BOYS CLAIM CROWN AT EAST HARRISON

The Boy's Softball team served notice on the conference that they are contenders in 2015.  The Redbirds began the tournament with a solid defeat of the host East Harrison Bobcats 12-3.  Our boys wrapped up the championship with an impressive showing against conference rival Mercer 22-1.  The Redbirds record now stands at 3-0.  Unfortunately, the day was not as good for our Lady Redbirds.  The ladies dropped both games of the tournament and their record now stands at 1-3.  Both squads are back in action on 9-1-15.  The Lady Redbirds travel to Braymer to take on the Lady Bobcats at 5:00 while the Boy's make the long trip up to Jefferson to battle an always tough Eagles squad at 7:00pm.

Coach A....ugh...."working"

TWICE AS NICE!

The Winston Redbirds pulled off the double dip on Thursday night sweeping both games of the girl's and boy's double-header from Tri-County.  Both Redbird squads had dominating performances as our Lady Redbirds shut out Tri-County 9-0 and our Boys followed suit by defeating the Mustangs 14-0.  The Lady Redbirds now stand at 1-1 on the year while our Boys are at 1-0.  Both squads will compete in the East Harrison Tournament this Saturday in Cainsville.  The Lady Redbirds take the field at 10:30 against host East Harrison.  The Redbirds will also start with the Cougars and have a scheduled first pitch of 3:00pm.  It's a Great Day to Be a Redbird!

A Great Day To Be A REDBIRD!

It makes me very proud to announce that for the THIRD year in a row, your Winston Redbirds are the HDC All-Activities Champions.  This is something that all our students can take pride in.  This is one small step towards our goal of Excellence in all We Do!

It was quite an honor to sit in the conference meeting surrounded by all of the other Principals, Superintendents, Athletic Directors, and Coaches from all of our rival schools and get to watch them politely clap when our name was read.  I think everyone associated with Winston sat a little taller in their chair that evening, knowing that all of those other school leaders were envious of what we have been able to accomplish.

Of course, our work is not done, the pursuit for a fourth consecutive title has already begun.  Our students, staff, and administration are committed to achieving excellence in all we do.  We are proud to be Redbirds, and to carry the banner for our teams, our school, and our community.  It is a Great Day to be a Redbird!

LADY REDBIRDS COME UP SHORT IN OPENER

   Things may not have ended the way the Winston fans and athletes would have liked but the Lady Redbirds played their hearts out Tuesday night in their season opener.  The Lady Redbirds fell to the Stewartsville Lady Cardinals 0-6 to start the season.  A large group of Winston fans came out to cheer the team on.  I was proud to see so many fans and students at the field to root for our girls.  The game didn't end the way everyone wanted, but our girls played hard and never quit.  I am proud of the student-athletes in our school and I have no doubt that we will improve as the season goes on.  It is a Great Day to be a Redbird!

EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO!

     Winston High School had always been a name I was familiar with.  When I was a boy in school myself, I don't recall playing Winston in anything.  I am sure we crossed paths with them in the occasional basketball game or ran into them at a track meet from time to time.  It was once I returned to my hometown as an educator that I really became aware of them.  Once I joined the coaching ranks I was always impressed with their basketball and track teams.  It always seemed that when they were good, they were VERY good and when they were bad, they were still pretty good.  I always admired that.  Competing against them in athletics was never easy.

     Once I became an administrator, I became even more aware of them.  I became aware that they were competitive not only in basketball but also softball and academic team.  In many ways, Winston High School accomplished more than most thought a school this size should.  I began to follow more closely and was regularly impressed with the way the students competed, they way the fans conducted themselves, and the way the community embraced and supported the school.  I wanted those same things for my schools. In short, I was jealous.
 
     These are the reasons I decided to come to work here at Winston High School, and these are also the reasons I am so excited for what this year will hold.  As any student will tell you I am very proud to be a Redbird.  But my excitement and my expectations do not begin and end on the basketball court or on the softball field.  I am excited about the potential our school and community has.  I want the name of Winston High School to be associated with greatness.  I don't want us to be known as a school that is good at sports.  I want us to be known as a school that is good at EVERYTHING!  My motto for our school, and the focus of all I am trying to do here, is Excellence in All We Do!

     It is that thought of excellence that guides my actions as the leader of our high school.  I want anything and everything that is associated with Winston to strive for excellence.  My goal is to do our best to win every game we play, have the highest test scores in the area, have the best organizations, and create the best citizens.  This is surely a lofty goal, and one that cannot be accomplished overnight, but I have seen this school and community do great things.  I hope you all will help me strive for Excellence in All We Do, because if we work hard towards excellence we will never be embarrassed by the results.  I ask you all to join me in making our year, our school, and our community great.  Get on the bus, let us see how far we can go.  It is a Great Day to be a Redbird!

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

Mrs. Littrell leads her business class in a writing assignment that has students identifying their "funds of knowledge".

The Winston R-VI School District is taking part in The Prairie Lands Writing Project.  This is a program offered by the National Writing Project in conjunction with Missouri Western State University through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. 

