#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week 22, January 27th-31st
The future looks bright!
It was so much fun to have our rising sixth grade on campus Friday. I felt like the visit went very smoothly and was very positive. As we met with fifth graders on campus or at their current school, I was impressed by the number of students who said, "Thank you for having us", or "I am excited about next year". They asked some excellent questions and teacher feedback from the feeder schools was encouraging for our newest group of Sparks!
As we continue to prepare for them, we continue to fine-tune the conversation around what our academy model will look like and the schedule.
Next year, we will be on a uniform schedule across the district aligned with all middle and high schools. As I mentioned on Friday, we initially expected it would be 8:30 to 3:30 but now it is looking more like 8:30 to 3:15. By law, we are required to have 360 minutes of instructional time. It looks like, with a 30 minute lunch and four minute class changes, we will be right at 360 with a start time of 8:30 and ending at 3:20.
Based on feedback from faculty, we are currently finalizing a three year plan for the schedule. I know everyone is anxious to finalize it, and so we will plan on meeting briefly after school tomorrow. If you are unable to stay, please let me know so that we can set up a time to meet.
What is Genius Hour?
Photos from last week and December!
Great Photo for Energy Bus Selfie!
Joe Black speaks to SPARKS finest students and parents!
Pickens Middle Robotics Win again!!
-Shana Dalton on Facebook
This Week's Agenda-
Mon., Jan. 27th-
SIC Meeting (10:00 AM)
Basketball-Palmetto
Tues., Jan. 28th-
NIET Workshop
Tic Tac SNOW Reading Promo Begins
Wed., Jan. 29th-
Baby Shower after school for Nurse Duncan
Th., Jan. 30th-
Inclusive Practices PLC
All-county band clinic at Pickens High School
Basketball @ Riverside
Fr. Jan. 31st-
All-county band clinic and concert @ Pickens HIgh
Romeo and Juliet Auditions after school
The Pickens High Drumline made Friday's events that much more memorable!
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Thank you! Have you ever taken the time to recognize those around you? It feels good to recognize others!
It is fitting that the one Spark Spotlight for this week is for Sarah Chastain! She spends so much time spotlighting others!
Sarah, Pickens Middle School is so very blessed that you came to teach here last year and be a part of our staff! Thank you for your enthusiasm and positive energy every day! You encourage everyone around you and you ALWAYS lift my spirits! Thank you for all you do for your students, team, Science Club, and just our school! You inspire me to be my best and to keep looking for the positive! Your students love you, and you are just an all around excellent teacher!
Click on the link below as you see and hear great things happening in the building. Please let us know about them by filling out the form. You may want to bookmark the link as we will be "Spotlighting" teachers and staff all year. Please note, this is a new link for this school year.
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks