FEBRUARY 2015

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES….

Thank you to all of you who participated and helped make student led conferences go

smoothly! We’d like to say a special thank you to Janet Shankland, Sean Eaton, Lauri

Watson and Beth Guy for their assistance with supporting our on-line scheduling of SLC

appointments.

We continue to support the belief “that students who are held accountable and accept

responsibility for their work become better lifelong learners.” (National Middle School

Association) We believe that our student led conference model supports student

involvement in their own education and provides for a better educational experience for

students.

Now that you’ve experienced student led conferencing, we hope you can see how

important this process is to the success of your student. The parent survey results did

indeed show that most parents thought student led conferences were valuable and

informative. Thank you for your input. We will continue to refine our procedures each

year based on input from parents, staff and students.

Thank you for supporting your child’s education in such a meaningful way. A strong

partnership between you and Woodward will reap great benefits for your child.

STATE TESTING BEGINS MAY 4

All seventh and eighth graders will be taking the new Smarter Balanced Assessments in

Math and Language Arts. 8th Grade Students will also take the Measurement of Student

Progress test in Science.

May 4-8: Smarter Balanced Test in Language Arts

May 11-15: Smarter Balanced Test in Math

May 28-29: 8th Grade MSP Test in Science

We would appreciate your support by making sure that your child will be in attendance

during these testing windows. It is important for them to be well rested and ready for

the challenge. Information regarding these important assessments can be found at the

following website: http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting/MSP.asp and

THANK YOU PTO THANKS!! ...to our PTO volunteers who made the end of semester staff appreciation

luncheon a success! A special thanks to Stephanie Aichele for organizing this fun event

for our staff. It was a great way to end the fall semester and look forward to spring!

Mike Florian, Principal

WOODWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES

OPTIONS PROGRAM INFO

NIGHT @ CMDR

Feb. 3 6:30 PM-8:00 PM

KINDERGARTEN

REGISTRATION

Feb. 4 6:00 PM-8:00 PM

Ordway Gym

WILKES MULTIAGE PROGRAM

OPEN HOUSE

Feb. 10 6:30-7:30 PM

SPANISH IMMERSION

PROGRAM INFO NIGHT

Feb. 11 6:30-7:30

PTO MEETING

February 12 9:30 AM

VALENTINE DAY

February 14

MID-WINTER BREAK

February 16-20

WALT WOODWARD’S

BIRTHDAY

February 25

READ ACROSS AMERICA

Feb. 27, 2015

8TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT

Feb. 15 7 PM

BHS COMMONS

PTO NEWS

We hope everyone had a successful first semester and that the new semester is

starting off well. The year is going quickly.

The 8th grade banquet committee is working hard on getting things all put together! If

you haven’t purchased your tickets yet be sure to get it soon! The cost

before February 20th is $47 …..after that the price will be $55. You can contact Julie

Davis at davis-bi@msn.com or Karen Hall at kdnh@yahoo.com. Scholarships are

available through the WMS counseling office. We want everyone to participate in this

exciting event!

Woodward is hoping to offer some after school tutoring. If you have some time to

volunteer please contact Mr. Florian.

Our next PTO General Meeting is Thursday, February 12th at 9:30 am. Raising

Resilience will be our guest speaker. Learn more about this organization and what they

offer. Please join us!

Your continued support of the PTO is appreciated.

Michele Blackford

WMS PTO President

8TH GRADE BANQUET NEWS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Have you signed up to volunteer for the 8th Grade Banquet? We still need you!

If you have already signed up to volunteer for the Banquet, thank you! We will contact you very soon. If not, we still need your help! It

takes A LOT of volunteer effort to make this event a success, and we promise to make it fun.

Please contact Julie Davis at davis-bi@msn.com ASAP to help with these remaining volunteer needs: Lighting crew (installation help),

Decorating (weekend of the event), TRUCKS! (haul decorations June 5, 6 and 7), Pipe and Drape assembly (clear instructions provided),

Waitstaff (only 4 more spots), Parking and Security, Food Committee Members, Crew Lounge Committee Members (provides food for

volunteers), and Clean Up Crew.

HIGH SCHOOL PRE-REGISTRATION FOR 2014-2015

CURRENT 8TH GRADE STUDENTS:

It is already time to begin the pre-registration process for the 2015-16 school year. Similar to last year, pre-

registration will once again be online and accessed through Skyward. In mid-February, directions for how to pre-

register will be available through the BHS Counselor website.

On February 26th, BHS Counselors will be visiting our 8th grade Science classes and distributing pre-registration

packets and credit check sheets to all students. Classes will be available for pre-registration from February 27th

through a date to be determined. BHS uses pre-registration signups to determine class offerings for the

2015-16 school year, so it is important that you choose classes carefully.

IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE: February 3rd – Open House at Eagle Harbor High School @ 6:30 p.m. February 25th – Incoming Freshman Parent Night @ BHS @ 7:00 p.m. in the BHS Commons March 24th– Staff from EHHS will at WMS to meet students from the Achieve class, Learning Strategies classes, and during lunches with any interested students. Exact time of day to be announced.

