Staying Connected
with Winnebago Middle School | March 2023
From the Principal
We need your help! Here at Winnebago Middle School, the faculty, staff, and administration is constantly striving to improve your child's educational experience. This includes everything from our students' ability to learn at high levels, to the supports they receive to foster that learning. Everything from the environment they see and feel each day, to our methods of communication with you as their parents or guardians.
Below we've provided a link for the 5 Essentials Survey. Having had the experience of reviewing data from past year's surveys, I can honestly tell you that the feedback you provide is valued and applied. Without your feedback, we can't continue to improve as a middle school at the rate we need to.
Please take a moment to click on the orange survey link below and provide your thoughts before March 31. Your feedback is how we continue to move forward as a school, together.
Dan Phelps, Principal
phelpsd@winnebagoschools.org
815-335-3817
5 Essentials Family Survey
As mentioned above, we very much value and appreciate your feedback regarding our performance as your child's middle school.
Your identity and survey responses are completely anonymous/confidential, and will never be connected to you or your child.
The orange button below will guide you to the link (same link as in the original email).
Thank you in advance for your help with this!
7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament
(Re)Introducing Our Team
Please take a minute to enjoy some pictures and bios from team members in Career & Technical Education (CTE), Food Service, Social Studies, and our Technology Department.
Years at WMS: 10
Years in Education: 10
Favorite thing about WMS?
"Each and every individual that walks through these doors."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I don't actually live at the school (contrary to popular belief)."
Mr. Kramer, Woods and Pre-Engineering Teacher
Years at WMS: 17
Years in Education: 17
Favorite thing about WMS?
"The pure enjoyment that the students bring to class when working in the woodshop."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I have two daughters at Pec. One is a 6th grader and one is a 4th grader. Both are active in sports, Girl Scouts, 4H, and musicals/plays. I teach woodworking, and it is also my hobby. It's not often that work and play combine."
Mr. Stack, Industrial Arts/CTE Instructor
Years at WMS: 6
Years in Education: 8
Favorite thing about WMS?
"Watching students apply what they've learned to their everyday lives."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I am a football coach."
Ms. Clark, Food Service Cashier
Years at WMS: 1
Years in Education: Multiple
Favorite thing about WMS?
"Working with the students and seeing them each day."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I love to cook and bake. My family is #1. I have two grandchildren who live in Houston, Texas, and I try to visit several times a year. I have a 14 year-old great-nephew that I am raising that goes to Harlem Middle School and is Center for Harlem's football team, which keeps me quite busy through the summer and fall."
Years at WMS: 3
Years in Education: 8
Favorite thing about WMS?
"The kids. They put a smile on my face everyday."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I love being a mom to my son James."
Ms. Wawczak, Cafeteria Cook
Years at WMS: 12
Years in Education: 12
Favorite thing about WMS?
"My favorite thing would be providing lunch for the students and staff! It is very rewarding to hear from the students when the lunches are really good!"
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I came to Winnebago in the 5th grade, and I graduated from Winnebago High School. I have two sons that are Winnebago graduates as well."
Ms. Fox, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Years at WMS: 2
Years in Education: 26
Favorite thing about WMS?
"Our students and families. We are all here to support each other and our students."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my three children."
Ms. Michaud, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Years at WMS: 6
Years in Education: 12
Favorite thing about WMS?
"I enjoy getting to work with the students every day. They are what make my job so rewarding!"
What would you like our families to know about you?
"When I am not teaching, I am chasing my little ones around. I enjoy bike rides and hiking with my family."
Mr. Owens, Technology Director
Years at WMS: 2
Years in Education: 5
Favorite thing about WMS?
"The comradery the teachers have between departments to help a student in need."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I live in Winnebago. I like to golf and fish when I have time."
Mr. Vurnovas, Building Technology Support
Years at WMS: 9
Years in Education: 11
Favorite thing about WMS?
"That as a school we put the student first and foremost."
What would you like our families to know about you?
"I am a family man. Planning family time together."
Winnebago Middle School
Mrs. Anne Kaufman, Administrative Assistant
