SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
1. Congratulations to Dr. Daniels. She donated the most money to the Arts Council! She will receive a $25 gift card of her choice. Thanks for supporting this organization!
2. You were sent an email regarding the change with the March 30
workshop. This is now an RS day (reserved for school). You may take an
annual leave day if you have the time saved and if you have turned in
and verified your third quarter grades. There is a staff spreadsheet
posted in the staff workroom - please indicate what your plans are for
this day.
3. There will be no tutoring sessions during the week of quarter testing. Repeat: There will be NO tutoring
sessions during the last week of the quarter! The tutoring for 4th
quarter will start back up during the week of April 16. We plan to have a
shortened, modified tutoring plan for the 4th quarter.
4. Please encourage your students to turn in their It's My Call forms. The
It's My Call program is sponsored by the school system. By signing up,
students are declaring that they are drug free and subject themselves
to random drug testing while attending Southeast Middle School.
Students who have already signed up and those who do sign up before
March 28 will receive an It's My Call bracelet, some candy, and their
name will be in a drawing for a $50 gift card. Students are not
required to sign up, nor do they receive a penalty for not signing up.
Right now the school is at 60% signed up, and our goal is to push this
to 90%!
5. WSFCS will be contacting all certified employees soon with instructions for your intent forms for next school year. Intent forms are when you indicate your plans for the following school year. You have the option to continue at your current school, retire, resign, or put in for a transfer. Regardless of your intent, all certified staff are required to complete this form by the deadline that WSFCS gives you. I do hope that all of you plan to continue here at SEMS with us next year, but you have to decide what is best for you. If you plan to put in for a transfer, please let me know ahead of time that your name will appear on this list. I am happy to discuss that with you, as in the past.
6. We have had many, many students out this quarter for extended periods of time due to illnesses, suspensions, etc. It is imperative that teachers get work to the Guidance Office when requested by the parent or administration. All teachers will be given a 24-hour notice to turn in work. I know that there are many, many things on our plates this time of year, but we must answer the call when work does get requested.
7. The School Board voted to change the requirements of the EOG weight for
middle school students' final grade. Last year, the EOG and the Algebra
EOC counted 25% of each student's final grade. This year, the Algebra
EOC will still count 25% as required by the state, BUT the EOG will now
count only 20% of the final grade.
8. Third quarter grades will be due by Friday, March 30, at 1:00pm.
All grades must be finalized in the computer and the verification
sheets turned into to Sandy Derrah by this time. If you plan to take an
annual day on March 30, you are required to have your grades turned in
and finalized before March 30.
9. Please continue to stay in contact with parents of struggling
students. If a student's grade drops to an F or two letter grades or
more, teachers are required to contact a parent. Please do so well
before the end of the quarter. If you wait too late (i.e. the last day
of the quarter) to notify the parent, this is commonly viewed as a
"gotcha" moment and the student does not have an opportunity to recover
if the parent is unaware. Please continue to encourage your parents to
sign up for the Parent Assist. This has resolved many potential issues
for us!
10. We received information about the annual required student surveys
for all students. The surveys will be conducted online. In addition,
8th graders will be required to fill out an additional federal survey.
We are planning on having the surveys conducted through your classroom
computer, making it as easy as possible. We do not plan on loading up
computer labs for this survey. We will have about three weeks to
complete the process. That is all we know at this time. I will forward
the details as soon as we get them to make this as short and sweet as
possible.
11. The fourth quarter is just around the corner! Many of you are gearing
up for EOG review and prep for May. We will try to minimize disruptions
prior to EOG week, which is the week of May 14. As of right now, the
only field trips or events on the schedule in April are 7th grade Raven
Knob trips, 8th grade trips to Career Center, the fundraiser slam dunk
show, and the NJHS induction ceremony. Outside that, there are not to
be any field trips scheduled between April 23 - May 17. We must protect
as much time as possible for our students to prepare.
12. It is the time of year now when the weather is warmer and students are testing the boundaries of the dress code once again. Please remember that homebase and first period teachers are our first line of defense with enforcing the dress code. If you are a male staff member and are uncomfortable addressing a female's clothing, you are welcome to ask a female neighbor for assistance. In addition, if you instruct a student to fix their dress code issue and they are non-compliant/refusing to do so, you may contact the office so that an administrator can address the issue in the main office area. Let's all work together to reduce our dress code violations.
