Thursday, August 6, 2026

 


**Last updated 8/6

Important Dates

8/17-                    6th Grade Orientation 9am-11am

8/17-                    6th Grade Supply Drop off 5:30pm-7pm

8/18-                    7th/8th Grade Supply Drop off 5:30pm-7:00pm

8/20-                    First Day of School

8/25-                     Picture Day

8/28-                    Fire Drill 7th Period

9/7-                        Labor Day (No School)

9/17-                       6th Grade Camp

9/23-                     Fire Drill 2nd period

9/28-                    Safety Week

9/28-                      ICAC assemblies



Important Information

August 17th 

Convocation Day  @ North....still waiting to hear about times

        6th Grade Orientation 9:00am-11:00pm

-  6th grade teachers and Guidance do not attend Convocation Day

Staff Meeting 1:30pm in Room 214 (time and location might change)

6th Grade Supply Drop off 5:30pm-7:00pm

-  6th Grade teachers and staff that can not attend 8/18 (with approval)


August 18th

PD Day 8:00am-3:00pm

*  All teachers expected to be at Willoughby Middle ALL DAY (8:00-3:00)

**  No teacher may stay at EMS to work in their classrooms.

Here is a link to the PD Day Schedule (no link yet....waiting for schedule)

 7th/8th Grade Supply Drop off 5:30-7:00pm 

-  Any teacher that did not attend on 8/17


August 19th

Teacher work day.  Do what you need to do to get ready for the year.

Dr. Ward might stop by and have an OPTIONAL talk with staff on this day.  This would be an opportunity for staff to ask any questions they might have.  Again, this would be optional.....attend if you wish. (still working on details)


Supply Drop Offs

These "Supply Drop off" events are taking the place of Open House.

Teachers are required to attend either the 17th or 18th based on the grade level you teach.

Make sure you have your locks and lockers ready to distribute to students that attend.  Last year we had a great turn out for these events.  I expect even more people to attend this year.


SmartPass

We will be using SmartPass again this year.  We are working on getting it set up with this year's students.  Hopefully it will be ready soon.


Grade Level Expectation Talks

Dave and I will talk with each grade level about expectations on Friday, August 22nd

6th Grade:  8th Period in the Gym

7th Grade:   1st Period in the Gym 

8th Grade:  2nd Period in the Gym


School Day

Student Day:  7:40-2:25

Teacher Day:  7:30-2:30

*  Teachers are expected to be in their classrooms or at their assigned duty at 7:30 

* * Do not leave the building until 2:30pm


Morning Duties (7:30-7:53)

Core Teachers:  Homeroom coverage 

Unit Teachers:    Classroom coverage

Co-Teachers:  Assist with teams/ homerooms where needed

Elective Teachers:  Duty assignment posted on Master Schedule


Afternoon 

All staff members, please monitor hallways and help usher students out of the building.  The busses should arrive prior to the end of the day.  I will start dismissal a bit early the first few days of school.  Please be in the hallways helping direct students to car lines and busses.


PLC Schedule

6th Grade-  Tuesdays 8th Period

7th Grade-  Thursdays 1st Period

8th Grade-  Wednesdays  7th Period

Electives-  Wednesdays 3rd Period


Curriculum/ Academics

Teams, please start discussing these topics as you meet during the week of 8/17.  I am hoping that most of this is covered on PD Day.

PBLs-  please make sure their is a focus on "Portrait of a Graduate"

Pacing-  Pacing Guides have been linked to the top of the bulletin.  We will discuss during PLCs

Common Assessments-  Select dates for Fall MAP testing.  We will discuss during PLCs

Flexible Scheduling-  How can we start moving away from 45 minute classes to a structure that works best for student learning.  

FLEX Period-  This is not a study hall.  How can we utilize this time to best work with students? Review data (formative assessments) to help make your decisions. 6th and 7th grade will need to have dedicated time to work with students on RIMPS.  (Math will need dedicated time as well)

Protocols-  What are your team's protocols and non negotiables?  How are we connecting with kids?  

Writing Revolution (TWR)- This isnt going away.  Jamie Smith will be working with teachers again this year.  Please make we are putting a focus on TWR into your weekly instruction.



Good Professional Reading (or Watching)


Saturday, May 23, 2026

 

Staff Update Week of May 25,  2026








Important Dates


5/25-                        No School

5/28-                        Student Last Day

5/29-                        Staff Last Day


Important Information

Locker Clean-Outs

Please allow students to clean-out their lockers during homeroom 

Downstairs-  Tuesday, May 26th

Upstairs-  Wednesday, May 27th (or during FLEX on 5/26)

*  Please monitor students as they are cleaning out their lockers

**  Students will need to take EVERYTHING home on Wednesday

*** Students will not be permitted to use lockers on Thursday


Supervision

Students must be supervised at all times.  No exceptions.


At-Risk Possible Failures

Please make sure you update the At-Risk Possible Failure Spreadsheet prior to check-out with me on Friday.



