage.
Teachers giving Courageous points will be entered in a drawing at the end of the week for 1 free classroom period of coverage (it's like having an extra conference period that day)!
Food Pantry Needs
We are running low on some supplies in the food pantry that our scholars need for Spring Break. If you are willing to donate any of the following items, it would be appreciated. Just email Coach Doles and she will come get the items from you.
Needed items:
- Snacks (peanut butter crackers, rice krispie treats, Nutra-grain bars, Pop Tarts)
- Canned soup (chicken noodle, tomato, etc)
- Crackers (Ritz is a favorite)
- Milk (must be boxed on the shelf that does not have to be refrigerated until opened)
- Toilet paper
- Ramen noodles (the cups are easier because it is something the kids can make themselves)
- Shampoo/Conditioner
Staffulty Birthdays
Design Team Progress
Check out the chart below to see what all projects are going on around campus! When you see something you love, grab some scholars, take a selfie, and blast on social media with #WMSWarhawks!
Duty Stations & Personnel
Upcoming Events
3/11-15 - Spring Break
3/18 - 5th Six Weeks Progress Report Grades Due
3/19 - Tennis vs. Brazos Christian, 4:30 PM @ CSHS
3/20 - Staffulty Meeting - Mandatory STAAR General Training, 4:15-5:00 PM @ LGI
3/21 - Track Meet @ CSMS
3/22 - TELPAS Online Test Practice for All EL Scholars
3/26 - Tennis vs. Davila, 4:30 PM @ Rudder HS
3/27 - TELPAS Online Listening & Speaking Assessment for All EL Scholars
3/27 - STAAR Specific Training (All Staffulty), 4:15-4:45 PM @ LGI
3/28 - TELPAS Online Reading Assessment for All EL Scholars
3/28 - Track Meet @ Brenham
3/29 - Pom & Dance Tryouts
4/4 - Tennis vs SFA, 4:30 PM @ Bryan HS
4/5 - Last Day of 5th Six Weeks
4/5 - Girls District Track Meet @ Bryan HS
4/5 - Boys District Track Meet @ CSHS
4/9 - STAAR Math 8, Writing 7
4/10 - STAAR Reading 8
4/12 - Comp Time Due to Mishler