Weekly Update 4/12/12

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

1.  Thanks to all of our teachers for supporting our school fundraiser.  The school made approximately $8,000, just short of our $10,000 goal.  Congratulations to the following homebases with the most items sold:  First place to Mrs. Gregg's homebase with 98 items, second place was Mrs. Davis' homebase with 65 items sold, and third place to Mr. Fought's homebase with 61 items sold.   Mrs. Gregg has qualified for the $50 teacher cash prize.

2. We would like to wish Jeanne Hobson the best of luck.  Jeanne has decided to retire at the end of this year.  Jeanne, we sincerely appreciate your years of service in education and at Southeast Middle School.  You will be missed!

3. Certified staff members:  Please remember to complete your online intent forms by the April 18 deadline.  If you wish to put in for a transfer, please let me know ahead of time.  In addition, if you wish to change your status prior to April 18, then you may do so (i.e. you change your mind between now and April 18 and want to switch from staying here to putting in for a transfer).  After this deadline, no changes may be made unless you are retiring or resigning from the school system.

4. Homebase teachers: Please be sure that your students are completing the surveys as requested.  8th graders must complete TWO surveys, not just one.  All green homebase rosters are due back to Deb Neal by April 27, indicating that all of your students have completed the survey.

5. If any teachers need to make grade changes on third quarter report cards, please fill out a grade change form and give it to Ms. Gentry for approval.  Once approved, it will be given to Mrs. Wilkes to make the correction online.

6.  Many of our students have received an invitation to summer school.  Letters were to go in report cards for individual students (not all students received one).  Please encourage them to complete that application and get it turned in to the Guidance Office by the April 20 deadline.

7.  Staff members also have the opportunity to apply to work the summer school program.  Please remember that the program is through the Bell company and not WSFCS.  Classified staff are also able to apply.  Certified staff are paid at $30/hour.  More details and instructions are in the email that was sent earlier this week to all staff members.

8. Please remember that the EOG will now count 20% of the students' final grade.  More instructions are on their way closer to the end of the quarter.

9. We have received a copy of the current budget status for next school year. It looks much more promising than last year's budget.  A copy has been posted for your review in the staff workroom.

10. Please note that in addition to our monthly fire drill, we will also conduct a required lock down drill sometime during the month of April.  Please review this procedure with your students.

11. Please be sure to turn in your list of tutoring students to Deb Neal as soon as possible.  She is compiling a master list with the procedure for all staff.  Tutoring is scheduled to start Wednesday, April 18.  It will run for three weeks.

12. We will have mandatory EOG test training on Friday, April 27, during grade level meetings.  Grade level start times:  8th grade at 7:35, 6th grade at 9:45, Encore at 11:30, and 7th grade at 12:30.  Please be on time for your meeting.  The training will last for most of your planning block, so please do not schedule any parent meetings during this block.  In addition, we have the EOG Code of Ethics and EC Accommodations training on Monday, April 30.  This is for all staff. Each of you must sign off on this training.

13. As you plan your activities toward the end of the school year, please keep in mind that it is very helpful to use debt as an incentive for participation in those activities.  We already hold the 8th graders accountable for their debt through an administration letter that will be sent home next week.  We encourage other teachers to do the same to ensure that students and parents get their debt paid off.  Debt can include cafeteria debt, overdue/lost books, damaged/lost textbooks, locks, etc.

14.  Please continue to check the online calendar for updates.  April and May are very busy months!  We are in the process of developing a daily schedule once testing and retesting begin so that you can plan accordingly.  We will get that to you as quickly as possible.

Happy Birthday!
Jane Trace            April 2
Mike Smith           April 3
Kristen Thorne     April 14
Brian Griffin         April 15
Susie Hook          April 17
Anne DiPiazza     April 20
Sandra Denson    April 22