Weekly Update 5/5/11

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MAY 5
Happy Cinco De Mayo!

1. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  Thanks to ALL of our staff members for their dedication to our students and school.  Thank you for making SEMS the best middle school in the county!

2. Thanks to the PTSA for providing a delicious lunch this week.  Also, many thanks to our Hospitality Committee for providing breakfast!

3. Congratulations to the Music Department on their victories at Carowinds!  We are so proud of our music teachers and students!

4. It is hard to believe that testing is right around the corner.  Please continue to keep your students focused and on task.  Keep your routine as structured as possible from now through the last day of school.  I know that our kids get antsy very quickly, but continue to stay strong and push forward.  This staff is AMAZING at pulling things together! 
5. There will be a School Improvement Team meeting on Monday, May 9, at 2:15pm.  The following items will be discussed:  Election of any new members and co-chair, tutoring for next year, and student dress code.

6. Career Start information for core teachers - Deb Neal will be delivering the Career Start directions and survey information for students to be taken care of before the end of the year.  Please be sure to get this completed by the deadline.  We are held accountable for this.

7. The Red Zone plan has been placed in all staff mailboxes (green sheet).  It includes schedules, tutors, coverage, etc.  There may be some details left to adjust, but otherwise we are ready to move forward with the plan.  Each grade level can decide how to split up and do the sessions (i.e. keep your own students all three days or rotate). 

8. Allotment Updates:  We are still working on finalizing some of our part-time and full-time encore positions.  We can now confirm that 7th grade encore block WILL be in the afternoon slot next year.  Also, the best news is that we just confirmed that we will be receiving another POD and the two mobiles will be taken out for next year.  This is great news for our space issues! More to come...

9. Substitute coverages:  Getting all classes covered every day has become increasingly difficult, especially as we get closer to testing.  Please know that your absorption plan may have to be used more often between now and the end of the year if we are unable to get coverage in a particular classroom.  I know that is a frustrating thing to deal with, but in some cases, we have no choice.  This will become an even bigger issue next school year with our numbers and shortage of staff. 

10. With Jeff leaving us, it is important for all of us to be on the same page when it comes to technology. Deb Neal and I will put together instructions regarding EOG grading. We will give you very detailed instructions at the end of the year regarding technology. In the meantime, if you have a situation where a computer needs to be unlocked, please contact Lisa Turner. If you have a malfunction with any computer, then we will have to put in a heat ticket for central office to repair. If you wish to sign up for a computer lab, please reserve it through the school website. Please remember that no staff members are permitted at any time to take a computer from one room and relocate to another room (excluding the mobile cart of course).  Each computer is assigned to a particular location that we are not permitted to change. 

11. Also, please remember to start taking a look at your online files on the H drive - if you don't move them before the end of the year, they will be erased!

12. Caleb's Creek will hold their field days on our campus on May 12 and 13. No classes may be outside on the field on these dates. In addition, CCES will use our track on June 3, so the track may not be used on this day. As always, teams should consult with the PE department before using any of our field space or the track to ensure that there is available space.

13. Earlier you were forwarded a message regarding installment pay options for next school year. All staff members have until August to select their option for number of paychecks per year. Please see earlier email.

14. Thanks to everyone for assisting with our new dismissal pattern.  This week the buses have been getting out of the lot right on time.  We appreciate everyone's help to make it work.  Please continue the same pattern and supervision spots. 

15. We plan to distribute yearbooks on Friday, June 10.  We will start with 6th and 7th grade that morning and then finish with 8th grade when they return from electives.  More details will be sent out on the process.

16. The PTSA will have a dance for our 8th graders on Friday, June 3, from 7-9pm.  All staff members are welcome to attend.  Information and permission slips will be sent out to 8th graders soon regarding requirements, procedures, etc.  We'd love to see you all come out and wish our 8th graders well!

17. Music concerts are taking place next week.  Please be sure to sign up if you have not already.


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.
 
Friday, May 6 - NJHS Induction
Monday, May 9 - SIT Meeting
Tuesday, May 10 - Chorus concert @ Glenn HS
Wednesday, May 11 - Core/Encore Progress Reports
Wednesday, May 11 - Band Concert @ SEMS
Thursday, May 12 - Orchestra concert @ Glenn HS
Thursday, May 12 - Grade Level Meetings - EOG Training


Happy Birthday to all of our May staff members!  I am sorry that I do not have a complete list - I didn't want to leave anybody out.  Sharon usually takes care of all of that for us!