Winter Break Update 1/4/15

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

1. Happy New Year! I hope that all of you had a relaxing winter break. I am looking forward to seeing all of you back on Monday refreshed and ready for the second half of the year!



2. Please welcome Molly Carter to SEMS. She is our new 7th grade LA teacher.  Molly replaces Anne DiPiazza, who retired in December.  Molly, we welcome you to the SEMS family!


3. We will have a staff meeting on Monday, January 5, at 2:20pm in the Media Center. Topics of discussion include January quarter testing, CHAMPs review, potential staff survey, and delay schedules.  

4. Each of you received an email before the winter break with the following attachments: Student Handbook Review, delay schedule, January testing information, etc.  Please review this information for this week.  We are asking that all teachers review the Student Handbook Review with your students on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. Now is the time to practice your routines with your students and review the expectations for classroom and hallway procedures.  All staff will receive student copies of the handbook review.  

5. Staff development credit is now available for staff to gain credit for the Critical Incident/Lockdown training and the Bloodborne Pathogen training. An email was sent out just before the break with detailed information on how you can access to receive this

6. Several groups will need to complete online quarter testing in January (6-8 SS, 6-7 Sci).  A copy of the schedule and details was sent to all staff members before the break in two separate emails. We do plan to run a normal schedule during the January testing window.  The schedule was made based on the availability of our technology in the building. We appreciate your cooperation in making this online testing successful!
 
7. The end of the quarter is January 16. All grades will be due on Wednesday, January 21, by 3:00pm.  


8. 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.  Once we return from the break, you may check with Susie on your total trade-out time you have earned.  
   
9. 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. 


   
10. Our afterschool at-risk tutoring program will kick off in 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).  


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. 5 - Staff Mtg. 
Jan. 8 - School Spelling Bee!
Jan. 9 - Fundraiser Limo Lunch
Jan. 12 - SIT Mtg.
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. 28 - Report card distribution
Feb. 2 - Staff Mtg.