Whittier Wire
October 17, 2022
Student Led Conferences
We will be hosting conferences during the week of October 24th with some evening opportunities on Wednesday, October 26th. Please sign up for a conference with your child's Roundtable Advisor. Invitations were sent home through email. Teachers are also providing Zoom conferences for families who are not able to attend in person.
In middle school, we talk a lot about students learning to own their educational experience and becoming advocates for themselves. The student led conferences give students a chance to practice this. They will share goals with you, talk about their progress and what they have learned. It is also a chance to for you to talk to their teacher about how they are doing at school. While the Roundtable teacher may not have the student in class, they see the student daily and can provide very helpful information.
We look forward to your visit.
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Progress reports will go home with students on Friday. This marks halfway through the first trimester. The progress report is a paper printout of the information you can find on JumpRope.
Spirit Week
- Monday, Comfy Cozy Day. (Think hoodies and sweatpants, etc; No PJs)
- Tuesday, Adam Sandler Day. (Baggy shirts, pants, shorts, etc.)
- Wednesday, Anything But A Backpack Day. (Bring anything but a backpack, can not be any bigger than a locker.)
- Thursday, Soccer Mom/BBQ dad Day. (Soccer mom: Leggings, Sunglasses, tote bag/ fanny pack, sneakers sweatshirt. BBQ dad: Cargo shorts, T-shirt, apron.)
- Friday, Hippie/Rockstar Day. (Hippie: Tie-Dye items, Bandanas, round sunglasses, etc.)
Grade 7 Field Trip
A pdf copy of the permission slip is attached to this newsletter and available for download.
Picture re-take day
From the chorus room
Hello, Whittier families! This year is getting off to a great start with our Chorus. With 33 singers, our group has more than doubled from last year as we continue to rebuild the program after the pandemic shut down music classes. I am astounded by the sound coming out of these students, and their energy is palpable. It has been a blast to work with them. On Thursday, October 20th, 14 of these students (almost half the group!) will audition for the District II Honors Chorus. They have also been working well with our student teacher, Mr. Laverriere, to build their vocal skills and learn great music.
Our first concert of the year on December 14th will be shared with the Concert Band, also rebounding in numbers and re-learning how to make music together.
If you have a student in a music ensemble this year, thank you for your support and for sharing these awesome kids with our program! We are grateful to work with them and we're all having a blast.
Mrs. Edwards
Ms. Adler: Writing class guest speaker
Students completed an Anticipation Guide before the presentation where they were asked to agree or disagree with five statements about Journalism and Writing techniques. During the discussion, students asked questions that they had prepared in Writing class on Tuesday, and took notes on key statements they heard. At the end of the presentation, students were asked to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with the same five statements and answered a final reflection question citing evidence from Mr. Griffiths' presentation to back up their reflection.
Overall, students were engaged, asked appropriate questions, and took good notes. Mr. Griffiths did note that he "got some good questions," and was happy to present to 8th grade students. The video will be made available to all students through Google Classroom soon. If your student is in 8th grade Writing, take a moment to talk with them about the guest speaker and their key takeaways.
Mr. King: Middle School Athletics
Monday
No 7th Boys Soccer Practice today
7th Grade Girls' Soccer vs OOB - Canceled
MS Field Hockey Home vs Bath 3:30, (On the HS Field)
Wednesday
8th/7th Girls SoccerHome vs. Waynflette 3:00/4:15
8th/7th Boys Soccer @ Waynflete 3:00/4:14 depart 1:30
Thursday
MS Cross Country at Twin Brook 3:30
8th/7th Boys Soccer @ Lake Region MS 3:30/4:45 depart 2:15
8th/7th Girls Soccer Hm vs Lake Region 3:30/4:45
Friday
MS Dance
Registration is open at FamilyID.com.
Tryouts for basketball will begin on November 7. Schedule to come. Please sign up early and turn in a doctor's Well Check or Physical to the athletic director or main office. You can have it faxed to 998-5060.
Winter Coaches
8th Girls-Gregg Rose
7th Girls-Jordan Walker
8th Boys-Jeff Tetreault
7th Boys-Jerry Whalen
Middle School Dance
Please do not drop off students prior to 6:30. Supervision will not be available before that time. After the dance, it is highly recommended that you park in the parking lot closest to the school and have your student meet you there. Otherwise, there is a lineup of cars that reaches the main road. Your exit will be much quicker and less stressful if you park in the lot. Thanks for being on time (8:30) to pick up your child. Teachers will be eager to go home to their families.
To be eligible for the dance (from the family handbook):
- Must be a current student from Whittier Middle School
- Cannot be truant - 10 or more unexcused absences
- No recent suspensions - since October 1
- No owed detention time
Clubs and co-curriculars
The Whittier Civil Rights Team had a wonderful first meeting this week. About 20 students came in to discuss promoting a school community that welcomes all races and skin colors, all national origins and ancestries, all religions, all disabilities, all sexual orientations, and all genders (including gender identity and expression). The Civil Rights Team will meet every other Wednesday during lunch in Mrs. Gilbert's room, and new members are still welcome to join.
Geek Squad will meet Monday at 11:35. Our first project is 3D printing, come join us!
Student Council will meet Tuesday from 2:15-3:15.
Tri-Town Family 5K
Whittier Middle School’s Tri-Town Family 5K will return to Minot’s beautiful trails and fields on Sunday, November 13th at 10:00am. Join us as we celebrate 11 YEARS!
Our event is open to everyone: students, their families, and the community. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we have always offered free registration! This event is about getting people outside and moving. No experience is necessary. Many people choose to walk the course as a way to support our students.
Registration is up and running on the Tri-Town Family 5K website.
T-shirts sales will open shortly, also on the website.
I am looking for volunteers. We will need help at the event in several areas. Directing runners and walkers on the course is an easy way to help. Let me know if you are willing.
The Fog Bowl
Dragon Encounter
Mentor Program
Bruce M. Whittier Middle School
Email: svincent@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/bwms
Location: 1457 Maine Street, Poland, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 998-3462
Facebook: facebook.com/WhittierMidknights