Staff Update Week of September 30th, 2024

Important Dates

9/30-10/4     EMS Safety Week

9/30-        Fire Drill 9:33

10/3-        Picture Retake Day

10/9-        8th Grade Field Trip-  Holden Arboretum 

10/9-        Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

10/10-        6th Grade Camp-  Red Oak

10/15-      Herren Talks at North (all 7th and 8th Graders)

10/17-      PBIS Assembly

10/22-    ICAC Assemblies (TBA)

10/30-    Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

10/31-      Halloween (TBA)

Important Information

Safety Week

Monday (9/30)-  Fire Drill  (8th period)

Tuesday (10/1)-  Lockdown Drill/ Barricade (2nd Period)

Wednesday (10/2)-  Mass Evacuate (1st period)

Thursday (10/3)-  Situational Drill (2nd Period)

Friday (10/4)-  Tornado Drill (Homeroom)

Prior to each drill, I will make an announcement explaining the expectations to students.  

Parent Teacher Conferences (10/9)

I will be asking parents to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences this year.

The sign up form will be emailed to parents on Monday.

Here is a link to the sign up form.

Once a parent selects a time, that time will no longer be offered to other parents.

If you need a break during conferences, please block a time off by scheduling a conference with yourself so no one can select that time.

(Do not schedule a break at 7:15......Jack)

* If your name was left off the form, please let me know.  Some of you work in multiple buildings and I am not sure which day you will be at EMS for conferences.

** I will provide a list of scheduled conferences to each staff member when we get closer to 10/9

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Parent Teacher Conference Tips

25 Formative Assessment Samples

 

Important Dates

9/24-        Trauma Module #4 (6th Grade PLC)

9/26-        Trauma Module #4 (8th Grade PLC)

9/26-        Kona Ice Party (Candy Bar Sale) 2:15

9/30-10/4     EMS Safety Week

9/30-        Fire Drill 9:33

10/3-        Picture Retake Day

Important Information

Gradebooks

We are about half way through the first quarter.  Assessments need to make up a minimum of 70% of a student's grade.

Rigor

As I walk around the building a visit classrooms, I am pleased with the increased amount of rigor in teacher's instruction.  Continue to push your students.  Do not let them settle for less than they can accomplish.  Raise the bar.

Safety Week PLCs

If you did not attend a Safety Week PLC, you need to come talk with me ASAP.  

Growth Plans/ HQSD

Please make sure your Growth Plans and HQSD are completed by September 30th

Public School Works

Just a reminder to make sure you complete your PSW trainings.  

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Using Choice Boards to Boost Student Engagement

Strategies to Engage Middle-Level Learners

 Staff Update Week of September 16th, 2024

Look who is at Cleveland Browns Stadium.....

Important Dates

9/16-         Bus Evacuation Drills 8am

9/17-        PTSO Meeting 6pm

9/18-        Trauma Module #4 (7th Grade PLC)

9/24-        Trauma Module #4 (6th Grade PLC)

9/26-        Trauma Module #4 (8th Grade PLC)

9/26-        Kona Ice Party (Candy Bar Sale) 2:15

9/30-10/4     EMS Safety Week

9/30-        Fire Drill 9:33

10/3-        Picture Retake Day

Important Information

Growth Plans/ HQSD

Please make sure your Growth Plans and HQSD are completed by September 30th

Public School Works

Just a reminder to make sure you complete your PSW trainings.  

Window Coverings

Please make sure you have some type of window covering that can be used on your classroom door in case of an emergency.  It can be as simple as a large piece of construction paper on Velcro that can be hung  up very quickly.

State School Report Card

The state recently released Report Cards for schools and districts across the state.  Here is a link to EMS's Report Card.  We will be reviewing this data in upcoming PLC meetings.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Check out the WE Curriculum Department Update.  It has a lot of good information.

