William Thomas Middle School

We are so excited to invite and have you out for the SOTF Fall Marching Camp 2024!!!! Come out and experience one of the funniest activities a student can participate in during High School. (We also love having Middle School students come out). Our marching show theme this year is "Latin Nights" - Celebrating the Music of Mexico's famous guitar player Carols Santana. The student leadership team has been working hard to come up with fun theme days and fun game activities while we learn more about Marching Band. Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Hanchey or Mr. Leisher for any questions. Reminder that High School students can take marching band for High School credit (Humanities, STEAM or PE credit)

We are excited to announce our Lunch in the Park program for Summer 2024! Lunch will be provided Free to all children ages 1-18. Adult price $4.75 Sponsored by the AF School Lunch Program. June 10th - August 2nd, 2024 No meals served on July 4th and 5th. Monday - Friday Time: 12:00 to 1:00 pm Locations: City Park American Falls Skatepark Vard Meadows Park In case of inclement weather lunch will be served in the WTMS cafeteria. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

WTMS parents: if you want your child to use the diving platforms at Lava tomorrow, here is the link to the online waiver: https://lavahotsprings.com/diving-tower-release/

Coach Hoppe, some of the AFHS football team, and cheerleaders came to deliver football recruitment letters to our outgoing 8th grade boys. We can't wait to watch you all play some high school football this fall!!

Science and Engineering Fair is in full swing! Come by and check out the projects until 2:30.

The 8th grade Science & Engineering Fair is quickly approaching. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 23rd and plan to come to William Thomas Middle School from 9 - 2:30. The variety of projects this year is inspiring. We have everything from sports science to forensics to chemistry to engineering problems. It's going to be a great day of science!

Earlier this week, our top IBOB (Idaho Battle of the Books) team travelled to Pocatello to take place in the regional competition. They did awesome and came in with a second place finish. We are so proud of them and we can't wait to keep growing the IBOB program at WTMS!

Thanks to these hard working students in the Fired Up after school program we have a beautifully clean campus. They decided to spend Earth Day giving back to make their part of the community clean.

Ms. Clark's 8th grade Science classes took on the role of authors and created their own children's books about the water cycle. They are currently on display in the WTMS library before heading over for students in the Fired Up After School program to read.

As many of you may have already heard, our community recently lost Mrs. Jeanne Anderson. Mrs. Anderson was a pillar of WTMS for many years and one of the very best teachers we’ve ever had. She influenced the lives of hundreds if not thousands of students. All of her students knew she cared about them, and all of them were better math students after leaving her classroom. Her former colleagues will also greatly miss Mrs. Anderson. There will be a Celebration of Life Open House for Mrs. Anderson at the Millhouse Event Center on April 11th from 4-6 pm. Light refreshments will be served. Additionally, the family has created the Jeanne Anderson Memorial Fund with the Bank of Commerce in AF. Mrs. Anderson loved animals almost as much as she loved people. So her memorial fund will be used to help care for local animals and to host spay and neuter clinics. In lieu of flowers, food, or other gifts, the family would ask for donations to be made to this fund. Our thoughts and our thanks also go to Rockland Pharmacy, who originally shared the information about the celebration of life and the memorial fund.

8th grade student Eden Moore is now a published author! She was one of 6 students chosen from thousands of entries to have her short story published in a new edition of the book Human Kaboom! American Falls Public Library held a book reading and signing in her honor tonight. Way to go Eden. We are so proud of you and your accomplishments!!

Our own amazing Jess Rutledge was recognized by the Idaho Lottery as one of 34 2024 School Heroes from around the state. She was nominated by fellow staff member Jennifer Neeser-Curzon. Thank you Jess for all you do for our school and students! Your efforts are seen and appreciated greatly!!

WTMS parents, after your conference with teachers, don't forget to take your parent survey and to stop by our awesome book fair. Hours are today and tomorrow, 3:30-6:30, and there are lots of great books available!

The reviews are in and it's official: Mr. Leisher and the WTMS Players have a hit on their hands! Don't miss out on your last chance to see this wonderful performance of Frozen, Jr. on Monday at 6:00 PM.

A group of teachers and administrators spent the past 3 days in Boise at the annual IETA conference. They spent their days in a variety of sessions learning about new technology tools and other ideas and visited with vendors. On Friday afternoon our own Nathan Lammers and Myriah Leischer presented on Engineering Design for K-8 students. They cannot wait to come back and share what they have learned with their students and staff.

Congrats to our students of the month, and thanks to Tres Hermanos for helping us celebrate!

This weekend, eight of our awesome teachers gave up their weekend to attend the Idaho Middle Level Conference in Caldwell. There, they learned from other middle level educators in the state and shared some of their own experience and wisdom. One of the highlights of the conference was our very own Mr. Leisher being named the IMLA Region V Educator of the Year! Congratulations, Mr. Leisher, and thanks to all the teachers who attended.

Congratulations to the boys' basketball teams with their wins over Aberdeen today. 7th grade rallied together to win 34-2, and the 8th grade dominated with a score of 71-18.

Bikes, rowers and a couple training bars are in! We are going to have CrossFit classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5am at the WTMS gym for school staff and students. Let us know if you plan to come. We are so grateful for the Crossfit grant that gives students and staff members more opportunity for functional fitness.

Join us next week at our Pathways for Success night! Learn about the diverse career technical & academic pathways offered for AFHS students. This is a great time for students and parents to find out what programs are available. The event is focused on 8th and 9th grade students, but all are welcome to attend. The event will take place on January 26 from 4:00 to 7:30 pm in the AFHS Band Room. Participants will be given FREE admission to support the girl's basketball team at their senior night game that evening!