AUGUST 2016Volume 19 Issue 1

For the Parents, Staff, & Community of Windy Hill Middle School

Mission Statement: To promote the love of learning through a partnership with the students, parents, teachers, and the community, for success in the 21st century.

Email: As a tool for communicating with your child’s teacher, we invite you to use our email system. Email addresses of all administrators, teachers and staff members of Windy Hill Middle School will be as follows: Last name, no space, first name initial (all lower case) @lake.k12.fl.us. Example: robertsw@lake.k12.fl.us.

Telephone NumbersWindy Hill Middle School. . . . . 352-394-2123School Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352-394-7901Lake County School Board.. . . . 352-253-6500Bus Transportation Dept. . . .352-253-6740 ext. 271

AdministrationWilliam Roberts

PrincipalKelly Cousineau

Assistant PrincipalAbby Crosby

Assistant PrincipalKeith Hunt

Assistant PrincipalRhonda Wolf

Assistant PrincipalSamantha Moberg

6th Grade Guidance CounselorGretchen Buczkowski

7th Grade Guidance CounselorCaroline O’Connor

8th Grade Guidance CounselorConnon Rutledge

ESE SpecialistJacqueline Arthurs

Media SpecialistKelli Croft

Media SpecialistJane Boyack

Social Worker

From Your Principal

Welcome back Wolves! We are very excited about the start of the 2016-17 school year and hope everyone had a restful and relaxing summer break! As we embark on this new school year, I would like to share with you some of the important changes happening on The Hill! First, the school day has been shortened by 10 minutes, meaning school will end at 4:00 PM each day, and 3:00PM on Wednesdays. The start of school will stay the same, with the first bell ringing at 9:15 AM and the late bell ringing at 9:20 AM. This also means an adjustment has been made to our bell schedule which can be found on the school website. In our revised bell schedule, we now have increased class change to 5 minutes, giving our students sufficient opportunities to visit their lockers. Therefore, we have also revised our backpack practice, and students may now bring their backpack to school and leave it in their locker. Students can still use a cinch sack around campus, but the backpacks must stay in the locker. In addition, as we continue to make learning personal at Windy Hill, we will be focusing on the book “The Growth Mindset” with our teachers, students, and parents. The growth mindset is a way of thinking that allows individuals to harness their fullest potential through an emphasis on hard work and effort. We will accomplish this through goal setting and giving our students ownership in the learning process. We look forward to recognizing students throughout the year for working hard, seeing the growth they have made from the start of the year, and reaching the goals they have set for themselves. Finally, the team at Windy Hill would like to keep you abreast of the happenings on The Hill, and we have multiple communication tools to keep our families involved. I will conduct a telephone callout nearly each week, so please ensure your phone number on file is correct. Also, Windy Hill has a Twitter handle, WindyHillWolves, so be sure to follow us on Twitter! Our school website, which can be found at www.lake.k12.fl.us/whm, is always a great source of information you can access to find out more. The QR-code below will also provide access to the Windy Hill website. I look forward to working with our families to make this the best school year yet. If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school! Remember, at Windy Hill, we are ONE PACK!

Respectfully,

William P. RobertsPrincipal

Websitewww.lake.k12.fl.us

Click on SchoolsSelect Windy Hill Middle

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Schedule Pickups

Skyward

‘Wolf Tracks’August 2016

Published Five Times Per YearWindy Hill Middle School

3575 Hancock Rd.Clermont, FL 34711

Issue # 1

LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS2016—2017 STUDENT CALENDAR

(180 DAYS)

August 10 First Day of Classes (Wednesday) 16 daysFirst Grading Period Begins (Wednesday)

September 5 Labor Day / Student Holiday (Monday) 21 daysOctober 14 End of First Grading Period (Friday) 10 days Total 47 DaysOctober 17 Non-Student Day / Teacher Work Day (Monday)October 18 Classes Resume (Tuesday) 10 days

Second Grading Period Begins (Tuesday)November 11 Veteran’s Day / Student Holiday (Friday) 16 daysNovember 21-25 Thanksgiving Holiday / Student Holiday (Monday-Friday)

(Monday – Tuesday / Storm Make-Up Days)December 21 End of Second Grading Period (Wednesday) 15 days Total 41 DaysDecember 22-31 Winter BreakJanuary 1-3 Winter BreakJanuary 4 Classes Resume (Wednesday) 19 days

