We hope that the new year has started off well for all of you. We are busy with learning and activities every day here at WMU.

Our focus remains to cultivate a positive climate and create the best learning environment possible. High quality instruction and student learning are our highest priorities. Everything that we do at WMU is designed to help students learn in all areas and be successful well beyond their time here. Once again, that partnership between school and home is a key ingredient for student success. With that said, we hope that your students are feeling safe and supported. This is an interesting time in their lives and development, and can be challenging at times. If you have questions and or concerns, we want to hear from you.

We’re fortunate to work with your students every day. Thank you for allowing us to play a role in their development.

Yours in Education,

Mr. Jeff Maeder, Superintendent of School

Mr. Dave Edwards, 6-12 Principal

Mrs. Karinda Wahls, PreK-5 Principal

The Crooked Creek FFA Chapter at Winfield was established 11 years ago. The chapter began with 10 members and over the last 11 years have participated in a variety of FFA events and activities including sub-district and district soil judging, poultry judging, team ag sales, individual ag sales, livestock judging, job interview, ag mechanics - tractor restoration at the Iowa State Fair, photography at Iowa State Fair, and members showing various livestock species at both Henry County and Iowa State Fair. Over the last several years, the Crooked Creek FFA Chapter has also sponsored the community garden across from the front of the school which all community members are welcome to harvest from.

FFA is an intra-curricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. At Winfield-Mt. Union, students in grades 9-12 who take an agriculture class are automatically a part of the FFA Chapter and can participate in FFA Contests. Students in grades 7 & 8 who take an agriculture exploratory may be a member of the Chapter, they simply let Mrs. Brown know and come to the chapter meetings.

FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. Members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and premier professionals in many career fields.

The Student Leadership Council kids have been working on decorating 10 pillowcases that will be given to the University of Iowa Dance Marathon for kids with cancer. They will be hung up at the actual marathon in February and then given to the families to take home. We will be sponsoring a mini dance marathon coming up on April 1st. More information will come out in the following months for that.

Students were given the opportunity to participate in a virtual job setting with the help of Scarlett Craig, Southeastern Community College's Pre-Employment Transition Coordinator. The purpose of this activity was to provide students with Pre-Employment Services to help them prepare for the working world after high school. The services include Self-Advocacy, Job Exploration Counseling, Work-Based Learning Experiences, Counseling on Opportunities, and Workplace Readiness Training. Students can also connect to partner programs available to help with different needed services or opportunities to help students be successful in their future goals or plans after high school.

On January 24th, fourth and fifth graders, along with our Spanish III and IV students held their first living museum and cultural fair to show the importance of individuals in history as well as celebrating cultures. To prepare for participation students had to take what they learning in class and transform it into a display. Visitors were able to meet and learn about famous individuals as well as countries that were represented. Thank you to our teachers, staff, and community for supporting this wonderful event.