Mrs. Lutz's Blog: West Prairie Middle School

This month West Prairie Middle School received a cash donation from Microsoft in the amount of $1,000. In the fall, we participated in a contest to see which schools could get the most tickets donated to them from people playing on the Club Bing (www.clubbing.com) site. We were one of the top 50 schools in the US for donations. This donation is part of Microsoft’s “You Play, Schools Win” promotion.

Club Bing is a fun site where users can play word scrambles, trivia and other casual games to earn tickets that can be redeemed for prizes or donated to schools. At this point we have earned over $2,000 from this site in the past 2 years. We will be getting another check this summer for the tickets that have been donated. Please go to the site, play the games and donate your tickets to West Prairie Middle school.

In the past, we have used the money to purchase projectors, keyboarding software, and computers. We are looking at spending some of this year’s money on a couple of Mobis. We have had the units on a trial basis since Christmas. They are being used in Mrs. Biswel’s room and my technology classroom. These devises work as a Mobil smart board. Since they are portable, any classroom with a projector can use them.

I would also thank all of the students and community members who participated in our magazine sale this year. We received a check for $904.22. This money will be added to the Microsoft donation to purchase technology for the Middle School. We also received gift cards to be used for magazine purchases for our library. When added to the gift cards we received last year we have $300 for the purchase of magazines.

IESA Music Contest

The students who attended the IESA Music Contest on Saturday did an outstanding job! Every student who performed earned a Division I rating! Those students were: Tre' Blankenship-saxophone solo, Matthew Blackledge-trombone solo, Zoey Gray-clarinet solo, Hayden Walter-piano solo, Jessica Herndon and Maren Anderson-flute duet, Jessica Herndon and Kinley Mourning-vocal duet, Heidi Crombie- flute solo and vocal solo, Rachel Mencel-vocal solo and a perfect score on her piano solo. Congratulations!!!

March Cyclones of the Month

Grade 5 Tyrese Howard, son of Crystal Humphrey of Colchester

Grade 6 Josh Nelson, son of Amy and Nathan Nelson of Colchester

Grade 7 Cheyenne Hacker, daughter of Ellen VanNatta of Colchester

Grade 8 Taylor Lovitt, daughter of Diana and Ted Lovitt of Blandinsville

State Tournament Update

Bus times have changed!

Players and fans will be transported to the middle school on a bus leaving the high school at 6:00 AM Saturday morning. Two buses (player and fan buses) will travel together leaving the middle school at 6:15 AM). The cost of the bus is still $5.00.

Ticket Prices for Saturday

$3.00 for students K-8 and senior citizens (62+)

$7.00 for high school students and adults

Tuesday Prices

$2.00 for students K-8 and senior citizens (62+)

$5.00 for high school students and adults

WE WON SECTIONAL!

Congratulations to the eighth grade volleyball team who defeated the Unity Colts in two games played at Mt. Sterling Monday evening. We move on to the state level this Saturday, March 20^th against Lexington. The game is scheduled for 10:00 AM in Mt. Pulaski (between Lincoln and Decatur). A fan bus will be available for $5.00 a person and parent permission. It will leave the high school at 6:40 AM and the middle school at 7:00 AM.

A second game will take place at 1:00 PM after we have won the 10:00 game. There will be a second admission charged. In other words, each game or session has an admission charge. We will also need to eat lunch.

We do not know when we will be returning. As you can see by the schedule, it depends on how many games we play, one or two.

Students may sign up to ride the fan bus in the office with $5.00 and a permission note Wednesday through Friday noon.

Volleyball Sectional Information

West Prairie Middle School 8^th Grade Volleyball girls will be playing sectionals against Unity on Monday, March 15^th in Mt. Sterling at 6:00 PM. A fan bus has been arranged. The cost will be $5.00. Parent permission is required. There is a sign up sheet in the office and must be signed by noon Monday. Call the office if you have any questions.

Teacher of the Week

Congratulations to Mrs. Van Fleet! Mrs. Van Fleet was named Teacher of the Week by Pella Corporation, WLMD, K100, and Classic 103 for the week of March 1-5, 2010. Mrs. Van Fleet teaches 7^th and 8^th grade special education. We are proud of you!