Third Grading Period Begins (Wednesday)January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday / Student Holiday (Monday)February 20 Presidents’ Day / Student Holiday (Monday) 19 daysMarch 10 End of Third Grading Period (Friday) 8 days Total 46 DaysMarch 13-17 Spring Break (Monday-Friday)March 20 Non-Student Day / Teacher Work Day (Monday)March 21 Classes Resume (Tuesday) 9 days

Fourth Grading Period Begins (Tuesday)

April 14 Non-Student Day (Friday) 19 days(Storm Make-Up Day)

May 24 Last Day of Classes (Wednesday) 18 days Total 46 DaysStudent Days1st Nine Weeks – 472nd Nine Weeks – 413rd Nine Weeks – 464th Nine Weeks – 46Total 180

Students will be able to pick up their new schedules on Monday, August 8th at the following times: • 6th Grade – 10:00 – 11:30 AM• 7th and 8th Grades – 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Through the Family Access portal, parents/guardians and students will have the ability to view student grades, attendance, and other data. Parents and guardians of students who attend Lake County Schools are encouraged to create a Family Access account. To enroll in the Family Access account please visit www.lake.k12.fl.us. Accounts for Windy Hill students who enrolled in Family Access during the 2015-16 school year will continue to be active.

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2016-2017 Bell Schedule

Dress Code Policy

Car Pick-Up and Drop-Off Area

The pick-up/drop-off area is at the back of the school and is accessed by turning in to the south driveway. Students may not be dropped off or picked up in front of the school unless arriving early (8:25) for detention. The front of the school is for buses only.

General Rules:1. For their safety, students are not to be dropped off before 8:55AM when supervisors are present.2. All parents must be in the single-file car line to pick up or drop off students. Please do not pass other cars in line

as this creates a safety hazard. 3. Parents will follow the line of cars to the canopy/yellow curb area. Students may not enter or exit cars in any area

except the canopy/yellow curb area. This area includes the sidewalk before the canopy. 4. The first driver in line should pull up to the far end of the canopy/yellow curb area. Drivers should not stop until

their vehicle is reasonably close to the vehicle ahead of them.5. In the afternoon, students will be watching for their parents and will walk to their car when parents get to the

canopy area. Students must wait on the sidewalk in the canopy area and may not cross into the parking lot area to meet parents. Students may not re-enter the school. Appropriate behavior is expected, and students must obey staff members at all times.

6. Occasionally, there may be a problem resulting in a long wait time for a driver. In that case, the driver will be directed by a staff member to wait in the adjacent parking lot. In this instance, a student crossing to the parking lot must cross with the assistance of a staff member on duty.

7. If students are not picked up by 4:15 (3:15 Wednesday), they will be taken to administration in the front office to wait.

Thank you for understanding and cooperating with us for the safety of our students and your children. If you have any questions please call the front office.

Teal and Black WeeksWHMS 2016-2017

“Teal and Black” ScheduleTeal Class Period Order = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Black Class Period Order = 6, 5, 3, 4, 2, 1Aug. 10-12 Teal Jan. 4-6 TealAug. 15-19 Teal Jan. 9-13 BlackAug. 22-26 Black Jan. 17-20 TealAug. 29 – Sept. 2 Teal Jan. 23-27 BlackSept. 6-9 Black Jan. 30-Feb. 3 TealSept. 12-16 Teal Feb. 6-10 BlackSept. 19-23 Black Feb. 13-17 TealSept. 26-30 Teal Feb. 21-24 BlackOct. 3-7 Black Feb. 27-Mar. 3 TealOct. 10-14 Teal Mar 6-10 BlackOct. 18-21 Black Mar. 21-24 TealOct. 24-28 Teal Mar. 27-31 BlackOct. 31-Nov. 4 Black Apr. 3-7 TealNov. 7-10 Teal Apr. 10-13 BlackNov. 14-18 Black Apr. 17-21 TealNov. 28-Dec. 2 Teal Apr. 24-28 BlackDec. 5-9 Black May 1-5 TealDec. 12-16 Teal May 8-12 BlackDec. 19-21 Black May 15-19 Teal

