Pinedale Middle School

Pinedale Middle School
227 E. Hennick
PO Box 549
Pinedale, WY 82941
Phone Number: (307) 367-2821
Fax Number: (307) 367-4217

Welcome to Pinedale MIddle School

Principal: Jeryl Fluckiger

Secretary: Pam Hejl

Counselor: Carolyn Normington

Pinedale Middle School is made up of students in the 5th-8th grades with approximately 290 students in the school. The Middle School Improvement Goals center around the improvement of student writing.

Our English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Music programs are all strong programs for us.

The Pinedale Middle School was designated a “No Child Left Behind, Blue Ribbon School” in November of 2004.

Pinedale Middle School has a 9-period day with the 6th period being the lunch period.

Middle School Facts

• Student Population:
  290
• Core Courses:
  English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Health
• Additional Courses:
  Art, Spanish, Band, Choir
• Extra Curricular Sports:
  Football, Boys & Girls Basketball, Volleyball, Boys & Girls Swimming, Track, and Wrestling
• Additional Activities:
  Science Fair, Academic Bowl, Student Senate, Math Counts, Accelerated Reading, and History Day

Middle School Mission Statement

"Pinedale Middle School will create a safe and supportive community in which its individual students will succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Congratulations to Sherrill Hudson

In November, 2009, Sherrill Hudson became a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of English / Language Arts, focusing on early adolescence. National board certification is a nationally-recognized advance teaching credential which involves preparing an extensive portfolio and a three-hour essay exam. Certification is overseen by the National Board for Professional Standards.

During the School Board meeting on April 8th, Sherrill was awarded a placque for her accomplishment by Jim Malkowski, Chairman of the Board.

Student of the Month

Mark Fenn, Son of Mike Fenn and Laura Fenn, was awarded the honor of Student of the Month at Pinedale Middle School at the Sublette County School District #1 School Board meeting held on April 8, 2010.  Mark earned this award for his continued success and dedication to the Mathcounts team at the middle school.  For the second consecutive year, Mark finished 1st at the regional Mathcounts competition sponsored by the Western Wyoming Community College Society for Professional Engineers.  This also earned Mark another scholarship to WWCC.  Mark’s success continued at the State level when he placed 3rd overall on March 6, 2010.  Mark will now travel to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida to participate in the national competition with the Wyoming State Team.

MATHCOUNTS

Mathcounts had amazing success 2009-2010 school year!  Starting in October, we practiced one every Tuesday.  Students could attend either a morning or afternoon session in hopes of attacting more students.  Attendance still ranged from 8-11 students even with the practice options.  Practice topics ranged from coordinate geometry to radical expressions to number theory.  We traveled to Green River, Evanston, and Rock Springs for practice competitions and even hosted a competition in Pinedale.

On February 12, 2010, the Pinedale Middle School Mathcounts team competed in Rock Springs at Western Wyoming Community College to determine who would go to state.  Against eight other Southwest Wyoming teams, our team of Mark Fenn, Tanner Trujillo, Ginger Shenefelt, and Tessa Wilson placed 3rd, qualifying Pinedale Middle School for the state competition.  Mark Fenn also placed first overall earning him a scholarship to Western Wyoming Community College and qualifying him to compete individually at the state level.  We were also represented well by our alternate team, Lily Jensen, Sierra Hosea, and Christina Kostelc.

The State Mathcounts Competition was held in Laramie on March 6, 2010.  The team left for Laramie on Friday after school and made the long trip.  On Saturday morning before the competition started, we toured University of Wyoming’s Geology Museum to see the dinosaur fossils.  We competed in the afternoon against 10 schools throughout the state.  After the competition, we went bowling and then prepared for the awards ceremony.  The Pinedale team was thrilled to cheer Mark on in the Countdown round and then as he accepted his 4th place trophy.  Mark’s efforts qualified him for a spot on the Wyoming State Mathcounts team.  He and I will be traveling to Orlando, Florida, all expenses paid, to compete May 6-9, 2010.  Students participating on our state team were:  Tanner Trujillo, Ginger Shenefelt, Tessa Wilson, Sierra Hosea, Christina Kostelc, Kara Dyess, and Riley Irwin.

