7574-R1_LGP_MechanicFalls_AnnualReport_2021_Text_4C_Web

February 22, 2021

Greetings from Whittier Middle School! This has been a school year like no other, and I am extremely proud of the efforts of our students, families and staff in making school work as well as they have. Bruce M. Whittier Middle School currently serves 276 seventh and eighth graders fromMechanic Falls, Minot and Poland. Thirty-three students are learning fully remotely from home. The rest of our students are learning in a hybrid model. Students are in school for half of the week and learn remotely during the rest of the week. On the remote days, students work on their assignments independently and submit them electronically. We miss the opportunity to have all of our students together full-time, but teachers are providing learning experiences to help them continue to grow, and students are learning some important communication skills along the way. Students are currently engaged in the National History Day project, a project emphasizing the development of research skills. Students selected their own topics based on this year’s topic, Communication in History: The Key to Understanding. Through the project, students learn the essentials for navigating the Information Age by locating appropriate sources, determining the sources’ reliability, forming thesis statements, finding evidence to support their ideas and then structuring their evidence and ideas in a compelling, clear way. Students learn to write with purpose, cite sources, edit writing and formally present their original work. Students will share their research through their choice of a presentation, performance, website, paper, or documentary. This year, Whittier History Day will be virtual, and students’ work will be displayed online for our judges. The top projects in each category will be submitted to the state competition, where students may earn the opportunity to compete at the national level. In the past ten years, over forty Whittier Middle School students have participated in the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C. Many opportunities have moved to a virtual or semi-virtual format, but we have continued to offer Student Council, Spelling Bee, Drama Club, Yearbook Committee, Green Team, Writing Club, and Civil Rights Club. Sports seasons have been altered to meet established guidelines. Over 65 students participated in field hockey, soccer, and cross-country running in the fall, and 40 students are currently playing basketball. Competition with other local schools has been limited, but the chance to participate has been very positive for physical and mental health. One of the keys to a successful middle school is facilitating positive relationships amongst staff and students. Wearing masks and keeping social distance has made this more challenging, but staff members have been creative. All students are part of advisory groups, called Roundtables, which meet every morning with their advisors. Roundtable ensures that every student has opportunity for connection to peers and a helpful adult in the building. Students are more successful academically when they feel safe and included. We are extremely proud of the teaching, learning, and positive culture of our school, and we thank you for your support and investment in our students and school. Shawn J. Vincent Principal

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