Staff Update Week of September 29, 2025

8th Grade Band members at the HS Football game Friday night.

Important Dates

9/29 -  10/3            Safety Week

9/29-                        ICAC Assemblies (1st-3rd periods)

9/29-                        Fire Drill 2:23pm

10/8-                        Picture Retake Day

10/8-                           8th Grade Field Trip- North Manufacturing Expo

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

10/16-                        7th Grade Field Trip-  Zoo

10/16-                        8th Grade Field Trip-  Chagrin River Park

10/17-                        End of 1st Quarter

10/29-                        Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

Important Information

Safety Week

Monday-  ICAC assemblies in Gym 1st, 2nd, 3rd periods

                -  Fire Drill 2:23pm

Tuesday-  Barricade Drill

                -  I will make an announcement letting everyone know it is a drill

                -  Barricade door.  Admins will go around and check each door

                -  Keep door barricaded until I make an announcement that the                                 drill is complete

Wednesday-  Evacuation Drill

                -   I will make an announcement letting everyone know it is a drill 

                -  I will instruct everyone to exit the building quickly and safely

                -  Students are to meet in the parking lot

Thursday-  Situational Drill

                 -   I will make an announcement letting everyone know it is a drill                   -   You will have to make a decision based on the announcement                             whether you will evacuate or barricade the room

                -  This is NOT a table top drill.  Everyone is required to either                                 barricade or evacuate

Friday-     Tornado Drill (during homeroom)

*  It is important for all staff to talk with students after the drills and explain what to do and why we do it.  

FLEX Time

Flex time is an opportunity for teachers to help students get caught up and/or reteach struggling students.  Students that are not working with a teacher should be working quietly on their own.

In order to assist core teachers with coverage, I have made a few changes to homeroom and 8th period coverages.

Here is a link to the 8th period and homeroom coverage changes.

If you are covering a FLEX class, do not take students to the gym or outside.  They need to stay in a classroom and work on something productive or simply be quiet.  Having some students go to the gym and others not go to the gym makes it challenging for teachers to keep the struggling learners focused.

(8th grade you are fine to do your grade check system)

Parent Teacher Conferences (10/8)

I will be sending an email out to parents this week so they can sign up for conferences.

Please sign up for a conference with yourself to provide yourself a break during conferences.  Please do this asap before I send the link out.

Parent Teacher Conferences-  Sign Up Form- 10/8/25

Please let me know if your name is missing or if your times are not correct (traveling teachers)

Learning Walks- Literacy IPG

Due to a grant the district received for Literacy, I am required to complete Learning Walks (observations) on over 50% of our teachers.  I will talk about this in PLCs this week.  

These observations are non evaluative.  It is just data I need to gather.  Here is a link to the form I need to use.  I feel the form really just records good teaching practices.  

Please understand that I am not expecting to see all of these Indicators in each observation.

These Learning Walks should take about 15-20 minutes.  There is nothing you need to do.  

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Nothing this week.

 

Staff Update Week of September 22, 2025

If anyone actually gets an answer, please let me know!

Important Dates

9/24-                        Writing Revolution Day

9/29 -  10/3            Safety Week

9/29-                        ICAC Assemblies (1st-3rd periods)

9/29-                        Fire Drill 2:23pm

10/8-                        Picture Retake Day

10/8-                           8th Grade Field Trip- North Manufacturing Expo

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

10/16-                        7th Grade Field Trip-  Zoo

10/16-                        8th Grade Field Trip-  Chagrin River Park

10/17-                        End of 1st Quarter

10/29-                        Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

Important Information

Writing Revolution Day

Here is a link to the schedule for the day.

Please make sure you are prepared.

RIMP Training

Monday, September 22nd

RIMP Writing Training with Julie Bonacci in room 214

1st period-    Harth

2nd period-  Minichello 

3rd period-  McQueen

5th period-  Murfey

6th period-  Dishong

7th period-  Stenger

8th period-  Miller

School Report Card

Each year, the state posts district and school report cards.

Here is a link to our most recent report card.

Last year, we were graded as a 3.5 Star School

This year, we received a 3 Star Rating.

Our goal is to be a 4 Star School.

We will discuss the School Report Card this week in PLCs

Academic Planning Forms

Everyone is doing a nice job with the Academic Planning forms.

