Weekly Update 2/6/14

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

1. Please continue to keep Jennifer Hairston in your thoughts and prayers. She continues to be out on medical leave with some significant back issues. Jennifer is doing very well. We are not certain yet of her return date. 

2. Check out Chigozie Ireh (6th grade, Super Novas) and Adriane Griffith (8th grade) this month on Cable 2. They are both appearing in a video celebrating Black History Month!

3. Congrats to Lauren Bowman, 8th grader. She placed first in the WSFCS Science Fair and will compete at the state level next month. 

4. We would like to welcome our UNCG interns/student teachers here on campus this semester. My apologies for not introducing them at Monday's staff meeting.  They are: Ryane Fonville (w/Mrs. Mabry), Ray Solomon (w/Mr. Rhymes), Kassi Justice (w/Mrs. Adams), and Joanne Leary (w/Mrs. Worrell). Welcome to SEMS!

5. We have several 8th grade students who are testing technological devices for the school district. You may see them carrying the devices with them throughout the next quarter. They do have permission to do so. Students involved: Lauren Bethea, Carlos Gonzalez, Daniel Best, Josh Turman, and Eddy Alvarez.  

6. Rebecca Given, 8th grade student, is raising money to go to Italy this summer as part of the People to People Ambassador program.  If you sponsor a club, group, or team and would like to conduct a fundraiser for her, please let me know. 

7. Please consider donating to the Arts Council. You may pledge/donate during the month of February. To donate, please go to the WSFCS website and click on the link at the top for the Arts Council.  There are great incentives this year, especially the trip to Disney World including spending money!  If you give $10 or more, you are automatically entered into this drawing. Please see Mrs. Ring or Ms. Young if you have any questions. 

8. AG money has arrived for materials to serve our students in the AG LA classrooms. LA teachers: Please discuss possible materials you would like to put on your "wish list" - please let me know what you would like to have as soon as possible.

9. The Rising 6th Grade Open House has been scheduled for Monday, February 10, from 6-7:30pm.  This is a required event for 6th grade and Encore staff.  This event will count as your one night event for the second semester. During this time, 5th grade families from several elementary schools will have an opportunity to visit, meet some staff members, and tour the building.  The snow date for this event is Thursday, February 13.  

10. Homebase teachers: Please recognize and celebrate your All A and Honor Roll (all A's and B's) students in your classrooms/team.  Please assure your All A's students that we are planning to have another All A event in the next month. More details coming soon. 

11. Now is a good time to update your sub folders.  As a reminder, your sub folders should be complete with your rosters, lesson plans or activities, and instructions on supervision, etc.  These folders are to remain in your staff mailboxes. 

12. ACCESS testing for our certified ESL students will take place during the month of February. Mrs. Gardner will forward the schedule of students testing to staff when it is completed. 

13. The PTSA will be selling Valentine's Day treats during lunches from Feb. 10-13.  Students can pay $1 to send a special treat to another student. All treats will be delivered on Friday, Feb. 14. Please share this information with your students. 

14. February 17 is our snow make-up day. This will be an A-day on the calendar. There will be two A-days back to back during this time frame. Please remind your students.

15. Please plan to not utilize the network on February 17.  The Technology Dept. will be here to repair our network to increase the speed.  

16. Student Council will be sponsoring Spirit Week on February 17-21. More details coming soon!

17. Please see your earlier email regarding grade verification process for 2nd quarter grades. Teachers have until Tuesday to complete this task.


UPCOMING DATES
Feb. 5 - Report Card distribution!
Feb. 5 - NAL match @ Flat Rock
Feb. 6 - Basketball vs. Hanes (Girls Home, Boys Away, 3:45pm)
Feb. 6 - NAL match vs. East Forsyth (SEMS, 3pm)
Feb. 10-14 - Random Acts of Kindness Week!
Feb. 10 - Differentiated Instruction PLC (2:15, MC)
Feb. 10 - Rising 6th grade Open House (6-7:30pm)
Feb. 10-13 - PTSA Valentine's Sale during lunches
Feb. 11 - Basketball vs. Walkertown - 8th Home, 7th Away
Feb. 12 - NAL Match vs. Wiley (3pm, SEMS)
Feb. 13 - Basketball vs. Northwest - 7th Home, 8th Away
Feb. 13 - Snow date for Rising 6th Open House
Feb. 17 - Snow Make-Up Day: A-day schedule
Feb. 17-21 - Student Council Spirit Week!Feb. 19 - Core and Encore paper progress reports!
Feb. 20 - Grade Level Meetings (during planning blocks)
Feb. 24 - Vertical Planning Meetings
Feb. 24, 25 - 8th grade field trips to Career Center
Feb. 25 - Basketball vs. Flat Rock (8th Home, 7th Away)
Feb. 27 - Basketball vs. East Forsyth (8th Home, 7th Away)
March 3 - Staff Meeting