 Staff Update Week of September 9th, 2024

Important Dates

9/26-          Fire Drill 9:33

9/26-        Kona Ice Party (Candy Bar Sale) 2:15

9/30-10/4     EMS Safety Week

Important Information

EMS Safety Week

We are coordinating with the Eastlake Police Department to have a "School Safety Week" the week of September 30th.  

We will be discussing this in PLCs over the next couple of weeks.  Specials and Units teachers, you will be scheduled to attend a PLC much like we have done with the past Trauma Informed Trainings. 

(please see email from Casey Cook for dates and coverage)

Here is a rough outline of what the Safety Week will look like:

Monday (9/30)-  Fire Drill

Tuesday (10/1)-  Lockdown Drill/ Barricade Classroom Doors

Wednesday (10/2)-  Mass Evacuate to safety locations

Thursday (10/3)-  Situational Drill (make a decision)

Friday (10/4)-  Tornado Drill

The expectations will be detailed during PLC discussions.  I will be letting parents know about this plan around 9/15.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

ALICE

 Staff Update Week of September 2nd, 2024

The 2024 MLB first overall pic, Travis Bazzana, watching the EMS Band at the Captains game on Friday night.

Important Dates

9/2-            Labor Day (No School)

9/26-          Fire Drill 9:33

9/26-        Kona Ice Party (Candy Bar Sale) 2:15

Important Information

Band

On Friday evening, the EMS Band performed the National Anthem at the Captains game.  The students were very excited and did a great job.  Thank you Katy Michalski for your hard work organizing and preparing your students for this event!

EMS Band at Captain Game Video

SmartPass

I have been getting great feedback about SmartPass.  If you are having trouble. please let me know asap.  We will start to look at the data provide by SmartPass in PLCs this week.

PBIS Assembly (Tuesday)

Hopefully a cooler gym will provide a better atmosphere for our PBIS Closing Ceremonies on Tuesday.  

Adjusted Bell Schedule

PBIS Closing Ceremonies

PLCs

Just a reminder to specials teachers, if you would like to attend a PLC, just let me know so we can get you coverage.

Clubs

I sent out an email last week asking for ideas for clubs.  My goal is to get 100% of our students involved in a school club and/or athletics.  I will be coming around this week to speak with you about your club idea and let you know if a supplemental can be offered for it.

EMS Club Planning

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Advice from Middle School Students to Educators

Video:  The 'What Are You Doing' Game

 Staff Update Week of August 26, 2024

Welcome Back

Important Dates

8/27-        Open House (6:30-7:30pm)

8/28-        Fire Drill 2:28pm

8/29-        School Picture Day

8/30-        PBIS Kickoff 8th period

9/2-            Labor Day (No School)

Important Information

Thank You

Thanks everybody for a great start to the year.  The students all seem to understand our "non negotiables" very well.  Thanks for making it clear to them.  Thank you for your hard work adapting to the new formats and structures of the schedule.  Things will run smoother as time goes by.

SmartPass

It sounds like our students understand that we will be using SmartPass.  Please start using SmartPass for restroom breaks starting Monday.  If your team would like to use it for other passes, that is fine with me.

If you need help with SmartPass, please let me or Casey know.  It is very easy once you start using it.

Fall Sporting Events

Fall sports are off to a great start.  Thank you Shannon and our fall coaches.  Please consider attending a home event to watch you students participate.  They LOVE when their teachers attend.  Seriously.....they talk about it all the time.

Open House

Open House is on Tuesday from 6:30-7:30.  This is a great opportunity to form strong relationships with parents. 