May 22-24 Black

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday9:20 AM – 4:00 PM

09:15 09:20 10:15 10:20 11:10

Warning BellFirst/Sixth and AnnouncementsSecond/Fifth

A LUNCH B LUNCH C LUNCH D LUNCH11:15—11:45 Lunch11:50—12:45 3rd12:45—_1:15 X-Blk

11:15—11:45 X-Blk 11:45—12:15 Lunch 12:20—_1:15 3rd

11:15—12:15 3rd 12:15—12:45 Lunch12:50—_1:15 X-Blk

11:15—11:45 Lunch11:50—12:45 3rd12:45—_1:15 X-Blk

1:20 2:10 2:15 3:05 3:10 4:00

Fourth PeriodFifth/SecondSixth/First

Wednesday9:20 AM – 3:00 PM

09:15 09:20 10:00 10:05 10:45

Warning BellFirst/Sixth and AnnouncementsSecond/Fifth

A LUNCH B LUNCH C LUNCH D LUNCH10:45—11:15 Lunch11:20—12:15 3rd12:15—12:45 X-Blk

10:45—11:15 X-Blk 11:15—11:45 Lunch 11:50—12:45 3rd

10:45—11:45 3rd 11:45—12:15 Lunch12:20—12:45 X-Blk

10:45—11:15 3rd 11:20—12:15 X-Blk12:15—12:45 Lunch

12:50 1:30 _1:35 2:15 _2:20 3:00

Fourth PeriodFifth/SecondSixth/First

Windy Hill Middle School follows the Lake County School Board Dress Code. The approved Dress Code policy can be found on-line in the Students Code of Conduct and has remained the same for the 2016-17 school year. To review the policy prior to the beginning of school, you may log on to the county website at the following: www.lake.k12.fl.us, Departments à Safe Schools à Student Discipline à Student Code of Conduct.

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Lady Wolves Volleyball 2016 Season

The Transition to Middle School: Tips for Parents

Making Learning Personal on the Hill

change lines for spread back

Students entering middle school are experiencing a tremendous amount of change. Just a few months ago, they had only one or two teachers. Now they may have seven or eight. Their bodies are growing and developing every day. Added to the equations are the hormones and emotions that accompany the physical changes. When added together, all of this can create the perfect storm for unrest at home and at school. Although they are beginning to look like adults, middle school students still need parental and adult guidance and assistance. Here are a few tips for parents and care givers as they navigate the middle school years.Require Use of Agenda as Assignment Notebook Windy Hill students will be given an Agenda planner at the beginning of the school year. Parents can require their students to record all homework assignments in the agenda and then check it for accountability.Read Course Syllabi Parents should read each course syllabus. This will often provide information about classroom policies and expectations and timelines for major projects and assignments.Check Homework Parents should check to see that homework assignments are being completed properly, thoroughly, and in a timely fashion. Students who spend a little time every day on each class save a great deal of stress and time the night before a test or an assignment due date.Designate a Study Time and Place Work with your student to pick a time and place where school work should be completed every day. Getting in an expected routine helps students manage their time and reduces the battle to begin working. Study areas should be free from distractions and should have a study survival kit available.Create a Study Survival Kit This kit should contain pens, pencils, paper, scissors, and any other supplies necessary for completing assignments. Having all of these materials in one place will keep students from wasting time looking for them.Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Communicate with your student’s teachers by phone or email. See the front of this newsletter for information on how to email each of the teachers. Introduce yourself to them at Open House or Meet the Teacher events. Let them know how to contact you if ever they have a question or concern. Also communicate with your student. Although they are growing up and peer relationships often take a higher priority for them than family relationships, it is important the students know that you are available to talk to them and listen when they need it.

For the 2016-2017 school year, Windy Hill Middle School will continue to progress on our pathway to making learning personal in our classrooms. In addition to elevating and continuing our Year One goal of building a personalized culture, WHMS will be focusing on personalizing the classroom curriculum throughout all core content areas and electives. This means that instruction will focus on students’ personal needs and data analysis for mastery of the Florida Standards and skills. Teachers have been working diligently over the course of Year One and throughout the summer months to ensure that personalized units are ready for the upcoming school year. The administration team, teachers, and staff look forward to highlighting the happenings of our classrooms as we strive to make learning personalized for all students. With nearly 50% of our classrooms making learning personal in the 2015-16 school year combined with top scores in the county based on FSA Data, we look forward to continuing this phenomenal success.

The 2016 season will begin with three weeks of intramurals held in the WHMS gym from 7:00am to 8:45am. Intramurals will serve to condition athletes, but also to offer coaching and clinic in fundamental volleyball skills. At the end of intramurals, coaches will hold two try-out days. Athletes will be evaluated using a rubric on core volleyball skills. The athletes with the top rubric scores will be selected for the 2016 traveling team. Coach Fagan and Coach Benner encourage any 6th, 7th, and 8th graders interested in participating to attend intramurals and the informational meeting (date is forthcoming, listen to morning announcements and watch for postings). Only athletes with a completed eligibility packet will be permitted to attend and participate in intramurals and try-outs. For more detailed information please review the volleyball informational flyer and the pre-season presentation posted on the school website under Athletics à Volleyball (G) à Volleyball Resources. One Pack!

