Weekly Update 5/23/13

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013

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. Please remind your students about the lunch structure for May 29 and 30 during EOG testing. Only bagged lunches will be served.  Each class will report to the cafeteria with their entire class at their designated time (please refer to altered lunch schedule for these days), allow students to go through the line as they normally would, and then the teacher can return back to the classroom with their class to have lunch.  Trash bags will be provided for classrooms.

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. 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. 

 5. All 8th grade and Encore award sheets are due to Gentry by Friday.

6. According to our schedule, June 11 is listed as a B-day on the calendar.  This means we will probably have two back-to-back B-days on June 10 and 11. If this changes, we will let you know.  June 11 is considered the make-up date for Feb. 22, which was a B-day.

7. The PTSA will serve the staff a luncheon on June 12 at 11:30am.  We appreciate all of their support this school year! We will probably have a brief staff meeting just before the luncheon. 


UPCOMING DATES
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 and 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 5 - Crosby Scholars Celebrations
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)