WELCOME to
Meyer Middle School
A National School of Character
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Penny Wars Raises Over $8000
for River Falls Food Pantry
November 2020
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
HONORS OUR VETERANS
November 2020
GIRLS WHO GIVE BACK
Make Blankets for the Homeless
March 2020
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
CELEBRATES
RED RIBBON WEEK
Feb 2020
GIRLS WHO GIVE BACK
Making a Positive Impact in our
School Community
2019-20
GIRLS WHO GIVE BACK
Lead Kindness Challenge at
Meyer Middle School
February 2020
GIRLS WHO GIVE BACK
Volunteer at Angels on Earth Giving Tree & Salvation Army
December 2019
Service Learning Day 2017
This Spring students in grades 6-8 at Meyer Middle School designed their own service learning projects and set out into the community on May 12th to put them into action. All projects were linked to a goal as a part of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL NAMED
2016 NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARACTER
May 2016
Character.org Designates 67 Schools 4 Districts as 2016 National Schools of Character
Program developed in 1998 has positively impacted the lives of more than 825,000 students
Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2016)-- Character.org, a non-profit organization that supports the advancement of character development in schools, communities and workplaces across the U.S. and globally, today designated 67 schools and four districts from 15 states as National Schools and Districts of Character for 2016.
Meyer Middle School has been selected as a 2016 National School of Character. Character education in the School District of River Falls began in 2009 as a result of the district’s comprehensive strategic plan and can be found embedded throughout the entire school system.
“ We are incredibly proud of our students and staff at Meyer Middle School and the impact character education is making throughout our school community.”
--Mark Chapin, Principal-Meyer Middle School
Since the inception of Character.org’s Schools of Character program’s in 1998 more than 263 schools and 14 districts have been designated as National Schools or Districts of Character, impacting more than 600,000 students’ lives. (A complete list of the 2016 National Schools and Districts of Character is outlined at bottom of this release). In addition, this year, two international schools have applied and will be evaluated for international recognition as a part of a pilot international program once the National Schools of Character have been announced,
Each year, Character.org (formerly The Character Education Partnership) and its state affiliates select schools and districts that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development programs that show positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate. Schools and districts selected in January as State Schools of Character along with those schools who reapplied in their 3-year designation of State School of Character were forwarded to Character.org for consideration for national recognition as National Schools of Character.
Through an in-depth and rigorous evaluation process, these schools were found to be exemplary models of character development. Of the schools named today, one district and 14 schools are former National Schools of Character reapplying for the national designation. Criteria for selection are based on Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, a guide to providing students with opportunities for moral action, fostering shared leadership and engaging families and communities as partners in the character-building effort.
"We are extremely proud of this year’s designated schools and districts for their dedication to character development which has proven to increase the well-being of so many students’ lives across the United States and beyond ," said Becky Sipos, Character.org’s President & CEO. "These character initiatives create conditions for learning where students are thriving and growing into ethical members of our society. They are developing lifelong skillsets they will leverage well into their adult lives.”
Character.org will honor the designated schools and districts at its 23rd National Forum on Character Education to be held the weekend of October 14-15, 2016, in Washington, DC. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the National Forum, the Schools of Character program (State & National), and the 2016 national honorees.
Program developed in 1998 has positively impacted the lives of more than 825,000 students
Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2016)-- Character.org, a non-profit organization that supports the advancement of character development in schools, communities and workplaces across the U.S. and globally, today designated 67 schools and four districts from 15 states as National Schools and Districts of Character for 2016.
Meyer Middle School has been selected as a 2016 National School of Character. Character education in the School District of River Falls began in 2009 as a result of the district’s comprehensive strategic plan and can be found embedded throughout the entire school system.
“ We are incredibly proud of our students and staff at Meyer Middle School and the impact character education is making throughout our school community.”
--Mark Chapin, Principal-Meyer Middle School
Since the inception of Character.org’s Schools of Character program’s in 1998 more than 263 schools and 14 districts have been designated as National Schools or Districts of Character, impacting more than 600,000 students’ lives. (A complete list of the 2016 National Schools and Districts of Character is outlined at bottom of this release). In addition, this year, two international schools have applied and will be evaluated for international recognition as a part of a pilot international program once the National Schools of Character have been announced,
Each year, Character.org (formerly The Character Education Partnership) and its state affiliates select schools and districts that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development programs that show positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate. Schools and districts selected in January as State Schools of Character along with those schools who reapplied in their 3-year designation of State School of Character were forwarded to Character.org for consideration for national recognition as National Schools of Character.