Commodore Options School Information Night, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6:30-8 p.m. – The evening

will begin in the Commons. From there, staff will direct parents and students to specific program presentations. This

event is for any family interested in the Odyssey Multiage Program (grades 1-8); Mosaic Home Education Partnership

(grades K-8), and/or Eagle Harbor High School (grades 9-12).

Kindergarten Orientation Meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m. in the Ordway Elementary

School gym, 6 p.m. registration; 6:30-8 p.m. program. Students entering kindergarten must be five years old by Aug. 31,

2015.

Wilkes Multiage Program Open House, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Commons.

Spanish Immersion Program Information Night, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Ordway Elementary School portables. (For parents of pre-K-fourth-grade students.)

OPTIONS PROGRAMS INFORMATION

The annual Information Night for prospective EHHS students is scheduled at Commodore Options School on

Tuesday, February 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This information night is open to any interested in Eagle Harbor High

School (grades 9-12).

The evening begins in the Commodore Commons (same building as Commodore Gym) where informational handouts

will be available. Parents and students will be directed to specific program presentations within the campus.

Eagle Harbor High School is part of Commodore Options School. Commodore Options School is the “umbrella” for

educational options in Eagle harbor High School (9-12), Odyssey Multiage Program (1-8, and Mosaic home Education

Partnership (K-8). Our programs hold in common the value of high parent involvement, student-centered learning

and connections beyond the classroom. Please contact our office at 206-780-1646 if you have additional questions.

BHS 8th Grade Parent Night is scheduled for February 25th at 7 PM in the BHS Commons.

Our collection development project is in full swing. We are removing tired, worn and out-dated materials

and finding them new homes. But we are in need of getting more engaging, up-to-date and accurate

resources. We've partnered with the Mackin Co. to manage a fund raiser where 100% of the proceeds come

right to us. If you'd like to donate, please follow this link -https://www.funds4books.com/Fundraiser?

code=3e38

LIBRARY NEWS

WHAT’ HAPPENING

Please see our What's New & Happening

blog to catch up on the fun and learning

going on in the WMS Library. Also, be

sure to peruse the resources available

for students and parents on our

updated webpages. If you've never seen

EasyBib in action you'll be amazed at the

ease students can create accurate

Works Cited Pages or Bibliographies.

GEOGRAPHY BEE

This year's school Geography Bee was held on January 9th. Family and classmates watched as the 10 finalists (5

from each grade) answered questions that spanned the globe. The field of ten slowly dwindled to two: Will

Robertson (8th grade) and Edward Powers (7th grade). The championship round concluded with three difficult

questions. Will Robertson answered two of the three correctly and prevailed as Woodward’s 2014-2015

Geography Bee Champion.

Will will now complete a written test. If he earns a qualifying score, he will move onto the State competition

that takes place in April. We wish him luck!!

Congratulations to all of the ten finalists: Mike Faye, Roark Coggon, Nathan McVay, Will Robertson, Sofia Scott,

Caitlin Slattery, Jackson Beermann, Steven Albergine, Edward Powers, and Ian O'Hartigan.

WHAT ABOUT BULLYING AND

HARASSMENT

Recent events around the country have brought to the forefront the need for anti-bullying education and

awareness for students and staff. Being bullied in school can have a negative impact on a student’s academic

performance and well being. So what do we do at Woodward to help reduce this type of behavior?

Two of our teachers, Ms. Kozina and Ms. Kornfeld, meet with all 7th & 8th grade classes twice a year to provide

appropriate grade level lessons about bullying and harassment. We also address these topics along with cyber-

bullying in our Wildcat Seminars throughout the year. Our leadership class and Natural Helpers Club also promote

building empathy for others through activities and service projects here at school.

Some of the topics addressed with all students include:

– knowing the difference between direct and indirect bullying

– understanding how to be an active bystander

– behaviors that constitute bullying

– types of cyber-bullying

– consequences when a bully doesn’t stop

– when to go to an adult

– how to seek out additional help and who to talk to

– using the safety hotline

Bullying can be defined as repeated and unwanted aggressive behaviors that intentionally hurt others emotionally,

verbally or physically. Bullying is never acceptable in school. We take reports of bullying very seriously and work

with students to educate them regarding both why this type of behavior is inappropriate and how to report/

discourage this behavior among their peers. Research shows that focusing on active bystander behaviors and

strategies decreases bullying in schools.

We hope that Woodward is a friendly place for all students. Every student has a right to attend school without

feeling harassed or threatened. Thank you for supporting positive behaviors and attitudes with your students and

talking to them about school safety.

