WEBMASTER'S NOTE:
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printed copy of this newsletter and not to the electronic copy you
are now reading. Forms found in the hard printed copy can be filled
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FROM THE DESK OF THE
PRINCIPAL.....
Thanksgiving break has come
and gone, winter break is a mere three weeks away and before we know
it we will be starting a new year (2008). With this fast pace time of
year comes many great moments; spending time with family, attending
parties and celebrations, putting up decorations, and shopping for
the holidays, just to name a few. However, it also makes for hectic
schedules, time away from routines and difficulty shuffling
priorities. As a result of all the excitement, I have historically
seen that some students struggle to get their homework completed and
keep their grades up over the next 6-8 weeks and I would hate to see
this happen to your child.
How can you help avoid this problem? Here are just a few tips to help
you stay on top of your childâÄôs progress during this
holiday season. Be sure to check their grades using the HOME ACCESS
program that is available on the District Website. Although it may be
difficult try and keep daily routines as much as possible, including
a homework time. Be sure to check their homework regularly for
completeness, as well as quality. Finally, donâÄôt
hesitate to contact their teachers should you have questions or
concerns.
Remember, It's Never Too Late To Get Involved! If youâÄôve
never or rarely taken a very active role in your childâÄôs
education, you may wonder if you are too late. You're not! It's never
too late for you to become more involved in your child's education.â
"When schools work together with families to support learning,
children tend to succeed not just in school, but throughout life"
says Anne Henderson, who spent more than 30 years studying parent
involvement in education. The Middle School years are an important
time to become involved because parental guidance is a key to
developing a successful student. Many years of research shows that
Parent Involvement Produces
1. Higher Grades and Test Scores
2. Better Attendance & Greater Homework Completion Rates
3. More Positive Attitudes Toward School
4. Better Behavior
5. Higher Graduation Rates
6. Increased Enrollment in Education after High School
Get involved and make a difference in your childâÄôs
education. They need your support and help in order to reach their
full potential and be as successful as possible.
Educationally Your
Jake Wakitsch
CERFIFIED STAFF
BIO......
In this edition the staff
bio section focuses on the some of our 6th grade
staff.....
Sean
Ory
Position: 6th
Grade Math
Resides: Woodstock, Illinois
# Years in
Education: 12
years
Pets: Fish - Buddy II
Graduated From / Degrees:
NIU - Bachelor
of Science in Mathematics
Aurora University - Masters
in Curriculum & Teaching
Favorite Sports Teams &
Players: Chicago Bulls &
White Sox - Luol Deng and Ben Gordon
Interesting
Tidbits: My first name is
Sean, my middle name is Patrick, I was born on St. Patrick's Day. I
have red hair ... I am NOT Irish.
Therese
Ferrara
Position: 6th
Grade Math and Social Studies
Resides: Round Lake, Illinois
# Years in
Education: 2nd
year
Pets: 4 yr. old Boxer and Yellow Lab named Dakoda and a 1
yr old Cockapoo named Halas
Graduated From /
Degrees:
University of
Illinois - Bachelor's Degree
Favorite Sports Teams &
Players: Chicago White Sox -
Mark Buehrie; Chicago Bears - Devin Hester
Interesting
Tidbits: I can ride a Unicycle
and I have been to Brian Urlacher's house.
Katie
Spaldon
Position: 6th
Grade Science
Resides: Woodstock, Illinois
# Years in
Education: 10 years, 9 at
NMS
Pets: 2 cats, a Miniature Schnauzer and a Bermese Mountain
Dog
Graduated From /
Degrees:
Illinois College
- Bachelor's Degree
National Louis University -
Master's degree
Favorite Sports Teams &
Players: Go Cubbies and Da
Bears
Interesting
Tidbits: I love vegetable
gardening in the summer, canning in the fall, and sewing enteries for
the county fair in the winter and spring.
PTO
CORNER
The PTO needs you to get
involved. Currently we are still seeking people to fill our open
President and Secretary positions, as well as people to get involved
through joining or helping with certain committees and
events. Therefore, we are going to be holding a PTO meeting to
discuss upcoming events, and recruit people to help keep the NWMS PTO
up and running. Please join us:
When: Thursday, January 17, 2008
Time: 7:00pm<
Location: NWMS Library
Blitz Study
Halls
Currently, Northwood Middle
School has begun running Instructional "Blitz" Study Halls at both
6th and 7th grades for
selected students. These study halls are designed to help students
who are just below or just at the "meets standards" category in
regards to "AYP" or annual yearly progress on state tests. We use our
own MAP, measures of academic progress test scores, along with ISAT
scores from last March to determine which students to place in these
programs. These instructional programs are designed to help these
students gain additional instruction and support in the areas that
are tested on the state ISAT tests. These study halls are a part of
the NWMS School Improvement Plan to help us meet our goal of making
"AYP" in all subgroups on the state tests.
Starting in December, we will also be piloting a computer based
program called "Study Island" for our 8th grade students
to help them with additional instruction, preparation and support for
the ISAT tests. This program is designed in alignment with the state
tests and state standards and is web based so students can use it
both at school and at home. Each 8th grade student
will be assigned a login and password that will allow them to access
the program from any computer that has the internet.
20 Second Moment of
Silence
We have had a few parents ask
why we are doing a 20 second moment of silence each morning after we
say the Pledge of Allegiance so I wanted to clarify for parents why
this is happening. The legislature in the state of Illinois
officially approved a bill back in September that requires all
Illinois Public Schools to have a moment of silence each day for
self-reflection.
Holiday Break
I would like to remind all
parents that the last day of student attendance before winter break
will be on Friday, December 21st. Classes will
resume on Monday, January 7th. The Northwood
Middle School building and office will be closed throughout the
entire winter break with the exception being for any athletic
practices that may be scheduled in the gymnasium. Individual coaches
will give specific dates and times regarding any practices they may
schedule over the winter break to their players.
