Weekly Update 9/11/14

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

1. Thanks to all of you for a successful first Early Release Day! I do feel that we began to really open up conversations about the functions and purpose of our PLT's. I look forward to seeing your teams develop this school year. Several of you were asking - Where is my individual teacher EVAAS score?  Those have not been made available to us quite yet.  As of today, we still do not have the following data: NC Final Exam (Sci and SS) proficiency and EVAAS data, CTE school data.  Until these are completed, we are not expecting to see individual EVAAS teacher scores until possibly sometime in October. I will forward any updated information to all of you as we get it. 

2. Don't forget that the Flex Benefits/Colonial Life representative is here on Monday and Tuesday.  Appointment times are posted on Susie's door. Please sign up if you would like to review your options or ask any questions. 

3. The following committees are meeting on Monday:  SIT (Media Center), Safety/Discipline/Rachel's Challenge Committee (Rm. 702), Hospitality Committee (Rm. 708).  All meetings will begin at 2:20pm. 

4. All purple RUP forms should have gone home with students on Wednesday of this week.  Please encourage your students to return them by next Wednesday.  HB teachers:  On Wednesday, Sept. 17, please give Mrs. Raya your completed HB forms and your HB roster check-off sheet.  She will forward all information to Mr. Downs.  Remind your students that if they do not get this form signed, they will not have access to their student email nor can they utilize many pieces of technology used in instruction. 

5. All students are required to pay their $4.00 WSFCS fees to their homebase teachers.  If a student indicates to you that their parent/guardian cannot afford the fee, please let Susie Hook know. 

6. We still have opportunities available for anyone interested in sponsoring afterschool clubs or activities. We are looking for someone to sponsor the Drama Club.  In addition, we are joining with several outside agencies to create a new and improved mentoring program for our most at-risk students. If you are interested in sponsoring or being involved in any afterschool activities, please let me know.  

7. Please continue to review the CHAMPs expectations for the hallways, lunchroom, restrooms, and especially in your classrooms.  The administration will be making rounds to check for your classroom CHAMPs expectations.  Once again, please consult the CHAMPs handout in your staff handbooks for details on CHAMPs expectations.  We are currently making posters for the CHAMPs restroom expectations as well as the 8th grade hallway expectations.

8. Kernersville Pharmacy will be on campus on Friday, September 19, to give staff members flu shots.  This is optional for staff.  The service is free, but you must have a copy of your insurance and a completed consent form. The consent form is in Susie's office if you need to pick one up.  The technician will be in the conference room starting at 10:00 am. They will stay as long as necessary. Please feel free to stop by during your lunch or planning block.  It will not be necessary to schedule individual appointments since the process is very quick. 

9. Core and Encore paper progress reports are required to go home with students on September 24.  Encore teachers, yours are to go home on September 24 and 25 (for A and B day).  Please be sure that you are entering grades in Powerschool now that you have established your online grading system.  Powerschool will go live for parents on September 15.  Please remember that WSFCS policy requires all teachers to update their grades on a weekly basis online. 

10. We encourage all staff to submit a grant application for the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce grants.  The deadline for submission is September 25.  Please consult your earlier email regarding these details.

11. All certified staff are required to work one night event per semester.  This semester, your choices are to work a grade level social after school or a music concert in December.  Can you work two events and receive trade out time for the second one? YES! The grade level socials are scheduled for the following dates:  September 26 (8th grade), October 3 (7th grade), and October 10 (6th grade).  Working hours for this event are 2:15 - 4:30pm.  Staff sign-up sheets for the socials will be posted in the staff workroom on Monday, Sept. 15, at 2:15pm.  

12. The Testing Code of Ethics was forwarded to all staff members earlier this week. Please be sure to review those guidelines this month and then sign off beside your name on the Code of Ethics sheet on Mrs. Gardner's door.  The deadline to sign off is September 29. 

13. All staff should be able to view the SEMS Staff Calendar. This calendar is accessed through your email system. Once you log in to your email, click on the calendar link and you should see the SEMS Staff Calendar.  If you do not have access, please let me know and I will send you an invitation to view it.

14. There are times when some staff members transport a student  In these instances, it is important that you have written parent permission to do and most importantly, you have an approved Employee Driver Form on file.  I have the forms in my office if you need to fill one out.  Once you complete the form, please attach a copy of your license, car insurance, and car registration.  I will sign and send to HR for approval. Once approved, you are valid for the duration of the school year. 

15. Mr. Downs maintains and updates the SEMS Activities Blog.  This blog gives our parents and students the schedule for all afterschool activities.  If you have an afterschool club or activity, please forward your meeting information to him so that he may promote that for you on the blog.  This blog can be accessed by visiting the  SEMS website and clicking on the blog link on the left menu.


UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 12 - Grade level trainings (Teacher evaluation online setup)
Sept. 15 - SIT Mtg/Committee Mtgs (TBD)
Sept. 15 - 16 - Flexible Benefits appointments
Sept. 18 - EC Department Mtg (2:20pm)
Sept. 19 - Wear Yellow for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Sept. 19 - Staff flu shots (optional)
Sept. 22 - Encore EC Development Mtg (Encore only, 2:20pm)
Sept. 24 - Core and Encore Progress Reports go home
Sept. 25 - Grade level meetings
Sept. 25 - K'ville Chamber Grants deadline
Sept. 26 - 8th Grade Social (2-4pm)
Sept. 29 - Staff Vote on School Improvement Plan 
Sept. 29 - Mtg. w/Mentors (2:30pm, location TBD)
Sept. 30 - Picture Day!
Oct. 1 - Early Release Day!
Oct. 3 - 7th Grade Social (2-4pm)
Oct. 6 - Staff Mtg. (2:20pm, MP room)
Oct 6-7 - 8th Grade EXPLORE test (details coming)
Oct. 10 - 7th grade Storm Chasers/Tornadoes Field Trip
Oct. 10 - 6th Grade Social (2-4pm)