Weekly Update 1/22/15

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

1. New Wednesday folders for the second semester have been ordered and should be here by Monday.  We will distribute to all homebases as soon as we get them so that you can hand them out next Wednesday.  

2. Report cards will be distributed next Wednesday, January 28.  We will send all students back to homebase by announcement starting at 1:48 on this day.  Encore teachers: Please be prepared to go to your alternate supervision spot for this dismissal.  We will dismiss by grade level - 6th and 7th by announcement and then administration will dismiss 8th grade classrooms. 

3. Please be sure to post and recognize your students who have achieved straight A's and Honor Roll.  We will have an All A's celebration later in February. 

4. 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.  

5. If you need to change a second quarter grade after finalizing your grades, please fill out a grade change form with Cindy Wilkes and put that in my mailbox. I will review, approve, and then direct Cindy to make the change. She will then give you instructions on any changes you need to make in Powerschool. Please do not make a change in the computer unless/until directed to do so.  
  
6. 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.
 
7. A flyer was placed in all staff mailboxes about PTSA membership. Why should you join our school's PTSA? The PTSA folks do so much for our staff and students - lunches, celebrations, concessions, student materials and supplies, technology purchases, and the list goes on and on.  Please show your support by join our PTSA for only $5.  Staff members who join by February 9 will be eligible for a gift card drawing. The winning staff member will earn a $40 gift card to WalMart, Target, or the grocery store of their choice! Not a bad deal for only a $5 investment with our PTSA! Our goal is at least 80% staff participation.  

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. The PTSA will have tentatively set their annual Chicken Pie Fundraiser from February   2-13. Students and staff can participate by ordering Mrs. Pumpkin's chicken pies.  Next week the order forms will be forwarded to you for all staff and students.  The fundraiser will kick off on Monday, February 2.  There will be incentives for both students and staff to sell. Stay tuned for more information! We will let all staff know the confirmed fundraiser dates very soon. 

12. 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. 

13. 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. 

14. **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!

15. 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. 

16. 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. 23 - Grade Level Mtgs. 
Jan. 28 - Report card distribution 
Feb. 2-13 - PTSA Chicken Pie Fundraiser
Feb. 2 - Staff Mtg. 
Feb. 11 - Early Release Day!
Feb. 17 - Rising 6th Grade Open House
Feb. 18 - Core and Encore progress reports
Feb. 23-27 - SEMS Spirit Week!
March 2-6 - SEMS Book Fair!
March 5 - Spring Arts Festival
March 27 - Last Day of 3rd Quarter!