Weekly Update 9/19/13

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 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) and 7th grade Girls Basketball Coach. 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. Please share the Student Council information with your students.  All information is being forwarded from Ms. Frauenhoffer via email. 

4. SSC Learning Team Facilitators:  Please remember to forward a copy of your meeting minutes to me weekly.  Minutes should be in the expected format and received by Friday of each week. 

5. 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). 

6. Fire Marshall Report (9/18/13): The Fire Marshall inspected the building alongside Mr. Ortiz.  Overall, our report was very positive.  However, there are sets of doors that were documented with fines on deck for any future violations.  The following immediate corrections are required to take place:  Main office door must remain closed at all times, multi-purpose room doors must remain closed at all times (may not prop open), and ALL bookroom and darkroom doors in each hallway must remain closed at all times (may remain unlocked, but are required to stay closed).  We predict more unannounced inspections throughout the year, so please be sure to follow these guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

7. WSFCS plans to kickoff the Powerschool Parent Portal for parents and families starting October 1. This online program will allow parents and guardians to have 24/7 access to their students' grades, attendance, and information. We will continue to send home paper progress reports on the noted dates as scheduled until this transition is complete. Please remember that district guidelines require teachers to update their online grades once per week, no matter how many students or classes you are assigned. 

8. Tdap shots for 6th graders are due by September 25 in the Guidance Office. If any 6th grader turns in their Tdap form, please forward it to Guidance as quickly as possible. If any students have questions about a violation or suspension due to Tdap, please immediately refer those questions to the Guidance Office. 

9. On September 30, we will have another EC development meeting at 2:20pm in the Media Center.  Who should attend? EC staff and LA & Math core teachers who work with EC students are to attend.

10. SEMS is starting up the Rachel's Challenge program this school year. As stated earlier this year, Rachel's Challenge promotes random acts of kindness and anti-bullying efforts. Our school will dedicate Thursday, October 17, to the Rachel's Challenge events. We will have a series of assemblies and even a community night event. We will have an altered schedule for this day, as we wish to focus all of our attention on this program.  It is important to note that these events can be very moving and emotional, so we will forward more details to share with your students beforehand so that they understand what they will experience. We will also send some information home for parents.  

11. For your calendar planning, we are going to do a  "shut down" testing schedule for first quarter tests at the end of the first quarter. This is necessary due to the many student pull-out groups required. Reading and Math quarter testing is scheduled for October 28 and 29.  Please see earlier quarter testing email for more information.  8th grade Science, please let us know your plans to complete your testing.  

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

UPCOMING DATES
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 - Student Council Officer Interest Mtgs.
Sept. 25 - Lockdown drill (9:45am)
Sept. 25 - Cross Country Scrimmage @ Jefferson (4pm)
Sept. 26 - Boys Soccer vs. East Forsyth (3pm)
Sept. 27 - 8th Team Mtg. (7:40am, EXPLORE training)
Sept. 27 - 6th Grade PTSA Social (2-4pm, $5/student)
Sept. 27 - Chamber of Commerce grant applications due
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 - Encore meeting (11:25, Hatch's room, EXPLORE training)
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. 7 - 8th Grade EXPLORE Interest Inventory
Oct. 8 - 8th Grade EXPLORE Testing (modified daily schedule)
Oct. 8 - Boys Soccer vs. Walkertown (3pm)
Oct. 9 - Cross Country Meet
Oct. 14 - Mentor evaluator training (2:20, Computer Lab)
Oct. 17 - Rachel's Challenge Assemblies (modified daily schedule)