Wilson’s Creek

1. Wilson’s Creek

2. Principal Mrs. Karyn Christy, Ed.D. Assistant to the Principal Ms. Brittany Mullen (Admin.)

3. PTA OFFICERS: • President: Daisy McCrary • Vice President: Wendy Swope • Secretary: Serena Woods • Treasurer: Casey Greenway

4. Our Mission The Wilson’s Creek Community is committed to the pursuit of academic and character excellence.

5. Celebrations! • Wilson’s Creek school is consistently ranked in the top schools in the entire SPS district for best student attendance!! • Our Grade-Level MAP scores are consistently among the best grade-level scores in the district! • Our Grade-Level discipline numbers are consistently among the best in the district.

6. Why W.C. students are so successful! • Students receive needed research-based guidance and support to be successful in Middle School. • We have over 12 teachers at each grade level to collaborate and support one another in providing the best education possible for our 5th and 6th graders! • With so many students at each grade level, they have many opportunities for new friendships! • During this adolescent time of changes physically and socially, they are able to learn new social skills that are age-appropriate with other students who are in their age bracket.

7. How this year will be different…. • Adolescents are: 1) Finding an Identity 2) Gaining Independence Defiance “feels” like independence

8. Changes in 6th graders: • Physical Changes- moody, cranky, tired • Emotional Changes- lots of ups and downs….happy, sad, confused • Social Changes- friends are very important • Intellectual Changes- questioning authority

9. Our responses to change: • More Team Activities • Cooperative Learning Activities • Teachers allow healthy snacks when possible • Social Activities for rewards • Outside at lunch when possible • Intramurals • Give choices whenever possible • Continue to teach social skills – Bully pamphlets this year. • CSI – Nicole Welch

10. Intramurals • Led by Chris Kohl • Activities will include: Volleyball Kickball Soccer Basketball Badminton Ultimate Frisbee

11. Art/Exploratory • The 6th grade art program at Wilson's Creek is cutting edge!  Our art program is focused on 21st Century learning and capabilities.  What makes our art program different this year?  We offer an Exploratory component that will allow every 6th grader the opportunity to seamlessly utilize technology in the visual art experience.  

12. Canvas- Online Access • Link on SPS website to Canvas • Sign on with Student ID and password ‘student’ • Go to Virtual Library • Access Math Books, Aleks (Math resource available to some students, and iready support and testing (will also be replacing Performance Testing this year).

13. Grades vs. Behavior • Clearer feedback on student learning – Behavior Rubric • Reporting separately on academics and behavior – Missing work support and consequences • Academic Honesty – Consequences and “Do it again, honestly.” • Pilot for all SPS middle schools- This year’s report card will list SPS standards and Behavior separate.

14. What did your family like most about the 6th  grade experience? “Seeing my son mature and being his own person.  He grew up and matured so much at Wilson’s Creek.  I think it helped so much because he had to be accountable and do things on his own. ”

15. What would you like to share with other parents that would help their journey go more smoothly? “Stay involved as much as you possibly can.  Ask your kids what is going on in class and assist them with their reading and homework.  Use the tools Wilson’s Creek provides such as the E-School and weekly newsletters from teachers so you can stay on top of your kids and ask questions if they have missing assignments.  Take part in the activities and help out in the class room if you can. ”

16. Parent E-mail [At Wilson’s Creek] students are involved in goal setting and tracking those goals.  I have noticed a distinct change in my son’s thought processes this year regarding goals and taking ownership of his own learning as well as accepting the consequences of his own choices.  While he may not recognize it for what it is, it is exciting to see him mature to another level in this way.

17. A student’s perspective!  My child, now a big 13 years old and a 7th grader at Cherokee made reference to Wilson’s Creek School. She says some of the work gets tough at Cherokee. Her comment,” thank goodness I received such excellent training from all my teachers (and staff) at Wilson’s creek”.“They made it easier for me to move ahead and made it fun to learn; even the hard stuff”.

18. Help Your Child Succeed in M.S. • Insist on daily attendance • See all midterm reports and report cards (Information on e-schoolplus will be forthcoming.) • Use rewards and consequences to encourage change • Help with organization and time management • Encourage independent problem-solving • STAY INVOLVED!!!

