Staff Update Week of December 9th

Important Dates

12/17-            Band Concert 7pm (EMS Gym)

12/18-            2nd period Band and Choir Concert in Gym

12/18-            Fire Drill 2:28pm

12/20-            PTSO provided lunch for staff

12/20-             PBIS Holiday Carnival Day

Important Information

Band & Chorus Concert

The in school Band and Chorus concert will be 2nd period on 12/18.  This was originally scheduled for 7th period.  We will call students down to the gym over the announcements.  Please sit with students in the bleachers.

Hallway Decorations

Please start cleaning up the hallways on Monday.  All hallways must be clear of decorations by Wednesday at 3pm.  Please make sure every piece of tape is off the walls and ceilings.  Scott and his crew should not have to clean any of this up.  Thank you.

Holiday Carnival

The gym and cafeteria will be used for our PBIS Holiday Carnival on 12/20

Each grade level will have an hour at the Carnival.  Please have students leave their supplies in the lockers.  We will call students down to the gym via the announcements.

*  Please refer to the email from Amy Clendenning for more details

            6th Grade    8:50-9:50

            8th Grade    10:00-11:00

            7th Grade    2:00-3:00

Winter Break

I hope everyone has a great, relaxing winter break.  Thank you for everything you do each day to make a positive impact on the lives of our students.  

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

9 Ways to Unwind and Rejuvenate

Click here if you are a Browns fan.  Steeler fans...stay away.

 Staff Update Week of December 9th

Donuts and Juice at the Academic Awards Assembly

Important Dates

12/11-            7th Grade Field Trip

12/12-            Writing Revolution Day 3

12/13-            8th Grade Band Students to Longfellow

12/17-            Band Concert 7pm (EMS Gym)

12/18-            2nd period Band and Choir Concert in Gym

12/18-            Fire Drill 2:28pm

12/20-            PTSO provided lunch for staff

12/20-             PBIS Holiday Carnival Day

Important Information

Informal/ Formal Observations

I would love to try to get some more observations completed prior to Winter Break.  Please let me know if there is a day/time I can come observe.

Home Sporting Events

We have two home basketball games and a home wrestling meet this week.  Please consider sticking around and watching part of a game/match.  Your students love when they see you in the crowd supporting them.

Writing Revolution PD (12/12)

Our 3rd Session of Writing Revolution is scheduled for Thursday

Here is the schedule for teachers:

6th period-  7th Grade teachers, Murfey, Dressel, Forcht, Rhomberg, Black

7th period- 8th Grade teachers, Dishong, Michalski, Ramming

8th period- 6th Grade teachers, McQueen, Minichello,, Seddon

Rigor and Engagement

We still have two weeks before break.  Please make sure you are planning rigorous and engaging lessons.  Assessments should be used on a regular basis to measure student learning.   Kids that are engaged are kids that are behaved.  

PLCs    

Unit teachers and Specials teachers are reminded that they are welcome to attend a grade level PLC anytime.  I know many of you have classes during these meeting times.  I will get you coverage so you can attend.  Just let me know

6th Grade-  Tuesdays 3rd Period

7th Grade-  Wednesdays 1st Period

8th Grade-  Thursdays 7th Period

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

A day in the life of a child with ADHD

5-to-1 Ratio Approach Helps Prevent Behavior Challenges in the Classroom

  Staff Update Weeks of November 25th and December 2nd

Congratulations to our honored teachers

Important Dates

11/25-        Fire Drill  10:23am

11/28-12/2    Thanksgiving Break

12/6-            First Quarter Academic Awards (1st-3rd periods)

12/11-            7th Grade Field Trip

12/12-            Writing Revolution Day 3

12/13-            8th Grade Band Students to Longfellow

12/17-            Band Concert 7pm (EMS Gym)

12/18-            7th period Band and Choir Concert in Gym

12/20-            PTSO provided lunch for staff

Important Information

1st Quarter Academic Awards

We will be having our 1st Quarter Academic Awards assemblies on Friday, December 6th.  This will be done by grade level.  Each grade level will be called down to the cafeteria.  Any student that earned a 3.0 or above will receive a certificate.  Once all names have been read, students that did not earn above a 3.0 will go back to class.  Students that earned above a 3.0 will stay for donuts.  Same process we did for 2023-24 Academic Awards.

