The Hilbert Middle School was awarded the honor of Middle School of Excellence for small schools by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrations. In November, the Hilbert Middle School was awarded the Exemplary Middle School Award. All schools which received the honor had the opportunity to become the Middle School of Excellence. We won the honor based on our school’s approach to addressing challenges, creating and personalizing a supportive environment for students, and setting a high standard for success.

Some specific ways we have achieved success in these areas are integrating technology into classroom lessons, continuing professional development, team meetings to address students’ needs, creating units based on curriculum standards, incentive programs in the classroom and for the whole middle school, activity period, collaboration with staff members and parents, and team-teaching opportunities.

This honor is a true reflection of the entire Hilbert School District staff, the students, families, and the local community. Congratulations for being a part of this award.

The middle school will be honored at the Middle School/High School principal conference on February 2, 2012.

The Hilbert Middle School will be taking a field trip to the Appleton Family Ice Center on Friday, January 27 to reward the students who recieved passing grades in all classes during the 2nd quarter. The students will be leaving school at 11:45 and returning back around 2:45.

The cost of the trip is $5 for the trip, skate rental, and transportation. Concessions will be available at the Ice Center if your child would like to bring extra money.

A permission slip has been sent home with students to return by Thursday, January 26.

Good Times, Good Friends, Good Food!

Skate City was a great time for all.

In honor of Veteran’s Day, the middle school students were asked to write an essay on “Why Are You Pround of Your Country?” The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students put much thought and effort into writing their essays. The teachers were impressed with the ideas that the students thought of. It was very difficult but we chose one essay from each class to display. The students created a challenge for the teachers to narrow it down to just one essay. You should all be proud of yourselves and your country.

The following students had the best essays:

Jacqueline Bangart I am Extremely Proud to be an American

Connor Kuhn The USA

Tori Christensen Why I am Proud of my Country

The Hilbert Middle School Halloween Dance was a blast! About 80% of students showed up in costume. The DJ spun great music which had almost everyone out on the floor dancing. The cake walk was a success. We had 23 different items (cakes, cupcakes, bars, and cookies) for winners.

On Monday November 7, the middle school students who have
worked hard all quarter to earn passing grades are headed for fun at Skate City
in Kimberly. They will eat an early lunch at 11:00 and board the buses by
11:30. The students will be gone from 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

The cost of the trip and transportation is $5. You may bring
your own roller blades, but they have to be approved by Skate City staff prior
to use. In addition, if you would like to rent roller blades, you need to pay
an additional $1. The students can bring extra money if they would like to
purchase concessions or play games.

Please return the permission sent home with students and the
money by Wednesday, November 2.

The pumpkin painting was a great success. 23 adventurous
students stayed after school to create interesting and unique pumpkins for the
Halloween season. Due to the rain and cold weather, the painting was done in
the Home EC room. Throughout the activity, teachers and staff stopped in to see
the students and check out their designs. All involved enjoyed the activity.
Take some time to watch the slideshow to check out what your classmates did!

Great job with the pumpkins.

Last week, the students of Hilbert Middle School
participated in the democratic process by voting for student council members.
For a student name to be on the ballot, the student had to announce they were
interested and gave a small speech to their classmates about why they would
like to be on student council.

The student council members help teachers organize a variety
of events throughout the year including volunteer opportunities, dances, Winterfest,
and field trips. They will also help to raise money for the middle school by
fundraising and having “Hat Days” or “I-pod Days” The students give their time
during lunch, homeroom, and after school to fulfill their duties. Mr. Stumo is
the student council supervisor.

The following students were voted into student council:

8th Grade: Austin Hanlan, Bryce Koenigs, Emma Zahringer

7th Grade: Caleb Delvaux, Lizbeth Hinojosa

6th Grade: Amelia Bates, Garrett Franczek

Congratulations!

The Association of Wisconsin School Administrations has recognized Hilbert Middle School as an Exemplary Middle School. To achieve this recognition, Hilbert Middle School achieved math scores in the top ten percent and experienced significant growth in reading. Congratulations to the administration, staff, students, and
families. Everyone working together has earned this award!

Hilbert Middle School will be included in a statewide press
release that will recognize all the Exemplary Middle Schools in the state which
will be released in the near future by the Department of Public Instruction. We
will also be included in an upcoming issue of the AWSA Update Bulletin and
appear in the February Middle Level and High School Adminstrators Conference
program.