Book clubs, book presentations in character, book board games, and book tastings are just some of the classroom projects that Western Wayne Middle School students have been participating in through their English Language Arts classes this year.

ELA teacher Starlah Robbins treated her students to a “book tasting” earlier this year where students sampled a variety of different books in her class. She set up her room like a book café and served as the reading chef.  In addition, Robbins explained other projects she does with her students.

“ I allow class time for independent reading and then do both journaling and book talks,” Robbins explained.  “They discuss conflict, characters, themes, etc. in their books, without giving away any spoilers.  From these talks students make “read next” lists for books that catch their interest. Aside from book talks, students have done book reviews, which is another way for students to see what other good books are out there that they can read.”

Similarly fellow ELA teachers Dawn Krautter and Jessica Fullwood host book talks within their classrooms and say their students truly enjoy being able to read books of their choice and then share their reading experiences with classmates.  This practice helps promote students learning about and choosing a variety of books to read throughout the school year.

Sixth grade ELA teacher Kathleen Petty had her students create and play a book talk board game.

“After reading independently selected sixth grade-appropriate books, the students shared information about their selections as they played the board game,” Petty explained.  “Simultaneously, the other players would record details of the book on their score sheets. The kids were really comfortable discussing and sharing details about their books in a small group setting. This was a fun way to spark student interest in new books. Throughout the game several students exclaimed, ‘I’ve got to read your book!’ It was a great way to break up the regular classroom routine!”

Eighth grade ELA teacher Jessica McLaughlin has her students choose their independent reading books in a variety of categories throughout the school year to help them diversify their reading patterns. For the second quarter, students read a biography or autobiography of their choosing.  As their final book project, they discussed the biography figures they wrote about with their classmates.  Some students dressed in character for the activity.  The students said their favorite part about the project was learning about different people throughout history that they didn’t know existed.

Another way that students are being able to expand their knowledge on a variety of topics through reading comes from an opportunity provided to them by The Wayne County Community Foundation through a project called Building Home Libraries.  The Foundation has donated books to Western Wayne Middle and Elementary schools to help students to build their own home libraries.  All students received books the week of February 7 to take home and enjoy.

Eighth grader Hailey Wasman was excited to get a new book.

“I have been reading a really great series lately, but I am always ready to try out a new story,” Hailey said.

In addition, this coming spring Western Wayne Middle and High School students will participate in NEIU 19’s Virtual Reading Relays where they will get to discuss books in a competitive and friendly way with students throughout the local area.  Western Wayne students are thrilled to have so many different and unique ways to involve reading in their education.

“Hope you have a great day!” and “Your day will get better!” are just two of the positive messages that Western Wayne Sixth Grader Grace Owens has written for others around her she thought needed some positive inspiration.

Grace explained that she writes inspirational messages on post it notes for her friends and teachers at Western Wayne Middle School when she knows they are struggling or facing challenges.

“When my one friend was getting braces, I wrote her a note that said she was beautiful no matter what and that it wouldn’t change,” Grace explained.

Grace said she pays attention to how the people around her are feeling and writes them a note when she thinks they need it the most.  She also likes to write cards for her family members.

Grace is a member of student council, basketball, and cheerleading at Western Wayne along with being a teacher for children ages three through five at her church. She is also an honor roll student.

She looks forward to continuing to inspire others around her to feel the positivity she enjoys passing on.

Western Wayne Middle School Students enjoyed a treat of activities with their classmates including a trivia contest, basketball tournament, and a variety of team building exercises on January 14, 2022, as a part of the school PBIS initiative. The PBIS initiative involves successfully creating a proactive positive school environment in which students are demonstrating their Wildcat PRIDE daily.  

PBIS is an ongoing effort of the Western Wayne School District to guide students in behaving and interacting with others in such a way as to promote an effective learning community.

The students in grades six through eight enjoyed the activities on what was a half day of school on Friday, Jan. 14, 2002.

In photo one, from left: 8th graders Maggie Kotchessa and Logan Pauler participate in the 8th grade basketball competition while Mr. Darren Thorpe supervises and fellow 8th grader Phoebe Schmitt takes the score.