Teachers may be nominated for this honor by students, parents or staff members. Nomination forms can be found in building offices, on line at our website www.westprairie.org and at Pella and the radio stations.

Parent Teacher Conference

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 18 and Friday March 19. Ten (10) minutes sessions begin at 4:00 PM on Thursday and end with a 7:50 PM session. Friday begins at 8:00 AM and ends with a 10:50 AM session. Again each conference is scheduled for 10 minutes.

Call the middle school office to schedule your child’s conference 776-3220. Times are already being reserved, so please do not wait. There are never enough times to accommodate all our parents.

Track Season

Coaches are hired, meets have been scheduled and now we need more interested participants. Track is a sport that takes many, many students. There are many events taking place within a meet. Some students have signed up, but there can and should be more to cover all the races, throwing and other events. If you are interested and have not signed up, see Marita or Mrs. Lutz. The first meet is scheduled early April with practice beginning later this month. Watch and listen to announcements.

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Students in grades 4 and 7 will be tested in reading, math and science. Students in grades 5, 6 and 8 will be tested in reading, math and writing. We will be giving your child state-required achievement tests on March 1-12, 2010. The tests are part of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) program, and are being given to all eligible students. The results of reading, math and science state tests will be reported to you on the School Report Card in the fall. We will review state test results along with other information to help us improve our school program. In addition, you will receive information about your child’s performance on the state tests he or she took.

You can help your child do his or her best on the test by:

1.) Making sure, if possible, that your child attends school on the days of testing;

2.) Making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing;

3.) Providing breakfast on the mornings of testing;

4.) Reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if he or she does not understand the test directions;

5.) Letting your child know that you have confidence in his or her ability to do his or her best; and

6.) Advising your child not to worry about the test – just do the best he or she can.

Please call your child’s teacher if you want additional information or have further questions about these tests.

We look forward to sharing the ISAT results with you this fall.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Lutz

Principal

Middle School Spelling Bee

West Prairie Middle School held our annual spelling bee on Friday, February 12, 2010. The overall winner was Kyla Matthews a fifth grader, the daughter of Regina Matthews of Good Hope. The first runner up was Tucker Bland, a fifth grader, the son of Davis and Julie Bland of Colchester. Kinley Mourning, a seventh grader, daughter of Jennifer Mourning and Sam Mourning of Colchester is the alternate. Jessica Herndon, an eighth grader, daughter of Scott and Adrienne Herndon of Colchester was the fourth place winner.

January Cyclones of the Month

5th Grade - Hannah Nelson - daughter of Steve & Deidre Carter of Colchester & Elmer Nelson of Colchester

6th Grade - Katlyn Wayne - daughter of David & Daphne Wayne of Blandinsville.

7th Grade - Morgan Weaver - daughter of Travis & Sherrie Weaver of Blandinsville.

8th Grade - Rachel Mencel - daughter of Matt & Stephanie Mencel of Blandinsville

Candle Sale Results

The students sold 430 candles. Way to go!

Lydia Dunn, grade 6, sold 28 candles to be named the top seller. She received a $50.00 gift card from WalMart.

Grade level winners were:

Grade 5 Julie Schoonover sold 24 candles and received a $20.00 gift card from Walmart.

Grade 6 Samantha Peterson sold 9 candles and received a $20.00 gift card from WalMart.

Grade 7 Shaey Graham sold 10 candles and earned a $20.00 gift card from WalMart.

Grade 8 Shyanne Thomas sold 16 candles and earned a $20.00 gift card from Maurices.

December Cyclones of the Month

Grade 5 William Hironimus-Wendt, son of Robert and Deanna Hironimus-Wendt of Sciota

Grade 6 Samantha Peterson, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Peterson of Tennessee

Grade 7 Justin Pamperin, son of Gene and Lacey Farrell of Good Hope

Grade 8 Jennifer Schwerer, daughter of Chris and Julie Schwerer of Blandinsville

From the Office

Happy 2010! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Winter Break.

There are some changes taking place with the new semester and I will outline them for you.

