Weekly Update 11/15/12

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012

Next week's Thanksgiving break is quickly approaching.  I'd like to thank all staff members for a great start to this school year.  As we know, it takes everyone working together to make a successful school.  I'm proud to be a part of the SEMS family. I hope that you all have a restful break with your family and friends.  This is the perfect time to step back and appreciate the things we have in our lives.  You all certainly deserve this break! Please be careful in your travels.

1. Thanks to everyone who donated to the United Way this past month.  Our school was able to beat our goal with limited participation!  Special thanks to Irma Jones and Janie Murray for their coordinated efforts. 

2. Congratulations to Caroline Duncan (7th grade) and Jalen Singleton (8th grade).  These two students had their holiday cards chosen by Central Office in the annual Art holiday card contest.  Thanks to Mrs. Ring and Mrs. Love for encouraging your students to enter!

3. Earlier this week, all staff received a link to the SIT survey.  This survey will give the team very specific feedback on how our procedures are going so far this school year.  The survey only takes about five minutes to complete.  We are asking all staff to complete it by Tuesday, Nov. 20. You can access the survey using this link:  http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=1468

4. The PTSA will hold their Game Truck event for qualifying students on November 27 at about 12:15.  We will provide all teachers with a complete list of students participating in this event.  There are only 20 students who qualified, so this should not create any disruption to your day. 

5. Paper progress reports are scheduled to go out on November 28.  This will be at about four weeks or so into the quarter.  We encourage teachers to also send out another paper progress report on December 19, right before the holiday break begins.  This is not required, but it would be helpful since there will only be about 2 weeks or so of the quarter once students return in January. We certainly don't want any surprises for our students!

6. Due to numbers, we can no longer accommodate the straight A student incentive trips.  Instead, we will offer a straight A celebration after each quarter.  This will save money and time, yet we can still celebrate their success with them. The first Straight A Celebration will take place on November 30 at 12:55.  We will send out a complete master list and instructions prior to this date.

7. We have three upcoming winter music concerts.  Any certified staff members who did not work one of the October socials will be expected to sign up to work one of the concerts.  Concert dates:  December 11 (Band concert @ SEMS, 6pm), December 13 (Chorus concert @ Glenn, 6pm), and December 18 (Orchestra concert @ SEMS, 6pm).  Sign ups for these concerts have been posted in the teacher workroom. 

8. Looking at our quarter test benchmark scores, we appear to be right on target with the school system averages. We certainly have some things to celebrate! Thanks to everyone for their hard work.

9. If you are interested in being a tutor for our at-risk tutoring program in December - February, please see Deb Neal.  Certified tutors can be paid $25/hour.  Each tutoring session will last 1.5 hours.

10. We are looking for staff representatives for the PTSA Board.  The board meets once per month, usually on a Monday night at 5:30 here at the school.  If you are interested in a leadership opportunity by serving on this board, please let me know.  We'd be happy to have you with us!

11. The next PTSA Board meeting will be on Monday, December 3, at 5:30pm at the Out West restaurant.  The board is inviting all school club sponsors to this event to brainstorm ways that multiple groups can work together on some fundraisers this school year.  If you plan to attend, please let me know by November 29 so that we may reserve the space.  We'd love for you to join us!  Each individual is responsible for their own meal.  

12. If you are an EC staff member or support personnel, you may receive an automated email regarding a "Random Moment Time Study."  If you receive this, it is legitimate and you must complete the questionnaire at the specified time.  This study is linked to the funding that the school system receives from the federal government, so we must be compliant.
 
Please be sure to check the online calendar regularly (accessed through your email system) for events and meetings. It is updated weekly and sometimes daily.

UPCOMING DATES
Nov. 15 - 7th grade eye screenings (7:30 - 9:30am)Nov. 15 - Technology grade level meetings w/J. Downs and E. Herreid
Nov. 16 - 8th grade level meeting (7:45am)
Nov. 17 - Robotics Qualifying Tournament
Nov. 19 - SIOP Training #3 (2:15pm)
Nov. 26 - EC Dept. meeting (2:15pm)
Nov. 27 - PTSA Fundraiser Game Truck Event (12:15 - 1:45pm)
Nov. 28 - Paper progress reports - Core and Encore
Nov. 28 - SIT meeting (2:15)
Nov. 30 - Straight A Celebration (12:55pm in MP Room)
Dec. 3 - Staff Meeting (2:15pm)
Dec. 7 - 8th grade level meeting (7:45am)