1st period-  7th Grade

2nd period-  8th Grade

3rd period-  6th Grade

Hallways

The hallways look great.  I am hearing many complements from parents and visitors.  Please make sure you are monitoring the hallways to ensure students are not knocking down the decorations.  If this becomes a problems for our students, then we will need to take everything down immediately.  

Parent Communication

If students are receiving a D or an F in your class, please make sure you contact their parents.  This is a requirement.  

It is also encouraged to send positive emails home to parents for students that need a bit of encouragement.  Getting parents to see that you are working hard to teach and motivate their kids helps tremendously.

Thanksgiving Break

I hope everyone enjoys their well deserved Thanksgiving break with family and friends.  Only 3 weeks left in the quarter once we return.  Finish strong!

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

How Teacher Leaders Can Tangibly Improve Their PLCs

Thanksgiving Activities for MS Teachers

 Staff Update Week of November 18th, 2024

Important Dates

11/18-      Kindergarten Visit

11/19-      PTO Fundraiser (Moe's Southwest Grill-  Dine and Donate)

11/21-        Band Concert 7pm

11/25-        Fire Drill  10:23am

11/28-12/2    Thanksgiving Break

12/11-            7th Grade Field Trip

12/12-            Writing Revolution Day 3

12/13-            8th Grade Band Students to Longfellow

12/18-            7th period Band and Choir Concert in Gym

12/20-            PTSO provided lunch for staff

Important Information

Holiday Walk Thru

Please refer to the email from Casey for details about the Kindergarten visit on Monday at 9am

Board Meeting

At the beginning of every school board meeting, a school is highlight.  This month is EMS's turn.  A few students from the Aviator Team will be discussing how the Portrait of a Graduate ties into what they having been learning in 6th grade.  We also have a few of our staff members being honored with awards.  The board meetings can be viewed online.

Academic Engagement

Please continue to keep students focused on their academics.  We still have a lot of time before winter break.  Please keep students in your classrooms and engaged on your content standards.  Make sure you are consistently assessing what your kids know and what they are struggling with.

Laker Time

Core Teachers (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) must pull students that are struggling during Laker Time.  They should be communicating with Specials Teachers to ensure students are attending.   If students are refusing to attend, please make me aware ASAP. 

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Often, Dave Eberly likes to brag to me about all of the touchdown passes he throws during recess at Thomas Jefferson.  Recently he as partnered with the United Way to help these Elementary Students.

I was able to find some video of his recess adventures.  Please be sure to congratulate Dave for is mentoring of these future EMS students.

Eberly at TJ recess

  Staff Update Week of November 11th, 2024

Thank you to everyone that helped out afterschool last Thursday.  

Important Dates

11/11-      Veterans Day

11/19-      PTO Fundraiser (Moe's Southwest Grill-  Dine and Donate

11/21-        Band Concert 7pm

11/25-        Fire Drill  10:23am

11/28-12/2    Thanksgiving Break

Important Information

Classroom Discipline

Just a reminder....if students are not following your classroom expectations for behavior, please issue them consequences.  If you have already issued a student a lunch detention and their behavior does not improve, it is time to issue an after school detention.  

Walk-Through Observations

I am very please with the instruction I am seeing from our staff on a daily basis.  Please keep up the good work.  I will be collecting data through walk-through evaluations.  If I stop in your classroom with a laptop, that is what I am doing. 

PowerSchool- Log Entries

Please make sure you are filling out all the "pieces and parts" of the log entries for Discipline Log Entries.  This includes:  location of event, time of event, attempted interventions, etc.

