Washington Middle School Counseling

Hundreds of students and their families attneded last night’s annual Bite of Washington. Thanks to the tireless effrots of our PTSA and many volunteers, wer were treated to many stations of wonderful foods and beverages, community agencies staffing information tables, and a friendly venue that allowed students, parents, guardians, teachers and WMS staff to say hello and spend a few minutes in getting-to-know-you conversation.

The evening was topped off by the Bit Olympics. The nose was deafening in the gym, obliterating our makeshift sound system, as all 3 grades sent teams to compete in the four unique events (school lspirit shirt, tallest tower, cheer, and our version of the decathalon relay). The 8th graders won this time around, but all the students played hard and ha d a good time.

All in all, this was a terrific first community event of the new school year.

To the tune of “Who Let the Dogs Out?”, all 1,039 Junior Huskies exited our building today, completing another year of middle school. It was a surprsiingly calm year, with a lot of highlights in all three grades. The end of the year field trips for each grade level went smoothly, promotion was inspiring, and most students pulled themselves out of the 3rd quarter sinkhole for an improved 4th quarter.

We’ll see many of you in September for Round 2 or 3 of Middle School. To those moving on to high school: best wishes, and we’ve really enjoyed having you with us. Take care one and all.

Representatives from the Dartington Social Research Unit in Great Britain, plus other high-ranking educational and children’s social service agencies, as well as a member of Pariliament, met with WMS counselors David Bilides and Corey Goldstein, Health teacher Amy Miller, and principal Jon Halfaker as part of a U.S. study tour on prevention and intervention. They were specifically interested in our bullying prevention program.

We discussed not only the Olweus Anti-bullying program, but also our Health Education classes, Peer Mediation Program, Equity Committee, and other prevention efforts.The director thanked us, writing, “Our group has been inspired, informed and challenged in equal measure.” She also posted an interesting article about their visit to WMS on their web site.

I found the visit to be refreshing, to take a few moments during the school day to sit and describe what we’re trying to do and what we’re actually doing to help children. I also enjoyed hearing what was happening in Britain, and answering non-trivial questions about our work. These were intelligent, thoughtful policy makers and researchers, who found something at value at WMS and in Seattle in general.

As difficult as it may be to believe, there are only 6 weeks of school left. The WASL testing went smoothly, thanks to the efficiency, organization, and professionalism of Takiyah Jackson. (Counselors are still directed to organize and administer the WASL process; our department and others across the District are working on moving test administration, a non-counseling task which takes us away from our students for weeks, off our plates so that we can spend our time counseling students and working with their families.) Everyone has breathed a sigh of relief, and the school day has gotten back to our version of “normal.”

Students seem to ramp up with the weather, and there are many educational and social issues “springing” up along with the flowers. Upheavals are also in store for the school as a whole, as the effects of the Legislature’s refusal to prioritize the educational needs of the state’s children work themselves out in layoffs, staffing changes, increased class sizes, and fewer services.  A difficult time got just that much more difficult.

Stay tuned—to your student, stay in touch with your teachers, and monitor the workload assigned. Above all, spend quality time with your student that has nothing to do with school. that’s one of the best preventative measures out there.

Last Thursday, the School Board made its long-awaited decision on school closures and program moves. As expected, Washington’s APP program will split, with an as-yet-unspecified number of students moving to Hamilton International Middle School. Meany School will be closing, and many of its students will be coming to WMS next fall. Staffing decisions are up in the air at the moment.

These are big changes, with losses and gains for many in our school community. What won’t change is out commitment to our students. Those making a transition to another building will be supported in ways they find helpful. Those joining our community will be welcomed in a multi-stage process that will include in-school visits at both buildings and other social and orientation events that we are planning.

The WMS counselors are intimately involved in all of these areas. See your student’s grade section on this site for particulars as we add them. It’s going to be an interesting 4 months…

Second semester started today after a longer-than-usual Winter Break. Students were happy to see their friends, and teachers were eager to pick up where they were interrupted. Passing out of new schedules went smoothly thanks to all the parent volunteers.

But amidst the start there are questions about what our school will look like next year, questions that won’t be answered until the School Board meeting this Thursday. Whatever comes of the meeting, the Counseling Department will be ready to field questions and help students (and parents) through the ups and downs of the rest of this school year. Stay tuned!