The purpose of the program is to increase the writing skills of students of participating schools by “writing across the curriculum”.   That is to say, writing will not only be taught in English classes.  Other content areas will make use of writing strategies and exercises to sharpen the writing skills of students.  The Department of Education has identified writing skills as one of the most important indicators of academic success.

Members of both the High School and Elementary School at Winston underwent training this summer in order to utilize the program properly.  Students from Winston, Osborn, Trenton, Braymer, Breckinridge, and Hamilton are all currently participating in the program.  

7th GRADE, A YEAR OF TRANSITION.

     Ah, the first day of school.  It is a day that is universally praised by parents and loathed by students.  It is the day that we say goodbye to the freedom of summer and hello to the routine and structure that dominates our lives for 9 months out of the year.  The first day of high school can be a scary day whether you are a 7^th grader or a senior.  All students start the year facing some degree of the unknown.  For the new 7^th grade students it is a transition year from the format of the Elementary school.  Gone are the days of spending hour upon hour in one class with one teacher.  7^th graders are now switching classes every hour and having to keep track of their books, supplies, and assignments between several classrooms and a locker.  It can seem overwhelming.  Here is some simple advice to help make the year a successful one:

1.       Use a planner.  The school provides planners free of charge to our 7^th grade students, use them.  It can be difficult to keep track of assignments and due dates across 7 different classes.  The planner is designed to help you stay organized.

2.       Get involved in something.  Research shows that students who are involved in an extra-curricular activity have a better high school experience.  I know not everyone is an athlete, but there are other activities such as student council, class officer, band, and academic team that offer students a chance to get involved in our school.  Only by trying all of these things out can you find where you best fit.

3.       Don’t be afraid to speak up.  High school can be intimidating; don’t let fear keep you from voicing any questions or concerns.  If you need help with something, let a fellow student or a teacher know.  If you need to know how something works, or where something is located don’t hesitate to ask.

Of course, every student will face some ups and downs throughout the school year, but by following the advice above we can try to minimize some of the anxiety of new students. 

NEW FACES IN OLD PLACES

The 2015-2016 school year is going to be one of change for Winston High School.  In addition to welcoming a new principal, there will also be several new teachers at Winston High:  


Ms. Yuille

Ms. Yuille will be the new FACS teacher at Winston High School this year.  She comes to us after having taught the previous 2 years at Breckenridge High School.  Ms. Yuille is originally from Braymer, Missouri.  She attended college at Missouri State University in Springfield.








Ms. Yohn

9-12 English will be taught this year by Ms. Yohn.  She is originally from Southwest Missouri and graduated with her English Degree from Southwest Baptist University.  Ms. Yohn student taught at Buffalo, Missouri.  












Mr. May

Mr. May will be teaching 7-12 science this year at Winston.  He was born and raised in rural Humphreys, Missouri.  He has a Bachelor's Degree from MWSU and a Master's Degree from William Woods University.  He has spent the last 11 years teaching at Grundy R-V.  He and his wife, Amy, have one son, Braden, who is 6.  Mr. May will also be serving as a Junior High Basketball Coach and an Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach.

TEACHERS WIN ANNUAL "BATTLE OF THE CLASSES"

In what will surely be remembered as a contest for the ages, the Teacher's team took the crown at the 2015 "Battle of The Classes".  This is an annual event that is put on by the PTO.  It is a chance for our students and teachers to get out and interact with one another in a setting that is outside of the school or the classroom.  

The event was held in conjunction with the district's annual open house.  The open house was well attended and featured a chance for students and parents to meet new staff members, reconnect with returning staff and get ready for the upcoming school year.  The night also featured a free cookout provided by the Board of Education.  Board members were hard at work all evening grilling and wrapping hotdogs for the dinner that was offered free of charge to families who attended the open house.  

Of course the highlight of the evening was the much anticipated battle of the classes.  All teams had to run their best contestants through a gauntlet of challenges that tested the athletic ability and endurance of all.  All participants did well and had a good time.  It was a great evening of fellowship and socialization.  If you did not attend I would strongly encourage you to do so next year.  It's a Great Day to be a Redbird!

Hello Winston

   I just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself to all of the patrons of the Winston R-6 School District.  My name is Chris Gagnon and I am happy to say that I am the new High School Principal here in Winston.  I am married to a wonderful woman named Heather and we have two beautiful (just ask me) children.  My wife and I are both graduates of local small schools and we have always enjoyed the feeling of pride and family that comes with being in small districts.
   I am very excited to be taking over the High School here.  We have many things to be exceptionally proud of in Winston.  Our students are outstanding members of our community and they continue to shine academically, athletically, and socially.  I hope that I can help to continue the tradition of excellence that Winston High School has become known for.
   This blog is one way that I hope to increase communication with the community.  I am planning on updating the blog at least weekly with some of the great things that are happening in our school.  I hope you give it a follow.  I look forward to meeting with you all soon.  It is a Great day to be a Redbird!