Weekly Update 2/19/15

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

1. Core and Encore progress reports will go out on Wednesday, February 25.  

2. **LOCATION CHANGE**Tuesday's 8th grade Kernersville Cup game against KMS has been moved from East Forsyth HS to Kernersville Middle School.  If you plan to attend, you are strongly encouraged to arrive early, as we are predicting a large crowd and that many will be turned away once capacity is reached.  Game time is 6:00 for girls and then the boys will follow.  The 7th grade teams will still play here at SEMS at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon. 

3. We are still accepting donations for the Gage Edwards Fund at East Surry High School.  Gage was Frankie Santoro's nephew who passed away two weeks ago. You can turn in your donations to me or Susie by next Monday, February 23. We will then send a check from the school for this specific fund.  Please make checks payable to SEMS. 

4. 6th grade teachers: Please remind your students that when they go to breakfast in the mornings, they should use the same hallway as where their lockers are located.  We are having an overflow on one particular encore hallway that is causing some of our 6th grade students to be late for homebase because they cannot access their lockers in time.

5. Please consider donating to the Arts Council.  Your donations are due to Mrs. Ring by the end of February.  Please be sure to print out your online confirmation and give to Mrs. Ring. 

6. The PTSA Chicken Pie Fundraiser has ended. The pickup date for these items will be Monday, February 23, from 2-6pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. The PTSA will name their top fundraisers very soon. 

7. **SCHEDULE CHANGE**We will have another round of socials this winter for our students. The 8th grade social has been rescheduled (see below).  Social dates:  7th grade = February 27, 6th grade = March 6, and 8th grade = March 13. 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.  Sign ups are posted in the staff workroom. Extra spots have been added to each day for those who really need the earned time. Coaches - you are also reminded to sign up if you plan to stay in order to get trade out time. Easy way to earn some trade out time!

8. The Rising 6th Grade Open House will take place on Thursday, February 26, from 6:00-7:30pm.  All 6th grade and Encore teachers are required to attend. This will count as your required semester night event. 

9. February 23-27 is SEMS Spirit 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. Scheduled days:  Monday = International Celebration Day, Tuesday = Jaguar Pride Day, Wednesday = Corporate America/Professionals Day, Thursday = Color Wars Day, Friday = Hats & Shades Day. More details were sent to all staff members via email. 

10. 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.

11. 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).  The Book Fair draft schedule for LA classrooms  has been sent out to all LA teachers for your review. 

12. Quarter testing will take place at the end of March. We are working now on a quarter test schedule and will forward details to all staff members very soon.

14. WSFCS will conduct a summer Collaborative Learning Conference.  It will take place at Walkertown HS on August 12 and 13.  The conference will have breakout sessions in regards to struggling students and how to help them be more successful in the classroom. We will forward out the details of this event once the registration period begins. 

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. 23-27 - SEMS Spirit Week!
Feb. 23 - SIT Mtg.
Feb. 23 - PTSA Chicken Pie pickup (2-6pm, MP room)
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!