Staff Update Week of December 18th, 2023

Important Dates

12/20     Staff Meeting 7:30am   

12/20     Band/Choir Concert (2nd period in Gym)

12/20       PTSO Meeting 6:30pm

12/21      PBIS 2nd Quarter Incentive 

1/4          Return to School

1/15          MLK Day- No School

1/24         Staff Meeting 7:30am

Important Information

Thank You

Thank you to everyone for all their hard work this first semester.  It has been great continuing to work with everyone.  I know everyone is ready for a break.  I hope you get the opportunity to relax and recharge over the holidays.

Last Week of Semester 

Please make sure you are keeping your students engaged this final week.   Do not give your students "free time".     You need to be instructing students and working with them to keep them actively learning.  

Engaged kids = behaved kids. 

Locker Clean-Out

Monday-  First Floor

Tuesday-  Second Floor

Please help monitor students and make sure they are cleaning out their lockers.

We may extend homeroom a few minutes.....I will let you know.

Keep an eye out for extra Chromebooks in students' lockers

Parent Communication

Just a friendly reminder that Parent Communication is an essential part of our jobs.  Although we provide many ways for parents to monitor their student's progress (Schoology, Powerschool, etc), many parents do not take advantage of this.

If students are missing multiple assignments in your class, you need to reach out to them and let them know.  A simple email can make parents aware of the missing assignments and perhaps get the student to complete their work.

Bookbags

Students are not permitted to carry bookbags around school.  This includes 8th period.  Do not allow students to carry them or enter your room with a bookbag

*  Keep in mind there are a few kid with medical needs so they are permitted to use them.

Band/ Choir Concert

On Wednesday, our band and choir students will be performing in the gym 2nd period.  This will take the entire period and may go slightly into 3rd period.

Please sit with students in the bleachers and make sure they are behaving.

We will not be running an adjusted bell schedule.

PBIS 2nd Quarter Incentive

Thank you to Amy Clendenning and the PBIS team for organizing the Holiday Carnival Events.  Information and schedules have been emailed to you.  

PBIS Ambassadors will be excused from classes all day to help run the events.

We will not be running an adjusted bell schedule.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

60- Second Strategy:  The Hot Seat

6 Non-Education Books with Lessons for Teachers

 Staff Update Week of December 11th, 2023

Important Dates

12/20     Staff Meeting 7:30am

12/20     Band/Choir Concert (2nd period in Gym)

12/20       PTSO Meeting 6:30pm

12/21      PBIS 2nd Quarter Incentive 

Important Information

Beach Trivia

Congrats to Jessica Vahcic for completing the "hidden" Beach Trivia in last week's bulletin and winning the gift card raffle.

PTSO Pie in the Face

PTSO will be selling raffle tickets during lunch this week for students to throw a pie in a teacher's face.  Thank you Nick Stankus, Michelle Rawlinson, Jack Archual, and Rick Johnson for volunteering.  The event will take place during the PBIS Holiday Carnival.

Spirit Week

This week is Spirit Week.

Monday-  Pajama Day (students do not pay)

Tuesday-  Twin Day

Wednesday-  Wacky Winter Day

Thursday-  Favorite Holiday Character Day

Friday-  Freaky Friday (Students dress like staff and vice versa)

Student Counsel 

Student Council members will be participating in the holiday door decorating contest starting on Monday.

 Band Field Trips

Band students will be taking field trips on Friday December 15th and Monday, December 18th.  They will be missing classes in the morning.

Monitor Hallways

We all know kids are going to start "acting up" prior to winter break.  Please be in the hallways between classes.  This will help keep things under control.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Effective use of Data in your Classroom

Exploring Writing, Social Studies, and Math in a Map Challenge

 Staff Update Week of December 4th, 2023

Important Dates

12/5       Principal Meeting (@ EMS 8am )

12/6       PTSO Meeting 6:30pm

12/7       Career Day

12/10      Fire Drill 1:40pm

12/20     Staff Meeting 7:30am

12/20     Band/Choir Concert (2nd period in Gym)

12/21      PBIS 2nd Quarter Incentive 

Important Information

Career Day (12/7)

8th graders will be participating in Career Day on Thursday, December 7th.  More information will be emailed to teachers this week.  Thank you to Leah Leshnack for organizing.

PBIS 2nd Quarter Incentive

Thank you PBIS team for organizing the PBIS Holiday Carnival on 12/21.  More information will be distributed as we get closer.  

Gradebooks

A minimum of 70% of a student's grade should be based on assessment.  I have been monitoring gradebooks and speaking with teachers who seem to need some assistance with this expectation.

Assessments should be used on a regular basis to measure student learning.  Therefore, I expect at least one assessment grade per week in your gradebook.  Assessments come in many different formats and do not need always be a test or quiz.  

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Evidence-Based Approach Improves Student Behavior and Engagement

Yet Another Article from your Principal about Differentiation 

Improving Your Pre-Assessments