Weekly Update 9/4/14

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

1. DUE September 5:  1) Safety Clipboard - should be hanging behind or beside your classroom door (you may not have updated rosters quite yet);  2) Absorption Plan - one copy to Sheree Raya, one copy on your clipboard or on your door, and we encourage you to give a copy to those teachers who are involved with your absorption plan; and 3) Sub Folder - should be complete and in your mailboxes in the workroom.   The administration will be checking for these items.  Encore teachers: We will give you an extra week or two to get your lists completed since you have 12 class rosters. 

2. 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. 

3. We will still continue to have CTE testing going through next week. The regular CTE classes are about to finish up their pre-testing. We will be testing pull-out groups at all grade levels for EC and 504 students in various locations throughout the building. Your patience with this process is appreciated, as we have a deadline to adhere to in order to complete testing. 

4. Wednesday, September 10 will be an early release day. All students will be dismissed at 12:00pm.  I will send out another copy of the early release schedule for the day, complete with specific encore periods. Please plan to begin our professional development session at 12:30pm in the MP room.  The training will conclude by 3:00pm.  All TA's are to participate in the training as well. 

5. We still have opportunities available for anyone interested in sponsoring afterschool clubs or activities.  In addition, we are joining with some outside sources 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.  I will confirm all sponsors and activity leaders once I have all reviewed all interest. 

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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. 

10. We will have a staff meeting on Monday, Sept. 8.  Topics will include:  Flexible Benefits/Colonial Life presentation, Testing Code of Ethics, RUP forms for students, and our new mentoring program. This will be a full staff meeting that will take the entire afternoon time.  

11. Safety reminders:  1) One window in your classroom should be clear as an emergency exit, 2) No surge protectors are allowed unless approved by the district, 3) We are not allowed to paint the ceiling tiles any longer, 4) Please be sure that your window in your door is at least 50% clear, and 5)  Please post your fire exit and tornado location maps on the wall beside your door and review with your students.


UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 5 - DUE: Saf. Clipboard, Absorption plan, Sub folder
Sept. 8 - Staff Mtg (2:20pm, MP Room)
Sept. 8 - Music Fundraiser Kickoff
Sept. 9 - Grade level trainings (Powerschool gradebook setup)
Sept. 10 - Early Release Day! (dismiss 12pm, alternate schedule)
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 - Staff flu shots (optional)
Sept. 22 - Encore EC Development Mtg (Encore only, 2:20pm)
Sept. 24 - Core and Encore Progress Reports
Sept. 25 - Grade level meetings
Sept. 25 - K'ville Chamber Grants deadline
Sept. 29 - Mtg. w/LTF's (2:20pm, location TBD)
Sept. 30 - Picture Day!