Weekly Update 5/30/13

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

A special thanks goes out to Deb Neal for all of her hard work this testing season.  This is normally a tough task to accomplish, but this year is especially difficult because the volume of tests has more than doubled! Thanks to those of you who have stepped in and assisted Deb with this process - I know that it means a lot to her.  So please take the time to give Deb a big pat on the back for a superb job on this monstrous task!

1. 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 classroom 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. 

2. We will have a staff meeting on Monday at 2:20pm.  Topics include:  End of year instructions, lesson plans and videos, etc.

3. 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. 

4. 8th and Encore teachers: Once we log in your 8th grade awards sheets, you will be provided with a copy for your records.  Please be sure to inform your classes of who is getting an award.  Celebrate their successes!

5. On June 4 at 2:20pm, the 8th grade will be hosting a joint wedding shower for Jennifer Martin and Stacy Basham, two of our new teachers at SEMS.  Please come out and support them!

6. June 5 will be the FCCLA Hat Day.  Students can pay $1 and wear a hat for the day.  All homebase teachers will be provided with a envelope to collect money and with hat tags.  When a student pays their $1, simply put the money in the envelope and put a tag on their hat.  At the conclusion of homebase, please get your money immediately to Susie in the main office. It is not necessary for homebase teachers to write out a deposit slip.  All proceeds will go to the FCCLA National trip to Nashville this summer. Note: Teachers are also encouraged to pay $1 to wear a hat as well!  Just like spirit day, any student who has a hat that is causing a disruption can be asked to remove the hat for the duration of the class period.  At the end of the period, they can put their hats back on. 

7. We will distribute yearbooks on June 6.  Please refer to the email from Frankie Santoro on the distribution process and instructions. We will have extras for sale!

8. 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. 

9. Please come and celebrate with us on Monday, June 10, at 2:20pm in the Media Center.  We will celebrate the retirements of Sharon Pitt, Mike Smith, and Don Fought.  Congrats to all three individuals on a successful career!

10. All staff received a copy of the end-of-year packet.  This is your check-out sheet for the end of the school year. Please have all signatures and all items checked off by the due dates listed.  Please remember that students are not to take your sheet around to get signatures from support staff. 

11. 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.

12. 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 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 4 - Joint Wedding Shower for J. Martin and S. Basham (2:20pm)
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)
June 18 - Last workday for teachers!