Through an in-depth and rigorous evaluation process, these schools were found to be exemplary models of character development. Of the schools named today, one district and 14 schools are former National Schools of Character reapplying for the national designation. Criteria for selection are based on Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, a guide to providing students with opportunities for moral action, fostering shared leadership and engaging families and communities as partners in the character-building effort.
"We are extremely proud of this year’s designated schools and districts for their dedication to character development which has proven to increase the well-being of so many students’ lives across the United States and beyond ," said Becky Sipos, Character.org’s President & CEO. "These character initiatives create conditions for learning where students are thriving and growing into ethical members of our society. They are developing lifelong skillsets they will leverage well into their adult lives.”
Character.org will honor the designated schools and districts at its 23rd National Forum on Character Education to be held the weekend of October 14-15, 2016, in Washington, DC. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the National Forum, the Schools of Character program (State & National), and the 2016 national honorees.
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL NAMED
2016 WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF CHARACTER
January 2016
Meyer Middle School was one of three schools named by the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership as a 2016 Wisconsin State School of Character! Meyer Middle School will be receiving this award in June at the Wisconsin Character Education Conference in Milwaukee, WI. This award is a reflection of the staff, students and parents of Meyer Middle School, as well as the work of our elementary schools in developing positive character throughout our school community.
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GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"PENNY WARS"
Meyer Middle School students raised over $5000 for the River Falls Food Pantry
NOVEMBER 2015
GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"Bully Prevention Agents (BPAs): Helping to Keep Meyer Middle School Safe"
2015-16 MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL BULLY PREVENTION AGENTS
GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"AWESOME PRESENTATION!"
October 2015
Keynote speaker and River Falls School District adaptive PE teacher, Dana Zimmerman gave an inspiring presentation focusing on overcoming obstacles, kindness and respect. Dana participated in the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia and the 2004 Paralympic Games in Atlanta. He was a silver medalist in the 1500 meter run in Sydney.
GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"TA FUN"
October 2015
THANK YOU to substitute teacher, Brenda Larsen, who came back to Meyer Middle School on her day off to play "musical costumes" with Mr. Harmon's TA. GREAT FUN!
"PROUD TO BE A CAT!"
WILEY VISITS
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Homecoming 2015
WELCOME BACK!
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL REVEALS THEIR THEME FOR 2015-16
"BE AWESOME"
September 1, 2015
"BE AWESOME" means to have MMS students and staff discover simple ways to be awesome every day. We will watch videos & share stories the first half of the year, then create our own to culminate in a video of MMS Awesomeness the second half of the year. Many of our lessons will come from the book, Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome.
Here are a few of the topics we will be sharing in discussing in TA: #7 If it doesn’t make the world better, don’t do it #9 Look for what matters #11 Complain less, Celebrate more #12 Get out there! (relates to service learning at year end) #14 Sing out loud- you don’t have to have a reason to #24 Recognize Real Beauty #28 Be Somebody Who Makes Everybody Feel Like A Somebody |
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GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
"MMS Students & Staff Make a Positive Impact in the Community"
May 29, 2015
GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"TEENS AS TEACHERS"
MMS STUDENTS HELP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS MAKE HEALTHY & SAFE CHOICES
APRIL 2015
GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT PLANNING DAY"
MMS STUDENTS BEGIN PLANNING FOR THEIR SERVICE LEARNING DAY
APRIL 17th, 2015
APRIL 17th--Meyer Middle School Students begin preparations for their Service Learning Day which will take place on May 29th. The goal of the MMS Service Learning Project is to make a positive impact on our school and community. Students at Meyer Middle School chose to participate in the following projects:
- MMS CLEAN UP: Students will be taking a day to improve the aesthetics of Meyer Middle School
- VETERANS PROJECT: Students will be capturing and sharing the stories of our veterans.
