7 Steps to Happiness

A Medieval Help Desk

Educator Effectiveness Academy 2012

As part of the Race to the Top grant, the Maryland State Department of Education is conducting 10 regional Educator Effectiveness Academies (EEA) again this summer. The academies are designed to help teams from each public school begin to understand the curricular changes that teachers and students will begin to see over the next few years here in Maryland classrooms.

Mrs. Warner, Mrs Kelley and Mr. Spicher joined me this past week as we attended the EEA in Howard County at Marriotts Ridge High School. We learned a lot about the new state curriculum and began working on our school's transition plan. This plan will guide the professional learning activities we will use to help our staff members focus on  ways to fully implement of the Common Core State Curriculum including Maryland's STEM initiatives.

To read more, click here: Regional 'educator effectiveness academies' begin at Marriotts Ridge High

or visit:
lhttp://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/index.html

“As Maryland moves from the State Curriculum to the Maryland Common Core State Curriculum, teams of educators from around the state engaged in developing curriculum frameworks and tools that will provide all Maryland educators with the information and resources they need to insure that our children receive a world-class education."
                   —Judy Jenkins, Director of Curriculum

Basic Math Made Even Easier!

Rethinking Education

Educational Realities

What to Read this Summer?

The Howard County Library has provided a great list of books for middle schoolers to read this summer.

 Check this site out:http://www.hclibrary.org/index.php?page=220

Change is Good...You Go First!

Another Great Year...Images From Our Last Day

To see more pictures, click here: https://picasaweb.google.com/104907339060231496895

Enjoy your summer vacation!

One Day to Go!

It is hard for me to believe that my third year at WLMS has almost come to an end. I want to thank each of you for making this school year so successful and memorable. I am happy to report that we have made gains in the area of student daily attendance and student achievement as measured by the MSA. We continue to make strides in decreasing suspensions and office referrals. In fact, we just learned that WLMS has been honored with our fourth consecutive Gold Award form the Maryland State Department of Education for being an exemplary PBIS school.

I want to take this opportunity to thank our PTSA executive board for doing such an outstanding job supporting our students and staff this year. I especially want to thank Mrs. Barham for serving as the President of the PTSA this year. We are very grateful for all that the PTSA does to make WLMS a great school.

I also want to thank our Performing Arts Boosters Club President, Mrs. Dunster, and the entire board for their dedication to our school’s performing arts groups. Your leadership and support have been very helpful as we continue to showcase all of the talented students we have here at WLMS. 

To our eighth grade parents and those families that will be moving to other schools next year, I want to wish you continued success as your child takes the next steps in their educational journey. On behalf of our entire staff, it has been a pleasure to teach this year’s graduating class. We look forward to hearing about their future accolades and accomplishments.

Well...That is One Way to Use an iPad!

Too funny!

See What Happens When You Make A Bad Decision

Based on the incredibly entertaining DirectTV advertising campaign, 

this is what COULD happen when you come to class without a pencil...

No pencil = no notes

No notes = no studying

No studying = failing

Failing = no diploma

No Diploma = no job

No Job = no food

No food = becoming malnourished

Malnourished = unattractive

Unattractive = no marriage

No marriage = no life partner and no children

No Partner and No Children = being alone

Being Alone = depression

Depression = getting seriously ill

Seriously ill = death

Lesson: Come to Class with a pencil!

Inspired by Mike Smith's Blog