We started 2nd Semester on Monday, 1.30.17. This delay is due to the weather-related missed school days in 2nd quarter. I appreciate the WMS Staff for leaning on our systems in the organization to support this change. With the new semester, we move closer to upcoming state assessments, scheduling and spring 2017. Feel free to be updated further on the topics listed below:
A New Year!
At Woodland Middle School, we are excited about what is ahead of us in 2017! Students have new classes as we start the second semester. WMS 8th graders are in the process of setting up their schedules as the incoming freshmen at Woodland High School. Later this spring, each and every WMS student will have state assessments. We are looking forward to making use of four new chromecarts with 35 Chromebooks each to help with this effort! The carts are not here yet but we anticipate they will be here by the time the students take their state assessments. While 2016 may be characterized as the year of Building Success, 2017 may be characterized as the year of Growing Potential. I am proud of the students, staff, and families of Woodland Middle School for an overall great attitude and approach to making the new WMS awesome together.
Celebrating Success -- The WMS Data Wall
Woodland Middle School Trojans and Staff are having a lot of success! Not only is each day progressively “brighter” with longer sun but also, and more importantly, our students and staff are cultivating a growth mindset on how to improve our learning community. One example of cultivating growth is our growth on a “Data Wall” in our Collaboration Room. The WMS Data Wall houses a red, yellow or green card for each student in WMS; the card colors are based on data from assessments. In the fall of 2016 we had many students in “red” and “yellow” but now, mid-way through the year, we have many of these cards moved into the “yellow” and “green” section. It is exciting to see this visual of student growth.
Gabe Murfitt Assembly
On January 19, 2017, we had a special assembly with Gabe Murfitt as an inspirational speaker. Gabe has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America and The Seattle Times in addition to other news, shows, and publications. Gabe shared an inspiring message of acceptance and hope. Our students and staff feedback for Gabe was outstanding. You can view more about this on our WMS Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages. Also, here is a link to Gabe’s website: http://gabemurfitt.com.
WMS PRIDE Night 2017
We had our second annual WMS PRIDE Night on Thursday, 2.2.17! It was great to see the new WMS campus full with families experiencing their students’ educational experiences. I am proud to work in the proud, caring community of Woodland with such a genuine, hard-working staff. We are thankful for the hundreds of WMS families for coming to PRIDE Night and for everything they do for students to support them at school and at home! We will continue to work together closely.
I’d like to mention that we had 100% of WMS staff involved in preparing for and contributing to PRIDE Night. This kind of commitment shows our community what I get to see every day from WMS staff. WMS staff continues to find meaningful ways to improve our school for all students, making the difference every day by cultivating academic and behavioral growth!