Middle School Principal’s ReportMary Kay Thomas

October, 2011

Advisory:

We have approximately ten advisory classes in each grade. Students meet four times a week to work on team building skills, character education, and anti-bully or bully prevention during these times. Each grade provides for different activities during these times but they are consistent within the grade. The 8th grade advisory has some fun things planned in order to promote team building and acceptance. They are in the midst of a kickball tournament amongst advisories during their Friday wellness challenges. It is fun to see the advisory groups building community with their classmates while working toward a common goal. The 8th graders took personality tests as part of their character education. The results of the tests will help the students discover peers with similar personalities that they may not have spent time getting to know previously. They will also be doing activities that help students see strengths that each personality type possesses and the great results they get from building on each other’s strengths. Students and teachers will also be relating this to learning styles in order to help the students be more successful in classes based on the way each student brings in information and learns. Ms.Thomas is also meeting with our advisories during the month of October to discuss anti-bullying.

English Language Students:

On October 6, 2011, more than two million voices will call for an end to America's early education achievement gap by reading Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney – setting a world record in the process! Our fifth grade English Language class under the supervision of Kari Ehlers has partnered with United Way to have English Language students read to Marshall ECFE and ECSE classes.

After School Program and Project Success:

We currently have 60 students enrolled in Project Success grades 5-8. Students are participating in one hour of enriched instruction in individual classrooms. Following the enriched academic support, students can sign up to participate in a variety of activities like cooking, science projects, gym time, computer time, game room, and more. These activities provide the students with an opportunity to learn social skills such as: teamwork, friendship, responsibility, cooperation, and pride.

Once per month, students are invited to participate in a celebration where students who exhibit the three positive behavior traits of PRIDE, RESPONSIBILITY, & RESPECT are rewarded.

Middle School Student Council:

The Marshall Middle School 2011-2012 Student Council members are:

5th Grade: Yazmyn Azure, Jerad Nielsen, Spencer Ehlers, Mikayla Chesley, and Kaia Sueker

6th Grade: Lexie Dulas, Anni Lecy, Rae Critchley, Jesus Talmantes, and Garret Hoff

7th Grade: Samantha Giannelli, Mitchell Sueker, Kesmond Willert, Ashtin Hmielewski, and Maryan Osman

8th Grade: Brittany Krause, Janae Wood, Eden Deutz, Jackie Turner, and Isaac Marks

President: Jackie Turner, Vice President: Mitchell Sueker, Secretary: Rae Critchley, Treasurer: Kaia Sueker

The Middle School Student Council members have been busy this year. They distributed the Open-House posters to the downtown businesses on Friday, September 30th.

October 3rd – 7th Homecoming Week:

Students decided the dress-up days: Monday =Pajama day, Tuesday = Sports Day, Wednesday = You….20 years from now, Thursday = Funky Color Day (5th = Red, 6th = Green, 7th = Blue and 8th = Purple), and Friday = Tiger Pride Day.

On Friday the Student Council members face painted tiger paws in the cafeteria before school and host a Pep Fest for all 5-8 in the theater at 2:20. All fall athletes were recognized and two students from each sport shared what they enjoy about the sport and what their favorite thing about homecoming is. Selected members from the band played the school song, while the choir sang. The students that showed the most school spirit by dressing up were crowned prince and princess.

Tuesday, October 4th the Student Council members were greeting and taking the community members on Middle School tours.

Wednesday, October 5th Student Council members worked at the intermission table during the MAFAC concert. Proceeds from working the concert go towards purchasing Student Council t-shirts.

Ms. Chepa and Ms. Henn look forward to another great year working with the Student Council members.