Here are some great tips for Middle School Open Houses

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

10 Snap Shots of Effective Middle School Teams

Teaming Teachers Offer Tips

 Staff Update Week of August 19, 2024

Important Dates

8/19-        Teacher Work Day

8/20-        Convocation Day

8/21-        First Day of School

8/23-        PBIS Kickoff 1st period

8/27-        Open House (6:30-7:30pm)

8/28-        Fire Drill 2:28pm

8/29-        School Picture Day

8/30-        PBIS Kickoff 8th period

9/2-            Labor Day (No School)

Important Information

Monday, August 19th

6th Grade Orientation 9:00-11:00

7th/8th Grade Schedule Pick Ups 9:00-1:00

Building open to 6th Grade Families 5:00-7:00pm

    *Students have been invited to "chalk the walk"  on Monday

Tuesday, August 20th

Convocation Day @ South High School

7:45am-  Continental Breakfast

8:30am-  Program Begins

10:45am-  Staff Meeting @EMS   (room TBA)

12:30-3:00pm    Staff to work in PLCs

Guidance Intros

The schedule is as follows:

1st Period - All 7th Graders in the Gym (no bleachers needed)

2nd Period - All Explorers (6th) in Rm 212

6th Period - All Aviators (6th) in Rm 212

8th Period - All 8th Graders in the Gym (no bleachers needed)

If you have kids during these periods, please bring them to the appropriate places.  They will need just their Chromebooks and will take about 25 minutes.

SmartPass

We will be going with a digital hall pass system this year.

I am hoping we can have this up and running by August 26th.

We will talk about it during the staff meeting on Tuesday.

Here is a link to a SmartPass Demo video I suggest you watch.

Grade Level Expectation Talks

6th Grade-  Thursday 2nd Period

7th Grade-  Thursday- 1st Period

8th Grade-  Friday- 2nd Period

PBIS Assemblies

Friday, August 23rd  1st period (adjusted bell schedule)

Friday, August 30th 8th period (adjusted bell schedule)

                        Adjusted Bell Schedules

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

BIFF:  A Method that Teachers can use to Navigate Hostile Written Communication

Using a Murder Mystery Game to kick off the year

RTI: Tier 1 Examples

   Staff Update Week of May 20th

Important Dates

5/20-            8th Grade Swings and Things Field Trip

5/21-            "Northern Lights" Assembly 2nd period

5/22-          Last Day of School

5/23-            PD Day

5/24-            Teacher Records Day

Important Information

PLCs

No PLCs last week of school (besides PD Day)

Last Day of School (5/22)

Students will not be permitted to use lockers or bring items to school on Wednesday (5/22)

6th Grade Plan

7th Grade Plan

8th Grade Plan

PD Day (5/23)

Here is a link to the schedule for PD Day on 5/23

Please see me with any questions

Check Out Day (5/24)

Staff meeting 8:30am in Band Room?

Teacher checkouts begin at 9am

Please bring your End Faculty Check Out List

Checkout order will be randomly selected Wednesday.

If you don't mind having a later time in the day for checkout, let me know.

At Risk/ Possible Failure List

Please refer to Casey's email from 5/15.  Here is a link to the At Risk/ Possible Failure List

Please have this completed by May 23 at 9am

Please send an email to Casey if you have any students receiving "Incompletes"

Math and Science AIR Results.

Congrats to Karla, Michelle, Kelly, Tracey, Amy, Mallory, Lisa, and Mackenzie.  I am pleased with our growth from last year.  

	Eastlake	Willowick	Willoughby	Eastake (without units)
Math6	50%	23.77%	14.39%	52.57%
Math7	46%	37.10%	38.89%	51.04%
Math8	42%	33.60%	24.22%	51.35%
Algebra	95%	100.00%	86.15%	95%
Geometry	73%	72.22%	85.00%	73%
Science8	60%	53.95%	47.43%	70.96%

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Mayfield Middle School's visiting school presentation

Many teachers have gone to Mayfield MS this year to see what they are doing.  If you didn't get a chance, take a look at this presentation.

