Weekly Update 9/12/13

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013


1. We are currently working on the afterschool activities structure. There are several vacancies for several activities, including Dance (can be split between two people), 7th grade Girls Basketball Coach, Basketball Scorebook, and co-coaching Cheerleading. In addition, we are looking for more afterschool tutors (the program will run probably from December - March) and even an activity bus driver for tutoring during those months. If you are interested in any of these activities, please let me know. All positions are paid positions.

2. Please be sure to be on time at your supervision duty spot during your planning block. It is important that we help to hold each other accountable for being there, ensuring proper supervision of our students. Please let me know if any issues arise.

3. We will have an EC development meeting this coming Monday, Sept. 16, at 2:20pm.  The location will be the Media Center. Who should attend?  EC staff, encore staff members, as well as any core teachers who have EC students in their classrooms.  The topic of discussion will mainly be modifications, accommodations, and how to utilize these in the classroom.

4. Please remember that core and encore paper progress reports are to go home with your students on Wednesday, September 18!

5. We have had a great start to the year with our traveling teacher schedule. Please remember the guidelines for sustaining a strong relationship between the core teacher and visiting teacher.  For the core teacher, please remember that the traveling teacher does not have a key to your classroom. Please continue to invite them into your classroom and allow them to use the space as if it were their own permanent space. For the traveling teachers, please remember to respect the classroom you are in and your students should do the same. The classroom should be left the same way as when you arrived.

6. Please share the Student Council information with your students.  All information is being forwarded from Ms. Frauenhoffer via email.

7. Please be sure to review your safety plan as discussed with your students in every class. We will have a monthly fire drill, and normally this drill will not be announced.  In addition, we will have quarterly lockdown drills. The first drill will take place during the month of September. We will announce this first one for your convenience. It is important that you review the procedures with your students so that you are all prepared: glass in door covered, current class roster available, green/red circle visible at door, and door is locked (your door should be locked during the day).

8. Soon we will be advertising yearbook sales for students and staff. As Mr. Santoro stated earlier, we have worked to reduce the cost to everyone. Over the summer, Mrs. Hook, Mr. Santoro, and I opened bids for yearbook contracts. We found a new company, Herff Jones, who can give us the same quality at a reduced price. We felt this was very important to our community to get the price under $30.  Thanks to Susie and Frankie for their hard work on this. Please look for yearbook flyers coming your way soon.

9. September 23 is set aside for any committee meetings that need to take place.

10. To access the master staff calendar: log into your email, click Calendar on the menu, click on the calendar with Gentry's name and SEMS (it should be a green or blue calendar), and you can view the calendar daily, weekly, or monthly. It is important to note that when looking at a particular date, if it has a "+3" or another number there, that means that there are more events taking place on that date.

11. The Athletics department and the PTSA will sponsor grade level socials for our students. Students will have the opportunity to socialize with their peers, purchase refreshments, and dance. Dates are as follows: Sept. 6 = 8th grade, Sept. 20 = 7th grade, Sept. 27 = 6th grade. Socials will be held from 2-4pm. Students must turn in $5 and a permission slip to Mr. Pizzino in order to attend.

12. For your calendar planning, we may need to do the "shut down" testing schedule for first quarter tests at the end of the first quarter. This may be necessary due to the necessity of so many student pull-out groups for testing. We will give you more information closer to this time. The quarter test window will start in late October through the end of the first quarter (Oct. 31).

13. If you plan to apply for a Kernersville Chamber of Commerce grant, please remember that the deadline is September 27 and I must have a copy of your application to file here.

14. Please join us on Tuesday, September 24, at 2:20pm for a retirement party for Deb Neal and Phyllis Davis!


UPCOMING DATES
Sept. 11, 12 - Open computer lab time for teachers needing Powerschool assistance
Sept. 13 - Grade Level Meetings - Set up your online evaluation!
Sept. 16 - EC Development Mtgs. (2:20pm, staff members listed in item #3)
Sept. 18 - Core and Encore paper progress reports go home!
Sept. 19 - Boys Soccer @ Jefferson (3pm)
Sept. 20 - 7th Grade PTSA Social (2-4pm, $5)
Sept. 20 - Sub folders complete and in your mailbox
Sept. 23 - SIT Mtg, Committee Mtgs. (2:20pm, locations TBD)
Sept. 24 - Retirement Party for D. Neal (2:20pm)
Sept. 24 - Boys Soccer vs. Flat Rock (3pm)
Sept. 24 - 27 - Student Council Application Period
Sept. 25 - Cross Country Scrimmage @ Jefferson (4pm)
Sept. 25 - Student Council Officer Interest Mtgs.
Sept. 26 - Boys Soccer vs. East Forsyth (3pm)
Sept. 27 - 8th Team Mtg. (7:40am)
Sept. 27 - 6th Grade PTSA Social (2-4pm, $5/student)
Sept. 30 - EC Development Mtgs. (staff members TBD)
Sept. 30 - Oct. 4 - Student Council Campaign Week
Oct. 1 - School Picture Day!
Oct. 1 - Boys Soccer @ Mineral Springs (3:30pm)
Oct. 2 - Core and encore paper progress reports go home!
Oct. 2 - Cross Country meet
Oct. 2 - 7th Grade Outbacks to Raven Knob
Oct. 4 - Staff flu shots
Oct. 4 - Student Council videos and voting!
Oct. 4 - 7th Grade Pharoahs to Raven Knob
Oct. 7 - Staff Mtg. (2:20pm, MP Room)
Oct. 7 - 7th Grade Tsunamis to Raven Knob
Oct. 8 - Boys Soccer vs. Walkertown (3pm)
Oct. 9 - Cross Country Meet