1. There will no longer be an 8th grade General Math class. 8th graders will either take Pre-Algebra or Algebra. Letters went home to parents of the students making the change from General Math to Pre-Algebra.

2. The district has purchased an emergency alert system that will alert parents and staff of school closings, early dismissals, and any other information about the district, as a whole, or individual building emergencies. A letter will be coming home to explain the system and announce an expected message being used as a practice.

3. The middle school has purchased licenses for all the teachers for Grade Book. This will allow you to track your student’s grades more closely. You will be able to see missing assignments, assignments poorly done, etc. Again, a letter will go home with passwords and information on this system. If there is interest, we will offer parent sessions to assist you in learning how to navigate the website.

4. Finally, the change that has the most impact on students is the change being made to the detention system concerning academic detentions. First semester there was no accumulative consequence. Each academic detention equaled ½ hour after school. Many students really did not mind spending ½ hour working on homework, so missing assignments did not decrease. Therefore, we are instituting a new system for academic detentions:

Academic Detentions

1st detention ½ hour after school

2nd detention ½ hour after school

3rd detention ½ hour after school

4th detention 2 hours Saturday detention

5th detention 2 ½ hours Saturday detention

6th detention 3 hour Saturday detention

7th detention 3 ½ Saturday detention

8th & more 4 hours Saturday detention.

PTO Candle Sale Up-date

The candle brochures have arrived! The following Celebrating Home Candle fragrances are available to order for $8.00 each through November 30th:

Baked Apple Pie Crème Brulee Hot Cinnamon Roll

Holiday Home Angel Wings Warm Cinnamon Pumpkin

Blueberry Muffin Citrus Spice Caramel Coffee

Vanilla Cream Crisp Linen Mandarin Mulberry

Baked Streusel Cinnamon Stick Iced Evergreen

November Cyclones of the Month

Grade 5 Julia Shoemaker, daughter of Ken and Jan Shoemaker of Blandinsville

Grade 6 Matthew Blackledge, son of Paul and Marcia Blackledge of Blandinsville

Grade 7 Dustin Logan, grandson of Don and Betty Logan of Blandinsville

Grade 8 Kourtney Campbell, daughter of Joe and Kathy Campbell of Colchester

From the Office

I enjoyed visiting with parents during parent teacher conferences last month. My door is always open.

Stanford Achievement Testing is finally complete. We hope to have results back before Christmas. The information we gather from these subtests help us plan activities for groups and individuals to better prepare them for the state tests in March.

Miss Vass and I enjoyed serving lunch to 57 students at the middle school and 8 students who are now freshman at the high school. These students were being honored for their performance on last spring’s state assessment (I.S.A.T.). These individuals scored one or more “exceeds” on reading, math, science or writing subtests. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!

Club Bing players are to be applauded! Mrs. Kuntz has spear headed this activity for a couple of years. She announced an opportunity to win $1000.00 for middle school technology earlier this fall. The top 50 schools in the nation would receive a donation. We ranked #29 at the end of the contest! Thank you for donating your game points to West Prairie Middle School. We have not received word of how much we will be receiving besides the $1000.00 for the points donated. You can still play games and donate points all year long. www.clubbing.com

October Detention Race Finish/November Races (Updated Nov 17th)

For the month of October, the 6th grade class edged 5th grade class 8 detentions to 9. The 8th grade class dominated the 7th graders by a score of 4 to 36. The winning classes will receive their incentives next week.

The classes are not off to a very good start in November, as 3 of the classes are already threatening to pass their October totals in only half the month. The 5thgraders have received 6 detentions to date while the 6th graders have received 4. The 7th grade class has received 14 detentions to 6 detentions for the 8th grade.

Candle Sales (Updated Nov 17th)

The PTO candle sale begins next Monday, November 23rd. Orders will be due to the office on Monday, November 30th. The 10 ounce candles from Home and Garden Parties sell for $8.00 each. Candles will be delivered in time for Christmas! The top seller will receive a $50.00 gift card. The top seller at each grade level will receive a $20.00 gift card. If you are interested and no student approaches you, feel free to call the middle school office (309-776-3220) to place your order.

