What's Up at Wolfe

The tragedy this last week in Florida is heartbreaking and anxiety inducing for our students, families, staff, and staff families. Our goal at Wolfe is to make sure our students and staff are safe at all times. We work with inside and outside agencies to make sure we are providing resources wherever they are needed. Teachers and counselors work together on building relationships with students so they feel connected to a safe environment. CLPS works very hard to instill character education into academic learning at every level. Teachers at the elementary level have done a spectacular job through Conscious Discipline setting the foundation by teaching communication, conflict resolution, and leadership skills. We see the efforts of their work, especially with our current 6th grade class. We are continuing this work through Restorative Practices by giving our students a voice to express themselves appropriately and safely. We will continue empowering our students to advocate for themselves, one another, and for Wolfe Middle School. Continue working with your child(ren) on communicating concerns to you at home or to an adult at school. If your child reports something to you that raises a "red-flag", assume we do not know. Contact myself, Mr. Grob, a counselor, teacher, or any adult in our building. We will continue working to serve your child and your family in the safest learning environment possible.

Below you will see information regarding important community or Wolfe events. Please find the time to attend and be connected to your child's school community.

Best Wishes,

Casey Conaton

Wolfe Middle School Principal

From Superintendent Eve Kaltz....

........Since the first tragedy in Columbine, we have worked with staff and students on crisis planning and practice drills. We have woven in direct instruction for students to improve coping skills and increase our students’ abilities to work through problems. We have hired additional mental health staff in each building, and we have worked hard to get to know each of our students.

......We are asking that students report any/all concerns to their parents and/or a trusted staff member, and we will take action. Parents, please contact either your school principal or me with any concerns your child shares with you.

We have planned two community meetings on this topic. The first is February 26 at 5:45pm in the Board Room at 26400 Arsenal prior to the 7pm Board meeting. The second is February 27 at noon in the Center Line High School auditorium. This second meeting immediately follows a production called Lockdown, a bullying prevention play that all of our 6th through 8th graders will be seeing. All parents and community members are invited and encouraged to attend the play at 11am and then to stay for the noon meeting.

Our kids have access to what is good and right on social media, but they also see what is dark and dangerous. About a month ago, I received personal texts from two students and one parent when something that seemed unsafe was posted on social media almost immediately after the initial post was made. I was able to take immediate action by contacting the police and discovered that six other reports had already been made. THIS is the best way we can all work to prevent a disaster.

We care deeply for our students and we grieve what is happening in schools and other public places. We are ALL committed to doing everything in our power to be as proactive as possible and as practiced as we can be in case of an emergency.

Speaking with students about these horrible events is very difficult. The article “Coping with Community Crisis” from Harvard Graduate School of Education provides some pointers: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/16/07/coping-community-crisis

Join us on February 26 and/or February 27. Please come, share your ideas and insights, and take the opportunity to band together and make sure everyone is informed and alert. Strong schools = strong community. Together we can!

CLPS is registered with OK 2 Say!, a platform for reporting violence or potential threats to our students and schools. Take a look at the website for more information.

Our students and community have a tool to end the culture of silence & stop the violence #OK2SAY http://bit.ly/OK2SAY

There has never been a generation that has immediate access to knowledge and content, both appropriate and inappropriate for middle school aged children. As a parent of three young children, I am constantly reading and evaluating how I want to approach technology and media for them at every age. One website I go back to continuously for my family and for my Wolfe family is Common Sense Media. This site has a number of resources for ALL types of technology and media sources. Below are links to the main website and to the parent resource page.

Common Sense Media (Official Site)

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Parent Concerns

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns

Scheduling for next school year is well underway at Wolfe! The Wolfe scheduling team is working to build a master schedule that meets our students’ needs while also reflecting the district’s mission and values.

Attention parents: Warriors entering 7th and 8th grade received Registration forms from their Social Studies Teacher last week. Please review this form and help your child decide on elective classes for next year. Students need to bring this form to their scheduling meeting with counselors this week. On Wednesday, counselors are meeting with small groups of 7th graders to formally schedule through Power School. Sixth graders are meeting with counselors on Thursday for scheduling.

If at anytime you have questions or concerns there are several ways to find your answers. First, the Wolfe website has copies of forms, a link to our course offerings guide, and a scheduling PowerPoint.

Click this link for this info: https://wolfe.clps.org/apps/departments/index.jsp?show=CLU

You can also access documents below.

Next, students can ask peers, WEB or SWAT leaders, teachers, or counselors if they have questions.

