Weekly Update 1/29/15

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015


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

2. We have received a lot of interest for the Eric Jensen district training. As discussed, we will have a lottery system to determine who will get an opportunity to go.  Those selected will be contacted by Gentry this week to confirm attendance. Thanks to everyone who has submitted interest! I wish we had more training slots for our school. 

3. 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.  Remember that this year final grades will be calculated using numerical grades, so if a student's grade goes from a 94 to a 98, we still need to change that in the computer even though the grade remains an A.
   
4. Our afterschool at-risk tutoring program will kick off next week.  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!

5. We will need to use some classrooms on tutoring afternoons. We will periodically rotate the hallways that will be used in the afternoons to share the burden.  Ms. Gardner will confirm if and when your classroom will need to be used. You are allowed to stay in your classroom to plan, etc. when your classroom is being used. 

6. The PTSA will have their annual Chicken Pie Fundraiser from February  2-13. Students and staff can participate by ordering Mrs. Pumpkin's chicken pies and baked spaghetti.  Order forms were placed in mailboxes this week.  The fundraiser will officially kick off on Monday, February 2.  There will be incentives for both students and staff to sell. The staff member who sells the most pies and baked spaghetti plates will win $50 cash from the PTSA! 

7. On February 5, the state will release the School Performance Grades as discussed in our grade level meetings. A letter will go home with all students on Wednesday, February 4, explaining the school grade calculation. 

8. 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.  

9. February 11 is our next Early Release Day.  A detailed schedule for that day will be forwarded to all staff members in the next few days.  In addition, we will send out instructions for signing up for training sessions on this day.

10. Please be sure to post and recognize your students who have achieved straight A's and Honor Roll.  We will have All A's celebrations on Friday, February 13. 

11. 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!

12. 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.  

13. 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. 

14. February 23-27 is SEMS Spirit Week!  We will designate a different type of day each day of the week. Staff members may dress casual on these days as long as you participate in that day's activity.  In addition, we will have a door decorating contest to show your Jaguar Pride. Doors will be judged by the administration and prizes will be given away for the most creative.  Stay tuned for more information!

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.

16. The SEMS Book Fair will take place the week of March 2-6.  The fair will be organized by Lisa Turner and Collette Holbert (as well as volunteers).  Please stay tuned for details regarding classrooms visiting the fair throughout that week. 

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.
 
Feb. 2-13 - PTSA Chicken Pie Fundraiser
Feb. 2 - Staff Mtg. 
Feb. 6 - Go Red for Women!
Feb. 11 - Early Release Day!
Feb. 13 - All A's Celebrations
Feb. 17 - Rising 6th Grade Open House
Feb. 18 - Core and Encore progress reports
Feb. 23-27 - SEMS Spirit Week!
Feb. 25 - NAEP testing for select 8th graders
March 2-6 - SEMS Book Fair!
March 2 - Staff Mtg.
March 5 - Spring Arts Festival
March 11 - Early Release Day!
March 13 - Spring Picture Day
March 23-27 - 3rd Quarter Testing
March 27 - Last Day of 3rd Quarter!