When placing a link to a google doc, please make sure you change the permission to "Share with Willoughby Eastlake".  This will make it much easier to view so I dont have to keep asking for permissions.

You can also simply post a picture of your assessment.  Here is a great example:

Notice that the "assessment" is only two questions.  This shows the teacher exactly which students understand the concepts and which students dont.  The questions are state released questions (rigorous).

Many of you are utilizing "Authored Assessment" questions from the state much more frequently this year.  THANK YOU!

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

ODE Report Card Resources

 

Staff Update Week of September 15, 2025

Important Dates

9/24-                        Writing Revolution Day

9/29 -  10/3            Safety Week

9/29-                        ICAC Assemblies (1st-3rd periods)

10/8-                        Picture Retake Day

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

10/17-                        End of 1st Quarter

10/29-                        Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

Important Information

Barricade   

Just a reminder to plan a time barricading your room prior to safety week.

Growth Plans/ HQSD

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

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

7 Ways to Get Math Students to Show Their Thinking

Advise From Middle School Students and Teachers to Educators

 

Staff Update Week of September 8, 2025

Important Dates

9/12-                        Ranger Spirit Day

9/24-                        Writing Revolution Day

9/29 -  10/3            Safety Week

9/29-                        ICAC Assemblies (1st-3rd periods)

10/8-                        Picture Retake Day

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

10/17-                        End of 1st Quarter

10/29-                        Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

Important Information

PLCs

Officer Dave will be attending PLCs to answer any questions you may have about Safety Week or safety in general.

*  Electives.....you will be meeting Monday and Friday this week 8:15-8:45

**  Another reminder to please complete your Academic Planning forms prior to PLC meetings.

Patriot Day (September 11th)

I will read an announcement at the beginning of 1st period and have a moment of silence.

Please talk about the events of that tragic day with students and the meaning of Patriot Day.

Public School Works    

Just a friendly reminder to complete your annual Public School Works training.  One can never know to much about the different types of fire extinguishers.

MAP Testing

I appreciate everyone's patience as we work through the joys of MAP testing.  I promise it will be much smoother for the Winter Testing Session.

OTES-  Growth Plans and HQSD

I am still waiting on a finalized list to see who needs to be formally observed this year.  In the mean time, please start working on your Growth Plans and HQSD.  Remember.....work smarter, not harder.  (AI)

SmartPass

Reminder.....if you would like limitations put on certain students, please bring it up during PLC so we can make the changes.  Things seem to be going very well with SmartPass and most of the other schools in the district are now using it.  (we are trailblazers)

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

100 Great Resources for Middle School Students

3 Simple Ways to Boost Student Motivation

 

Staff Update Week of September 1, 2025

Jack is happy because he loves The Writing Revolution, but he wishes more of his colleagues would focus their lessons on it, so he talks about it during lunch everyday.

Anyone that sends me an email by 2nd period Tuesday with a Because, But, So sentence based on the Browns (or Steelers) will win a prize. 

Important Dates

9/1-                        Labor Day (No School)

9/3-                        Picture Day

9/29-                        ICAC Assemblies (1st-3rd periods)

10/8-                        Picture Retake Day

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

10/17-                        End of 1st Quarter

10/29-                        Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

Important Information

Safety 

We will have our annual Safety Week the week of September 29th.  We will be reviewing our safety protocols this week during PLCs.   Here is a basic run down of what the week will look like

Monday (9/29)-  ICAC Assemblies 1st-3rd periods, Fire Drill afternoon

Tuesday (9/30)-  Lockdown Drill/ Barricade

Wednesday (10/1)-  Mass Evacuation

Thursday (10/2)-  Situational Drill

Friday (10/3)-  Tornado Drill

CTE

Kirk Dressel and the rest of the CTE team will being working with 7th and 8th grade students this week for Career Connections.  

ICAC Assemblies

The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC) will be talking to our students on 9/29.  This will be done in grade level assemblies as we have done in the past.  

EMS Clubs

I will be sending an email out to parents later this week detailing many of the clubs and activities we offer here at EMS.  If you are interested in starting a new club, please come talk with me.  There might be supplemental money available.

PLCs 

Reminder....Please make sure you are completing your Team's Academic Planner each week prior to your scheduled PLC meeting.

