School of Innovation

WURTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL THANKFULS: JOSHUA SPARKS Joshua is THANKFUL this holiday season! Joshua shares that he is very thankful for first responders who recently rushed to help his grandmother. He shares, "My mamaw is now home from the hospital, so I am grateful for them." We are so appreciative that Joshua recognizes the amazing contributions of first responders in our community. Why are you thankful for Wurtland Middle School this year? Is there a teacher that offers you and/or your family support? Is there a secretary who always calls to check on you when you are absent? Is there an adult in the building who always makes sure that you have what you and/or your family need or offers you a kind word? OR has there been a specific event for which you are thankful that has happened at Wurtland Middle School? Share your gratitude. We invite parents, students, and community members to participate! We'd love to share gratitudes in the spirit of giving thanks this holiday season! Please take a moment and complete the linked Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckY1uFNg40v83e-b3nVZXTAAanh3fJJA3lVuYvBjJ_rPBN4A/viewform This week, we'll spend time sharing gratitudes with each of you.

WURTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL THANKFULS: HAYDEN SCOTT Hayden is THANKFUL this holiday season! Hayden shares that she is very thankful for her Papaw. She notes, "He loves me, and he bought me a pony!" We are grateful that Hayden has someone special in her life like her Papaw. It's time to share why we are thankful this holiday season! Why are you thankful for Wurtland Middle School this year? Is there a teacher that offers you and/or your family support? Is there a secretary who always calls to check on you when you are absent? Is there an adult in the building who always makes sure that you have what you and/or your family need or offers you a kind word? OR has there been a specific event for which you are thankful that has happened at Wurtland Middle School? Share your gratitude. We invite parents, students, and community members to participate! We'd love to share gratitudes in the spirit of giving thanks this holiday season! Please take a moment and complete the linked Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckY1uFNg40v83e-b3nVZXTAAanh3fJJA3lVuYvBjJ_rPBN4A/viewform This week, we'll spend time sharing gratitudes with each of you.

CULTURE AND CLIMATE COMMITTEE Mrs. Ciera Vanover worked to organize a student-based Culture and Climate Committee within our building. Last week, Principal Brandi Litteral, Assistant Principal Melissa Bowling, Guidance Counselor Jujuana Hieneman, and Mrs. Ciera Vanover met with the group. Students were selected to serve on the committee by their teachers. Students from each grade represented their peers to discuss "what is working" and "areas for improvement". They provided serious and meaningful feedback. Every voice matters at Wurtland Middle School!

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE If you are able, we would love for you to contribute to our Wurtland Middle School food drive. All donations can be brought to the middle school. If you are unable to get donations to the building, please contact us, and we will make arrangements to come and get them.

WURTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL THANKFULS It's time to share why we are thankful this holiday season! Why are you thankful for Wurtland Middle School this year? Is there a teacher that offers you and/or your family support? Is there a secretary who always calls to check on you when you are absent? Is there an adult in the building who always makes sure that you have what you and/or your family need or offers you a kind word? OR has there been a specific event for which you are thankful that has happened at Wurtland Middle School? Share your gratitude. We invite parents, students, and community members to participate! We'd love to share gratitudes in the spirit of giving thanks this holiday season! Please take a moment and complete the linked Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckY1uFNg40v83e-b3nVZXTAAanh3fJJA3lVuYvBjJ_rPBN4A/viewform Next week, we'll spend time sharing gratitudes with each of you.

WE'RE GOING ON A FIELD TRIP! Parents and/or Guardians: On Friday, November 22, we will be taking our entire student body on a field trip to the Festival of Trees. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 606.836.1023.

COLLEAGUE CREDIT Mr. Nick Yancey shares that Mr. Doran consistently goes above and beyond to help the students of Wurtland Middle School. He makes himself readily available to meet the needs of students. Mr. Doran recently volunteered to make clay tablets for Mr. Yancey's sixth-grade history class to carve cuneiform signatures. Thank you for all you do, Mr. Doran!

WILDCAT OF THE WEEK Mr. Scott Bowling shares that Levi has been working very hard in science class! Keep up the great work, Levi! We are so proud of you!