Finally, counselors are available by filling out a “request to see”. Click this link to complete this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvc8yJgZ2nmXxwh8FoWIk71T4X3YZn_QfczQo3E2Rcz0xKHg/viewform

2018-19 7th Grade Course Request Sheet (current 6th Grader)

2018-19 8th Grade Course Request Sheet (current 7th Grader)

2018-19 Course Catalog

2018-19 Scheduling Presentation

On Thursday, March 1st, the 6th Grade Transition Team will be visiting each elementary building for a brief presentation about Wolfe and Scheduling Materials. They will be receiving a Course Request Sheet and Course Catalog (See links below for PDF versions). You will also find a PowerPoint with additional information about the courses offered at WMS. The Course Request Sheet will be due to their 5th grade teacher by Wednesday, March 7th.

2018-19 WMS Course Catalog

2018-19 6th Grade Course Request Sheet

2018-19 Scheduling Presentation

Wolfe Middle School Pi Day Celebration Open to ALL Wolfe Students and 5th Grade CLPS families. Wednesday, March 14th, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM in the Wolfe Media Center and Library!

On Thursday, April 12th Wolfe Middle School will be hosting a 6th Grade Transition Night from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. This evening is open for all 5th grade families (Parents and Students) to come in a tour Wolfe and have dinner, sample a 6th grade schedule, and have Q&A with the 6th Grade Academy and administrators. Save the date!!!

In an effort to improve system practices, Wolfe Middle School is conducting a Parent Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/1674867 Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Harassment and Bullying are issues at all grade levels across the country and unfortunately Wolfe Middle School isn't immune. We have implemented the Warrior Room, our space to allow students to go through a conflict resolution process in effort to bring student awareness to the impact their words or actions have on themselves, the victims, and those around. The Warrior Room will not eradicate bullying or harassment but is a tool to teach conflict resolution skills, awareness, and to offer support.

We are fortunate to have CLIMB Theater, a traveling theater group that brings awareness to bullying and teaching kindness and empathy through various theater productions. CLIMB Theater will be performing "Lockdown" for each grade level on Tuesday, February 27th in the CLHS Auditorium.

Parents are encouraged to attend the 11:00 AM viewing of Lockdown, in the CLHS Auditorium and then attend the Community forum held in the CLHS media center at 12:00 PM.

For more information about the Lockdown performance click the link below.

http://climb.org/programming/plays/lockdown-2/

For more information about CLIMB Theater click the link below.

http://climb.org/about/

Throughout last year and this year, Wolfe has reached out to our parents to meet with us to discuss concerns, celebrations, and brainstorm ways to make Wolfe a place where every student wants to be and every parent wants to send their child. Even though we have MANY ways of communicating home what is happening at Wolfe, these round table discussions have proven to be the most effective and productive way of communicating to our Warrior Families.

As we begin transitioning from elementary to middle school, we want to reach out to each elementary building and hold a Wolfe Round-table at each school. This will be an opportunity for 5th grade families to hear about ALL of Wolfe, not just 6th grade. In addition to information, we will also be looking for feedback and specific concerns we can address for you.

Below are the dates and times for each building event. Dinner and babysitting will be provided at each location. Please RSVP with Nancy Claeson at 586-510-2304.

Roose - March 13th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Peck - March 20th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Crothers - March 21st from 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Sheri Warminski, longtime CLPS teacher and Wolfe Middle School Social Studies teacher took her final steps towards retirement in January. As sad as we were to hear this news, we are excited for her starting this new chapter of her life. We began immediately interviewing for her position and went through a number of applicants and rounds of interviews over the last few weeks. We were fortunate to have a number of great and qualified candidates.

We are excited to welcome Mr. Joe Martin, a veteran teacher from Detroit to our WMS team. Mr. Martin will be joining the Warrior Staff on March 5th. Welcome Mr. Martin!

Wondering how Wolfe will celebrate March is Reading month? Wonder how the Warriors will encourage reading and sharing? Wonder how your child will grow as a reader during March? Wonder no longer! Wolfe is celebrating March by sharing one book with every student and teacher in the building. That’s right! All Warriors will read the notable book, Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Soon, your child will begin reading this book along side his/her peers and teachers. Activities to supplement our reading and celebrate the theme of kindness and building character will occur in the classroom and school-wide. Stay tuned for more information. Check updated news and the events calendar at our March is Reading month website.

https://tinyurl.com/Wolfewonder

6th grade students are collecting evidence that supports the Theory of Plate Tectonics by recording fossils that are found in different rock layers.

Students will begin NWEA testing next Monday, February 26th - March 21st. All students will test in the areas of ELA, Math, and Science. The schedule is set up so there is approximately one test each week for students. It is important students are in school to take this benchmark assessment as we use this identify areas of need in the building or individually with students. Talk with your child about the importance of trying your best during these and any upcoming testing cycles. It's important for students to get a good night's sleep and have breakfast at home or at school!

Open to ALL Wolfe Students and 5th Grade Families! Enjoy food, fun, and MATH GAMES!

Wolfe Website

https://wolfe.clps.org/apps/events/?id=0&id=1

Wolfe Athletics

https://wolfe.clps.org/apps/pages/sportsschedules