When The Middle School is NOT the Middle, but the Beginning
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word Middle as “constituting a division intermediate between those prior and later or upper and lower.” But in many respects, the middle school experience is not the midpoint of school, but rather the beginning. Wauseon Schools provide some wonderful exposure to things like the arts in the primary and elementary grades, but it is at the middle school level where students are truly immersed in curricular and extracurricular activities that can define their overall school experience.
The most obvious example of this is the performing arts. Students in Band are picking up their instruments for the very first time and students in Chorus are introduced to daily instruction in vocal music. The students learn to read sheet music as well as the disciplines of rehearsing and practice. These lessons continue on in 7th and 8th Grades so it is when they enter high school that they are really in the middle of their experience. Our music programs get a very solid foundation STARTING at WMS and the band instructors, Mr. Don Clark and Mr. Jaz Bluhm, and our vocal instructor, Mr. James Vaughn are top notch in terms of building the programs.
Another example are the visual arts classes offered at the middle school. STARTING in 6th Grade, students are given daily instruction for an entire grading period in art history and visual arts concepts. This allows the students to engage in involved projects that are evaluated by a rubric that incorporates the standards while allowing the students to tap into their creative potential. Mrs. Jill Martinez and Mrs. Mallory Carroll collaborate to develop new and engaging projects for the students to enjoy.
Middle school also marks the START of students participating in interscholastic athletics. Beginning in the Summer before the start of 7th Grade, students can compete in Football, Volleyball, and Cross Country. The Winter Sports season offers Basketball and Wrestling while Spring athletes can participate in Track. Cheerleading supports both Fall and Winter sports. It is quite a commitment in terms of time and energy, but the success and pride in earning the title of a Wauseon Indian athlete is evident in the faces and conduct of the students.
Some co-curricular activities include the Quiz Bowl Team advised by Mrs. Kim Hinton. Our team competes against other schools in Fulton County. Mrs. Lynelle Nofziger, Mrs. Catie Lemley, and Mrs. Lauren Martinez take a team to the “Math Counts” competition where we have had students qualify for the State Competition in Columbus. We are also very proud of the afterschool program funded by a Federal 21st Century Grant. The program, run by Mrs. Amy Kreiner and Mrs. Stacy Beaverson, is well planned and provides support for students in their academics and social skills. A last example to be highlighted is the efforts of the staff in creating an inclusive and welcoming building climate. With initiatives being inspired by the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, we are in the process of instituting a “House System” that includes students from all three grades into a house instead of separating the students by grade.
We are opening the 2020-2021 school year in Wauseon Middle School in a very unique manner and it will require students, staff, and parents to make adjustments to school “life” as we have become familiar with and grown accustomed to. I hope that as the students enter Wauseon Middle School on that first day of school, they come in realizing that they are not “stuck in the middle,” but rather have the opportunity to approach the school year with the energy of a NEW BEGINNING!