Cookie Dough (Updated Nov 17th)

There are still a few boxes of cookie dough for sale. The following kinds are available for $14.00 a box: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip Mint, Chocolate Chunk,, Oatmeal Raisin and White Chocolate Chip Macadamian Nut. An easy way to have fresh baked goods when company comes.

October Cyclones of the Month (Updated Nov 17th)

Grade 5 Michael Purdy, son of John and Christine Purdy of Colchester

Grade 6 Jacob Off, son of Larry and Melinda Off of Colchester

Grade 7 Paige Webster, daughter of Darren and Cheryl Webster of Colchester

Grade 8 Millie Morrell, daughter of Jeff and Angella Morrell of Good Hope

IMEA District Chorus (updated Nov 2nd, 2009)

Saturday, November 7, 2009, three of the Middle School chorus members will be performing with the IMEA District Chorus. The Illinois Music Educators Association holds a Festival every year in the fall. Students prepare two pieces as well as scales and triads. Then they audition with hundreds of students from other school districts. Having three students selected from a district our size is quite an accomplishment and honor. Congratulations and good luck to Corben Combites, Jessica Herndon, and Rachel Mencel as they perform at 2:00 p.m. at Western Hall on Saturday.

Red Ribbon Week (updated October 22nd, 2009)

Next week is Red Ribbon week at the middle school. We want to have as many kids participate every day as we can. Monday is “put drugs to sleep” by wearing PJs to school. Tuesday is “shade out drugs” by wearing sunglasses or hats to school. On Wednesday students will wear boots to “boot out drugs.” Thursday has kids dressing crazy in order to “be crazy without drugs.” Finally, on Friday students will “hide from drugs” by wearing their Halloween costumes to school.

1st Quarter Perfect Attendance Incentive (updated October 22nd, 2009)

On Tuesday, students with perfect attendance for the 1st quarter got to come to the gym to have a full period of gym time to reward them for having perfect attendance for the 1st quarter. There were 38 students who received this honor in 5th & 6th grade combined whereas 34 7th & 8th graders had 1stquarter perfect attendance. This incentive started over this week as the 2nd quarter began. Good luck to students on trying to have perfect attendance for the 2nd quarter.

Detention Race Update (updated October 22nd, 2009)

With only 5 days left in the race to determine the winning classes in each team, the 8th grade has widened their detention lead to a whopping 3 to 21 detention lead. The 6th grade has edged out to a 6 to 8 lead over the 5th graders with just a few days left to decide October’s class winners. Detentions from September to October are down almost 66% so far. Only 38 detentions have been issued through October 22nd. Keep it up students!

Detention Race Update (updated October 13th, 2009)

As of the end of the day on October 13th, the 5th and 6th graders are tied with 6 detentions apiece. The 8th graders are leading the 7th graders by a healthy margin of 3 to 17. There are only 13 days of student attendance left to decide the incentive winners for October. On a side note, after 100 detentions given out in September, the number has been cut to 32 after 7 days of student attendance in October.

New Detention Incentive (posted October 2nd, 2009)

Starting October 1st, the grade levels will be competing against each other in their teams, 5th versus 6th, 7th versus 8th, to see which class can receive the fewest detentions per month. This initiative is to try to decrease the large number of detentions received by students (109 as of October 2nd). At the end of October, the grade level from each team with the fewest detentions will have the choice of the following incentives: spending free time in the gym, eating popcorn while watching a movie in the afternoon, or having a hot dog lunch. The students seem very excited about this challenge. To incorporate the “Success beats Failure” theme, we will keep track of the detentions using Energizer bunnies on the wall beside the library.

Technology Fundraiser (posted October 2nd, 2009)

West Prairie Middle School is doing a very easy and no cost to you fundraiser. Microsoft has created the Club Bing website. When you go there and sign in with your email address you can begin earning tickets. These tickets can then be donated to our school. The first year of this program we earned over $500. We are awaiting our check for the second year which ended last May. We expect that to be over $1000.