Teacher Check-Out Day (5/29/26)

We will have a quick staff meeting on 5/29/26 at 8:45am in the band room.

We will start checkouts at 9am.  This will be drawn randomly.

If you dont mind checking out later in the day, let me know

My goal is to have everyone checked out by 11:00am


Final Bulletin

This will be the final bulletin for the 2025-26 school year.

It has been a pleasure working with everyone again this year.

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing summer.



Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Taking a Deeper Look at Student Data

Sunday, May 17, 2026

 

Staff Update Week of May 18,  2026






Important Dates

5/19-                        8th Grade- Niagara Falls

5/21-                        Tornado Drill (Homeroom)

5/21-                        Music Assembly 2nd period (Gym)

5/22-                        Fire Drill (7th Period)

5/25-                        No School

5/28-                        Student Last Day

5/29-                        Staff Last Day


Important Information

School Day Changes 2026-27

Student school day:  7:40-2:20pm

Staff work day:  7:30-2:30pm


Tentative Dates for 2026-27

Monday, August 17th        9:00-11:00am      6th Grade Orientation

Monday, August 17th        5:30-7:00pm        6th Grade Supply Drop-Off

Tuesday, August 18th        5:30-7:00pm        7th/8th Grade Supply Drop-Off

Thursday, August 20th        First Day of School


MAP Testing

7th Grade will be testing this week


Learning Walks

I still need to complete 6th Grade Learning Walks


Nerdy Derby

Please be sure you are supervising students while they are working in groups.  


Supervision

Just a friendly reminder....

Students must be supervised at all times.  Make sure you are enforcing the rules.  Issue consequences.  Do not be the weak link that allows students to create problems for everyone else.



Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Looking Ahead to the Last Weeks of School

Sunday, May 10, 2026

 

Staff Update Week of May 11,  2026



Another great performance from Northern Lights.



Important Dates

5/11-                        Smiles Dental Program

5/12-                        5th Graders visit EMS

5/12-                        Flip 2nd and 3rd period (entire school)

5/12-                        5th Grade Parent Night 6pm

5/12-                        Spring Band Concert 7pm

5/13-                        Assembly (7th and 8th Grade) 9:15-10:15 gym

5/13-                        Spring Choir Concert 7pm

5/13-                        6th Grade Field Trip- Progressive Field

5/14-                        8th Grade Field Trip-  West Side Market

5/19-                        8th Grade- Niagara Falls

5/21-                        Tornado Drill (Homeroom)

5/21-                        Music Assembly 2nd period (Gym)

5/22-                        Fire Drill (7th Period)

5/25-                        No School

5/28-                        Student Last Day

5/29-                        Staff Last Day


Important Information

Think Interactive Assembly

7th and 8th graders will be called down to the gym at 9:15 on May 13th.

Staff, please be in the gym to help make sure students are behaving appropriately.  This will last until 10:15


5th Graders at EMS

On May 12th, Thomas Jefferson Elementary 5th graders will be touring and eating lunch at EMS.  Reminder, we will be switching 2nd and 3rd period for the entire building that day.


MAP Testing

6th Grade 5/11 (Reading) and 5/12 (Math)

7th Grade  5/19 (Reading) and 5/20 (Math

8th Grade (Tests already completed)


Learning Walks

I will be stopping by classrooms for Literacy Learning Walks this week.  I will be in rooms for about 15 minutes.


Nerdy Derby

Thank you Mr. Dressel for your hard work with the entire school with Nerdy Derby.  This year, the track will be set up in the cafteria.


Supervision

Just a friendly reminder....

Students must be supervised at all times.  Make sure you are enforcing the rules.  Issue consequences.  Do not be the weak link that allows students to create problems for everyone else.



Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Gemini for Education

Monday, May 4, 2026

 

Staff Update Week of May 4, 2026







Important Dates

5/8-                            Niagara Falls Parent Meeting 7:30am  Cafeteria

5/8-                            Northern Lights 2nd period in Gym (confirmed)

5/11-                        Smiles Dental Program

5/12-                        5th Graders visit EMS

5/12-                        Flip 2nd and 3rd period (entire school)

5/12-                        5th Grade Parent Night 6pm

5/12-                        Spring Band Concert 7pm

5/13-                        Spring Choir Concert 7pm

5/13-                        6th Grade Field Trip- Progressive Field

5/14-                        8th Grade Field Trip-  West Side Market

5/19-                        8th Grade- Niagara Falls

5/21-                        Tornado Drill (Homeroom)

5/21-                        Music Assembly 2nd period (Gym)

5/22-                        Fire Drill (7th Period)

5/25-                        No School

5/28-                        Student Last Day

5/29-                        Staff Last Day


Important Information

Teacher Appreciation Week

Thank you for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and commitment to our students every single day.  Your hard work, creativity, and resilience make a lasting impact in and beyond the classroom.  We are truly grateful for all that you do.  Happy Teacher Appreciation Week.


AIR Tests

Congratulations to all of our tested area teachers.  Testing is done!  

