WMS AVID Holiday Store raises record amount

For the third year in a row, students in the Winona Middle School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program donated more than $1,000 to the Winona County Warming Center. 

The proceeds came from the AVID Holiday Store, which sells donated items for $1 each. 

The total amount raised was $1,143, the largest amount donated by the AVID Holiday Store.

The holiday store provides an opportunity for middle school students to shop for unique gifts for friends and family. Staff members donate items for purchase and volunteer their time to wrap whatever the students purchase. 

The Winona Community Warming Center (WCWC) provides emergency shelter for Winona-area adults 18 and older who are experiencing homelessness. Jen Ellefson, the Warming Center coordinator, was on hand for the donation.

AVID helps students develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to be successful in college, career and life. Teachers receive training and support to facilitate learning in inquiry-based, student-centric classrooms. Students learn skills in organization, communication, study habits and self-advocacy to take control of their learning. The WICOR structure (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading) has been proven to increase student engagement, rigor and understanding. 

The AVID elective is a class at the high school and middle school that targets a specific group of students in the academic middle to receive additional academic, social and emotional support.