- NURSING HOME: Students will be bringing happiness to the residents at our local nursing home facilities.
- KINNI LAND TRUST: Students will be learning about and removing invasive plant species along the Kinni watershed.
- FAMILY, FOOD & FUN DRIVE: Students will be participating in a Lego, food, book and sports equipment drive.
- KINNI STATE PARK: Students will be learning about Kinni State Park and will be participating in trail development and invasive plant removal.
- CEMETERY/YARD WORK: Students will be beautifying Greenwood Cemetery and doing yard work for elderly members of our community.
- COCO’S HEART DOG RESCUE: Students will be making fleece blankets for CoCo's Heart Dog Rescue.
- FRIENDSHIP BENCH: Students will be utilizing their artistic skills to make two friendship benches for Westside and Rocky Branch Elementary.
- FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN: Students will be traveling to Coon Rapids, MN to participate in the "Feed My Starving Children" project.
- COMMUNITY GARDEN: Students will be rolling up their sleeves and working at our local community garden.
- WORK W/ELEMENTARY STUDENTS: Students will be visiting the elementary schools to read to students and lend a hand.
- FREE CAR WASH: Students will be participating in a free car wash for our local community.
- MUSIC @ Elementaries: Students will be sharing their joy of music at the elementary schools.
- READ ALOUD AND WORK @ LIBRARY: Students will be reading to children and working at the public library.
- BLOOD DRIVE: Students will be working with the Red Cross to put on a blood drive at MMS on May 29th.
GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"ROCK AROUND THE BLOCK"
MMS STUDENTS SHINE IN MUSICAL--February 19th-20th, 2015
GOT CHARACTER?
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
"PINK OUT" AT MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL--February 3rd, 2015
MEYER MIDDLE SCHOOL
CHARACTER IN ACTION
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION
2011 National Promising Practice Award: "Taking Bystanders Out Of Bullying"
2011 State Promising Practice Award: "Student Voice in Character Education"
At Meyer Middle School, the approach to character education was based on fostering leadership – particularly with students. During Teacher Advisory time, students were introduced to nine character traits using media clips. Students defined and discussed the particular trait, then wrote a “touchstone”- a statement summarizing the group’s idea on each character trait. A Student Character Committee was established and charged with synthesizing these 38 statements into one succinct school-wide statement for each character trait. Along with developing the core statements, the students also took on a bully prevention effort with their peers. So far, Meyer Middle School staff says the inclusion of students in crafting the touchstones and developing the student led committee, has been powerful and promoted discussion among students; it has empowered the committee members to be positive voices in their school.
2012 State Promising Practice Award: "Long Distance Student Reading Mentorship"
Sharing a desire to read and helping others less fortunate was the focus of this service project for 7th grade students at Meyer Middle School. The project had three components: fundraising, outreach, and reflection. Students raised money to buy books for their soon to be buddies at Bancroft Elementary in Minneapolis that has a student population of 83% free and reduced lunch. They traveled to this school and spent time with their buddies reading, sharing thoughts on reading, and giving them a new book. These buddies became “pen pals” with reading as the focus of their discussions. After their time at Bancroft Elementary, the 7th graders were asked to reflect on their experience. This mentorship activity gave these 7th grade students a chance to help others and put their character in action.
2012 State & National Promising Practice Award: "Climbing Toward Our Everest Goals"
Perseverance and hard work are performance character traits that Meyer Middle School wanted their students to have. With that in mind, Meyer Middle School took the famous icon of Mt. Everest- symbol of what it takes to set personal goals and works to achieve them- and made it a school year theme. On the first day of school, teachers introduced the Everest Project, shared their own personal dreams and goals; students then had the opportunity to view teacher goal projects and talk about them with staff. They watched the Everest IMAX movie and heard from speaker Eric Larson, a climber who scaled Mt. Everest. Leaving students with the question: What is your dream, your Everest? This was followed up by individual goal setting and strategies for achievement. Students made goal flags as a visible reminder of their goal. Throughout the year they heard from other speakers who have achieved their goals despite difficult odds such as the medal winning para-Olympian. Students are developing a greater sense of intrinsic motivation and capacity for perseverance and hard work. This is also building a more collaborative and supportive school climate.