Dear Parents,

We have completed over one half of the school year. We continue to ask students and families to be creative, supportive and collaborative. So far, students have persevered.

Throughout the school year, we assess our students not only with content knowledge, but organizational skills, project based assignments and note taking ability. Teachers give students feedback, in multiple ways, which encourages problem solving and engagement. We also continue to create and maintain relationships that lead to interactive and responsive instruction.

To bring the focus toward learning for understanding, informal assessments (i.e. verbal questioning) are a critical part of the instructional process. Formative assessments (i.e. tests and quizzes) focus on learning to understand and application of knowledge. Gathering information on student understanding, analyzing that information, then using it to guide instruction is an effective teaching practice. The assessment process allows us to greater understand the unique learning abilities of our students and tailor instruction to meet their needs.

Williamson also administers formal summative assessments that are used as benchmarks for students’ success. These assessments inform us how we can vary our instruction and/or provide additional services for our students.

The Middle School assesses all students through the i-Ready diagnostic assessment. This Reading and Math assessments are given to students three times per year, in September, January and May each year (we are seeing growth after the first two). This technology based assessment allows us to identify specific academic strengths and concerns for each student.

Thank you for your continued support. Stay warm.

John E. Fulmer, Principal

Williamson Middle School Williamson Middle School

CDC HEALTHY SCHOOLS

Adequate sleep contributes to a student’s overall health and well-being. Students should get the proper amount of sleep at night to help stay focused, improve concentration, and improve academic performance.

Children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk for many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and injuries. They are also more likely to have attention and behavior problems, which can contribute to poor academic performance in school.

How Much Sleep Do Students Need?

How much sleep someone needs depends on their age. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has made the following recommendations for children and adolescents:

Age GroupRecommended Hours of Sleep Per Day

6–12 years9 to 12 hours per 24 hours

13–18 years8 to 10 hours per 24 hours

Insufficient Sleep Among Students

The data from the 2015 national and state Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, a CDC study, shows that a majority of middle school and high school students reported getting less than the recommended amount of sleep for their age.

Middle school students (grades 6–8)

• Students in 9 states were included in the study.
• About 6 out of 10 students (57.8%) did not get enough sleep on school nights.

High school students (grades 9–12)

• National sample.
• About 7 out of 10 students (72.7%) did not get enough sleep on school nights.

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

• Model and encourage habits that help promote good sleep. Setting a regular bedtime and rise time, including on weekends, is recommended for everyone—children, adolescents, and adults alike. Adolescents with parent-set bedtimes usually get more sleep than those whose parents do not set bedtimes.
• Dim lighting. Adolescents who are exposed to more light (such as room lighting or from electronics) in the evening are less likely to get enough sleep.
• Implement a media curfew. Technology use (computers, video gaming, or mobile phones) may also contribute to late bedtimes. Parents should consider banning technology use after a certain time or removing these technologies from the bedroom.

• Model and encourage habits that help promote good sleep. Setting a regular bedtime and rise time, including on weekends, is recommended for everyone—children, adolescents, and adults alike. Adolescents with parent-set bedtimes usually get more sleep than those whose parents do not set bedtimes.
• Dim lighting. Adolescents who are exposed to more light (such as room lighting or from electronics) in the evening are less likely to get enough sleep.
• Implement a media curfew. Technology use (computers, video gaming, or mobile phones) may also contribute to late bedtimes. Parents should consider banning technology use after a certain time or removing these technologies from the bedroom.

WHAT HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS CAN DO

• Educate adolescent patients and their parents about the importance of adequate sleep and factors that contribute to insufficient sleep among adolescents.

Please contact the Middle School Health Office at 315-589-9665 x 3520 if you have any questions or concerns.

Blake Hance - All PRIDE behaviors!

Lily Campisi - Perseverance!

Johnluca Poole - All PRIDE attributes!

Angelina Zimmer - All PRIDE attributes especially Perseverance!

Delanie Craft - Demonstrates PRIDE attributes each day in PE!

6th Grade

Kayden Blauvelt - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!

Joseph Silliman - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!

Faith Orr - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!

Zian Sharrow - Demonstrates PRIDE attributes each day in PE!

7th Grade

Camila Aguilera-Rangel - All PRIDE attributes!

Shane Summers - Perseverance !

Braelynn Ahern - All PRIDE attributes!

Dylan Zwierlein - Responsibility!

Georgie Alexander - Demonstrates PRIDE attributes each day in PE!

8th Grade

Sarah Niles - All PRIDE attributes!

Hayleigh Orr - Good work ethic!

Brayden Storey - All PRIDE attributes!

Nathaniel Porchea - All PRIDE attributes!

Marshall Dysinger - Demonstrates PRIDE attributes each day in PE!