Fall is in full swing! Wayne Middle School has been buzzing with excitement since our last newsletter. Our PTO hosted a fantastic Trunk-or-Treat community event -- it was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the evening and our school community coming together. We truly have a wonderful PTO and appreciate all of the volunteers! The Red Ribbon Week theme days were also a hit, with students and staff showing off their creativity through costumes on Friday.
Our Student Council did an amazing job organizing a Halloween dance for all grade levels. Our 5th and 6th graders enjoyed music and fun together, and our 7th and 8th graders did the same shortly after. We’re incredibly proud of our advisors and student leaders for hosting such a positive, community-building event. We’re looking forward to the next dance on January 9!
Our students have been hard at work in the classroom and involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities! In addition to all 5th and 6th graders actively participating in Chorus and Band ensembles, our clubs and athletic programs engage hundreds of students after school each week in one or more of our 27 after-school activities. We’re so proud of how actively engaged our kids are!
|
|
As we approach the 10-week mark, the initial excitement of the school year has settled, and we’re now deep into the rhythm of our academic journey. At this stage, we often see shifts in student social dynamics, sometimes leading to friction or conflict. To help students thrive both socially and academically, we emphasize self-reflection and goal setting as they process their experiences from the first quarter.
Here are some conversation starters for checking in with your child:
-
Classroom Engagement: How are they participating in class discussions? Are they raising their hands, solving problems independently, or staying after class when extra help is needed?
-
Peer Relationships: How are they navigating conflicts with classmates? Are there ongoing issues, and how are they advocating for themselves? Do they feel comfortable reaching out to a trusted adult for support when needed?
-
Judgment Check: Middle school can be a time of quick judgments and strong first impressions. Encourage your child to pause and consider: Are they open to seeing things from a different perspective? When someone else’s behavior doesn’t make sense, could that person be dealing with hidden stressors? If someone dresses or acts in a way that seems unusual, does it really affect them? How are their snap judgments influencing their own mood and behavior toward others? Fostering empathy and understanding can make a huge difference in building positive interactions.
-
Self-Awareness and Mood: Are they mindful of how their mood affects interactions with others? Are they aware of how they’re being perceived and how their own stress impacts their school day?
Middle schoolers can sometimes be reserved when talking about their day-to-day lives. If you would like support with these reflective conversations, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor for guidance. Together, we can ensure our students continue to grow and succeed!
|
The results are in — and Wayne students showed up! Our performance on the NYS Grades 3–8 Assessments reflects the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of our students, staff, and families. Among 25 districts in our region, Wayne Middle School ranked near the top across the board:
-
5th Grade ELA: 4th
-
5th Grade Math: 7th
-
6th Grade ELA: 1st
-
6th Grade Math: 2nd
-
7th Grade ELA: 4th
-
7th Grade Math: 6th
-
8th Grade ELA: 2nd
-
8th Grade Math: 4th
-
8th Grade Science: 1st
Great job, Wayne! Your commitment to learning and growth continues to make Wayne Middle School a place where students soar. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for your continued support and partnership!
|
Parent-Teacher Conferences are underway (November 3 and 4).
If you have any questions about your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to contact their teachers and/or school counselor.
|
We also want to express our sincere gratitude to the veterans within our Wayne families and the broader community. We deeply appreciate the lasting impact of your service, which will forever hold a special place in our hearts. May you all have a meaningful Veterans Day. |
The 1st Quarter ends on November 7, and grades will be published on November 13. Please continue to check your child’s grades on Schoology. You’ll be able to see your student’s grades and teacher comments in SchoolTool on November 13. To ensure families receive report cards, we will also mail hard copies shortly after.
If your child says they’re submitting all their work but their gradebook suggests otherwise, please reach out to their teachers for clarification.
During the month of October, we focused on the character trait of Responsibility. Our students worked on creating action steps toward their personal learner goals, which they set at the 5-week mark. Since then, they have been revisiting their goals, assessing their progress, and reviewing their academic performance. Once first-quarter report cards are posted, students will review their grades and teacher comments to create new 10-week SMART goals for the second quarter.
We have had many great conversations so far, and we hope these skills become a regular part of their learning -- as short-term goals build the foundation for long-term success. For November and December, our character traits will be Caring and Compassion.
Guest Speaker this Friday: We will have a guest speaker, Scott Fitch, join us on Friday to discuss care and compassion, along with digital citizenship and being a kind human being. We look forward to hearing his message!
|
Each week, many of our teachers will prompt students to pause and clean out any unnecessary items from their backpacks. Learning how to keep an organized backpack is an important skill we are working on together!
Families can support by helping their child organize papers and supplies at home -- it’s a great way to bond and discuss school, friends, and organization strategies.
Most students bring their Chromebooks fully charged each day, but a few still need reminders. Thank you for checking in at home to help your child make charging their Chromebook nightly part of their routine!
|
-
11/3: Parent-Teacher Conference Day (No School for K–6)
-
11/4: Half Day for K–12 students – Middle School dismisses at 10:40 a.m.
-
11/7: WMS Character Education C.A.R.E. Assembly Day
-
11/11: School Closed – Veterans Day
-
11/14: Report Cards Visible on SchoolTool; mailed home
-
11/26–11/28: School Closed – Thanksgiving Holiday
|
Thank you for your continued support. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Let’s have a great finish to October!
Sincerely,
Kevin Page, Principal
Bill Heinsler, Assistant Principal
Chris Shaffer, Assistant Principal
|
If you are ever concerned about someone’s safety, Wayne has partnered with the Safe School Helpline—a secure, confidential service for reporting unsafe or disruptive behavior at school. Reports can include bullying, harassment, drug or alcohol use, weapons, threats, or any other safety concern. Reports may be made anonymously at any time, day or night.
Ways to Report:
Each report receives a case number for follow-up or additional information. Together, we can help keep our schools safe.
|
|
|
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