8TH GRADE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH: Lizi Dauger Nathan McVay 7TH GRADE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH: Julia Jakubik Bjorn Addington HONORABLE MENTION:

8th Grade: Evan Bergan-Epstein, Grace Breen, Natalia Clermont, Sami Francis, Pilar Hemingway, Max Johnson, Sydney Klatt, Malia Peato, Kari Perry, Maddie Perry, and Gabby Saez

7th Grade: Quincy Adams, Paige Bouma, Hope Griffiths, Wyat Guidino, Natalie Hammel, Nicole Houmes, Dylan Kobs, Sean Lafer, Katherine Lovelace, Hannah Meehan, Jack Naon, and Cole Walker

FEBRUARY 2015 STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

TRACK INFORMATION

It’s time to start thinking about the upcoming track season. Lisa Draper, Sean Eaton, and Kris Tjemsland are all

returning coaches this year. Along with Paul Benton our volunteer distances coach.

The pre-season informational meeting will be held on March 11, 3:15-3:45PM in the Commons. Parents are

welcome. The season runs from April 6 to May 29 with practice daily from 3:30-5:00 PM. Parent pick-up is at

5:15PM. Sign–ups will be on line on the Athletics, Track Web page.

To participate:

All students must have a “C” or better in all classes.

Turn in all forms: Sports Physical (good for two years), Activities Code of Conduct Agreement, and Insurance

Waiver. These forms can be found on our WMS sports web page at www.bainbridge.wednet.edu/woodward/Sports.

Emergency cards will be available at the March 11 meeting.

There is $150 participation fee due before the second week of practice. Make checks payable to WMS and

have your child turn them in to Ms. Mar before school or during lunch.

All athletes must have proper attire to attend practice, including shoes and sweats. We practice in all

weather conditions.

Team Uniform: We provide a jersey for all participants. Jerseys will be checked out and must be returned at the

end of the season or students will receive a lost jersey fine of $75.00. Solid black shorts or WMS gym shorts are

required for meets. If possible, to appear as a team we request that they also wear black sweatpants and a WMS

sweatshirt to meets.

Optional WMS Track sweats: will be available to order online by April 1. More information will be available at the

March 11 meeting.

Volunteers needed! We are very fortunate to have a large turnout and there are many volunteer opportunities. We

need runners once a week to take the milers on a run, field event specialists, and home track meet volunteers.

We are looking forward to a fabulous season-

More questions??? Contact head coach Lisa Draper atldraper@bisd303.org

DROPPING OFF AND PICKING

UP YOUR STUDENT

Please remember that you cannot drop off or

pick up your student in the NORTH PARKING

LOT. All drop offs and pick ups must be done in

front of the school, SOUTH SIDE! Also, please

be aware that the area marked NO PARKING is

a fire lane and parking is prohibited.

PLAN AHEAD FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR

Starting Monday, February 3, there are a number of events being held in the school district that week:

Information Night for Commodore, Wilkes and Ordway choice opportunities: Tuesday, February 3, 6:30 - 8 PM, in the Commodore Commons. This is open to any student and family interested in Odyssey Multiage Program (grades 1-8), Mosaic

Home Education Partnership (grades K-8), Eagle Harbor High School (grades 9-12), The evening begins in the Commodore

Commons where informational handouts will be available for all options. Parents and students will be directed to specific

program presentations within the campus.

Kindergarten Orientation: Wednesday, February 4, 6 - 8 PM, in the Ordway Elementary School Gym, Parents of children who

will be five-years old on or before August 31, 2015, are invited to attend the BISD Kindergarten Orientation. This educational

option occurs in half-day and full-day programs that provide developmentally appropriate academic and social activities.

Kindergarten registration will begin as you learn about these opportunities.

Wilkes Multiage Program Open House is scheduled for February 10, 2015, 6:30-7:30 PM, in the Wilkes Commons.

Spanish Immersion Program Information Night is schedule for February 11, 2015, 6:30-7:30 PM, Ordway Portable D (For

parents of pre-K-4th grade students).

PLAN AHEAD FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR

Starting Monday, February 3, there are a number of events being held in the school district that week:

Information Night for Commodore, Wilkes and Ordway choice opportunities: Tuesday, February 3, 6:30 - 8 PM, in the Commodore Commons. This is open to any student and family interested in Odyssey Multiage

Program (grades 1-8), Mosaic Home Education Partnership (grades K-8), Eagle Harbor High School (grades

9-12), The evening begins in the Commodore Commons where informational handouts will be available for all

options. Parents and students will be directed to specific program presentations within the campus.

Kindergarten Orientation: Wednesday, February 4, 6 - 8 PM, in the Ordway Elementary School Gym, Parents of children who will be five-years old on or before August 31, 2015, are invited to attend the BISD

Kindergarten Orientation. This educational option occurs in half-day and full-day programs that provide

developmentally appropriate academic and social activities. Kindergarten registration will begin as you learn

about these opportunities.

Wilkes Multiage Program Open House is scheduled for February 10, 2015, 6:30-7:30 PM, in the Wilkes

Commons.

Spanish Immersion Program Information Night is schedule for February 11, 2015, 6:30-7:30 PM, Ordway

Portable D (For parents of pre-K-4th grade students).