(we have a few make-ups to complete).  Thank you Mackenzie, Tracey, and Michelle for helping out with the make-up tests.


Northern Lights Assembly (May 8th, 2nd period)

Our annual Northern Lights Assembly will be in the gym on Friday.  Please make sure you sit in the bleachers and keep the student quiet.  I will call students down to the gym at the beginning of 2nd period.


MAP Testing

Each grade level needs to complete Math and Reading MAP testing in May.  I will provide a schedule for this once it is finalized.


May- Reminders

Please limit students leaving your classroom.  Make sure you are using SmartPass.  Plan engaging lessons to keep kids from misbehaving.  Do not send students to the gym.


Outside

Now that we have hit May, feel free to take your students outside.  Please make sure you take a radio with you so the office can contact you if needed.


Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

19 Highly Engaging End-of-Year Activities


Monday, April 27, 2026

Congrats to Angela and Ellen.  A new record.....over 20K
Thank you for all your hard work with NESS
 

Staff Update Week of April 27, 2026






Important Dates

4/27-                        Fire Drill 1:35

4/28-                        Track Conference Meet (students will leave school early)

4/28-                        Band at Captains Game

5/8-                            Northern Lights 2nd period in Gym (confirmed)

5/11-                        Smiles Dental Program

5/12-                        5th Graders visit EMS

5/12-                        Flip 2nd and 3rd period (entire school)

5/12-                        5th Grade Parent Night 6pm

5/12-                        Spring Band Concert 7pm

5/13-                        Spring Choir Concert 7pm

5/13-                        6th Grade Field Trip- Progressive Field

5/19-                        8th Grade- Niagara Falls

5/21-                        Tornado Drill (Homeroom)

5/21-                        Music Assembly 2nd period (Gym)

5/22-                        Fire Drill (7th Period)

5/25-                        No School

5/28-                        Student Last Day

5/29-                        Staff Last Day


Important Information

AIR Tests

This is our final week of state testing.  Everyone has been doing a great job.  Please continue to keep the hallways quiet.

 Spring Testing Calendar.

Testing Groups


Food and Drinks in Hallways

Please make sure students are not eating or drinking in the hallways.  They are permitted to have water.  Students should not have Starbucks, Dunkin, McDonalds,  Energy Drinks, etc in the hallways.  

If you see it, please enforce the rules.  


Roster Verification

Roster Verification is due Friday.  Please see me if you have questions.  The majority of you have already completed it.


Student Behavior

Please enforce all the rules.  Dont be the person that allows students to roam hallways or be late to class.  We still have a month of school.


Outside

Do not take students outside unless you talk to me.

I will ease up on this once we get done with testing.


Good Professional Reading (or Watching)


Sunday, April 19, 2026

 

Staff Update Week of April 20, 2026




Thank you to our guest Cosmetology Speakers!



Important Dates

4/24-                        Tornado Drill (Homeroom)

4/25-                        NESS

4/27-                        Fire Drill 1:35

4/28-                        Track Conference Meet (students will leave school early)

4/28-                        Band at Captains Game

5/8-                            Northern Lights 2nd period in Gym (confirmed)

5/11-                        Smiles Dental Program

5/12-                        5th Graders visit EMS

5/12-                        Flip 2nd and 3rd period (entire school)

5/12-                        5th Grade Parent Night 6pm

5/12-                        Spring Band Concert 7pm

5/13-                        Spring Choir Concert 7pm

5/13-                        6th Grade Field Trip- Progressive Field

5/19-                        8th Grade- Niagara Falls

5/21-                        Tornado Drill (Homeroom)

5/22-                        Fire Drill (7th Period)

5/25-                        No School

5/28-                        Student Last Day

5/29-                        Staff Last Day


Important Information

AIR Tests

ELA testing has been completed.  Congrats to our ELA teachers.  Thank you for your hard work preparing our students.  

This week begins Math testing.

 Spring Testing Calendar.

Testing Groups


Supplemental Contracts

Reminder:  Supplemental Contracts are approved year to year.

No one is guaranteed to have a supplemental each year.  You must apply.

If you are interested in a supplemental, apply.  


Roster Verification

Tested area teachers, Roster Verification opens up on 4/8.

Please complete this for each of your classes.

We will discuss in PLCs


PLC Schedule Change 

For this week, I need to make some changes to the PLC schedule

6th Grade-  Thursday 2nd period

7th Grade-  Tuesday 8th period

8th Grade- Monday 8th period

*  CTE team, please cover 7th grade classes on Tuesday instead of 8th grade

**  CTE team, please cover 8th Grade classes on Monday 8th period so the 8th grade team can meet with me.


Outside

Do not take students outside unless you talk to me.

I will ease up on this once we get done with testing.


Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Managing Teacher Stress:  Useful Tips and Guidance

  **Last updated 8/6 Important Dates 8/17-                    6th Grade Orientation 9am-11am 8/17-                    6th Grade Supply Drop ...