WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
News and Notes
October 10, 2008

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ACUITY REPLACES BENCHMARKS PROGRAM

·          Acuity is the assessment program replacing Benchmarks.

·          Acuity involves all West Middle School students in grades 6-8 in the subjects of math, language arts, social studies (grade 7), and science (grade 6).

·          The first Acuity assessment will be given in math and language arts at the end of September/first of October.

·          Target groups will be assigned based upon assessment data.  West staff will be able to target students needing additional help on an essential skill.

Features of Acuity:

·          On-line Formative Assessments aligned with state standards for LA, Math, Science, and Social Studies

·          Designed to mirror the blueprint of the ISTEP+

·          Indicate future student performance on the ISTEP+ (after the 1^st year)

·          Measures progress over time using scaled scores

·          Multiple choice and open-ended constructive responses will also be given.

MORGAN COUNTY FLOOD RELIEF CONCERT:  NOVEMBER 1, 2008

  On June 7, 2008, a 500-year flood devastated central Indiana. Morgan County was severely impacted with over two-thousand households being affected and several neighborhoods being totally wiped out.  The total number of children and adults being impacted is between 6,000 and 8,000.  The financial impact is in the millions of dollars.  Being a rural county, Morgan County does not have the financial resources that many surrounding counties and communities have.  Therefore, concerned citizens have joined together to create the Morgan County Flood Relief Concert, which will be Saturday, November 1, 2008, in the John R. Wooden Gymnasium at Martinsville High School.  The Committee has contracted nationally known entertainers for this event.

  Tracy Lawrence, Jimmy Wayne, Bryan White, Darby Ledbetter, and Bigg Country will perform for the Morgan County Flood Relief Concert on Saturday, November 1.    General Admission Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25.00 at Martinsville West Middle School or at Ticketmaster.com.  Tickets at the door on the night of the concert will be $30.00.  On Saturday, October 4, 2008, five-hundred Reserved/VIP floor seats will go on sale at 10:00 A.M., in the West Middle School Cafeteria.  First Row Reserved/VIP floor seats for the Flood Relief Concert are $100.00 each; Second Row Reserved/VIP floor seats are $75.00 each; Third Row Reserved/VIP floor seats and beyond are $50.00 each.

  Through the Morgan County Community Foundation, the profits from the concert event will be distributed in an equitable manner to help pay for necessities and basic needs for citizens of Morgan County.  There are hundreds of individuals who are homeless and their FEMA money has been exhausted.  It is estimated that it will take three years to recover from this flood.  The funds earned from the Morgan County Flood Relief Concert will help bridge the gap between emergency relief and long term recovery.

CHOIR CONCERT

EAST / WEST DANCE and FOOTBALL GAME

    On Tuesday, October 14, 6:00-8:00 P.M., West Middle will host the annual East/West dance in the gymnasium.  The admission cost is $3.00. The annual East/West football game is, Tuesday, October 21, at West Middle football field with the 7^th grade team beginning at 5:00 P.M.  This fun, competitive event is always a hit with the community.  WCBK and WREP, channel 15, will be in attendance as well. 

SPELL BOWL COMPETITION

   Spell Bowl participated in competition at Franklin Community Middle School.  Spellers were:  Thomas Janssen, Ambra Wolfe,
Trenton Baker, Sammy Hansen, Ellie Perry, Ashley Daniel,
Benjamin Janssen, and Carrie Schnaiter. 
  Team leaders of the night were Benjamin and Thomas Janssen. Benjamin had all of the team members "biting their nails" as he had a 6/6 rally in round seven.  Junior Division rookies Ambra, Trenton, Sammy, Ellie, Ashley, Benjamin, and Carrie all gained great experience at their first meet and also spelled very well.
West ended the night with a score of 36.   
  Our next competition is Wednesday, October 15, at Martinsville High School, 6:00 P.M. Come out and cheer on the team as they spell to victory!   Score-Keepers: Stacie Wininger, and Sean Lamar, Coach- Ms. Mitchell, Awesome Proctor: Mrs. Brinegar.

CHARACTER COUNTS

  The featured character pillar for the month of September was Respect.  Examples of Respect are: students treating others with respect; following the Golden Rule; being tolerant of others, using good manners; using no bad language; and being considerate of others’ feelings. The following students were awarded the honor of representing West Middle School for their display of Respect in September: 

Jayme Able, Kristen Davis, Sydney Gravelin, Jodi Hicks, Benjamin  Janssen, Cole Mitchell, Karolyn Parker, Casey Parson, Ellie Perry, and Mina Tobeck.

   We appreciate all of these students’ efforts in helping to make West Middle School a great place where teachers can teach and students can learn.  Mrs. Selch is the West Middle School Character Counts Coordinator.

8^th GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
 ~ EXTENDED  REGISTRATION  DEADLINE ~

  Millions of caring parents have trusted World Strides to help enrich their children’s lives through their unique hands-on learning experiences.  World Strides Leaders have the right blend of local and historical expertise to bring history of Washington, D.C. to life.  Martinsville’s East Middle and West Middle Schools have planned their trip to Washington D.C. for Saturday, May 30, 2009, through Monday, June 1, 2009.  The non-refundable registration fee of $79 is due by Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.  The cost of the trip is $929, quad occupancy.  To speak with World Stride customer service department, call 1-800-468-5899 or visit their website:  www.worldstrides.org/customerservice    Eighth grade students interested in participating should pick up an information packet in the front office. 

PRE-ORDER YEARBOOKS

 A WMS yearbook is a 72-page, hardback keepsake for all students.  The price begins at $26.50.  Pre-Ordering is the ONLY way a student can get his/her name on the cover of the book.  The last day for ordering is November 30^th.  Below are the ways to secure your WMS yearbook.
1)  Place your order on our secure website at www.yearbookordercenter.com.  Enter order #0532.
2)  Place your order by calling the toll-free number of Herff Jones at 1-866-287-3096, MON-FRI, 8am-5pm Central Time.
3)  Send your payment to Herff Jones through the mail.

DRUG-FREE CLUB

  The Drug Free Club will meet on Monday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 21, 2:30-4:00 P.M., to plan for Red Ribbon Week.  Please meet Ms. Lawson and Ms. Forler, club sponsors, in room 4.  October 22 – 25 is Red Ribbon week, which the Drug Free club organizes.