Weekly Update 5/29/14

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

1. We are conducting room checks in preparation for testing. Please refer to the email from Tuesday regarding the expectations for classrooms prior to testing. We must ensure the best environment for our students during testing sessions.  The final room inspections will take place on Friday afternoon. 

2. Trade-out time opportunities for certified staff are still posted on the table outside my door. There are still spots available for the 8th grade celebration on June 6 as well as the stuffing parties on June 16 and 19. Please sign up if you are interested for any of these opportunities. I will confirm each event and time with you so that you can earn some time back!

3. Over the past week, there has been a drastic increase in the number of false 911 or prank calls from classroom Bogen phones. Please remind your students that they are not allowed to use the Bogen phones unless you give them permission to do so.  A false 911 triggers with the police department, so this could be considered a high offense of discipline for students who attempt to do so.  

4. In preparation for the test window, it is important to realize that you may have students in your classroom for long stretches of time and who are not testing.  We must all be prepared for these cases.  I strongly encourage you to continue planning hands-on, engaging activities that you can use at any time during the test window.  This time is not considered free time in any way. You must have your lesson plans prepared before the test window begins (June 2-13).  

5. TODAY is the last day to submit your video approvals .  This means if you are planning to show any educational videos during the test window, I need that paperwork submitted to me today for approval. I will not accept any requests after today.  Please be sure that your lesson plan/activity is attached to your request. I will not approve more than two videos per teacher/team for the duration of the test window. It is also important to note that classroom teachers are only permitted to show the videos approved specifically for that classroom. Teachers are not permitted to dial up a video not approved for their classroom. 

6. Dress code for staff in June - For the last 10 days of school, we will have casual dress for staff to create a more comfortable testing atmosphere for you.  Jeans are acceptable to wear on these days, and capri pants are acceptable to wear on these days (as long as they come past the knees).  It will be especially important to wear comfortable shoes throughout the testing days as well. Please be sure to still follow the staff dress code for casual wear - shorts are not acceptable professional attire (unless you are a PE teacher).  

7. 8th grade celebration permission slips and $5 should be turned in by homebase teachers to Susie daily. She and Karen will keep an updated list of students attending/eligible.

8. For the last week of school, the A-B day rotation will be B-A-B-A-B.  The first revised calendar stated otherwise, but central office has switched it back to this rotation for our convenience. 

9. We will celebrate Jennifer Hairston and Cliff Prince at our SEMS Retirement Party on Monday, June 9, at 2:20pm in the Media Center. Please plan to join us to honor these two individuals!

10. WSFCS is having an event to celebrate its 50th anniversary!  This event will take place on Wednesday, June 18, from 10:30am - 12:30pm at the Joel Coliseum. Staff are not required to go, but we are highly encouraged to bring as many staff members as possible!  All WSFCS employees should have received the email invitation last week. We will offer a fun-filled staff field trip on the activity bus for staff who wish to go! We will leave SEMS at approximately 9:45am and return right after the conclusion of the event (the event should conclude between 12 and 12:30).  Once we return, we encourage all staff to go out to lunch together to celebrate!

11. Updates for next school year - We are continuing our planning process for next school year's teaching assignments. There have been no official assignments made as of yet.  As discussed earlier this year, the priority is to fix our AG LA certification problem. The second priority is to take care of our weaker areas by stabilizing those situations with strength.  In order to make sure this happens, this does mean, unfortunately, that there will be several changes across the board.  We must make sure that we have the best fit situations to benefit our students.

The process of staff assignments is quite a long one, so there will still be some time before you all receive any type of confirmation from me. I will give you all the heads up when that will take place (don't worry, I'm not going to leave you hanging!).  Each teacher will receive a written confirmation directly from me (EC, yours may be slightly delayed since we schedule you differently).  

 One of the changes that will take place will be new team names for 6th and 7th grade. It is time for change! I believe that we need a fresh new start with new team identities.  If any of you would like to suggest sets of team names, I'm happy to hear them!  In addition, we have determined that we are more than likely to go with  4-4-4-2 team sizes for 6th and 7th grades. 

UPCOMING DATES
May 28-30 - 8th Grade Ceremonies (8:00am, SEMS Gym)
May 29 - Deadline for all video approvals!
May 30 - 6th Grade All-Stars Field Trip
June 2 - 13 - Testing Window
June 3 - Athletic Awards Ceremony (2:15 - 5:15pm)
June 6 - 8th Grade Yearbook Distribution
June 6 - 8th Grade PTSA Celebration (6-8pm)
June 9 - SEMS Retirement Party (2:20, MC)
June 11 - 6th/7th Yearbook Distribution
June 12 - 8th Grade PTSA Pizza Party (11:15am)
June 13 - Last Day of School!
June 16 - Staff Meeting (8:00am)
June 16 - SIT Mtg (10:00am)
June 16 - PTSA Lunch!
June 16 - Stuffing Party (2:15 - 5:45pm)
June 17 - Wedding Shower for R.Holmes/J.Watson (1:00pm)
June 17 - Grades due by 4pm!
June 18 - WSFCS 50th Celebration (10:30am, Joel Coliseum)
June 19 - Stuffing Party (2:15 - 5:45pm)