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