Weekly Update 2/9/12

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012

1. Congratulations to Macey Kirkman, 7th grader.  Macey placed third in her division at the school system Science Fair earlier in the week. We are proud of you!

2.  Please welcome Ghazi Sakran.  He will be filling in for our Guidance Counselor position.  He comes to us with many years of experience at the middle school level and with counseling.  We feel that he will do a great job here with us!

3. Spirit Week is scheduled for February 13 - 17.  The schedule:  Monday - Hat Day, Tuesday - Pink Day, Wednesday - Twin Day, Thursday - Wacky Tacky Day, and Friday - Sports Day.  With the exception of Hat Day, all students are to follow the dress code on all days.  Specific reminders were sent to everyone to review with your students prior to next week so that it is clear what the expectations are.  Staff are encouraged to participate as well.  Thanks to the Student Council for planning Spirit Week!

4. The next SIT meeting was originally scheduled for March 12. We have moved that meeting up to Monday, February 27. This has been reflected on the master online calendar.

5. The Book Fair scheduled to begin on Friday, March 9, and will run through Thursday, March 15. We plan to work on a schedule for all students to preview the fair and then will open up for several days for students who wish to return and make a purchase. Friday, March 9, is also Spring Picture Day. We will create a schedule that will accommodate both events. SIT had asked for input on the schedule/structure of the Book Fair. Please let your SIT rep or SSC Learning Team Facilitator know your thoughts. More details coming soon....

6. We will have our second annual Spring Arts Festival on Tuesday, March 13, from 6:00-8:00pm.  There will be an arts and crafts festival, performances, PTSA book fair, and much more!  Staff, students, and community members have an opportunity to show off their craft or hobby.  We will send out information in the next week if you are interested in participating.  If you would like to assist with the festival, please let me know.  This was a huge success last year with over 350 people in attendance!
 
7.  We will have a lengthy staff meeting on Monday.  Topics will include:  School fundraiser information/instructions, new email system, Arts Council, updates on Standard 6 of the evaluation, and facilities updates. 

8. Winter weather is still a possibility over the next few months.  Please remember that if we are out of school due to weather conditions, then that A/B day will be skipped over and we will stay on the schedule of the county's A/B rotation (Example:  Monday is an A day, Tuesday is B, Wednesday is A.  School gets called off on Tuesday.  Wednesday will still remain an A day - the schedule will not change.).
 
9. The new email system will transfer over to Microsoft Outlook on February 21. There is nothing substantial that you are required to do to prepare for this transfer other than to clean up your mailboxes. In preparation for this move, we will share some information at the February 13 staff meeting and then Mr. Downs will offer several help sessions throughout that week. It is important to note that all of us will NOT have access to any email from February 17 - 20. The new system will be up and running on February 21.
 
10. We are taking donations for teddy bears to be sent to Brenner's Childrens Hospital.  This is on behalf of Hailey Tapp, current 6th grader, who recently was at Brenner's.  Students, parents, and staff will be able to donate a teddy bear over the next two weeks.  The Tapp family will take all bears to Brenner's to give to students who are there for surgeries, extended stays, etc.  This can really brighten someone's day, so let's help them out!  Kudos to Hailey for wanting to help other children and thanks to Kim Gregg for facilitating the donations!
 
11. The Rising 6th Open House will be Thursday, February 16, from 6-7:30pm.  All encore and 6th grade teachers are expected to attend.  This event will fulfill your one evening requirement for the second semester. 
 
Please be sure to check the online calendar weekly. The second semester is full of events and activities.  Upcoming events include:
Feb. 13 - 17 - Spirit Week
Thursday, Feb. 16 - Rising 6th Open House
Friday, Feb. 17 - Fundraiser Kickoff assemblies
Thursday, Feb. 23 - Kernersville Cup games @ Glenn HS
Friday, March 9 - March Madness (after school)
Tuesday, March 13 - Spring Arts Festival
Monday, March 19 - Fundraiser Dunk Show


Happy Birthday!
Brittany Branch - Feb. 5
Anna Moore - Feb. 8
John Downs - Feb. 11
Deb Neal - Feb. 13
Tracie Eisbacher - Feb. 20
Karen Cole - Feb. 28