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Eighth Grade Bon Voyage

Attention 8th Graders!

Windy Hill Cinch Sacks

change lines for spread back

Cafeteria News

High School Courses

You are invited to take an amazing trip to Washington D.C. in March of 2017. Spend three days and two nights exploring our nation’s capital. See such sights as the White House, Mount Vernon, and the Lincoln Memorial. Explore the Capitol building, the Smithsonian, and the Holocaust Museum. Trip includes hotel accommodations, round trip airfare, sightseeing transportations, all meals, and all admission fees. Registration requires a non-refundable deposit of $99. A flexible payment plan is available for the remaining balance. For further information visit www.worldstridesdiscovernow.org. An informational meeting for parents and students will be held in September on the WHMS campus. A callout will be made regarding specific date and time for the meeting. Can’t wait? Contact Mrs. Lindsey-Zahn at lindsayl@lake.k12.fl.us.

Windy Hill students will be permitted to use the WHMS Cinch Sacks or any other appropriate drawstring cinch sack this school year. Students will be allowed to carry the cinch sacks to classes during the day. The WHMS Cinch Sack is available for purchase only at Windy Hill Middle School and will be available for purchase at schedule pick-up, at Wolf Camp, and on the first day of school. The cost is $10 per bag.

Dear Parent, If your child has been scheduled in at least one of the high school courses listed below for the 2016-2017 school year, it is important that you are aware that this is a high school course for which high school credit will be awarded upon completion of the course. The student’s earned grade, pass or fail, will become part of the high school transcript and will be counted toward overall grade point average. Middle school students who take high school courses may repeat the course for grade forgiveness if they make a C or below. Middle school students who find themselves performing poorly in high school courses and want to be withdrawn from the class so the lower grade is not reflected on their high school transcript must be withdrawn before the designated date. If the students wished to withdraw from a high school course after the semester grades have been recorded, the withdrawal will be permitted but the high school course grade will remain on their official transcript. The student will then be placed into an appropriate class based on the county flow charts. Their final grade for the new course will be calculated based on the grade from the starting course and the grades made in the new class from that point forward. The pace of high school course requirements, homework, testing, and other class activities are demanding. This is a credit-earning course and will be subject to the same requirements as the course being taught at the high school. This is an excellent opportunity for a students to get a head start on their high school requirements but will require a concentrated effort on the part of the student to be successful in the course. Please do not hesitate to contact the teacher for additional information and assistance during the school year.High school credit courses taught at Windy Hill Middle School are: Algebra I Spanish I Spanish II Algebra I Honors Introduction to Information Technology

Eighth Grade Bon Voyage such a huge success, and WHMS would like to thank the following business partners for donations that helped to make that happen. Our 8th grade students had a fun afternoon of great food, games, staff talent show and dance. Your donations of food, prizes, gift cards and gift certificates lifted the excitement level of the day way over the top. Thank you again for your generous donations.Affinity Day Spa Gosslin Realty Roe Family ChiropracticAsh Travel Helton Law Firm Showcase of CitrusBJ’s Wholesale Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School South Lake Window TintingChick-Fil-A Logan’s Roadhouse Wal-MartChili’s Orlando Eye Walt Disney WorldClermont Herb & Day Spa Pirate’s Town WaWaColleen Donlevy-Burns Realtor Publix Wonder WorksEpic Theaters Ritter’s Frozen Custard

Manage your student’s lunch account from home. Student lunch price is $2.15 each day and breakfast is $1.25. Find out what they are eating, how much they are spending each day, and refresh their accounts all from home. You can even control how much they spend each day and what they are allowed to buy. Just go to http://www.mylunchmoney.com.

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BYOD Scheduled to Begin on August 24th

Take Action Now!

Todos los estudiantes entrando al séptimo grado deben recibir la vacuna Tdap. Los estudiantes no podrán empezar la escuela en agosto sin esta vacuna. Por favor envíenos una copia del certificado de vacunación actual de su niño/a (formulario FL 680) mostrando que ha recibido la vacuna Tdap. Usted puede traer el formulario de vacuna a la escuela o puede enviarlo por fax al 352-394-7901 con atención Departamento de Consejería.

All students must receive their Tdap vaccination before entering 7th grade and will not be allowed to start school in August without it. Please send in a copy of your child’s current immunization certificate (FL 680 Form) showing they have had the Tdap vaccination. You may bring it to the school or you can fax it to 352-394-7901 Attn. Guidance.

