Weekly Update 9/25/14

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014
  
1. Thank you to the Hospitality Committee for planning our events for this school year. Don't forget to pay your hospitality dues.  Remember that these dues go towards celebrations, retirements, death in the family, births, illness, and other family crises. Those who pay their dues by October 10 will receive a pass to wear jeans on October 15.

2. Hailey Flippin is a current 8th grade student. She is currently raising money for a mission trip to Alaska. Hailey is not able to solicit funds from students here at school, but if any staff members wish to donate to her cause, please bring your donation to me. I will get it to her family. 

3. September 26 is the deadline for teachers to complete their online evaluation requirements.  This includes:  Orientation, Self-Assessment, PDP Details, and you and an administrator must sign off together.  

4. Please remember that students should not be sent to the gym when they do not have PE class.  The PE teachers already have overcrowded PE classes in the locker rooms and in the gym. So their focus is on the safety of their students. The PE department would appreciate your cooperation in ensuring this. 

5. All teachers have been sent the Picture Day schedule for September 30. Please let us know if you have any questions. 

6. 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 have already been posted. There are a few spots still available. 

7. All staff have received a condensed copy of the School Improvement Plan for 2014-2016.  Please review this document. Then on Monday, September 29, ALL staff are to report to the MP room starting at 2:20pm to vote on whether or not you accept the School Improvement Plan as it is written. Once you cast your vote, you do not have remain in the MP room.  

8. Attention all mentors: We will have a brief meeting on Monday, September 29, in the Computer Lab.  We will review your requirements and get you set up in the online system as a mentor. 

9. 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. 

10. 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. 

11. We will conduct 8th grade EXPLORE testing on October 6 and 7.  After reviewing the staffing commitment this will require, we will have to go on a modified schedule on October 7 only.  We will soon send out the final schedule to all staff.  

12. The WSFCS Human Resources Dept. is making more of an effort to be accessible to all employees. So on October 15, some HR staff members will be at SEMS for at least half of the day at your service. They will be able to answer any questions or field any concerns that you may have. I will confirm the times once they are available. 

13. All subject areas/departments have periodic district meetings throughout the school year. The expectation is that there is an SEMS representative at each of those meetings. Your department may divide this up however you wish.

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 are required to 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. There has been a delay on the administrator's classroom walkthrough online tool. We hope to be live online by next week. When we complete walkthroughs, you will automatically be sent an email that we have completed one. You will probably receive the email from Teachscape or the administrator - we are not sure how it will show up in your email inbox yet. 

16. Encore teachers: Please be sure to turn in your absorption plans to Mrs. Raya and place a copy either on your door or on your safety clipboard.

17. We will have a different schedule for the November 6 fundraiser kickoff day.  Typically we spread out the assemblies during encore time. This year we will condense the schedule and it will affect both encore and core in the AM hours. More information coming soon. 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 25 - Grade level meetingsSept. 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 - Student Council apps available
Oct 6-7 - 8th Grade EXPLORE test (details coming) 
Oct. 9 - ELL Family Information Night (5:30 - 7pm, SEMS)
Oct. 10 - 7th grade Storm Chasers/Tornadoes Field Trip
Oct. 10 - Student Council apps DUE 
Oct. 10 - 6th Grade Social (2-4pm)
Oct. 11 - WSFCS Bully Prevention Walk (8am, WS Dash Stadium)
Oct. 13 - 17 - Student Council Campaign Week!
Oct. 13 - Staff Development Sessions (more info coming)
Oct. 14 - Crosby Scholars Welcome Mtgs.
Oct. 14 - PTSA Board Mtg (5:30pm)
Oct. 15 - Mobile HR on campus!
Oct. 15 - 7th grade Eye Screenings
Oct. 16 - 8th grade field trip to Reynolds Auditorium
Oct. 16 - FCCLA Krispy Kreme Delivery/Pickup
Oct. 17 - 7th grade Lightning Bolts/Cyclones field trip to Zoo
Oct. 17 - Student Council Videos and Voting!
Oct. 22 - WSFCS Unity Day! Wear orange for Bully Prevention