13. We will begin monthly cleanings of the fridge in the staff workroom. We are finding lots of food that is rotted or molded, and we want to make sure that it is clean and safe for individuals to put their lunches. Our first cleaning will be at 2:45 on Friday, March 30. At that time, anything left in the fridge will be placed in the trash. Please be sure to take care of any items by this time.
14. Please be sure to check the online calendar on a regular basis. It is updated weekly. It is very easy to access - just click the Calendar tab on the left hand side of your email screen. Click on the calendar named "Stephanie Gentry - SEMS Staff Calendar."
Happy Birthday!
Karen Thorpe March 4
Forrest Munden March 9
Brian Graham March 14
Dedria Davis-King March 14
Deborah Daniels March 21
Melissa Jackson March 27
Sherri Worrell March 28
Venee Robinson March 31
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Weekly Update 3/15/12
SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012
1. Please remember to post your favorite book sheet on your door or outside of your classroom. This will help to show the students our commitment to literacy.
2. You were sent an email last week regarding the change with the March 30 workshop. This is now an RS day (reserved for school). You may take an annual leave day if you have the time saved and if you have turned in and verified your third quarter grades. There is a staff spreadsheet posted in the staff workroom - please indicate what your plans are for this day.
3. Please remember that quarter testing will take place the week of March 26. We plan to structure two of these days as mock EOG-style sessions with altered schedules. Deb Neal will get the schedule out to everyone this week.
4. There will be no tutoring sessions during the week of quarter testing. Repeat: There will be NO tutoring sessions during the last week of the quarter! The tutoring for 4th quarter will start back up during the week of April 16. We plan to have a shortened, modified tutoring plan for the 4th quarter.
5. Please encourage your students to turn in their It's My Call forms. The It's My Call program is sponsored by the school system. By signing up, students are declaring that they are drug free and subject themselves to random drug testing while attending Southeast Middle School. Students who have already signed up and those who do sign up before March 28 will receive an It's My Call bracelet, some candy, and their name will be in a drawing for a $50 gift card. Students are not required to sign up, nor do they receive a penalty for not signing up. Right now the school is at 60% signed up, and our goal is to push this to 90%!
6. The School Board voted to change the requirements of the EOG weight for middle school students' final grade. Last year, the EOG and the Algebra EOC counted 25% of each student's final grade. This year, the Algebra EOC will still count 25% as required by the state, BUT the EOG will now count only 20% of the final grade.
7. Third quarter grades will be due by Friday, March 30, at 1:00pm. All grades must be finalized in the computer and the verification sheets turned into to Sandy Derrah by this time. If you plan to take an annual day on March 30, you are required to have your grades turned in and finalized before March 30.
8. Please continue to stay in contact with parents of struggling students. If a student's grade drops to an F or two letter grades or more, teachers are required to contact a parent. Please do so well before the end of the quarter. If you wait too late (i.e. the last day of the quarter) to notify the parent, this is commonly viewed as a "gotcha" moment and the student does not have an opportunity to recover if the parent is unaware. Please continue to encourage your parents to sign up for the Parent Assist. This has resolved many potential issues for us!
9. The fourth quarter is just around the corner! Many of you are gearing up for EOG review and prep for May. We will try to minimize disruptions prior to EOG week, which is the week of May 14. As of right now, the only field trips or events on the schedule in April are 7th grade Raven Knob trips, 8th grade trips to Career Center, the fundraiser slam dunk show, and the NJHS induction ceremony. Outside that, there are not to be any field trips scheduled between April 23 - May 17. We must protect as much time as possible for our students to prepare.
10. We just received information about the annual required student surveys for all students. The surveys will be conducted online. In addition, 8th graders will be required to fill out an additional federal survey. We are planning on having the surveys conducted through your classroom computer, making it as easy as possible. We do not plan on loading up computer labs for this survey. We will have about three weeks to complete the process. That is all we know at this time. I will forward the details as soon as we get them to make this as short and sweet as possible.
11. Vertical planning meetings will take place on Monday at 2:15pm. Locations have not yet been determined. Topics of discussion include the Common Core State Standard plan and the updated Standard 6 on the teacher evaluation system.
12. Due to a scheduling/traveling conflict, the fundraiser slam dunk show that was originally scheduled for Monday, March 19, has been rescheduled for Monday, April 30. Close to that time, we will notify all students of their eligibility to attend and will forward you the master list of students. There are approximately 190 students who qualified for the show!
13. Please continue to check the new online staff calendar. It is updated daily and should be very, very easy to access with the new email system.
Happy Birthday!
