Weekly Update 2/5/15

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

1. This week is National School Counseling Week.  Please take a moment to thank our Guidance Office staff for the hard work they put in for our school and students.  We really appreciate everything you all do for us!

2. Robin Douglas has forwarded you an email about ordering t-shirts for our SOAR team.  This team is a group of our finest students who will be competing soon in the Special Olympics in Winston-Salem. Please consider showing your support for the team by purchasing a team shirt.  The cost is $12/shirt.  SOAR's next competition will be the basketball tournament on February 27 at Miller Park Rec Center. 

3. 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! 

4. On February 5, the state will release the School Performance Grades as discussed in our grade level meetings. 

5. 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.  

6. February 11 is our next Early Release Day.  A detailed schedule and instructions for that day has been forwarded to all staff members. Please remember to sign up for two training sessions: Session #1 (1:20 - 2:05) and then Session #2 (2:10 - 2:55).  Staff members should sign up for the two sessions you did not attend on the October 22 training. 

7. 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. 

8. 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!

9. 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 and share with your students. 

10. 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. 

11. 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!

12. 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.

13. 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 Fundraiser - Chicken Pie/Baked Spaghetti Sale
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!