Mickle Middle School

Welcome to Mickle Middle School

Mickle Middle School is a community that models and guides learning for all, acknowledges individual differences, and supports the transition into the next level of achievement.

Principal Gene Thompson

Jan 2012
We hope you enjoyed the winter break and that students are rejuvenated to take on the learning opportunities and challenges of second semester. Thus far we have been blessed with a nice winter but it is likely we will see changes as we deal with Nebraska weather in January, February and March. We encourage you to make plans to leave a little earlier on blustery, icy and snowy days to ensure that your student arrives at the beginning of the school day.

Once again this year Mickle teachers and staff continue to build knowledge and implement instructional strategies that support student learning. Through collaboration we will focus on implementing educational strategies that will increase student engagement and improve opportunities for student achievement. We know that there is a correlation between student success and effort. We also know that not all middle level students see the relevancy of what is being taught at school. They need support and encouragement from families and staff to see the importance of what is being presented and the connection for opportunities in their future.

During second semester Mickle students will be participating in the Nebraska State Accountability Reading (NeSA-R) and Math (NeSA-M) tests and a field test of the Nebraska State Accountability Science (NeSA-S) test. All students in Nebraska in grades 3-8 and 11 will take the tests.

There are several things parents can do to positively contribute to their child’s success. Encourage your child to put forth their best effort with positive statements expressing confidence in their abilities and their efforts. On the day of the exams a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast will go a long way to help your child best show what they know and are able to do on the test. Finally, being in school during testing is very important. Please reschedule any appointments that may take your child out of school on the testing dates. We will inform you of these dates as we get closer to testing days.

We have had a positive first semester and look forward to the opportunity to continue our important work with students. As a parent or guardian, one way you can assist our efforts is to speak with your students about appropriate behavior at school. Behavior concerns impact student achievement when students do not take advantage of learning opportunities or disrupt the learning environment.

As a student, we all remember the days when we had a substitute (a very difficult job) as an opportunity to see what we could “get away with”. At Mickle we have had concerns with student behaviors when we have had substitutes covering classes. We will continue to have appropriate plans when classroom coverage is needed and request the best substitutes available. We ask that families speak with their students regarding appropriate behavior expectations when working with Mickle staff, substitutes or with other students.

Best wishes to you and your family as we begin the important work of second semester.

Sincerely,
Gene Thompson
Principal