Weekly Update 3/25/15

SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

1. Congratulations to Gene Mabry and the SEMS Band.  Yesterday they received a Superior rating at the MPA festival! In addition, Gene has been selected to direct a Piedmont Honors Band later this week. Proud of our Music program!

2. The report card distribution date has been pushed back one week. Therefore, all teacher grades and verification reports are due by Tuesday, April 7, at 3:00pm.  Then the report card distribution will take place on Wednesday, April 15. This is an early release day, we will report back to homebase just a few minutes early for students to receive their report cards before they go home. 

3. Karen Cole will be here on campus on Thursday, March 26, from 11:00 - 1:00.  The main office and Guidance office will be hosting a celebration lunch for her. Feel free to stop by during this time to say hello and goodbye to her.  Karen does plan to return at the end of the school year for our annual retirement party. 

4. The 4th quarter traveling teacher schedule will NOT be ready in time for the start of the 4th quarter. Therefore, we will need to run the current 3rd quarter traveling schedule until I can roll out the new one to you. Once you have a copy of it, we will allow time for those affected to notify their classes of their classroom changes before it takes affect. Thank you for your patience with this plan.

5. The building will be open for staff on Monday, March 30, from 8:00 - 4:00 for those who wish to earn trade out time. Certified staff can work 3.5 hours to earn a 1/2 day trade or 7 hours to earn a full day of time. Please be prepared to sign in AND out in order to earn your time. This is a optional day for staff members. There are several of you who owe time for the optional teacher workdays. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have earned your required time.  Susie Hook has an updated master list of staff trade-out time that reflects timed owed, timed used on optional teacher workdays, and any time earned from events. 

6. We will have a staff meeting on Monday, April 6.  Topics include: Teacher letter of intent/transfer options, 4th quarter calendar, UNCG grant for next year, upcoming allotment for next year's teachers, staff attendance and leave time, etc.

7. During the week of April 13, the A/B day schedule has changed.  It has been altered by central office in an effort to not have the same day affected by the Early Release days.  The schedule for that week is B, B, A, A, and then B.  Please reflect these changes on your calendars and inform your students. 

8. We have concluded our interviews for the AP position. Thanks to Mr. Bailey, Mrs. L. Turner, Mrs. Wells, and Mrs. Miller for their service on this committee. We have submitted our recommendation to central office and are awaiting approval to move forward. We will keep you up to date on our progress. 

9. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) will take place during the first week back from Spring Break. Random second period classes have been selected by the district to complete this student survey. Selected classes and teachers have been notified and have received instructions in order to prepare for the survey. 

10. We will have our March Madness event on Friday, April 17.  It was intended to take place in March, but we had to push it back due to weather.  During this event, students will take on the faculty in a basketball game and the students will be able to participate in other contests. This event will take place after school, similar to a social.  There will be opportunities for trade out time for this event, so please stay tuned for the instructions and sign up sheet if you are interested. 

11. The Blue author visit and presentation has been rescheduled onApril 21.  Please refer to the details forwarded out by Lisa Turner. 

12. The Spring Arts Festival will not be rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts. We hope to have an arts festival early next school year. 

13. The last day for students will be Friday, June 12.  The last teacher workday on the calendar is now Monday, June 22.  The Monday, June 15 workday is protected, meaning it is required for all staff. We will have our final staff meeting and meal provided by PTSA on that day.

14. Soon we will begin working on an end of year calendar. The 15-day testing window officially starts on Friday, May 22 through the last day of school. We will be putting out more information after Spring Break in regards to 8th grade ceremonies, cut off dates for field trips, etc. Please do not plan to take personal leave time during this window of time. I will not be able to accommodate your requests.

15. 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. If you are interested in presenting at this conference, please let me know. I will submit your name to the district. If you'd like to attend, please stay tuned for more info. 

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.
 
March 27 - Last Day of 3rd Quarter!
March 30 - Optional work time for staff (bldg open 8-4)
April 6 - Staff Mtg.
April 7 - Grades due by 3pm!
April 9 - SEMS/GHS Benefit Concert (GHS, 6pm)
April 13 - SIT Mtg.
April 15 - Early Release Day! 
April 15 - Report Card Distribution
April 18 - Music to Carowinds!
April 21 - KCK Lunch and Listen
April 21 - Visiting Author Presentation (rescheduled from March 5)
April 23 - 24 - 8th grade Family Life Presentations