| FROM THE ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL |
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 Dear Woodward Families,
As we gear up for the much-anticipated spring break, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible events that unfolded during our recent Explore and Inspire week. Time truly flies, doesn't it? It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming students back from mid-winter break, and now we find ourselves on the brink of another well-deserved vacation.
This past month has been nothing short of eventful for our students, especially as they begin to contemplate their futures beyond middle school. We were fortunate to host a myriad of visitors during Explore for 7th graders and Inspire for 8th graders. It was heartwarming to witness our students engage with professionals from various fields, learning invaluable lessons about career pathways, financial literacy, and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
Our guests generously shared their personal stories, emphasizing that success often entails navigating a non-linear path fraught with obstacles. Yet, through determination and grit, one can surmount any hurdle on the journey toward realizing their full potential. During our 7th grade advisory meeting, students expressed their enthusiasm for the event, wishing it could extend over multiple days. Their feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to incorporating it as we strive to enhance future experiences.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the BISD CTE team, our dedicated 7th and 8th grade teachers, counselors, and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to orchestrate yet another successful Explore and Inspire week. Your dedication and passion for our students' growth are truly commendable.
As we approach spring break, I encourage all families to take this time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. Whether you're embarking on a grand adventure or enjoying a quiet staycation, I hope you find moments of peace and joy with your loved ones.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Mendoza
WMS Associate Principal
cmendoza@bisd303.org
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INCOMING 7TH GRADE PARENT/GUARDIAN NIGHT - APRIL 10TH |
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To parents/guardians of current 6th graders, please save this date. The Woodward Middle School staff will host our Incoming 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Night on Wednesday, April 10th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Woodward. The goals of this informational night are to inform, reassure, and create excitement for next year. Building administrators and teachers will be presenting our curriculum and instruction, our student support services and our electives. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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Dear Woodward Families,
And just like that, it's time for Spring Break! Your WMS PTO is constantly buzzing with business this time of year. The teacher and staff grant requests are due to PTO by April 8th and we look forward to using our funds to help as many as possible. Please join us for our next in-person meeting where we will be discussing approvals. It will take place on Friday, April 12th at 9:30 am in the Woodward Library. We will have refreshments for those who come! If you are unable to be there in person, you can join virtually with this link.
Warmly,Stephanie Page
Woodward PTO President
woodward.president@bainbridgeptos.org
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8TH GRADE BANQUET - IMPORTANT DEADLINE OF APRIL 12TH! |
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Action item for all 8th grade families regarding photos needed for the event: student photos must be submitted by the Friday, April 12th deadline to ensure that students are not excluded from the baby photo mural or the memories slideshow. Details on how to do that follow.
Baby/Childhood Photo Needed for Photo Collage
We are collecting a baby/childhood photo of each 8th grader to be displayed in the Woodward Commons glass case leading up to the 8th Grade Banquet. It's fun for students and staff to try to guess who's who in our version of #throwbackthursday for 8th graders! We want to make this easy for you! Hard copy or digital - we're set up to take both! Please either drop off a baby/childhood photo of your son or daughter in the designated box at the Woodward Office (include name on the back) OR submit a photo using the Google Form. Please note these important guidelines when selecting a photo for this collage:
- One photo per student no larger than "4x 6"
- Please print your child's first and last name on the back of your hard-copy photo OR indicate child’s name on the form if submitting a digital copy
- Photocopies or originals are gladly accepted, but please note that photos will not be returned
- Please make sure the submitted photo is just of your child (no group photo shots)
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Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 12th
Candid and Group Photos for the Memories Slideshow
Every year, we run a memories slideshow during the 8th Grade Banquet; it's fun for students to see a playback of their K-8 years together! Volunteers need your help to collect hundreds of great moments to build out this fun and emotional montage for the banquet. Please provide high-resolution images and include the full name of the students included in the pictures. Photos should be from grades K-8 and images that feature multiple students are preferred. The banquet team will use as many photos as we can, filtering for appropriate content and representation of all students. Note that the photos will not be used for any other purpose. It's easy to upload images with our Google Form and you can submit more than once if you have lots of pictures to share. The deadline to submit slideshow photos is Friday, April 12th. If you have any questions, please contact our slideshow lead, Samantha Barth, at ssspeich@yahoo.com or (206) 604-5122.
Other Banquet Details
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 6:00 - 9:30 pm
Place: Woodward Middle School
For: Currently Enrolled Woodward 8th Graders!
Tickets: $85.00 BUY TICKETS HERE Please reach out to Woodward Counselor, Patti Beer, if a scholarship is needed, pbeer@bisd303.org.
Volunteer: It takes a village to put on this event and we would love more volunteers. VOLUNTEER SIGN UP HERE
Questions: woodward.banquet@bainbridgeptos.org
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From the Counseling Department
For the month of April, Woodward Middle School is embarking on a month-long social emotional learning (SEL) series of lessons and events called Woodward’s Values in Action Deep Dive: A Reflective Values in Action Journey. Values in Action (VIA) is defined as activities that promote the learning and application of values.
