Middle School Division News: September 19, 2024

By Dr. Jenn Milam, Head of School & Interim Middle School Division Head

If I’ve written what I’m about to share with you once, I’ve written it one hundred times - it is a Middle School student’s job to push boundaries! They will challenge directions, balk when you ask them to do something around the house, roll their eyes if you correct a poor choice, and yes, even sometimes do deliberately what we ask them not to do. It’s THEIR JOB! 

Biologically, they are hard-wired to be self-centered, protective, and have an inherent negative bias. In cave people times, young people were hunting, gathering, essentially just a younger adult - no one was doing their laundry for them, packing their lunch, or driving them to their latest activity. And all of these biologically programmed dispositions and traits, helped to keep them alive and being eaten by bears! No, really! 

And while boundary pushing is normal and to be expected - it does not make it appropriate! Just because something is relatively “normal” does not make it the right thing to do. In short, being selfish, not being a good friend, holding negative views of others, and speaking those out loud, are some things that (while normal), are not appropriate in a social setting like school.

Now that our back-to-school honeymoon is wearing off, I’d appreciate your partnership in reinforcing what it means to be respectful, kind, a good friend to others, and yes, even how to not like someone. We don’t all have to be friends in our small school - but we all MUST treat each other in a way that honors our inherent dignity and personhood. 

More specifically, please review our Winston Student Handbook, and let your students know that inappropriate language, mean-spirited comments, racially-biased/discriminatory commentary, teasing, and any other form of hurtful language and/or behavior is not tolerated at Winston. We will always do our best to teach at school what is right, and we rely on your partnership to reinforce those shared values at home as members of our Winston community. 

Thank you, in advance, for your partnership in raising fantastically kind and caring young people!

A LOOK AHEAD 

TODAY is North Texas Giving Day!
Join the Winston community and others in North Texas in our most exciting day of philanthropic giving to organizations with which you share a passion! We’d love to be the beneficiary of your gift, and will also be grateful for the organizations, non-profits, or community partners that benefit from your generosity. 

TOMORROW! Middle School goes to Arlington Skatium
The Middle School is excited to adventure to Arlington Skatium in a few weeks. Look for more details and information from Ms. Larsen, sensational science teacher, coming soon! 

If your student has not turned in both their permission slip and money for the field trip, please send that with them tomorrow (field trip day!). The $18 fee for the field trip includes two slices of pizza, chips, and a drink. If your student needs a “skate trainer” those are an additional $5. Students will leave campus at 8:15am and return around 1:45 p.m.

Tuesday, September 24 - School Pictures, Grades Kindergarten - 11
All students should be in uniform for school pictures! 

Friday, October 11 - Early Dismissal, Professional Development
Lower and Middle School will dismiss at noon, and Upper School will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. If you are unable to pick up your student at that time, childcare will be available from 12 - 3:30 p.m. for students in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. The charge will be $75 for that time. Regular After Care charges apply beginning at 3:30 p.m. 

Parents must register to hold a space for their students and to allow our providers to plan appropriate coverage. Please register by clicking on the EARLY DISMISSAL CARE REGISTRATION FORM.

NOTE: All Middle and Upper School students are to be picked up at 12:00 and 12:30, respectively. No aftercare/supervision is available for them after dismissal.

Monday, October 14 - Indigenous People’s Day, NO SCHOOL

Friday, October 18 - Fall Conferences, NO SCHOOL

GENERAL UPDATES

AIMSWEB TESTING BEGINS SOON
Aimsweb testing is scheduled to begin for students in grades 3-8 in late September. Aimsweb is a research-based assessment and monitoring system that measures students’ reading and math skills.  Aimsweb is administered online, and is used to monitor student progress, evaluate instruction, and assess over several data points, within and beyond a year, how a student is growing across the content areas. At Winston, we believe wholeheartedly that data is good - and good data helps us better meet your students where they are and grow them toward where they want to be!