This year they have added an extra contest which we need your help on now. The 50 schools that receive the most tickets during the months of September and October will be given an extra $1000 besides the money they will get for the tickets themselves. We are listed as number 37 as of today. As of today, we are the only Illinois school in the top 50.

The money we collect from this and the magazine sales has helped to purchase: 2 projectors, new keyboarding software, a digital camera for use on the yearbook and a switch.

Check out the New Club Bing play games and donate your tickets to West Prairie Middle School.

Help us win the contest! Top 50 schools get $1000

Just donate your tickets to our school. We need to be in the top 50

Boy Scout Meeting (posted September 29th, 2009)

There will be a presentation September 30, 2009 in the Library for all boys.

1:15 – 1:29 7th and 8th grade

2:45 – 3:00 5th and 6th grade

From the Office (posted September 29th, 2009)

Fall has appeared! The mornings are much cooler and the air much crisper. The students do not seem to recognize the change, as I see so many in short sleeves and no jackets/coats. With the flu season soon approaching, I have been suggesting they locate warmer wear.

Congratulations to the 6th Grade, who were super salespeople. They won the cookie dough contest by selling 240 boxes of cookie dough. Way to go!! This group has won the contest two years in a row! The PTO provided a hot dog barbeque lunch for the group. It was a fun lunch period!

Cyclones of the Month for September

Grade 5 Kammi Harn, daughter of Gayle and Steve Harn of Blandinsville

Grade 6 Morgan Payne, daughter of Emilie and Mark Payne of Plymouth

Grade 7 Morgan Weaver, daughter of Sherrie & Travis Weaver of Blandinsville

Grade 8 Grant Bland, son of Julie and Dave Bland of Colchester

Casey’s Pizza of Colchester provides a pizza lunch for the Cyclones of the Month.

The middle school staff has been working to prepare for RtI (Response to Intervention) sessions. The RtI periods provide assistance in reading/language arts and math. Students qualify to attend these sessions based on their performance on the state ISAT assessments, The Stanford Achievement Test, and Aims Web testing. Sessions at the 5th and 6th grade level are provided by Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Akers and Miss McMahon. Sessions for the 7th and 8th grade level are provided by Mrs. Biswell and Mr. Remington. Sessions take place daily during the regular school day. More information will be available during conferences.

Conference times are filling rapidly. It is time to call Marita (776-3220) to set up a conference for your child.

A MIRACLE on 9/11/09 (posted on 9/17/2009)

…….A wonderful thing happened in Room 9 on 9/11/09. We have been raising Monarchs in the classroom with 5th and 6th graders. As butterflies are born, they are to be brought in and be documented and tagged before they are released. After the tag is adhered, the owner of the Monarch is to whisper a message and gently release the butterfly to fly away into the fall sky. These special butterflies born in September-October are the famous MIGRATING MONARCHS that may just make it to Mexico. Well, on September 11, just as we were talking about memories of this historical day, 9 Monarchs came into the world by 9:00 AM…..and everyone remarked….”What if 2 more came into the world to make 11. “ That is just what happened!! Two more were in their case in Mrs. Bices’s car. She had forgotten to bring them in (still pupas) when she entered the building early in the morning. When she went to the car at noon…..there they were newly born, waiting to be released. We decorated a beautiful butterfly release cage in RED, WHITE and BLUE with Monarchs too, of course. Four students: Mary Beth Patterson, Matt Blackledge, Will Hironimous-Wendt and Tucker Bland read their thoughtful and sensitive writings about freedom, butterflies and 9/11 at an impromptu all school gathering outside as the 11 BEAUTIFUL MONARCHS flew into the clear September sky all at once. The Monarchs were named: Freedom, Hope, Faith, Glory, Love, Star, Sparkle, Liberty, Unity, Peace and Courage. In all the years Mrs. Bice has raised Monarchs, never has there been a more spectacular release. We know that these special butterflies have just as much chance of getting to Mexico as any other……but they go with the well wishes of an entire school…..talk about FAITH! Nature has a way of talking to us through these gentle, but strong creatures. They truly are a symbol of freedom and hope, especially since they were born on 09/11/09. It is a miracle indeed!