Weekly Update 3/17/11

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MARCH 17

1. Please keep some of our family members in mind:  Laura Lyles' aunt passed away a few days ago, Tracie Eisbacher's husband is recovering from hip surgery, Brian Griffin continues to heal and will return after spring break, and Cynthia Hatch's brother is recovering from a heart attack.  Please let me know if we need to add anyone else to this list and continue to keep those in your thoughts and prayers.

2.  Thanks again to everyone who put together the Spring Arts Festival.  The event was a huge success!  It was wonderful to see so many staff members, students, and families come together and enjoy the night.  We are already looking forward to next school year.

3.  DJ Dance Party on Friday - we have sent everyone an updated list.  Updated names are in BOLD print.  8th/7th will go from 8:15 - 9:15 and 6th will go from 12:45 - 1:45. 

4.  March Madness - will be next Friday from 2:00 - 4:00.  Tickets are currently on sale.  Homebase teachers, please collect the permission slips and money, check off the students' names, and send your envelope to the main office by 8:00am each morning.  We will let you know when all tickets have been sold.  Thanks to the athletic department for sponsoring this event.

5.  Games 2 U - This incentive is from our November fundraiser and will take place on April 6.  Next week we will send out information to those students and send you a master list and schedule of the event. 

6.  Mock EOG-style EOQs will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Please refer to the schedule that Deb Neal sent out earlier in the week. 

7.  Everyone was sent an email earlier this week regarding options for the three spring break days.  Please follow the instructions from that email.  We will post staff sign-ups next week for you to indicate your intentions for each of those three workdays.

8.  Grades will be due on Tuesday, March 29, by 12:00pm to Sandy Derrah.  Please complete your grades and verify/turn them in to Sandy.  If you are planning on taking Tuesday off, you are required to have your grades in before that day.

9. Hoops for Heart date is Wednesday, April 13.  Only those students who raise the minimum amount of money to participate will be involved in the tournament.  The tournaments will take place during encore blocks of time.  All other students will remain on a normal schedule that day.  If it rains and PE classes cannot go outside on this date, then we will postpone until Friday, April 15. 

10. We would like to encourage all 6th grade students to sign up for the It's My Call program.  We are offering an ice cream social to any 6th grade students who joined this school year.  The date for that will be determined in early April.  The deadline for students to join is Friday, March 25.  6th grade teachers, I will send you a separate email with details.

11.  Any groups taking field trips are reminded that you are required to send out a master list of students to the main office and all affected teachers 24-48 hours before the field trip.  If any of your regular students are staying behind, you must also note where those students will be located throughout the day.

12.Thanks to everyone for a great start to our Instant Recess. Most of our students have been participating. It really does make a difference when the teacher encourages participation and works out with the kids. If you plan to use Instant Recess more than your one time per day, please let me know for documentation purposes. We are collecting data for this company.


13. If you plan to take any of your classes outside of the building, you must let the office know where you will be, get a walkie-talkie from the main office before going out, and check with the PE department regarding how much space is available outside on that date. Groups going outside may not mingle with the PE classes out on the fields. This is a safety issue.


CALENDAR UPDATES - The online calendar is up and running. It has been updated today and even includes all field trips on the schedule. Please visit on a regular basis to keep up with upcoming events and meetings. Remember to immediately sign in when you get on the website so that you have access to all Teacher Resources.


Baby Shower for Meg and Anna - March 21
Mock EOG-style Quarter tests - March 22-23
Grades Due - March 29 by 12:00
Games 2 U incentive (from fall fundraiser) - April 6
Hoops for Heart date - April 13
Happy Birthday!

Karen Thorpe 3/4
Forrest Munden 3/9
Dedria Davis-King 3/14
Brian Graham 3/14
Lillian thompson 3/15
Deborah Daniels 3/23
Jeff Nichols 3/27
Sherri Worrell 3/28