SMALL DEEDS, BIG HEARTS We can't let the day end without sharing how proud we are of these kids for their work with Meals on Wheels! Sometimes, small deeds done with big hearts have the most impact! These kids are going to change the world! Just wait...

ACADEMIC TEAM The Wurtland Middle School Academic Team coaches would like to share how incredibly proud they are of the efforts of Wurtland Middle School students during yesterday evening's Quick Recall match against Raceland-Worthington. They would like to also congratulate the following students for placing in written assessments: SCIENCE Waylon Hall - First Place Daniel Smith - Third Place Jaxon Ream - Fourth Place SOCIAL STUDIES Waylon Hall - First Place Bayla Blevins - Third Place Amelia Westfall - Fourth Place ARTS AND HUMANITIES Addison Daniels - First Place Kennedy Melvin - First Place Jocelyn Westfall - Fourth Place LANGUAGE ARTS Briley Parrish - Second Place Carmen Talamantez - Third Place Bayla Blevins - Sixth Place MATHEMATICS Brayden Gillum - First Place Jaylynn Clapper - Second Place Jarin Shackelford - Third Place IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A WILDCAT!

MEALS (AND WILDCATS) ON WHEELS Today, our Wildcats started participating in a new service project: weekly delivieries for Meals on Wheels. To say we are excited about this is an understatement! Today, students completed fifteen deliveries, and we can’t wait for next week!

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM Students in Mrs. Shannon's Hospitality and Tourism class recently made homemade ice cream. They enjoyed learning the process and tasting their final creations. They look forward to making ice cream a second time and refining their recipe! Great work!

THE WILD ROBOT Seventh-grade students recently read "The Wild Robot" written by Peter Brown. As an extension activity, several students worked to create their own robot inspired by illustrations in the book. This collaborative art project is made entirely from recycled materials: boxes, shipping, paper, masking tape, and deconstructed floral pieces once belonging to former Superintendent Sherry Horsley. Upon completion of the novel, students went on a field trip to see the filmed version of the text at the Wheelersburg Cinema. This has been an amazing learning adventure for our Wildcats!

WEST VIRGINIA MAKES FESTIVAL If you find yourself on the campus of Marshall University today, please stop and see our Wildcats at the West Virginia Makes Festival. Students are representing our Career and Technical Education classes with a variety of product sales. 🟢🟡

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE In honor of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, we would like to encourage all visitors, students, faculty, and staff to wear Red, White, and Blue as we celebrate our American heroes during our annual celebration.

SHAWNEE GAME CONFERENCE Students in Mr. Haywood’s STEM Builders class recently attended the Shawnee Game Conference hosted at Shawnee State University. In working to leverage gaming for educational purposes, our Wurtland Middle School students were invited to attend this amazing experience! Students were given a private tour of the eSports arena by a Greenup County graduate and learned about gaming-related opportunities right in their own backyards! AS ALWAYS, it was a great day to be a Wildcat! We appreciate Shawnee State University for providing us with this amazing opportunity! https://www.facebook.com/reel/534520866036937

ROSE VALLEY ANIMAL PARK EdRising students recently accompanied Wurtland Elementary School kindergarteners during a trip to Rose Valley Animal Park. Our students served as amazing chaperones and met some furry friends along the way.

COLLEAGUE CREDIT Ms. Jujuana Hieneman shares that she was recently checking-out at a local store when she noticed she had left her wallet in the car. When she returned with her wallet, she was informed that a friend had paid for her items. She looked and discovered that her co-worker, Carla Moore, had purchased her items - what a friend! Thank you, Carla, for helping her in a time of need! Also, after arguing about it, Ms. Hieneman shares that she re-paid Carla and added a pack of M&Ms for a sweet treat! We're a family at Wurtland Middle School!

WILDCAT OF THE WEEK Mrs. Ciera Vanover shares that another student was recently struggling with an assignment, and Evelyn took time to assist the student without being asked. Way to be a leader, Evelyn! We are proud of you!

ROLLING WITH KINETIC ENERGY Students in Mr. Scott Bowling's seventh-grade science classes have been working to explore potential and kinetic energy through rollercoaster models. These models demonstrate energy transformations. This looks like fun and hands-on learning!