I thank Kevan Kennington for his constant support of the Mathcounts program and the mathletes, and for helping chaperone the 2-night trip to Laramie.  I thank BOCES for funding the Mathcounts registration fee and our expenses at State.  Also, thank you to the Transportation Department for their support of our students, in particular, Jeanette Sanborn for driving us all around Laramie from one activity to the next.  Finally, I thank the parents and former teachers of the students who participated in Mathcounts during the year.  I appreciate your effort to encourage the students to not only study, but to be challenged!

By Christine Zakotnik

RED RIBBON WEEK / CHAMPIONS CLUB

Pinedale Middle School celebrated Red Ribbon Week (October 26-30, 2010 ) with the following themes and activities:

Fifth and sixth grade students decorated doors with the “Digging Life Drug and Bully Free” theme.  Winning doors were judged by Champions members on Monday this week.  Tuesday, students heard from Steve and Debbie Allen about the deathly consequences of binge drinking.  On Wednesday, students received small stuffed colts during their base camps.  The colts were utilized as a symbol of our unity in our efforts to achieve a bully free school.  Students were allowed to wear their Halloween costumes on Friday during an end of the day parade.

The seventh and eighth graders enjoyed a week of “Mission Possible:  A Drug and Bully Free School.”  On Monday, these students learned about Friday’s Mission Impossible base camp competition.  They also heard the Dig Life presentation on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, seventh and eighth graders all received white metal water bottles emblazoned with a green colt.  Again, the colt serves as a symbol of our solidarity in our efforts to make healthy choices both individually and as a whole school.  Friday culminated in the Mission Impossible base camp competition.

Champions members also met two times (to date) for lunch time pizza and conversation. 

By Carolyn Normington

HISTORY DAY PROJECTS

In 2009-2010 History Day students had success entering their projects at district competition in Big Piney. Their success was relegated to many aspects of the program, including both the state standards and extra-curricular pursuits. For example, after completing their projects of choice on an annual theme, they had the option of entering the district competition and then state competition if selected.  We had 12 students from Pinedale Middle School who placed in the top three at district and therefore competed against students from around the state, with the chance of placing and attending the national competition in Washington, D.C., in June alongside students from all over the United States!  Unfortunately, last year was the first year since 2003 that we did not have a student place at state and attend Nationals; suffice to say our students’ projects were well done, and they all had a great time competing against other students from Wyoming schools!

The goal of our History Day program is to further promote the study of history in our school by encouraging in-depth research and analysis.  History Day participants develop skills in writing, research, critical thinking, and communication. Working individually or cooperatively, students learn how to define historical questions, locate source material, take organized notes, analyze information, and present it in an effective manner abiding by strict rules set by the National History Day organization. They learn about research devices such as thesis statements and annotated bibliographies. These skills will be vital for students when they enter high school and college.

The Wyoming History Day Program is dedicated to promoting the study of history to Wyoming’s students. We believe that if students are allowed to pursue history on their own terms and with projects of their own choice, they will acquire a greater appreciation of history.  Through friendly competition, we believe that the students will be able to develop critical thinking and research skills, and utilize their creative expression while building positive self-esteem.

By Mitch Irrgang

Expedition Yellowstone

In mid September 2009, 65 sixth grade students, a few teachers, and a few tireless chaperones had the opportunity to experience the wonders and beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Through a BOCES grant the group participated in a residential outdoor learning experience created by the National Park Service called Expedition: Yellowstone! The curriculum goals are to teach students about the natural and cultural history of Yellowstone, to investigate current issues affecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and to promote stewardship and preservation in the park and in home communities. Emphasis is on learning through direct experience in the outdoors. Students participated in many activities from morning until night including a hike to Lost Lake, hydrothermal feature comparisons between Norris and Mammoth, tracking a wolf collar, climbing into an abandoned wolf den, identifying trees, watching wolves and bears in the Lamar Valley and making unforgettable memories with their friends.

 

 By Retta Hudlow