In photo two, from left back row: 8th graders Antonio Fisichella and Ethan Gillot.  Front row, from left: fellow 8th graders Aiden Matthews and Zach Wilbur.  The students completed a team building activity in class where they had to build a structure out of nothing but twenty sheets of paper.

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On December 14th, the 7th and 8th Grade Choruses of Western Wayne proudly presented their annual Winter Holiday Program to a very receptive audience. Through their singing, these students shared the joy of the holiday season!

TUESDAYS, FEBRUARY 15 – MARCH 29, 2022
5:30- 8 PM
WESTERN WAYNE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Eligible to ALL students ages 10-14.
Limited to the first 15 families.

A Free and Fun Program for the Entire Family. Take advantage of this opportunity to make your family stronger and give your child the skills to transition into their teen years successfully.

1. Family Meal Provided

2. Attendance Prizes

3. Childcare for Younger Siblings

4. Youth Skill Building Activities

5. Play Games

6. Create Long Lasting Memories

Western Wayne middle school students in Ms. Starlah Robbins English Language Arts classes were treated to a book tasting this week during class time.  The students got to sample a variety of new books to see what new flavor of reading sparked their interest.  The students were thrilled to get to experience so many new books at once, and many chose a new story to start reading for class assignments and for pleasure! The classroom was decorated as a sort of book café with table cloths and other trimmings, and Robbins herself dressed as book chef to make the atmosphere fun.  Ms. Robbins hopes to do more engaging activities of this nature in the future, and the students are looking forward to it as well!

Western Wayne Sixth Grade Chorus students performed their holiday concert on Tuesday, Dec. 7, for family, friends, and members of the community under the direction of Mrs. Joyce Covaleski.  A great time was had by all.

Western Wayne Seventh and Eighth Grade students performed their holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 9, for family, friends, and members of the community under the direction of Mrs. Maria Arneil and Mrs. Elaine Ort. A great time was had by all.

Flashing lights, catchy songs, choreographed dances, and a powerful message were all a part of the show presented by the JLINE Dance Crew out of New York City.
The group entertained Western Wayne Middle School students in grades 6 through 8 on Thursday, Nov. 11, at a school assembly in the gym. Show creator and lead performer JLINE sang through a variety of songs for the students including some popular cover songs like “This is Me” and others that he wrote with a powerful message about anti-bullying.
JLINE had two back-up dancers in the show Darby Fulcher and Carrie Lee. The group led by JLINE performed high energy songs to engage the students.
“There was a lot of bullying in my school,” JLINE explained to the kids before starting the performance. “I got through it with song and dance. I think dance and music unite us all.”
After the musical portion of the show, JLINE told more of his story to the students. He explained that he experienced so much bullying as a boy in his school, in a small town in upstate New York, that he shut down and didn’t really speak to anyone for two years.
To get him to open up, his parents got him involved in cross country running, Taekwondo, and theater.
“I’m so lucky my parents believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” he told the students. JLINE believes that his involvement in these three activities greatly influenced his path in life and helped him to get where he is today creating shows to spread a powerful message to students.
After JLINE spoke, dancer Carrie Lee told the students about an experience she faced in school where she took a long time to stand up for another student she saw her friends repeatedly making fun of.
“It was just easier to walk away and pretend it wasn’t happening,” Carrie explained but then discussed how she finally decided to make a change and stand up for the student even if it meant losing friends. “I learned it’s not enough to just avoid bullying. You need to stand up for each other. You can be that one person to stand up for someone else.”
Fellow dancer Darby Fulcher was the last performer to speak to the students. She explained to them how she struggled greatly with her academics in school, but, in the end, graduated in the top of her class.
“If you have a roadblock in your life, push through it” Darby told the students. “Don’t give up.”
Western Wayne administration, faculty, and staff hope the messages presented to their students help them to develop as individuals who want to show kindness to others and persevere even in difficult situations.
From left: JLINE performs with dancers Darby Fulcher and Carrie Lee for Western Wayne Middle School students at an assembly on Thursday, November 11.