Weekly Update 5/16/13

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

A big thank you to the 7th grade Social Studies teachers as well as the Outbacks team members.  On Wednesday, they labeled ALL common exam constructed response sheets for the entire school.  Thank you!

1. Common exams will count 20% of each student's final grade. EOG's will not be scored in time to include them in the students' final grades.  The common exam scores should not hurt a student's final grade. It certainly can help a student's grade but not hinder it.  Teachers have the flexibility of overriding a student's exam or final grade to accommodate for this.  For example, a student has quarter grades of F,F,F, and C.  Without the exam grade, they would finish with a D for the year.  But let's say that they receive an F on the Common Exam - the computer would drop the grade to an F for the year.  The teacher will need to override this final grade to a D for the year, as the exam cannot drop the final grade for the student. We will continue to guide teachers through this process to ensure that students receive accurate grades. 

2. Don't forget to turn in your UNCF cards to Laura Lyles if you wish to donate.  Please consider giving a donation, as this is a great cause that assists many of our students.

3. As we head into the last month of school, it is important to maintain as much structure as possible in the classroom and with our lesson plans.  Even though there are celebrations and events taking place throughout the next month, it is imperative that we "keep a lid on it" at all other times under all circumstances. The primary reason for this is student safety. In addition, it is the expectation from the Superintendent's Office as well as from me that you have structured lessons taking place in your classrom for the duration of the school year (this includes June 10 and 11) when special events are not taking place.  Please be sure that all videos are approved by me well in advance (at least 2-3 days) using the video approval form - lesson plans/activities must accompany the video approval form. Note that I may not approve all videos requested due to video rating, length, number of videos requested by you, and most importantly, appropriateness. 

4. Extra credit opportunities for students:  Several questions have come up recently in regards to giving students extra credit. To clarify...students can be given extra credit opportunities - this is at the discretion of the teacher as to whether or not to offer.  But teachers cannot give grades nor extra credit in exchange for donations, monetary donations, supplies, materials, etc. (i.e. candy donation gets 10 extra credit points, $5 worth of supplies gets 5 extra credit points).  The implication here is that students are "buying" a grade or bonus points on a grade, and that is not appropriate.  You are welcome to give students equal opportunities to earn extra credit. 

5. Allotment updates: As stated at Monday's staff meeting, 6th grade will probably have 15 total teachers, 7th grade will have 15 total teacher, and 8th grade will have 14 total teachers.  The encore blocks will remain in the same order due to the part-time encore teachers' schedules across the district. In terms of physical movement of teachers, this will be determined later after personnel shifts have been completed. Please know that there will have to be some shifting due to our increasing staff size. There will very likely be several teachers who will be sharing a classroom.  Those situations have not been determined yet. I will communication over time with any affected individuals.  If you are interested in being considered for a grade level/subject area move (i.e. going from 6th to 7th, etc), then please put that on my radar if you have not already done so. More information will be shared throughout May and June. 

It is important to note that our EC and ESL populations are growing at a rapid pace, so we plan to spread out EC and ESL students across the grade level for next year. You will be notified down the road if this will affect you or not. 

6. There will be two opportunities for earning some time to trade for the end of the school year: First, we need assistance with the 8th grade celebration on Friday, June 7, from 2:15-5:30pm.  Activities include a DJ playing music and videos, a photo booth, refreshments, and some additional activities/games for the students to play. We are looking for up to 10 people to assist with this event. This would earn you the equivalent of a half day's time. Second, we will need assistance at some point after June 11 to stuff report cards and cumulative folders. We are looking for up to 10 people to assist with this process. This would earn you the equivalent of a half day's time.  If you are interested in either or both of these events, please let me know and I will add you to the list. 

7. Homebase teachers: Just a reminder to please collect the testing proctor letters from your students. We will have the same expectation for core teachers as we did last year:  All core teachers are expected to secure at least one proctor for testing.  This means that each of you will need to secure one proctor and turn in a proctor letter to Deb Neal. The easiest way to accomplish this is to review the letters with your students and encourage them to return a letter with a proctor volunteer. That form can be turned in to Deb or Sharon and you have fulfilled your expectation! 

8. 8th grade and Encore teachers have all received your packets for 8th grade awards day. Please be sure to fill those award forms out and return to me by the deadlines listed on the sheets. Nominations for the Jaguar Pride Awards are due by May 20. Others are due May 24. We will take care of the certificates and awards.  All you need to do is complete the forms and then notify your students! 

9. Staff have received an email regarding the updated master calendar from the district. It is imperative that all staff review that information, as it contains new information about teacher workdays, classified staff working days, etc. The last teacher workday at the end of the school year will be Tuesday, June 18. Staff will be able to take annual days on the Rs days on the calendar.  

10. The PTSA will serve the staff a luncheon on June 12 at 11:30am.  We appreciate all of their support this school year!


UPCOMING DATES
May 16 - 6th Grade Band Concert (6:00pm @ SEMS)
May 17 - Common Exam Test training (during grade level planning)
May 20-24 - Science 8 EOG Testing
May 20 - SIT Meeting (2:20pm)
May 24 - 6th/7th grade Science Common Exams
May 27 - Memorial Day - No School!
May 28 - Athletic Awards Ceremony (6pm @ SEMS)
May 29-30 - Reading & Math EOG Testing
May 31 - 6th/7th/8th Social Studies Common Exams
June 3 - 7th Grade Zoo Field Trip
June 3 - Staff Meeting (2:20pm)
June 4 - Math I EOC (8th Grade)
June 5 - NAL Field Trip to Ultimate Climbing
June 5 - FCCLA Hat Day (details coming soon)
June 6 - Yearbook Distribution for all students
June 6,7,10 - 8th Grade Ceremonies (8:00am)
June 7 - PTSA Celebration activities for 8th grade (2-5pm)
June 7-8 - GYRLS Field Trip to Camp Caraway
June 10 - 8th grade PTSA Pizza Party (11:00am)
June 10 - 6th grade Apollos Field Trip
June 10 - Retirement Party!
June 11 - 6th Grade All-Stars Field trip
June 11 -Last day for students!
June 12 - SIT Mtg. (9:00am)
June 12 - PTSA Staff Luncheon (11:30am)
June 13 - RC Day (must attend any Central Office workshops listed)
June 13 - Report cards due by 9:00am to S. Derrah
June 14 - Report cards and cumulative folders stuffed (on volunteer basis for traded time)