Karen Thorpe March 4
Forrest Munden March 9
Brian Graham March 14
Dedria Davis-King March 14
Deborah Daniels March 21
Melissa Jackson March 27
Sherri Worrell March 28
Venee Robinson March 31
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012
1. Please remember to post your favorite book sheet on your door or outside of your classroom. This will help to show the students our commitment to literacy.
2. You were sent an email last week regarding the change with the March 30 workshop. This is now an RS day (reserved for school). You may take an annual leave day if you have the time saved and if you have turned in and verified your third quarter grades. There is a staff spreadsheet posted in the staff workroom - please indicate what your plans are for this day.
3. Please remember that quarter testing will take place the week of March 26. We plan to structure two of these days as mock EOG-style sessions with altered schedules. Deb Neal will get the schedule out to everyone this week.
4. There will be no tutoring sessions during the week of quarter testing. Repeat: There will be NO tutoring sessions during the last week of the quarter! The tutoring for 4th quarter will start back up during the week of April 16. We plan to have a shortened, modified tutoring plan for the 4th quarter.
5. Please encourage your students to turn in their It's My Call forms. The It's My Call program is sponsored by the school system. By signing up, students are declaring that they are drug free and subject themselves to random drug testing while attending Southeast Middle School. Students who have already signed up and those who do sign up before March 28 will receive an It's My Call bracelet, some candy, and their name will be in a drawing for a $50 gift card. Students are not required to sign up, nor do they receive a penalty for not signing up. Right now the school is at 60% signed up, and our goal is to push this to 90%!
6. The School Board voted to change the requirements of the EOG weight for middle school students' final grade. Last year, the EOG and the Algebra EOC counted 25% of each student's final grade. This year, the Algebra EOC will still count 25% as required by the state, BUT the EOG will now count only 20% of the final grade.
7. Third quarter grades will be due by Friday, March 30, at 1:00pm. All grades must be finalized in the computer and the verification sheets turned into to Sandy Derrah by this time. If you plan to take an annual day on March 30, you are required to have your grades turned in and finalized before March 30.
8. Please continue to stay in contact with parents of struggling students. If a student's grade drops to an F or two letter grades or more, teachers are required to contact a parent. Please do so well before the end of the quarter. If you wait too late (i.e. the last day of the quarter) to notify the parent, this is commonly viewed as a "gotcha" moment and the student does not have an opportunity to recover if the parent is unaware. Please continue to encourage your parents to sign up for the Parent Assist. This has resolved many potential issues for us!
9. The fourth quarter is just around the corner! Many of you are gearing up for EOG review and prep for May. We will try to minimize disruptions prior to EOG week, which is the week of May 14. As of right now, the only field trips or events on the schedule in April are 7th grade Raven Knob trips, 8th grade trips to Career Center, the fundraiser slam dunk show, and the NJHS induction ceremony. Outside that, there are not to be any field trips scheduled between April 23 - May 17. We must protect as much time as possible for our students to prepare.
10. We just received information about the annual required student surveys for all students. The surveys will be conducted online. In addition, 8th graders will be required to fill out an additional federal survey. We are planning on having the surveys conducted through your classroom computer, making it as easy as possible. We do not plan on loading up computer labs for this survey. We will have about three weeks to complete the process. That is all we know at this time. I will forward the details as soon as we get them to make this as short and sweet as possible.
11. Vertical planning meetings will take place on Monday at 2:15pm. Locations have not yet been determined. Topics of discussion include the Common Core State Standard plan and the updated Standard 6 on the teacher evaluation system.
12. Due to a scheduling/traveling conflict, the fundraiser slam dunk show that was originally scheduled for Monday, March 19, has been rescheduled for Monday, April 30. Close to that time, we will notify all students of their eligibility to attend and will forward you the master list of students. There are approximately 190 students who qualified for the show!
13. Please continue to check the new online staff calendar. It is updated daily and should be very, very easy to access with the new email system.
Happy Birthday!
Karen Thorpe March 4
Forrest Munden March 9
Brian Graham March 14
Dedria Davis-King March 14
Deborah Daniels March 21
Melissa Jackson March 27
Sherri Worrell March 28
Venee Robinson March 31
Thursday, March 8, 2012
WEEKLY UPDATE 3/8/12
SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
MARCH 8, 2012
1. Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour on Saturday night for Daylight Savings Time!
2. Please remember to post your favorite book sheet on your door or outside of your classroom. This will help to show the students our commitment to literacy.