All Log Entries should be marked as "Minor".  I will change it to "Major" if the student received a Saturday School, in school suspension, or out of school suspension.  This will assist us with our PBIS data

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Methods for Managing Late Work

Organizing Students for Learning

  Staff Update Week of November 4th, 2024

Important Dates

11/4-        Writing Revolution PD (PLCs)

11/5-        PD Day 

11/6-         Choir Concert 7pm

11/11-      Veterans Day

11/19-      PTO Fundraiser (Moe's Southwest Grill-  Dine and Donate

11/21-        Band Concert 7pm

11/25-        Fire Drill  10:23am

11/28-12/2    Thanksgiving Break

Important Information

Writing Revolution PD (11/4)

Our 2nd Session of Writing Revolution is scheduled for Monday

    Here is the schedule for teachers:

6th period-  7th Grade teachers, Murfey, Dressel, Forcht, Rhomberg, Black

7th period- 8th Grade teachers, Dishong, Michalski, Ramming

8th period- 6th Grade teachers, McQueen, Minichello,, Seddon

PD Day (Tuesday)

Please refer to the email I sent everyone about PD Day.  If you have not signed up for your session yet, please make sure you do that on Monday

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

How does the Electoral College Work? 

  Staff Update Week of October 28th, 2024

2024 Trebuchet Team

Important Dates

10/28-    Fire Drill 1:41pm

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

10/31-      Halloween (TBA)

11/4-        Writing Revolution PD (PLCs)

11/5-        PD Day 

11/6-         Choir Concert 7pm

11/21-        Band Concert 7pm

Important Information

Observations

For those of you that are being Formally Observed this year, please make sure you get an observation scheduled  sometime during the first semester.   You will need to answer pre-observation questions prior to our pre-conference. 

If you are being Informally Observed, just let me or Dave know when you would like one of us to stop in for an observation.  No need for any paperwork and we will need little notice (same day notice might be possible).

Halloween

Information was sent to students and parents about the rules for dressing up on Halloween.  Yes, pajamas will be permitted.  Please see Mr. Eberly with questions.

At Risk/ Failure List

Please make sure you are updating the  At Risk / Possible Failure List.

If you had a student receive a D or an F the first quarter, you are required to complete the required parent communication information.  Please have this completed by Friday this week.

See me with questions.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Using Virtual Visits to Explore Our National Parks

PBL for Middle Schoolers

 Staff Update Week of October 21st, 2024

Jill Golnick and the Game Club playing some Twister afterschool.

Important Dates

10/22-    ICAC Assemblies (TBA)

10/23-    Writing Revolution PD (PLCs)

10/24-    WEP PD (PLCs)

10/28-    Fire Drill 1:41pm

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

10/31-      Halloween (TBA)

11/4-        Writing Revolution PD (PLCs)

11/5-        PD Day 

Important Information

Grades

Grades are due Monday at 11:59pm

PLCs this Week

Due to ICAC, Writing Revolution, and WEP training, we will not be having typical PLCs this week.  Your team is free to meet as a PLC whenever you want, but I will not be able to join you this week.

Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Assemblies

We will be having assemblies for all students on Tuesday in the Gym for ICAC.  (same as we did last year).  Teachers please stay in the gym with your students to ensure they are behaving and paying attention.  Thank you Leah, for setting this up.  It is very important that our students understand the risks and dangers of the internet.

1st period-  6th Grade

2nd period-  7th Grade

3rd period-  8th Grade

Writing Revolution PD (10/23)

All Teachers will be receiving Writing Revolution PD during PLC time.  This will be done over 3 PLCs on the following dates.