Based on a character education model from Singapore’s education system, students will specifically focus on the Woodward character traits of Connection, Integrity and Compassion as they learn about a population in our greater community, nation and world.
Our WHO during this month is REFUGEES in our greater community, nation and world.
Our WHY is so we can put our values into action; practice and increase our core values of Compassion, Integrity and Connection and learn and gain a different perspective.
Our WHAT/HOW includes four Seminar lessons, classroom lessons in language arts, social studies, science, math, PE and elective classes; an all school read-aloud; and guest speakers/panel discussion on April 23rd in Social Studies.
How does learning about refugees increase Connection, Integrity and Compassion? Woodward’s Values in Action program provides an opportunity for middle school students to learn and care about the feelings of those who have had a very different life experience than most of us. It allows students to think beyond themselves and imagine and put themselves in the shoes of refugees in their community and world. Providing Connection opportunities through lessons and guest speakers opens the door toward showing empathy and compassion toward this population in the future. Learning is made meaningful when new knowledge is put into action. “You only understand people if you feel them in yourself.” - John Steinbeck
If you have additional questions, please contact 7th grade counselor, Sue Constan at sconstan@bisd303.org. A special thank you to Addie Bogdan, parent volunteer, for graphic design support on WMS's Deep Dive!
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SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING |
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 Social and Emotional Learning - April Seminar
The last Seminar lesson in March and the first three Seminar lessons in April are part of our Woodward’s Values in Action Deep Dive: A Reflective Values in Action Journey. On March 25th, students will learn about the Values in Action ‘Deep Dive’ that will take place during the entire month of April and our all school focus on REFUGEES in our community, nation and world. In this lesson, we will also review our Woodward values of Compassion, Connection and Integrity. For the April 8th lesson, students will learn/review important terms for those who have left their home and are displaced as well as learn about global refugee statistics. We will end this lesson by watching and discussing a segment/story from Starting Again: Stories of Refugee Youth.
On April 15th, students will view the refugee crisis through the lens of COMPASSION. Using their imagination, students will put themselves in others shoes to gain understanding of the impact fleeing from a desperate situation would have on someone’s life.
For the April 22nd lesson, we will look at Refugees in our community and world through the lens of INTEGRITY by exploring the question: How do we show integrity with refugees in our community, nation and world? The final slide asks: What might we do as 7th and 8th grade students to make a positive impact on refugees' lives?
April 23rd Guest Speakers
To conclude our Values in Action Deep Dive Month, refugees from our community will visit Woodward on April 23rd to share their experiences with students during their social studies classes. On this day, students can ask questions of our guest speakers as well as hear their stories.
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SPRING TESTING - SAVE THE DATES |
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 Save the Dates for Spring Testing
Spring testing is just around the corner and we will have more information coming soon. But, please save the following dates to have your students present, well-fed and rested for spring testing:
May 7, 8, 9: SBA Language Arts - 7th and 8th
May 14, 15: SBA Math - 7th and 8th
May 21, 22: WCAS Science - 8th grade only
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Spirit Wear
Our ASB fundraiser spirit wear has arrived! Leadership students will be dropping off items to students during 5th period this week.
Food Drive
Leadership is sponsoring a food drive in April to support Helpline House! The drive runs Wednesday, April 10th through Friday, April 26th. Collection boxes will be in 4th period classrooms. Thank you for supporting student leadership and for making a difference in our community. Food Drive Flyer
Spring Spirit Week - Save the Dates
Monday, April 29 - Twin Day
Tuesday, April 30 - Color Block Day
Wednesday, May 1 - Iconic Duo or Trio Day
Thursday, May 2 - Anything But a Backpack Day
Friday, May 3 - Decade Day |
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OMEA Choir Festival
The Woodward Choir Club attended the OMEA Middle School Choir Festival on March 8th earning top marks and great feedback from adjudicators. Students sang three songs in combination with the Sakai Choir Club: Jambo, Sakura and Ad Astra. They had a great time listening to Middle School Choirs from around Kitsap County, learning new techniques and singing for judges and their choral peers! Congratulations to our choir club for representing Bainbridge Schools and Woodward so beautifully! They will be singing these songs and more at our concert combined with WMS Band and the Evergreen Singers on Wednesday, March 27th here at Woodward! We hope to see you there!
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APRIL
1-5: Spring Break - No School
10: Incoming 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Night - WMS 6:30 - 8:00 pm
11: Progress Reports Due
12: In Person Monthly PTO Meeting - WMS Library 9:30 - 10:30 pm
MAY
7-9: SBA Language Arts Testing 7th & 8th Grades
9: Progress Reports
14, 15: SBA Math Testing 7th & 8th Grades
21, 22: WCAS Science Testing - 8th Grade Only
27: Memorial Day Holiday - No School
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NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT |
Bainbridge Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Kristen Haizlip, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator and Gender Inclusive Schools Coordinator, 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; 206-780-1058; khaizlip@bisd303.org
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