Weekly Update 1/15/15

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

1. Please consult yesterday's email from me regarding changes to the A/B schedule due to the cancellation of school on Wednesday.  Today is A-day and Friday is B-day.  February 16 is now considered a regular student day and will be an A-day on the schedule. This means that Feb. 13 and Feb. 16 will be two back-to-back A-days on the schedule. Please mark these changes on your schedules. 

2. We are waiting to see how Wednesday will be coded for teachers as an absence. Once that is determined, we will confirm any trade-out time earned by staff who came in to work on Wednesday.  Please note that all staff present were asked to sign in AND out in the main office if they reported for work. For those who followed those instructions, we will grant that time for trade-out. 

3. Thanks to all of our quarter testing groups so far this week. You all have done a fantastic job of completing this testing! Please remember that per district policy, no quarter tests can be used as a student grade. The purpose of the quarter test is for teachers to target strengths and weaknesses for your students based on the standards tested. 

4. Mrs. Gardner sent home tutoring packets with our first round of at-risk students last week. In addition, she will be sending some home via US mail to ensure the parents see them. If any students turn in their tutoring registration sheet to you, please forward it immediately to Mrs. Gardner. 

5. The end of the quarter is January 16. All grades will be due onWednesday, January 21, by 3:00pm.  Per district guidelines now, teachers are only to use the standard comments in the Powerschool system for your report card comments. Please do not create your own comments. 

6. Monday, January 19, is a holiday for the district (MLK holiday).Tuesday, January 20 is an RS Teacher Workday.  That day is not protected, meaning that staff may take an annual leave day.  Staff may also use any trade-out time earned during this workday.  You may check with Susie on your total trade-out time you have earned.  We will post the staff sign up sheet next week for each of you to indicate your plan for January 20. 
   
7. We will have grade level meetings on Friday, January 23.  The topics of discussion will be school performance grades and upcoming district training for staff members. I will also hold an additional meeting at 2:15 that day in the Media Center for any staff members who were not able to attend the grade level meeting during the day. Please make plans to attend one of the meetings. This meeting will not extend into both planning periods.
 
8. The WS Foundation is accepting grant proposals from educators for professional development. Please see a December email from Leah Gardner with details and how to apply. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to gain some professional development of your choice. Previous winners of this grant include Mara-Lea Coston, Don Fought, and Rachel Holmes. 
    
9. Our afterschool at-risk tutoring program will kick off in late January.  Ms. Gardner sent out information to all staff in December. We are looking for tutors in Math and Reading, bus driver for the tutoring bus, and lesson plan writers.  Please see Ms. Gardner if you are interested! Tutoring pay is $25/hour ($17/hour classified).  I encourage all of you to tutor our students - this is such an important program for them!

10. Please plan to have your updated rosters on your safety clipboard and your updated absorption plan to Mrs. Raya by January 30. 

11. On February 5, the state will release the School Performance Grades. We will discuss the possibility of our grade and the impact prior to this date. 

12. Our students will soon be completing the registration process for next school year. Our 8th graders will complete this process first during the month of February. Then our 6th and 7th graders will complete their process by the beginning of March. 

13. **Social dates have been changed** We will have another round of socials this winter for our students. Social dates:  8th grade = February 20, 7th grade = February 27, 6th grade = March 6.  We are offering a half day of trade out time for any certified staff members who wish to work one of the social events. Working hours will be 2:15 - 4:30pm.  I will be posting a sign up sheet for the socials soon. Stay tuned. Easy way to earn some trade out time!

14. The Rising 6th Grade Open House will take place on Tuesday, February 17, from 6:00-7:30pm.  All 6th grade and Encore teachers are required to attend. This will count as your required semester night event. 

15. The Spring Arts Festival will take place on Thursday, March 5.  We are looking for interested staff members to assist in organizing, planning, and participating in this event. Trade-out time will be given for individuals who participate. We plan to have music performances, book fair, arts and crafts show, and a visit from a local author.  We'd love to have as many staff members involved! Please let me know if you are interested in participating.


UPCOMING EVENTS
Please remember that this calendar does NOT include all school events, meetings, etc. The online master calendar (SEMS School Calendar, through your email) contains all of these events. Please consult the master calendar for more detailed information.

Jan. 16 - End of 2nd Quarter! 
Jan. 19 - MLK Holiday - No school!
Jan. 20 - RS Teacher Workday 
Jan. 21 - 2nd quarter grades/verifications due by 3pm!
Jan. 23 - Grade Level Mtgs. 
Jan. 28 - Report card distribution 
Feb. 2 - Staff Mtg. 
Feb. 11 - Early Release Day!
Feb. 17 - Rising 6th Grade Open House
Feb. 18 - Core and Encore progress reports
March 5 - Spring Arts Festival