Supplementals

Just a friendly reminder to complete your supplemental applications.  They are found online.  

Dangers of AI

Although I feel strongly that educators need to embrace the use of AI, there are some areas of concern.  The link below is a video from the Today Show about about parent's suing Chat GPT over it's role is assisting their son in ending his life.  Unfortunately, this is something we need to be mindful of.

Today Show Video

PBIS Team

Thank you for a great Kick Off assembly.  The connect four game as a big hit and the students had a lot of fun.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Station Rotation Instructional Strategy (Video)

 

Staff Update Week of August 25, 2025

Important Dates

8/29-                    PBIS Assembly 8th Period

9/1-                        Labor Day (No School)

9/3-                        Picture Day

9/29-                        ICAC Assemblies (1st-3rd periods)

10/8-                        Picture Retake Day

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

10/17-                        End of 1st Quarter

10/29-                        Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

Important Information

Thank You

We had a great start to the year.  Thank you for all you do to make EMS the best place around.

PBIS Kick-Off Assembly

Our annual PBIS Opening Assembly will be Friday, August 29th, 8th period.

We will not be having an adjusted bell schedule.

PLCs 

Reminder....PLCs begin this week.

We will go over the expectations for the Team Academic Planner.

Safety Week   

We will have our annual "Safety Week" the week of September 29th.

I will provide details during PLCs.  Similar format as last year.

Supplementals

Just a friendly reminder to complete your supplemental applications.  They are found online.  

SmartPass

Please make sure you are utilizing SmartPass.  All staff members are expected to use it.  Thank you.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Middle School Slang Words

Fostering an Entrepreneurial Mindset in Middle School

 

Staff Update Week of August 18, 2025

Important Dates

8/18-                    6th Grade Orientation 11am-1pm

8/18-                    6th Grade Supply Drop off 5:30pm-7pm

8/19-                    7th/8th Grade Supply Drop off 5:30pm-7:00pm

8/21-                    First Day of School

9/1-                        Labor Day (No School)

9/3-                        Picture Day

9/29-                        ICAC Assemblies (1st-3rd periods)

10/8-                        Picture Retake Day

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

10/17-                        End of 1st Quarter

10/29-                        Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30

Important Information

August 18th

Convocation Day  7:45am-10:15am @ South

6th Grade Orientation 11:00am-1:00pm

Staff Meeting 2:00pm in Band Room

* staff expected to work 8:00am-3:00pm

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

August 19th/20th

PD Days 8:00am-3:00pm

Here is a link to the PD Day Schedule

*  7th/8th Grade Supply Drop off 5:30-7:00pm (8/19)

Supply Drop Offs

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

Teachers are required to attend either the 18th or 19th based on the grade level you teach.

Make sure you have your locks and lockers ready to distribute to students that attend.  Hopefully we get a good turn out which will make homeroom run smoother on the first day.

SmartPass

We will be using SmartPass again this year.  However, it might not be ready by the first day of school.  I will update everyone at the staff meeting.

Grade Level Expectation Talks

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

6th Grade:  2nd Period in the Gym

7th Grade:   1st Period in the Gym

8th Grade:  3rd Period in the Gym

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

5 Dice Games Your Students will Love

Your Students Struggled on an Assessment- Now What?

6 Formative Assessment Strategies to Boost Student Learning in ELA

 

Staff Update Week of May 26, 2025

Important Dates

5/29-                    Last Day of School

5/30-                    Teacher Work Day

Important Information

Last Day of School (5/29)

Students will not be permitted to use lockers or bring items to school on Thursday, May 29th

At-Risk Possible Failures

Please make sure you update the At-Risk Possible Failure Spreadsheet prior to the end of the year.

Check Out Day (5/30)

Staff Meeting in Band Room at 9am

Teacher Check-Outs begin at 9:30

Please bring your End Faculty Check Out List

Check-Out order will be randomly selected Thursday.

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

(my goal is to have all check-outs done by 11:30)

Summer!

This is the last bulletin post of the 2024-25 school year.  It has truly been a great year with demonstrated growth by our students and staff.  EMS is comprised of an awesome group of people who work hard for our students.  Thank you for all you do.  Enjoy your well-deserved summer break.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Using AI to help Differentiate the middle school classroom