Williams Middle is Going Paperless!

Yes, you read that correctly but please do not be alarmed.  This will happen in phases and we will certainly keep you involved and informed in the process.  I think most of you would agree that sending paperwork home with middle schools is one of the LEAST effective methods of communicating with parents.  Therefore, we will use Moodle, Google Calendar, Google Docs and of course email and our school website rather than paper copies home for many of our reminders and notices.  We will also continue to use School Cast and I encourage parents to access the Parent Portal that School Cast offers.  Now if all of this is Greek to you, please do not worry!  Details will be given at our Open House on August 4th and of course throughout the school year.  In the meantime you can go online and find out more information about any of the above mentioned tools (just Google or Bing them!).  Let me know your thoughts.  Continue to have a safe and productive summer!

Marbury Technology Innovation Award

Great news! I was selected for the Alabama 2011 Marbury Technology Innovation Award in the School Administrator category! I am very excited and honored to have been nominated by my assistant principal and would be extremely honored if you are able to attend the awards presentation on Wednesday June 15th at 8am at the BJCC in Birmingham during the Alabama Educational Technology Conference.

Each year one state award is presented in each of the following categories:

• Elementary School Teacher
• Middle School Teacher
• High School Teacher
• School Administrator
• System Technology Coordinator
• Central Office

Nominees are judged based upon the following five criteria: Innovation and Creativity, Impact on Teaching and Learning, Leadership, Teamwork, and Scholarship. The award panel rated my attribute scores at the highest level of excellence in each criteria area.  I am honored and humbled by this and it also inspires me to continue to seek innovative ideas to challenge our students!  They deserve it and will need it in order to be prepared for the 21st Century Workforce.  Go Hawks!!

Summer Registration

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer thus far. Please be safe in this summer heat!

If you were unable to take advantage of our Early Registration, then please join us for Summer Registration on June 7th and 8th from 9am to 2pm. If you are new to us then please be sure to bring the required documents for registration: proof of residence, SS card, and your child's Alabama blue immunization card. Late registration will begin on July 21st. If your child has applied for our Technology Magnet Program and you have not received an acceptance letter, please email our guidance counselor, Dr. Grimaud, at ggrimaud@hsv.k12.al.us. If you have any questions call the office or email me at abwilliams@hsv.k12.al.us. Hope to see you soon and stay cool!

Summer Bliss!

I just want to take a moment to wish everyone a safe, happy and productive summer.  To our students, be smart, be safe and remember to complete your summer reading.  To our parents, keep your kids active and enjoy some quality time with them.  To our teachers and staff, REST!  I am already geared up and excited about next year and look forward to making great things happen at Williams Middle School.  To all, the school is open until mid-June and reopen in mid-July.  Please call or email me if I may assist you in anyway. Enjoy your summer and have blissful time! 

Go Hawks!!

School Uniform Consignment Sale

Make extra summer cash from school uniforms that no longer fit or are not needed!  Perform your own "Clean Sweep" of school uniforms and create the space you need!  There is no need to advertise, set up tables, or sit all day during a garage sale.  You will earn 75% of the selling price (minus a $4.00 participation fee).  Please email Donna Stevens as WMSconsignmentsale@gmail.com to sign up.  She will give you a consignor number and schedule a drop off appointment.  Drop off dates are this Sunday from 1-4pm and Monday from 8-9am. 

The sale will take place on Monday and Tuesday.  New families are encouraged to attend!  Get involved and see you soon!

ACTE State Results

John Butler, Kyra Davis, and Kelsie Jones took first place in Group Computer Programming Level 3 at the ACTE State Competition!  This is the third year in a row that Mrs. Nye’s Computer Programming students have placed first in the state with their Computer Programming projects.  Although seven of her students qualified to attend the state competition, John Butler was the only one who was able to get to the Montgomery event held on April 30, 2011.  He made the presentation and secured the win for his programming group.  The tornadoes and power outages kept Kyra Davis, Kelsie Jones, Robert Shehan, Tramaine Snodgrass, Jordan Kearns, and Germani Abram from attending the Montgomery competition, but they all deserve congratulations for qualifying to attend.  Great job!

Surviving the Storm

Welcome back and I hope and pray that all is well with you and your families.  Unfortunately, many people in our state and beyond lost everything, including their lives.  We are so blessed to live in a community that comes to together and supports those in need.  It warmed my heart to see the outpouring of support to those who were suffering because of their losses.  Williams Middle School wants to be a part of the community support.  In partnership with Life South, we will have our Community Blood Drive on Tuesday May 10th from 7:30-4:30.  During this time, we will also collect blankets, linens, and toiletry items to be donated to others.  We need your support!  There is currently a shortage of all blood types so please spread the word  to others and see you Tuesday!