Weekly Update 1/31/13

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

1. Thanks to the PTSA for our luncheon!  We truly appreciate all that they do for our staff and students!

2. Friday's snow make-up day will be Monday, February 18.  This date was originally scheduled as a Reserved-Central Office day but is now listed as a regular school day. The Payroll Department has listed January 18 (the day we were out of school) as an annual day.  So you may see that reflected in your leave bank.  We are being told that the end of the school year for teachers will be adjusted to reflect a day off (hence the use of an annual day) for all certified staff. Nothing has been confirmed as of now.  In addition, we have been notified that all employees, classified and certified, must make up the time missed on the early dismissal day last week.  We do not know the details nor how this time is to be made up for certified individuals.  For classified, Susie will work out those details with you on your timesheets.  I will distribute more information to staff as I receive it in my February principal meetings. 

3. The Winston-Salem Foundation is sponsoring education grants for any certified staff members, including teachers, counselors, coordinators, etc.  Staff can apply for a grant up to $1500 for professional development opportunities, conferences, or even guest speakers.  We highly recommend this opportunity for all of you.  To apply, please visit their website:  www.wsfoundation.org and click on the grants tab.  The deadline to apply is February 15.  
  
4. Once you finalize and verify your grades, you cannot make changes to student quarter grades.  If you wish to change a grade after completing them, please fill out a grade change form (available in Mrs. Wilkes' office) and drop off to me for approval.  Once approved, I will sign off and give to Mrs. Wilkes to make the appropriate changes for you.  Report cards will go home on Wednesday, January 30.  We will email instructions to staff for distribution. 

5. We are required by the district and state to review bus safety rules with all students.  The administration is planning to record a brief presentation for teachers to show students during the third quarter.  More details coming soon. 

6. We would like to encourage staff members to continue to use the Print Shop.  This option is actually cheaper overall than using our copiers for an extended period of time.  Please be conscientious of what you send off to Print Shop - there are some documents that are copyright protected and may not be duplicated. All Print Shops orders are reviewed before submittal to ensure that we follow this.  In addition, we get charged by the page, so be sure to organize your documents to maximize the amount of space on each page. Thanks to all staff members for using Print Shop...it's a great resource for us!

7. On Monday, February 4, we will have technology staff development.  All teachers are required to complete a session.  All assistants have the option to attend a session as well.  There are four sessions available.  John Downs sent an email last week to all staff to register.  You may choose which session to attend.  There is the opportunity to receive credit, so please follow the instructions from John for registering and signing up for your session. Thanks to John for his hard work in organizing this staff development!

8. In February, teachers will receive an email from DPI regarding an addition to your EVAAS teacher reports online. They are adding a snapshot document with your evaluation and EVAAS information together.  I will review the instructions for this at our next staff meeting and show how to access this report.   

9.  Core and encore progress reports are to go home with all students on February 20. 

10. WSFCS is offering CPR certification training to interested employees.  If you are interested in getting CPR certified, please let me know and I will organize the training with Central Office so that they can come here to train you.  This is an easy opportunity to take care of that!

11. We will do a schoolwide mock testing session at the end of March during the quarter test window.  More details will be discussed closer to this time. 

12. The Spring Book Fair will take place April 15-19.  We will set it up similar to the schedule used last year, which minimally disrupted class time.  In addition, our third annual Spring Arts Festival will take place on the evening of Thursday, April 18.  More details coming soon.

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
Jan. 31 - Grade Level Meetings (during planning blocks)
Jan. 31 - PTSA Luncheon - $5.00
Jan. 31 - NAL Match @ East Forsyth Middle (3pm)
Jan. 31 - Basketball vs. East Forsyth (8th Away, 7th Home, 3pm)
Feb. 4 - Technology Training (Certified staff, 2:15pm)
Feb. 5 - Basketball vs. Mineral Springs (8th Home, 7th Boys Away, 4pm)
Feb. 7 - Basketball vs. Hanes (8th Away, 7th Home, 3:30pm)
Feb. 7,8,11,12 - PTSA Valentine's Candy Sale (during lunches)
Feb. 11 - Staff Meeting (2:20pm)
Feb. 13 - 6th Grade Super Novas Field Trip to Civil Rights Museum
Feb. 14 - PTSA Valentine's Candy Grams delivery (during 6th period)
Feb. 15 - Fundraiser Kickoff Assemblies (during encore blocks)
Feb. 18 - Snow make up day for students and staff - B-day schedule
Feb. 18 - 7th Grade Girls Basketball vs. Meadowlark (3pm @ SEMS)
Feb. 18 - SIOP Make up Training Session #4 (2:20 - 3:15pm)
Feb. 20 - Core and Encore Progress Reports go home
Feb. 21 - 7th Grade Basketball vs. Kernersville (3pm @ SEMS)
Feb. 21 - Kernersville Cup! 8th Grade Basketball vs. Kernersville (6pm @ East Forsyth HS)
Feb. 25 - SIT Meeting (2:20pm)
Feb. 25 - 7th Grade Girls Basketball vs. Walkertown (3pm @ SEMS)

Future Dates for your Calendar:
April 10 - MS/HS Teacher Transfer Fair
April 12 - Fundraiser BMX Bike Show
April 15 - 19 - Spring Book Fair