Have a Voice in Our School District's
Future|
ISSUE: 7 |
|
January 30, 2007 |
WEBMASTER'S NOTE: Any reference to "sign-up forms" stated anywhere in the Backwood's News refers to forms located in the 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 out and sent to Northwood or you can volunteer by calling the office at 338-4900 or sending an email to this website. It will be forwarded to the appropriate person. When sending an email, please state "volunteer" in the subject line. You may email by clicking HERE.
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL.....
Believe it or not the holiday season is already a month behind us and the 3rd quarter is in full swing here at NWMS. We are in the stretch run between now and early March when the students will be taking ISAT tests and the staff continues to work hard at making sure our students are well prepared. ISAT tests will take place between Monday, March 3, 2008 and Friday, March 14th. We will not test on Monday, March 3rd but will have regularly scheduled tests on Tuesday through Thursday March 4th-6th and on Tuesday, March 11th. Friday, March 7th and Monday, March 10th, along with Wednesday through Friday March 12th, 13th and 14th will be used as make-up days. These tests are extremely important to both the school and the District in regards to Federal Mandates for Adequate Yearly Progress. Student attendance and being here on time is extremely important on these days. All tests, other than make-ups will be scheduled in the morning and should be completed before 11:15am. Therefore, if you need to pull your child out of school on any of the regular testing days for an appointment scheduling it in the afternoon would be greatly appreciated.
Educationally Your
Jake Wakitsch
CERFIFIED STAFF BIO......
In this edition the staff bio section focuses on the some of our 7th grade staff.....
Georgeann Mielnik
Position: 7th Grade Language Arts & Literature
Resides: Crystal Lake, Illinois
# Years in Education: 33 years
Spouses Name: Matthew
Pets: Boxer named Delia
Graduated From / Degrees:
Rosary College - Bachelor of Arts
Northeasten Illinois University - Master's Degree in Education - Reading
Favorite Sports Teams & Players: White Sox - Jim Thome
Interesting Tidbits: Has been a member of the 7th grade team for 21 years.
Tad Schubring
Position: 7th Grade Team Leader
Resides: Sharon, Wisconsin
# Years in Education: 9 years
Spouse's Name: Jenni
Children: Silas (6), Micah (4), and Sylvia (2)
Pets: Dog named "Reggie"
Graduated From / Degrees:
Elgin Community College - Associates in Art
Western Illinois University - BS in Education
Aurora University - Masters in Ed. - Leadership
Favorite Sports Teams & Players: Sugar Ray Leonard - Middle Weight Champion, Boxing
Interesting Tidbits: Mr. Schubring enjoys riding motorcycles, his favorite author is Rudyard Kipling, he was a U.S.N Fireman, enjoys playing Pacman or Asteroids with his wife and wrestling with his children.
Debbie Dechant
Position: 7th Grade Science & Language Arts Teacher
Resides: Woodstock, Illinois
# Years in Education: 1 year as a teacher and 21 years as a student, and still going
Spouses Name: Stan
Children: Norman (13), Neena (11)
Pets: Herbert the cat, Twister the rabbit several fish and looking for a dog
Graduated From / Degrees:
Northern Illinois University - BS in Human resources
North Park University - Teaching Certification and working on Masters
Favorite Sports Teams & Players: Chicago Bears and Northwood Warhawks
Interesting Tidbits: I have two sisters that also work for District 200 âÄì Kerrie Way in Human Resources and Tracy Cubert in Technology
PTO Needs Your Help
Northwood Middle School PTO needs your help. Recently, your child should have brought home a form detailing a contest the PTO is running for students where all they have to do is have parents fill out an information sheet to be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate (one per grade).The PTO is actively seeking volunteers to help with the 8th grade dance, 8th grade graduation, parent/teacher conference dinner for staff, as well as other events. The PTO is also seeking candidates for their Board Positions of President, Vice President and Secretary. If you are interested in helping in any capacity or running for office please contact Diana Huntley at (815) 337-8180 or join the PTO at their next meeting on February 20th at 7pm in the NWMS library. They are looking for any help that you can give so please step forward and help wherever you can, even if it is minimal. Any and all help is welcomed.
6th - 8th Grade Dance ($4.00 per student)
This Friday from 4-6pm student council will be hosting a dance for all NWMS students.
The Bells Are Ringing At Northwood
In an effort to increase instructional minutes, decrease student tardies to class, and decrease unstructured time spent in the hallways by students, which usually results in behavior problems, Northwood Middle School has installed bells within the building and we have been using them since our return from winter break. The administration has worked with the teachers and Team Leaders to make adjustments to the schedule where needed in order to make the transition to bells as effective as possible. Through our discussions we have found a need to adjust passing periods from 2 minutes to 3 minutes in order to allow students to make it to classes without being tardy. We have also discussed disciplinary consequences regarding tardies and have initiated the following: Tardies will start over at zero each quarter (except tardies to school) Tardies to school will continue to be dealt with in the office by the administration (5 tardies to school during the year equals a Saturday Detention) Tardies to each class will be handled by the teacher and team: 1 & 2 each quarter = Warning 3 & 4 each quarter = Consequence given by teacher & parent contact 5 and up = Referred to office for additional admin. consequences Your support of this policy is greatly appreciated. We have found that holding students accountable has greatly increased our instructional time and decreased behavior problems in the hallway.
Have a Voice in Our School District's
Future
District 200 is seeking input from parents on what the school districtâÄôs focus should be for the future. As part of a new community engagement process called âÄúVision 200âÄù, a series of focus group meetings will be held in February to hear what stakeholders think are the most important issues and challenges facing the District. The feedback from these focus groups will be used to create a new strategic plan which will define what we as a District want to be and accomplish in the next five years. Anyone who would like to share their thoughts and suggestions is encouraged to attend one of the following focus group sessions: Sat., Feb. 9 - 10:00-11:30 a.m. Verda Dierzen Early Learning Cntr. Mon., Feb. 11 - 7:00-8:30 p.m Prairiewood Elementary School Tues., Feb. 19 - 7:00-8:30 p.m. Creekside Middle School Feedback from the focus groups, as well as from the surveys conducted recently, will then be compiled and presented to a broad-based Strategic Planning Committee which will be formed in March to develop the actual plan.
HOMEWORK HOTLINE NUMERS & TEAM LEADERS
6th Grade - (815) 337-3257 & (815) 337-3258 - Rrivera@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us
7th Grade - (815) 337-3259 - TSchubring@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us
8th Grade - (815) 337-3261 - MWesley@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us
