Eagle Eye - February 2024

Happy February, Windom Eagles! Wishing you all a fantastic start to the second semester of middle school. May this month be filled with growth, learning, and success in all your endeavors. Keep soaring high! 🦅 Thank you families for your continued support of Windom Area Schools.

Dane Nielsen

Windom Middle School Principal

This month we are featuring the middle school social studies department.

A heartfelt thank you to all the paraprofessionals at Windom Area Schools! Their dedication and support play a crucial role in creating a positive learning environment for our Eagle students. The hard work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed, and their commitment to the success and well-being of each student is truly amazing. Thank you for all that you do! 🍎

As educators, adults, parents, and guardians, we understand the vital role that school expectations play in shaping the future of our students. It's crucial for students to adhere to these expectations.

Our Eagle Pride Expectations School mirror the standards and norms society. By following Eagle Pride Expectations, students learn essential life skills such as time management, responsibility, and respect, which are invaluable for their future success in various personal and professional endeavors.

When students adhere to school expectations, it fosters a positive and conducive learning environment for everyone. Respectful behavior, punctuality, and active participation contribute to a classroom atmosphere where everyone feels safe, valued, and motivated to learn.

Upholding school expectations helps instill integrity, discipline, and good moral character in students. These qualities are not only beneficial during their academic journey but also serve as the foundation for their growth into responsible and contributing members of society.

Following school expectations is closely linked to academic success. When students respect deadlines, participate in class discussions, and abide by academic honesty policies, they are more likely to excel academically and reach their full potential.

The workplace has expectations similar to those found in school. By adhering to Windom Eagle expectations, students learn the importance of meeting standards, collaborating with others, and navigating rules and regulations.

Encouraging students to follow school expectations not only benefits their academic journey but also equips them with the tools necessary for a successful and fulfilling life beyond the classroom. We also continue to reteach expectations and hold our Eagles accountable when they aren't meeting expectations.

Thank you for your continued support in guiding our students toward excellence.

Dane Nielsen

Windom MS Principal

Hard to believe it is February already! We are progressing through what has been an outstanding school year thus far. I am so proud of our students for their determination and positivity everyday. Our staff makes being a part of Windom schools so rewarding. As we continue through semester 2, we took a moment with students to look back at how semester 1 went during class meetings on January 23. During these meetings, I spoke with the students about good and great. You may have heard the adage, or read a book by Jim Collins or Kurt Reece-Peeplez. Sharing this message with students was done with a purpose - I believe we are GREAT! Our students have so much potential, but I fear that at times we as humans settle for good enough, when great is within our reach - and we fixate on outcomes as opposed to processes to get there. Whether this is reflected in academics, effort, interactions, etc. We have to be good to be great - but we cannot settle here. It can be common for our minds to focus on outcomes - and judge greatness on this - a grade, a competition, etc. We need to flip this mindset, a grade is a reflection of the work to that point and knowledge/skills toward a target; the results of a competition can be heavily aided by effort and preparation - but sometimes things don't work out. When we fixate on the outcome, we lose site of the opportunities for greatness in the process. Let's continue to encourage our Windom Eagles students to be great in our preparation and I have no doubt our outcomes will more often than not be in our favor. Have an awesome February Windom Eagles!

- Bryan Joyce, High School Principal

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. Students at Windom Area HS have the option of taking 4 different AVID electives - AVID I for freshmen, AVID II for sophomores, AVID III for juniors and College Prep as a senior. In this year long course, students get daily repetitive skill support building note-taking and study skills, as well as learning to become more organized and all around more engaged students. Marlee Fester is new to AVID this semester, she is "looking forward to maintaining strong study habits and a steady schedule." Theora Ahnupkana added "AVID is beneficial as I am able to see what my future could be and what classes are best to help get me there. Also, being able to focus better through completing focuses notes and tutorials helps me focus and have a better understanding." Finally, Jeymee Rodas states "AVID has helped me be more organized and take better notes."

AVID has grown in success over the past five years at Windom Schools and the student agency that is on full display in the classroom is outstanding!!

CEO APPLICATION REMINDER!! Applications will be open in January 8-February 9, check this link to apply. Students need to complete the application, have a parent/guardian approve of the application, and supply a school and 2 community references.

Reminder - if your student will be absent, please let our office know by calling 507-831-6910 or by emailing attendancemshs@isd177.com. We now have an office cell phone that you can text/call - the number for the office cell is 507-221-3511. You can also let us know using Skyward. All absences require a notice within 48 hours, at that point the absence becomes unexcused. Here is a link to our Daily Announcements - this link is updated daily so copy it into a browser and refresh every day for up to date news/announcements at the MSHS!

Email: bjoyce@isd177.com, dnielsen@isd177.com

Website: https://windomasdmn.sites.thrillshare.com/
Location: 1400 17th St. PO Box 177 Windom, MN 56101
Phone: (507) 831-6910, (507) 221-3511
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindomAreaSchoolDistrict/
X: @Windom_Eagles