Fellow Wolves, The goal for both Lake County Schools and the Windy Hill Middle School’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program is to create a technology-rich 21st century learning environment for our students. During the first week of school, each student will receive the Windy Hill Middle School BYOD contract. Our teachers will be reviewing, explaining, and answering questions about the BYOD plan and contract. Please take time to review the contract with your child and initial and sign completely. Students with completed and submitted contracts will be allowed to begin bringing their devices on August 24, 2016. Students and parents will be reminded about the BYOD date shortly before then. We also have a BYOD dedicated page on the Windy Hill website which can be found at www.lake.k12.fl.us/whm à Student Tech Links.

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WHMS Performing Arts Prepares for Another Historic Year

Following last year’s record setting season, which included 6 main stage theatre productions and multiple sold out choir performances, Theatre WHMS and the WHMS Power Choirs are preparing another amazing year of family entertainment. The WHMS Power Choirs will open the year at the annual Prism Concert on Thursday, September 29 at 6:00pm. The concert will be held on the campus of Real Life in Clermont and will feature performances from Lost Lake Elementary, Windy Hill Middle and East Ridge High. As always, the WHMS Power Choirs are excited to participate in this performance. The Power Choir is expected to perform ‘Lacrimosa’ from Mozart’s Requiem in dedication to the victims and families of the recent Orlando tragedy. Theatre WHMS is kicking off a season which includes a mix of old and new Broadway classics. In November, bring the family to see one of the most beloved musicals of all time, The Wizard of Oz. Including the timeless songs we all know like ‘Over the Rainbow’ this is a perfect show for all ages. In December, Theatre WHMS will help you get into the holiday mood with Elf the Musical. Based on the popular film, this performance will have you laughing and singing your way through the holidays. Finally, the WHMS Power Choirs will wrap up December with the annual Winter Processional. This performance will include all of the WHMS choral groups en masse with power of 150+ singers, a guest narrator, and music of the season that is perfect to get you into the spirit of the season. In other words, it’s perfect for the entire family. Don’t be left out and don’t miss these great performances. Many of these productions are expected to sell out so reserve your seats early to avoid being turned away. Contact Mr. T, the Director of Theatre and Choirs to discuss tickets for these events at tarquinem@lake.k12.fl.us or by calling the school.

A few spots are left!

We need you!

Advertise in the Wolfs Tracks!

This is a wonderful way for your company

to get community recognition and exposure,

and at the same time help support your local schools!

Kerri McCulloughMcculloughK@lake.k12.fl.usWindy Hill Middle School

School Board of Lake CountyWindy Hill Middle School201 W. Burleigh Blvd.Tavares, FL 32778-2496

Non - Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PAID

Orlando, FLPermit # 2346

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AVID Announcements

National Junior Honors Society

We have a new AVID teacher! Congratulations go out to Miss Ella Gibson who, along with three other teachers, attended the AVID Summer Institute in Orlando, Florida. Also trained in AVID strategies were Julia Martin, 8th grade social studies; Brenda Mendoza, Spanish; and Rhonda Wolf, Assistant Principal. We are sad to see Ms. Rangel leave; however, our former wolves who are now East Ridge Knights will be excited to see her as the AVID teacher at the high school! The Summer Institute is designed to train teachers and administration with the AVID strategies and best classroom practices by changing their role from teacher to student in order to achieve the highest levels of student growth and achievement. As our AVID family of teachers has grown via this institute which means that even more of our Windy Hill students will have access to learning strategies and skills in the classroom that will help them to continue to grow as students, and, more importantly, become LIFELONG learners. The AVID program at WHMS is focused on creating a base for success for our students as they transition into middle school, high school, and beyond. This fall will be the 8th year that WHMS has embraced the AVID program, and its growth and success continue to be the driving forces behind the program implementation. Although AVID requires students to engage in a much more rigorous curriculum, the students themselves are self-motivated and driven to succeed. With increased academic rigor and a demand of high expectations inside and outside the classroom, it is safe to say that AVID class is no walk in the park. Struggle is expected, frustration is recurring, and hardships will likely arise, but success and growth academically and emotionally are two undeniable benefits that will impact our students for the rest of their lives. If your child is self-motivated and driven to succeed and you or your child are interested in the AVID program, please feel free to contact Miss Gibson via email (gibsone@lake.k12.fl.us) or fill out the application found on the Windy Hill webpage and send it to her attention at WHMS. AVID is always looking for new students who are willing to work to get what they want and AVID will help them do it!

Looking to join a club? Look no further! The National Junior Honor Society will be having an informational meeting in mid-August. Listen to morning announcements and watch for posters with specific dates and times. Parents will also be welcome to attend. See you there!