3. Thanks to all who shared their literacy ideas at Monday's staff meeting: Mrs. Horn, Mrs.Mabry, Mrs. Coston, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Branch, and Mrs. Hatch. These are all great ideas that any teacher can use in their classroom instantly. We will continue these discussions at our next vertical planning meeting in March.
4. You were sent an email earlier this week regarding the change with the March 30 workshop. This is now an RS day (reserved for school). You may take an annual leave day if you have the time saved and if you have turned in and verified your third quarter grades.
5. We have completed the Book Fair plan. It was emailed to all staff members earlier in the week. Language Arts teachers, please be sure to be on time with your preview groups at your specified times and date. All instructions were included in the email. Only LA classes will be affected. All LA teachers should have two book fair passes.
6. An Apple a Day......Our apple tree is growing slowly! Please thank a staff member for a job well done - it could be a good deed, assistance with a staff or student member, or just to recognize their commitment to the school. Our goal is to fill the main office with apple notes.
7. Vertical planning meetings have been scheduled for Monday, March 19, at 2:15pm. Locations have not yet been determined.
8. Please remember that quarter testing will take place the week of March 26. We plan to structure two or three of these days as mock EOG-style sessions with altered schedules. Deb Neal and I will get a schedule to you soon.
9. There will be no tutoring sessions during the week of quarter testing. Repeat: There will be NO tutoring sessions during the last week of the quarter! The tutoring for 4th quarter will start back up during the week of April 16.
10. Please continue to check the new online staff calendar. It is updated daily and should be very, very easy to access with the new email system.
Happy Birthday!
Karen Thorpe March 4
Forrest Munden March 9
Brian Graham March 14
Dedria Davis-King March 14
Deborah Daniels March 21
Melissa Jackson March 27
Sherri Worrell March 28
Venee Robinson March 31
MARCH 8, 2012
1. Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour on Saturday night for Daylight Savings Time!
2. Please remember to post your favorite book sheet on your door or outside of your classroom. This will help to show the students our commitment to literacy.
3. Thanks to all who shared their literacy ideas at Monday's staff meeting: Mrs. Horn, Mrs.Mabry, Mrs. Coston, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Branch, and Mrs. Hatch. These are all great ideas that any teacher can use in their classroom instantly. We will continue these discussions at our next vertical planning meeting in March.
4. You were sent an email earlier this week regarding the change with the March 30 workshop. This is now an RS day (reserved for school). You may take an annual leave day if you have the time saved and if you have turned in and verified your third quarter grades.
5. We have completed the Book Fair plan. It was emailed to all staff members earlier in the week. Language Arts teachers, please be sure to be on time with your preview groups at your specified times and date. All instructions were included in the email. Only LA classes will be affected. All LA teachers should have two book fair passes.
6. An Apple a Day......Our apple tree is growing slowly! Please thank a staff member for a job well done - it could be a good deed, assistance with a staff or student member, or just to recognize their commitment to the school. Our goal is to fill the main office with apple notes.
7. Vertical planning meetings have been scheduled for Monday, March 19, at 2:15pm. Locations have not yet been determined.
8. Please remember that quarter testing will take place the week of March 26. We plan to structure two or three of these days as mock EOG-style sessions with altered schedules. Deb Neal and I will get a schedule to you soon.
9. There will be no tutoring sessions during the week of quarter testing. Repeat: There will be NO tutoring sessions during the last week of the quarter! The tutoring for 4th quarter will start back up during the week of April 16.
10. Please continue to check the new online staff calendar. It is updated daily and should be very, very easy to access with the new email system.
Happy Birthday!
Karen Thorpe March 4
Forrest Munden March 9
Brian Graham March 14
Dedria Davis-King March 14
Deborah Daniels March 21
Melissa Jackson March 27
Sherri Worrell March 28
Venee Robinson March 31
Thursday, March 1, 2012
SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012
1. Please wish Jordan Tucker the best of luck. Friday will be his last day with us. Good luck on your new opportunity back home!
2. A current 7th grade student, Christian Calderon, has been diagnosed with a mild form of Leukemia and is in Brenner's Hospital. As of now, he is expected to be there at least a week, if not longer. They are predicting that he will be out of school a minimum of 4 weeks. The family has high spirits for a full recovery. The Outbacks team (Mabry, Guffey, and Worrell) are keeping in contact with the family as well. They are accepting visitors for Christian, as long as the visitors are healthy. Please keep the Calderon family in your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted on his progress.
3. We have completed the Book Fair plan. It was emailed to all staff members earlier. Language Arts teachers, please be sure to be on time with your preview groups at your specified times and date. All instructions were included in the email. Only LA classes will be affected. We plan to show the Book Fair preview CD one or two mornings during homebase. We will let you know the times.