  Staff Update Week of May 13th

PTO School Dance

Important Dates

5/13-            Fire Drill 2:30pm

5/14-           5th Grader visit EMS

5/14-           5th Grade Parent Night

5/14-           Choir Concert

5/15-           Tornado Drill 8:45am

5/15-            6th Grade Zoo Field Trip

5/16-           Band/Choir Assemblies (2nd period)

5/17-           8th Grade Honors Breakfast

5/20-            8th Grade Swings and Things Field Trip

5/21-            "Northern Lights" Assembly 2nd period

5/22-          Last Day of School

Important Information

Fire Drill and Tornado Drill

We will be having a fire drill and a tornado drill this week.  See dates and times above.  Please make sure students know the procedures and are quiet.

Locker Cleanouts

We will place garbage cans in the hallways Thursday (upstairs) and Friday (downstairs) this week.  Students should start cleaning out their lockers on these two days.  

We will also have garbage cans available on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Students will not be permitted to use lockers or bring items to school next Wednesday (5/22)

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Connecting Across Disciplines in PBL

Stop Popcorn Reading

 Staff Update Week of May 6th

Important Dates

5/7-            PTSO Staff Cookout

5/9-            7th Grade Zoo Field Trip

5/10-            PTSO School Dance

5/14-           5th Grader visit EMS

5/14-           5th Grade Parent Night

5/14-           Choir Concert

5/15-            6th Grade Zoo Field Trip

5/16-           Band/Choir Assemblies (2nd period

5/17-           8th Grade Honors Breakfast

5/20-            8th Grade Swings and Things Field Trip

5/21-            "Northern Lights" Assembly 2nd period

5/22-          Last Day of School

Important Information

State Testing

Thank you for everyone's flexibility with State Testing.

We only have 2 kids that need to make up tests.  They should be completed on Monday.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Thank you to the entire staff for everything you do for the students at EMS on a daily basis.  The reason EMS is the BEST school in the district is because of you.  Our students are lucky to be part of this school and to have you as role models.  

Those of you that are Browns fans, please enjoy the wonderful treats that are planned for you this week.

PTO Dance

The PTO is hosting a school dance on Friday from 6:30-9:00pm.  Last year, the dance was very nice and the kids had a great time.  I am sure this year will be even better.  Feel free to stop by and see the students.

Erin's Law

Inspired by a survivor of child sexual abuse (CSA) and created with evidence-based practices, Erin’s Law require schools to: 

● Provide age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention education to students, 

● Train school personnel on child sexual abuse detection, and 

● Inform parents and guardians of child sexual abuse warning signs 

Joe Rhomberg will be doing presentations with all students grades 6-8 this week.  Thank you Casey for setting this up and Joe for presenting on this important topic.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Integrating Math and Art in the Classroom

How to Teach an Inductive Learning Lesson

 Staff Update Week of April 29th

Magic Gives Back Show on Saturday

Important Dates

5/1-            Band Concert

5/7-            PTSO Staff Cookout

5/9-            7th Grade Zoo Field Trip

5/10-            PTSO School Dance

5/14-           5th Grader visit EMS

5/14-           5th Grade Parent Night

5/14-           Choir Concert

5/15-            6th Grade Zoo Field Trip

5/16-           Band/Choir Assemblies (2nd period

5/17-           8th Grade Honors Breakfast

5/17-             PBIS Quarterly Incentive Day

5/20-            8th Grade Swings and Things Field Trip

5/21-            "Northern Lights" Assembly 2nd period

5/22-          Last Day of School

Important Information

State Testing

Monday and Tuesday- 6th Grade Math Testing

Wednesday and Thursday-  8th Grade Science Testing

Here is a link to the Math Testing Groups (Science groups are the last tab on the bottom)

**  I will be pulling students for Math make-ups Monday and Tuesday.

**  Here is a list of students that need to make-up their math tests

Student Engagement

Please make sure you are keeping your students engaged and busy in your classrooms.  I know we are all tired and ready for summer......so are the kids.  We need to make sure the kids are doing some type of meaningful work.  The school year is not done yet......3 more weeks.

Limit student bathroom breaks.  Keep them in your rooms. 

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Engaging Students with Challenge Based Learning

3 Sneaky Ways Perfectionism is Holding you Back