Weekly Update 12/6/12

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6

1. Thanks to Kathy Pierce for her service this fall with the Tsunamis team.  We appreciate you stepping in, Kathy!  Kathy will return soon to fill in for Mrs. Eisbacher when she goes on maternity leave.  We are also very excited that Karen Thorpe will return back with us next week!  

2. Attention teachers: Please email or give a copy of your absorption plan to Mrs. Pitt or Mrs. Hook by Thursday, 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.

3. 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 as soon as possible.  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.  

5. Join us for the winter music concerts starting next week!  Those of you who have signed up to work a concert were sent an email confirming your concert date and time.

6. Don't forget to complete your SIOP online moodle for the Building Background session by December 10!  In addition, we are working on a make-up opportunity for any staff members who did not complete the first two moodle sections.

7. We will offer make up sessions for SIOP training sessions #2 and #3 on December 11.  Those affected were sent an email earlier this to sign up for their sessions. We apologize that the only available date for Amanda Cannon was on a Tuesday, which will affect several of your weekly curriculum meetings.  But we needed to go ahead and get these sessions made up for you. 

8. We will vote for Teacher of the Year next week.  All staff will have the opportunity to vote. The nominating statements and instructions will be forwarded to you later this week.

9. We briefly discussed the NCI team at this 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. 

10. All staff received an email last week 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. The rescheduled PTSA Board meeting will be on Monday, December 10, at 5:30pm at the Out West restaurant. 

12. 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!

13. 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. 7 - 8th grade level meeting (7:45am)
Dec. 10 - Vertical Planning Mtgs. (2:15pm)
Dec. 10 - SIOP Building Background online moodle due!
Dec. 11 - SIOP Session #2 and #3 make up sessions (during grade level times)
Dec. 11 - Band Winter Concert (SEMS, 6pm)
Dec. 13 - Chorus Winter Concert (Glenn HS, 6pm)
Dec. 17 - SIOP Training #4 (2:15pm)
Dec. 18 - Orchestra Winter Concert (SEMS, 6pm)
Dec. 20 - PTSA Staff Breakfast