Weekly Update 12/13/12

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

1. Please keep Laura Lyles in your thoughts and prayers. Her cousin in Alabama passed away on Tuesday night.  In addition, please keep Tracie Eisbacher in your thoughts and prayers.  She has been very, very sick and has been out of work for almost two weeks.  We wish her a speedy recovery!

2. Congratulations to Gene Mabry.  He has been voted as our next Teacher of the Year! We are proud of you!

3. Attention teachers: Please email or give a copy of your absorption plan to Mrs. Pitt or Mrs. Hook if you have not already done so.  All absorption plans should be turned in by today, December 13. The main office needs direct access to these copies in case we need to absorb any classes.  A copy of your plan should also be on your safety clipboard in your classroom. Now is the time to update your safety clipboard.  Please make sure it has an updated copy of your rosters and your absorption plan. 

4. Please be sure to pay your Social/Hospitality Committee dues by Friday.  We'd like to have 100% participation with dues.  I'd like to thank the committee members for their service to our staff, especially in times of need or crisis.  The committee will be providing a holiday lunch for all paid staff members on December 18.

5. We will have our final SIOP training on Monday, December 17 at 2:20 in the multi-purpose room.  We are working with Amanda Cannon on how staff members can make up any SIOP moodles that they did not complete from previous sessions. All certified staff and teacher assistants are to attend this training.

6. The PTSA will be selling candy grams on Thursday, Friday, and Monday during lunches outside of the cafeteria.  Students and staff can stop by the table, pay $1.00, and have a candy gram sent to any individual in celebration of the holidays.  All candy grams will be delivered to 6th period classes on Thursday, December 20.  

7. We briefly discussed the NCI team at last week's staff meeting.  The NCI (Non-violent Crisis Intervention) Team is comprised of several SEMS staff members who are trained in student restraint.  We have two significant cases of potential need for the NCI team, but it is important that staff know the team's purpose in the case of any student.  If a student is trying to harm themselves or possibly another, then it may be necessary to call in the NCI team.  If you feel that this may be necessary, then you are instructed to call the main office and state that you are requesting the NCI team for [student's name] in [location].  Please be specific.  The main office will alert the team to that location.  Current team members include Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Lytton, Mrs. P. Lakey, Mrs. Baxter, and Mr. Griffin.  Please do NOT contact these teachers individually - the main office will be responsible for the contact.

It is important to note that this situation is not the same as a fight. We do not advise staff members getting involved in a fight because your safety could be compromised.  Please be mindful and use your best judgment when deciding whether or not to do this.  If you do decide to step into a fight to stop it, it is in your best interest to be the least physical as possible.  Please do not 'bear hug' a student, pin a student against the wall, or pin a student to the floor. 

8. We are still looking for any individuals to do the score clock for all basketball games in January and February.  There is pay for this position.  Please see me or Nick Pizzino as soon as possible if you are interested. 

9. The PTSA will provide breakfast for the staff on December 20.  Thanks to our PTSA board for taking care of our SEMS family!

10. All staff received an email two weeks ago regarding another teacher and student survey.  The district is requiring us to take this survey by December 20.  The teacher survey link was in the email sent.  There are multiple ways to access the student survey as indicated in the email.  This survey deals with school climate, discipline, etc. They are comparing our survey data to the same survey data in school's with the Rachel's Challenge program, an anti-bullying program existing in about 1/3 of our middle schools.  The student survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.  For the teacher survey, all certified staff are expected to complete it.  Homebase teachers, please have your homebase surveys completed by the deadline. 

11. We are highly encouraging teachers to send out an extra progress report on Wednesday, December 19.  This would be a good way to remind students of any missing or incomplete assignments before the holidays. Once we return from the holiday break, we only have about two weeks before the end of the quarter!

12. For "I Know My Class" survey teachers:  Thanks to all of you have already completed your first round of surveys.  This is great feedback!  Please remember that the expectation is that you complete at least one survey each quarter.   

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
Dec. 13 - Chorus Winter Concert (Glenn HS, 6pm)
Dec. 17 - SIOP Training #4 (2:15pm)
Dec. 18 - Social/Hospitality Committee Holiday Luncheon
Dec. 18 - Orchestra Winter Concert (SEMS, 6pm)
Dec. 20 - PTSA Staff Breakfast
Dec. 21 - Jan. 1 - Holiday Break!
Jan. 2 - Back to School!
Jan. 2 - 4 - Girls Basketball Tryouts
Jan. 4 - 8th Grade Level Mtg. (7:45am)
Jan. 7 - Staff Meeting
Jan. 8 - 8th Grade Family Life Medical Presentation (7:45am)
Jan. 9 - 8th Grade Family Life Drama (7:45am)
Jan. 8 - 10 - Boys Basketball Tryouts
Jan. 11 - SEMS Spelling Bee (8:00am)
Jan. 14 - SIT Meeting (2:15pm)
Jan. 15 - UNCG OSTE Mtg.(2:15pm)
Jan. 18 - End of Quarter!
Jan. 21 - MLK Holiday!
Jan. 22 - Teacher Workday (Reserved for School Workday)