    Wednesday, October 23rd

    Monday, November 4th

    Thursday, December 12th

Here is the schedule for teachers:

6th period-  7th Grade teachers, Murfey, Dressel, Forcht, Rhomberg

7th period- 8th Grade teachers, Dishong, Michalski, Ramming

8th period- 6th Grade teachers, McQueen, Minichello, Harden, Seddon

WEP PD (10/24)

Lisa George will be at EMS to explain the WEP process to our core teachers during PLCs.  In order to make this work, we need to adjust our PLC time for the day.  Please adjust your planning periods accordingly.  Let me know if you need any coverage. (Core Teachers Only)

6th period-  7th Grade Teachers

7th period-  8th Grade Teachers

8th period-  6th Grade Teachers

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Differentiation in Middle School (Definitely not a hidden link)

 Staff Update Week of October 14th, 2024

Looks like our 6th Graders had a great time at Camp!

Important Dates

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

10/17-      PBIS Assembly

10/17-        Last day of 1st Quarter

10/18-        Teacher work day (no students)

10/22-    ICAC Assemblies (TBA)

10/23-    Writing Revolution PD (PLCs)

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

10/31-      Halloween (TBA)

11/4-        Writing Revolution PD (PLCs)

11/5-        PD Day 

Important Information

Writing Revolution PD

All Teachers will be receiving Writing Revolution PD during PLC time.  This will be done over 3 PLCs on the following dates.

    Wednesday, October 23rd

    Monday, November 4th

    Thursday, December 12th

Here is the schedule for teachers:

6th period-  7th Grade teachers, Murfey, Dressel, Forcht, Rhomberg

7th period- 8th Grade teachers, Dishong, Michalski, Ramming

8th period- 6th Grade teachers, McQueen, Minichello, Harden, Seddon

New Classes

I am hearing a lot of positive feedback from kids and parents about our "new" elective classes this year.  Thank you Stephanie, Joe, Brett, Katy, Vanessa, Mallory, Owen, Kirk, and Jill for providing our students these great opportunities this year.  

New Student Monitor

Hannah Laubenthal will be starting on Monday as our new student monitor.  She will be taking over for Carol Bennett who has decided to take a monitor position at Grant.

October 30th Conferences

Here is a link to the October 30th Conference sign up sheet.

Please be sure to set a conference with yourself so you get a break.

I will be sending this out to parents on Monday morning.

November 5th PD Day

Many of you have been asking about this date.  Plans are still in the works, but as of now, it looks like all Middle School teachers will be going to Willoughby Middle School and work with Jack Berckemeyer on teaming.  Our team leads worked with Jack this summer.  He is knowledgeable and entertaining.  I will keep you posted as I hear more.

Last Teacher at Conferences....

Congratulations to Amy Clendenning for receiving the coveted LAST TEACHER STUCK AT CONFERENCES award.  Well done Amy.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

States Sue TikTok over Addictive Design Features

School Just Began and I'm Already Overwhelmed

  Staff Update Week of October 7th, 2024

Important Dates

10/8-        Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

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

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

Safety Week went very well.  Thank you for taking the time to talk with your students about various scenarios and helping keep everyone safe.  Please talk with me if you have any concerns.

Parent Teacher Conferences (10/9)

Jaimie shared a list of parents that have requested conferences with each of you.  She will email you any additional parents that sign up.  

Laker Loop

Please make sure you check the Laker Loop every day when you arrive at school.  It is important for everyone to know the coverages for the day.

Erin's Law

Please refer to the email Casey sent out about Erin's Law.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Herren Talks

All 7th and 8th graders have been invited to attend the Herren Talks assembly at the PAC on 10/15.  Once we get closer to that date, I have will a better idea of how many teachers will need to attend and any adjustments we need to make to the schedule for lunches.  I will keep you posted.

Writing Revolution PD

All teachers will have PD with Writing Revolution.  This will be done in PLC similar to how we have done our Trauma Informed trainings.  This will being in November.  More info to come at a later date.

Thank You

Thank you Tech Sargent Sydnie Schwenk for your service to our country.  She is a member of the 910th Airlift Wing and flew over Progressive Field on Saturday.  She was also honored on the field!

Here are some clips from the game (thank you Justine)

Fly Over

Tech Sargent Syndie Schwenk

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Writing Revolution