4. March Madness will take place on Friday, March 9, from 2:00-4:00. Students must turn in their $5.00 and permission slip to Coach Pizzino or Coach Griffin in order to attend. Only 350 tickets will be sold! There will be a faculty-student basketball game as well as some competitions for students to participate in.
5. An Apple a Day......Our apple tree is growing slowly! Please thank a staff member for a job well done - it could be a good deed, assistance with a staff or student member, or just to recognize their commitment to the school. Our goal is to fill the main office with apple notes.
6. Let's get that money in for the school fundraiser! Right now 6th grade is in the lead. Homebase teachers, please remember that you can earn some cash if your homebase meets their fundraiser goal! Please continue to encourage your students to participate and get their money and order forms turned in.
7. We have had a smooth transition to the new email system. Please remember to respond to emails in a timely manner. We will share a few more features with you at Monday's staff meeting. All staff members received an email invitation to join the SEMS Staff Calendar. This is important for you to view this calendar - we will use this one from now on. It gives you easy, easy access to all events on the calendar.
8. We will have a staff meeting on Monday. Topics include: Fire Marshall report, accessing online calendars, Standard 6 of the evaluation instrument, and our March Literacy spotlight.
9. Vertical planning meetings have been scheduled for Monday, March 19, at 2:15pm. Locations have not yet been determined.
10. Please remember that quarter testing will take place the week of March 26. We plan to structure two of these days as mock EOG-style sessions with altered schedules. Deb Neal and I will get a schedule to you soon.
Happy Birthday!
Karen Thorpe March 4
Forrest Munden March 9
Brian Graham March 14
Dedria Davis-King March 14
Deborah Daniels March 21
Melissa Jackson March 27
Sherri Worrell March 28
Venee Robinson March 31
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012
1. Please wish Jordan Tucker the best of luck. Friday will be his last day with us. Good luck on your new opportunity back home!
2. A current 7th grade student, Christian Calderon, has been diagnosed with a mild form of Leukemia and is in Brenner's Hospital. As of now, he is expected to be there at least a week, if not longer. They are predicting that he will be out of school a minimum of 4 weeks. The family has high spirits for a full recovery. The Outbacks team (Mabry, Guffey, and Worrell) are keeping in contact with the family as well. They are accepting visitors for Christian, as long as the visitors are healthy. Please keep the Calderon family in your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted on his progress.
3. We have completed the Book Fair plan. It was emailed to all staff members earlier. Language Arts teachers, please be sure to be on time with your preview groups at your specified times and date. All instructions were included in the email. Only LA classes will be affected. We plan to show the Book Fair preview CD one or two mornings during homebase. We will let you know the times.
4. March Madness will take place on Friday, March 9, from 2:00-4:00. Students must turn in their $5.00 and permission slip to Coach Pizzino or Coach Griffin in order to attend. Only 350 tickets will be sold! There will be a faculty-student basketball game as well as some competitions for students to participate in.
5. An Apple a Day......Our apple tree is growing slowly! Please thank a staff member for a job well done - it could be a good deed, assistance with a staff or student member, or just to recognize their commitment to the school. Our goal is to fill the main office with apple notes.
6. Let's get that money in for the school fundraiser! Right now 6th grade is in the lead. Homebase teachers, please remember that you can earn some cash if your homebase meets their fundraiser goal! Please continue to encourage your students to participate and get their money and order forms turned in.
7. We have had a smooth transition to the new email system. Please remember to respond to emails in a timely manner. We will share a few more features with you at Monday's staff meeting. All staff members received an email invitation to join the SEMS Staff Calendar. This is important for you to view this calendar - we will use this one from now on. It gives you easy, easy access to all events on the calendar.
8. We will have a staff meeting on Monday. Topics include: Fire Marshall report, accessing online calendars, Standard 6 of the evaluation instrument, and our March Literacy spotlight.
9. Vertical planning meetings have been scheduled for Monday, March 19, at 2:15pm. Locations have not yet been determined.
10. Please remember that quarter testing will take place the week of March 26. We plan to structure two of these days as mock EOG-style sessions with altered schedules. Deb Neal and I will get a schedule to you soon.
Happy Birthday!
Karen Thorpe March 4
Forrest Munden March 9
Brian Graham March 14
Dedria Davis-King March 14
Deborah Daniels March 21
Melissa Jackson March 27
Sherri Worrell March 28
Venee Robinson March 31
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