Weekly Update 5/9/13

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

1. Happy Educator Appreciation Week!  Thanks to everyone for their continued hard work.  The PTSA will be providing staff with breakfast on Friday, May 10.  So please be sure to stop by the staff workroom and enjoy!

2. Thanks to all of the core and EC teachers for their hard work already on the EVAAS verification process. Please remember that we will have several open lab dates throughout the month for any core/EC teachers who need assistance with the online process. Please try to have your data completed and submitted to me online by May 17. 

3. WSFCS will sponsor a "Sneaker Day" on Wednesday, May 15, for all employees.  This will be in honor of all Boston bombing victims and first responders. Please show your support by wearing sneakers on this day. Any staff member who wears sneakers can also dress casual on this date. You can also encourage your students to do the same. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Boston fund can purchase blow pops, buy a Boston t-shirt, or make a flat donation and give to the SEMS Student Council.  Let's show them we care!

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. 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.  

6. 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 and you have fulfilled your expectation! 

7. 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. We will take care of the certificates and awards.  All you need to do is complete the forms and then notify your students! 

8. 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. 

9. 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, Jun 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. 

UPCOMING DATESMay 9 - 7th/8th Grade Band Spring Concert (6:00pm @ SEMS)
May 9 - EVAAS Open Lab (2:20pm in Room #612)
May 10 - EOG Test Training (if necessary)
May 10 - PTSA Breakfast for Staff for Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 10 - Student Council Blow Pop Sale in honor of Boston victims
May 13 - Baby Shower for A. Moore (2:20pm)
May 15 - EVAAS Open Labs (during grade level planning blocks)
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


IMPORTANT FUTURE DATES
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)