To: Michael Green, Superintendent
From: Russell Evans, WMS Principal
Date: October 12, 2023
RE: Woodland Middle School Board Report
School Improvement Focus:
Over the past few years, Woodland Middle School has had a strong focus on ensuring that we are supporting our students in reading and writing literacy. This year, we are working hard to streamline our systems in how we teach (and collect data) for Math and ELA. We are planning to administer diagnostic assessments across Math and ELA in the Fall/Winter/Spring to allow for teachers to quickly identify students' learning levels to plan and support them in maximizing their success. Additionally, we have strategically moved Angela Campbell (Assistant Principal) into further supporting special services and specializing emphasis on assessment to provide individualized student support.
Woodland Middle School Recognition- Success Story:
I wanted to take a minute to recognize all of our paraeducators who are working in tandem with specialized support programs. Our paraeducators are serving students in Diverse Student Programs (DSP), Resource, Title, Program Specialists, and MultiLingual (ML) services. We have additional support staff around the building in food service and custodial services that are truly irreplaceable. I wanted to honor all of them by preparing our buildings and helping our certificated staff daily in tandem, ultimately for the success of all of our students.
In the first few weeks of school, we have been tweaking and adjusting schedules to provide the best possible support for our students. These amazing staff members are always getting creative and are willing to step up to the challenge to support our students with their individualized needs. Thank you to all of those amazing paraeducators and support staff for being the glue that holds us together.
Upcoming Events at Woodland Middle School:
We are looking forward to the return of our WMS Clubs sponsored by our faculty. We will have information coming out soon, but families can expect our clubs to return in the next few weeks during lunch/after school.
During the week of 10/9, we will be celebrating Homecoming Week along with Woodland High School. Each day will be a different themed day, and we encourage everyone to join in on the fun and dress up:
We also have picture retake day on the horizon; mark your calendars for 10/19. Bell Imaging will be at WMS for pictures for students who missed or were unhappy with their first photo opportunity.
Our PTSA WALK-A-THON is happening in October, on 10/20. Be on the lookout for lap funding paperwork coming home with your students soon. We will send TalkingPoints with additional information for you when that happens!
Towards the end of the month, we will be having our WMS Trojan Choir Concert on 10/24 and our WMS Fall Festival Band Concert on 10/26... both of these events will be taking place at Woodland High School.
Finally, to wrap up the month we have our combination "Spooky Themed" Dance Party (7th/8th Grade) and Movie Night (5th/6th Grade). It's going to be "Spooktacular" fun for everyone!