Presidential Achievement Awards

Congratulations to our Presidential Achievement Award Winners.  These students work hard every single day!  We are so proud of their efforts.  They do an outstanding job representing Whiteside Middle School.  We know they are headed for great things in high school and beyond.  Congratulations to Serenity, Chance, Aliyah, Matthew, Tamira, Ashley, Byroncia, Ryan, and Jaiyla!  #ILSchoolsStepUp

Last Art Assignment: Kaleb

For the last art class, Mrs. Schleipman-Burke had her students create a drawing to depict how they felt about being out of school.  Kaleb's drawing reflects how we all felt about being away from school.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

Virtual Yearbook Signing

Since our 8th graders could not get together to sign each other's yearbooks, they held a virtual yearbook signing!  This is why we have the BEST 8th graders.  They are resilient, positive, and they make the best of a tough situation.  I know you will enjoy this video they created!  #ILSchoolsStepUp

https://youtu.be/-OvmOfGr_e0

8th Grade Perfect Attendance

Congratulations to Mouhamadou, Sabrina, Auron, and Schyler for winning the Perfect Attendance Award in 8th grade.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

Video: Advice for our 8th Graders

Click the link below to view a video created by 8th grade parent, MarQuita.  We are fortunate to have parents who work to make our great District even better.  The video contains advice for our 8th graders as they move on to their next big adventure.

https://youtu.be/8XlmcKrSJ38

East Side Fire Department

Thank you to the East Side Fire Department and Chief Runyan for allowing the American flag to wave from their fire truck during our historic graduation ceremonies.  We appreciate your support for our great District.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

Graduation Video: The Class of 2020

This is the link to our beautiful, historic 8th grade graduation video.  Each graduate is featured in the video.  We have the student speakers delivering the introduction, class address, and closing remarks.  The 8th grade awards are presented along with the fun 8th grade superlatives.  Superintendent Mark Heuring delivers the graduation address and we honor Katie Titchenal who passed away after her kindergarten year.

Thank you to Emily Sackett for creating this wonderful video!

Click to the link to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/-SUx5U7L1W0

Drive Through Graduation:2020

We were ready for our first ever drive through graduation.  This was the scene for Day #1.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

8th Grade Student of the Month: Kayli

Kayli is our 8th Grade Student of the Month.  Kayli has consistently worked hard throughout the year.  She has really stood out over the past six weeks.  Kayli has completed all her remote learning lessons.  She is a great example of responsibility.  Kayli reaches out and asks questions if she does not understand something.  She stays on top of her work so she does not get overwhelmed.  Good luck next year, Kayli!  #ILSchoolsStepUp

5th Grade Saxophone Musician: Marcellus

Marcellus has been awarded the Standard of Excellence in 5th grade band.  He has successfully completed all the saxophone play offs.  Great job, Marcellus.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

8th Grade Student of the Month: Brianna

Brianna is our 8th Grade Student of the Month.  Brianna is an extraordinary young lady.  She works hard and tries her best in everything she does.  She is open and honest and does a great job advocating for herself.  She makes sure to ask questions and get clarification when she needs it.  She is a great role model for other students in the class by the example she sets.  Brianna comes to class with a smile on her face and is eager to learn.  She is kind and helps in any way she can.  She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.  She often thinks of others.  During the remote learning, Brianna was not only working hard and completing all of her assignments exceptionally well, she would send her teachers emails with pictures of her family to to help cheer us up during this difficult time.  We admire her compassion, work ethic, humility, and positive attitude.  She is well deserving of the 8th Grade Student of the Month Award.  Congrats, Brianna!

Student Athlete Award: Isabel Brewer

Isabel Brewer has been awarded the Jim Burnes Leadership Award with the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association.  Isabel is a scholar athlete.  She has achieved a high grade point average all her years at Whiteside Middle School.  Isabel played basketball, softball, and volleyball.  She was also a fierce competitor on the Whiteside Middle School Track Team.  Isabel is persistent.  She never gives up.  We were all proud to watch her fight through any adversity.  Congratulations to Isabel!  #ILSchoolsStepUp

5th Grade Student of the Month: Daylin

 Daylin is our  5th grade Student of the Month.  His positive attitude and ready smile make the classroom and school a better place. Daylin is a good friend.  He makes sure everyone is included and feels welcome.  He consistently offers an encouraging word and smile to everyone.  He loves volunteering to help and he  is a hard worker.  He consistently does his best on his assignments and participates in classroom activities.  Daylin is an outstanding Whiteside student!

5th Grade Student of the Month: Ben

 Ben is our 5th grade Student of the Month.  Ben is a kind, thoughtful, and conscientious student.  He always has an encouraging word and is quick to help out a classmate.  He does this without any fanfare.  He is a good friend and just wants to help.  Ben is an awesome citizen of our classroom and our school.  He does his best on every assignment, project, or task.  Ben's positive attitude and smile make our classroom a great place to work.  Ben is an outstanding Whiteside student!

May 11 Video Message From Mrs. Laurent

Click the link below to view the May 11 video message from Mrs. Laurent.  The message contains important information about upcoming dates and time.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

https://youtu.be/bspndGwTQSg

5th Grade Trumpet Players: James and Daylin

We have two 5th grade trumpet musicians who were awarded the Standard of Excellence Award for completing all the band play offs.  Great job, James and Daylin!  Keep up the hard work.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

Teacher Appreciation Video

Thanks to our wonderful, creative 8th graders for making this video for Teacher Appreciation Week. We are honored to be their educators.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

https://youtu.be/lACaQ5pyo58

8th Grade Graduation Video Annoucement

This video announcement about 8th grade graduation was sent to all our 8th grade families.  #ILSchoolsStepUp

https://youtu.be/TT0DXaGFBNI

The Play Must Go On: The Enchanted Book Shop

Before the mandated school closure, the cast and crew of The Enchanted Book Shop were hard at work memorizing lines and creating the stage props.  The play was scheduled to be performed on April 17.

When school closed, our student performers were determined that the show must go on!

Under the direction of Mrs. Phillips and Mr. Poettgen, our student performers learned how to adapt well in the face of adversity.  Mrs. Phillips and Mr. Poettgen taught our students that if you cannot change a situation in your life, you change your perspective or your mindset to make the best out of that situation.  

The link below is the podcast of the play!  I know you will enjoy this performance.

https://youtu.be/Q6HpnmBd8x0

Thanks to our student performers for showing us how to be resilient.

Staff Hero: Mrs. Dawn Andell

Staff member Mrs. Dawn Andell has been busy serving others by sewing masks nonstop.  Mrs. Andell is so creative and we are grateful for the work she is doing to help others during this health crisis.  Thank you, Mrs. Andell, for being a great example for all of us.

More Wacky Warrior Photos

Our last day of school before the mandated closure was Wacky Warrior Day.  I know we all love to see the photos from our famous spirit week in the foyer, so I will put the photos on the blog for all of us to enjoy!  #ILSchoolsStepUp

8th Grade Graduation Signs

Thanks to Mrs. Gunn for organizing our 8th grade graduation signs.  They are proudly displayed throughout our neighborhoods.  #ILSchoolsStepUp