19. Volunteers! • PTA needs volunteers • Please let the PTA know if you are able to volunteer for activities or office help! • Wilson’s Creek staff need volunteers. • Background checks – First come first free….Must be completed online at SPS website. • Please contact your child’s teachers if you are able to volunteer.

20. Checklist Before You Leave • Did you: • Obtain your schedule? (Front Lobby) • Obtain your e-schoolplus password? (Library) • Visit your homeroom to be assigned a locker and complete an e-mail address card? • Choose from your child’s teacher’s wish list? • Purchase a planner? (APR) • Purchase a team T-shirt? (APR) • Put money on your lunch account? (APR) • Join PTA? (APR) • Find your bus route and pick-up location from transportation? ( 5th grade Hallway)

21. Returning Families Please complete your checklist Enjoy visiting your child’s classrooms! Locker “Practice”: Aug. 11, 2014… 5:30-7:30 pm See you on August 12th!

22. Love and Logic • Research based approach to parenting and teaching. Presents requests in a form of choices for the student. • Two Rules of Love and Logic 1) Adults set limits without anger, lectures, threats, or repeated warnings. 2) When children create problems, adults empathetically ask the child to solve the problems.

23. School Day • School Start Time: 8:45 • Students may be dropped off at 8:15 for breakfast • School End Time: 3:30 • SPARC program will be available before and after school • WINGS Program: Wednesdays

26. Walkers/Construction • Map with suggested route is available. • Walking Map Website: http://www.springfieldmo.gov/traffic/pdfs/data/walk_maps/WILSONCREEK.pdf

27. Lunch • Begins at 11:00 a.m. • Ends at 12:50 p.m. • Lunch is 30 minutes in length • Students will choose their own seats as long as behavior is appropriate • Please see lunchroom handout for prices. • Additional ala carte items will be available for sale.

28. Debit System • Allows payment in advance for meals and ala carte foods • Pre-payment in increments of $5, $10,$20 etc. can be made to the cafeteria • Account can be paid and viewed online

29. Daily Planner • To be carried with student at all classes • Should be utilized to record assignments/ activities • May be used for parent/teacher communication • Wilson’s Creek Planner and student handbook can be purchased in the APR for $7.00

30. Housekeeping Items • Students will have important papers go home on Mondays • Grade level newsletters will be sent electronically for those with e-mail address • Items will include: study guides, graded work • All students can view grades online- • Information on e-school plus will be forthcoming. • School brochures have e-mail addresses and school phone number for communication

31. Learning Work Policy • All work/homework from the previous day is due by 8:45 AM • The district recommends 60 minutes of homework for 6th graders. • The student is given one day for each day missed to make up work after returning from an illness before it becomes a missing assignment. • The W.C. school student handbook is in the student planner and has detailed information concerning all school procedures.

32. Locker Procedures • Lockers will be assigned today and the first day of school • Locker “Practice”: Aug. 11, 2014…5:30-7:30pm • Magnets are recommended. • Stickers and tape are not permitted in lockers

33. Class Newsletters • Teachers will distribute weekly newsletters • Please e-mail your child’s homeroom teacher as soon as possible allowing them to save your e-mail address. • Paper copies will be available as requested for those who do not have internet access • PTA will send a monthly school electronic or paper newsletter.

34. SPARC • Collaboration of SPS and Greene County Park Board for before and after school • Registration is required • Daily homework help/snack provided • Activities change every 6 weeks • Activities include intramural sports and clubs

35. SPARC Program Hours • 7:00-8:15 AM • 3:30-6:00 PM • Costs vary with individual needs

36. Websites Wilson’s Creek School: http://wilsonscreek.spsk12.org

37. ALERTNOW • Notification Service that will send telephone messages to you. • The Springfield School District and/or W.C. will use ALERTNOW to notify families of early dismissals, district-wide delays, and activity cancellations due to inclement weather.

38. Building Activities - Please proceed to the APR to buy a student planner and team t-shirt, put money on your lunch account, meet with SPARC, and sign up for PTA and order spirit wear! - Bus rider information will be located in the 5th grade hallway. • Teachers will be ready for you to join your child in their homeroom at: • - 6:00 pm (for the 5:30 pm orientation) • - 7:15 pm (for the 6:45 pm orientation)

39. Thank you for coming! Enjoy visiting your child’s classrooms! See you on August 12th!