WIS Weekly
September 12, 2022
December 5, 2022
It's all about OUR KIDS!
- Who needs support at home, in school, and in the community? ... Our Kids!
- Who needs our guidance, attention, and patience today and everyday? ... Our Kids!
- Who will shape the future of our world tomorrow and in the years to come? ... Our Kids!
Happy Holidays from WIS teachers & staff to all our construction workers
A Message From Mr. Longacre...
Dear Families,
I would like to take a moment and thank our hard working and caring faculty and staff who continue to make a difference to our students. Their commitment is outstanding and our kids are the beneficiaries. Thank you for providing rich and engaging, well-rounded experiences for our kids. For these, and a million other things, we are truly grateful.
Respectfully,
Mr. Longacre
As always, please reach out to me anytime.
Great Job WIS Choir...singing loud for all to hear!
A look into WIS classrooms...
5th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
We sure accomplished a lot last week in our days of testing. Students showed off what they knew about the novel, Hello Universe, answering in-depth essay questions about how Virgil had changed since the beginning of the story and who they thought the antagonist was. We also did 2 full days of NWEA testing and celebrated lots of growth already this year!
This week we will be learning how to write a persuasive essay focusing on how to convince one’s family to get a pet. This should lead to some lively discussions at home as students go through the process of writing a 5-paragraph essay over the course of the week.
Math
Last week we had a quiz on whole number division. Then we switched it up a little bit and learned about measures of central tendency - aka mean, median, mode (and range) and line plots.
This week we will work one more day on MMM&R and line plots. There will
be the NWEA test on Tuesday. We will head back to division on Wednesday. We will be dividing decimals until winter break!
Social Studies
- Students will finish unit 2 before winter break. In order to prepare for the unit two test, students will be provided with a study guide. The study guide will be emailed to parents by the end of the week.
Science
- Last week, the students spent time being space engineers! They had to create a space bot that would travel in space and complete tasks. Fun was had by all!! This week we will continue with the Engineering Design Process and create wind powered vehicles!
6th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Sixth grade ELA students will review priority standards as the compare multiple reading passages this week.
Sixth grade Honors ELA students will continue to explore the classic novel: Robinson Crusoe.
Math
Last week math classes continued studying in algebraic expressions. Students took a common formative assessment over expressions, distributive property, and order of operations. Students need to continue working on order of operations. The use of this systematic set of math rules for solving numerical expressions is a critical skill for all students.
- This Tuesday math students will be taking their winter NWEA/MAPS test. Many students have set goals for their performance. At this point in the year, students should see growth in their previous score. The growth should be at least 5 points. It is very important that students approach this testing with a positive attitude and a mindset for improvement.
- Please talk with your child regarding their "ready to learn" behavior. Math students should come to school with a fully charged iPad (also their charger should be in their backpack), a math notebook, a math workbook, and pencils. Students do need to have earbuds or headphones. The Exact Path activities have an audio component for instruction. Behavior is also an important part of the "ready to learn" concept. Students need to complete homework on time as well as maintain a respectful attitude in the classroom. In math student attention is key. Math classes are covering a vast amount of new material. Vocabulary, algorithms, and in class examples are gone over daily. The lack of attention and detail to the task will greatly affect a student's learning. OUR KIDS are capable of learning so much! Sixth grade is an awesome opportunity for growth.
Social Studies
- This week we will continue learning about Greek sports, architecture, and philosophy. We will also have a lesson on King Tut. Some of the concepts that students will learn include: Egyptian archeology, civilizations, mummies, and tourism.
Science
- This week, students will take their middle of the year science NWEA on Monday or Tuesday. Please make sure that they have a good breakfast, get plenty of rest and have a fully charged iPad for those days. The students will also be learning about moon phases. We will have a lab using Oreo cookies to demonstrate the phases. We will be sending home permission slips for students with documented food allergies on Monday to allow for their participation in the lab.
Related Arts
PE
- In PE this week we will be playing some larger group games that focus on teamwork, students will have their pull-up test, and we will be starting our volleyball unit.
- FRIDAY'S GAME IN PE... CASTLE BALL...Students had to construct hula huts and protect them from being knocked down by the other team. (see pictures above)
- In music class this week, students are learning to play songs together as a whole class ensemble. To do this, we are thinking about what makes a good musical group member, how to be a leader, and how to learn and practice their own part.
Art
- Art students this week will wrap up our Mexican Folk Art metal projects. We will begin our next project while being introduced to the contemporary artist Romero Britto.
- Advanced art is learning a few components of 1 and 2 point perspective to create holiday cars. The students are using water color pencils to add color to their artwork.
Mark your calendar...
Monday, Dec. 5th
Orchestra Holiday Concert
- 6th Grade @ 6:30pm
- 5th Grade @ 7:30pm
Thursday, Dec. 8th
Band Holiday Concert @ 7pm
Helpful Links
2022-2023 Duneland School Calendar
(REVISED 6/6/22)
Skyward
Class schedules, grades, bus routes, ILearn, and lots more!
Instructional Aide, Title I Paraprofessional, and Lunch/Recess Aide Needed
If you are looking for a position within the Duneland School Corporation, WIS in particular, please reach check out the link below. The positions noted above follow the DSC calendar and the school day. You can transport your children to school in the morning, home in the afternoon, and be available during all school breaks.
eLearning Updates for 2022-2023
Please read and make yourself aware of the updated eLearning guidelines. The biggest change will be how lessons are coordinated on unscheduled eLearning days. On these days, students will take part in Google meet sessions with their teachers to receive face to face instruction. Teachers will post schedules by 9:00 A.M. on the eLearning day.
2022-2023 Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools
Please review the DSC Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools in case of inclement weather.
Westchester Intermediate School
WIS Mission:
WIS provides a safe and engaging environment where students are empowered to explore their talents, build on their curiosity, embrace high expectations, and become responsible, caring citizens.
WIS Vision:
WIS inspires learners to become independent, critical thinkers collaborating in an environment where responsibility, adaptability, and reflection are modeled and developed.
Email: slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/14
Location: 1050 South 5th Street, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 983-3710
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westchesterintermediate/