Weekly Update 3/6/14

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

1. Many events and activities have been postponed due to the weather. Please take a look at the dates below as well as the master calendar. Where is the master calendar? It is accessible through your email system - click on the Calendar link and select the SEMS-Stephanie Gentry calendar.  

2. Sandy Derrah sends her love and appreciation for all of your support. Thank you to all staff members who have supported Sandy and assisted us in her absence. 

3. Please keep several other staff members in your thoughts and prayers:  Cathy Hayes' son is very, very sick at home, she is with him at this time; Irma Jones' aunt passed away earlier this week; Leah Gardner's sister has been very sick; Susie Hook is out and at home very sick as well all this week. 

4. If you have any activity bus questions or if you need to request a bus, please contact Gentry in writing. 

5. This weekend is Daylight Savings Time. So don't forget to spring forward and set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday morning! 

6. We have a staff meeting scheduled for Monday.  Topics include: Snow days, another professional development opportunity, next school year, School Board updates,etc.

7. Attention beginning teachers: You should be working with your STAY coach on completing your Common Core online moodle. If you need assistance with this, please contact your STAY coach.  The online moodle is part of your STAY requirement. 

8. Since last week's progress reports were very minimal in number of tasks, I highly recommend that teachers send out another paper progress report in March.  This will help to ensure that all parents and students are aware of where they stand academically. 

9. Quarter testing is set for March 24 and 25 in Reading and Math. We will have a shutdown schedule for both  days.  The 8th grade Math I benchmark will take place March 12-14, and the 8th grade Science benchmark will be on March 26. 

10. Grade level meetings on the master schedule for March 13 have been cancelled.

11. It is time for staff to complete the Teacher Working Conditions survey.  We will have a brief staff meeting on Monday, March 24, for approximately 10 minutes. Nancy Holmes will instruct the staff on how to complete the online survey. It is the expectation that all staff members complete the survey before the end of the week of March 24. This is an opportunity for all of you to voice your opinions on school and district processes.  We use these results to assist us in improving the processes, etc. with our School Improvement Team.

UPCOMING DATES
March 10 - Staff Meeting
March 11 - Students@Work CTE Field Trip
March 12-14 - 8th grade Math I benchmark period
March 14 - Students@Work CTE Field Trip #2
March 14 - Spring Pictures!
March 17 - Differentiated Instruction PLC (2:20pm, MC)
March 18 - Girls soccer vs. Jefferson (Ivey Redmon, 3pm)
March 19 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Chamber Theatre
March 19 - Track Meet @ Clemmons (3pm)
March 20 - All A's Celebrations
March 20 - Girls Soccer @ Flat Rock (FRMS, 3pm)
March 21 - March Madness Event - Staff  vs. Students (2-4pm)
March 22 - GYRLS Community Yard Sale (SEMS)
March 24-25 - Reading and Math Quarter Testing (Shutdown schedule)
March 24 - Teacher Working Conditions Survey (2:20pm, MP Room)
March 24 - SIT Meeting (following the TWC survey)
March 24 - Track Meet (location TBD)
March 25 - Girls Soccer vs. East Forsyth (Ivey Redmon, 3pm)
March 26 - 8th Science Quarter Testing
March 28 - Hoops for Heart Competitions
March 28 - Student Snow Make-Up Day! End of 3rd Quarter!