The Monday Message
Office of the Principal; Monday, May 9, 2016
Quote for the Week!
Duty Roster
Click here for the Duty Roster
Monday - I Group on duty (PK Jones, K. Mays-Fowler PM Duty)
Tuesday - R Group on duty (V. Sava, PM Duty)
Wednesday - M Group on duty (PK Jones, K. Mays-Fowler, PM Duty)
Thursday - O Group on Duty (G. Hutto, PM Duty)
Friday - O Group on Duty (I. Odom, PM Duty)
The Week Ahead
Monday 5/9/16 - Admin Mtg (9:30am, Cafe'), Team Leader Mtg (3:50pm, Hudson's classroom), Board of Trustees Meeting (7:00pm, Chapin HS)
Tuesday 5/10/16 - World Lupus Day, Crew (8:20-8:50), No Team Meetings (use this time to prepare for SCPASS test administration/monitoring), District Leadership Mtgs (4:00pm, Designated Locations), NYC Expedition Parent Mtg (6:00pm, Cafe')
Wednesday 5/11/16 - School Nurses Day, World Receptionists Day, SCPASS Exams (alternate schedules)
Thursday 5/12/16 - SC PASS Exams (alternate schedules), Chorus Spring Concert (7pm, IHS Auditorium)
Friday 5/13/16 - Gateway to Technology Field Study, 8th Grade Social (7:00-10:00pm, Cafe')
Email: rsjackso@lexrich5.org
Website: http://www.lexrich5.org/IrmoMS.cfm
Location: Columbia, SC
Phone: 803-476-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/irmomiddleschool
Twitter: @irmomiddle
SCPASS (Science and Social Studies)
Wednesday, May 11, 2016, 08:30 AM
Irmo Middle School, Wescott Road, Columbia, SC, United States
D5 Dance Marathon
Saturday, May 14, 2016, 10:00 AM
200 Leisure Lane
End of Course Exams
Monday, May 16, 2016, 08:15 AM
Irmo Middle School, Wescott Road, Columbia, SC, United States
Tasks to Complete This Week!
Tasks to Complete This Week!
1. Prepare for and facilitate SCPASS and EOC Exams
2. Teach like a champion all week long.
3. Continue working with your underperforming students so we can meet our goals.
4. Attend Tuesday's District Leadership Meetings (if applicable, 4:00pm, Cafe')
5. Volunteer to chaperone the 8th Grade Social. We need a lot of help from teachers and staff.
6. Incorporate at least one of the Global Themes into your classroom activities, lessons, etc.
7. Everyone report to duty as scheduled. See roster here.
May Staff Birthdays
Wesley Coston – May 3rd
James Fanning – May 14th
Renee Williams – May 17th
Nicholas Godfrey – May 17th
Kaitlyn Fugel – May 25th
Elisa Miller – May 28th
Michelle Eichelberger – May 30th
Hannah Goeckner – May 31st
Please join me in wishing these amazing IMS staff members Sretan rođendan
(Happy Birthday in Croatian)!
1. Student Nutrition Team - Last Friday night (4/29/16), our Student Nutrition Team (SNT) competed against other schools from all across the district. Under the leadership of Mrs. Burton, our team captured first place. iAM so proud of our SNT for their continued excellence in everything they do. They have definitely worked extremely hard this year to create an enjoyable nutritional experiences for our students and staff. Because of their persistence, they accomplished amazing results. Please join me in giving our Student Nutrition Team Team a huge iAM shout out.
2. Tina Stevens and the G40- Mrs. Stevens and the G40 (Student Council) went from class-to-class last Wednesday and delivered coffee and breakfast to all teachers. This was an absolutely incredible gesture and greatly appreciated by all school personnel. iAM so proud of the work continuously done by Mrs. Stevens and our student leaders. Collectively they are extremely dedicated to supporting and recognizing teachers. Mrs. Stevens continuously he embraces new thinking and new practices and always gets new and improved results. Please join me in recognizing Mrs. Stevens and our student leaders for their amazing work. Let's give them a huge iAM shout out.
3. Barry Lee, I'esha Odom, Erika Braswell, Hannah Goeckner, Will Green, Kate Paull, Maurice Burgess, JaNette McKnight, Nancy Ellis, Vance Lipe, Janet Hudson, Robin Gary, Paketrice Jones, Nina Blackburn, Brian Hutchins, Bob McCloy, January Cisco, Joe Cioffi, Kerra Mays-Fowler and Mary-Catherine Brown - With a heavy volume of teachers absent last week, we had some Crew gaps that needed coverage. These amazing teachers took students from Crews whose leaders was absent for one reason or another. iAM so proud of the efforts and continued work being done by these exemplary educators to stand in the gaps and make sure students have a positive crew experience. Regardless of the needs, they are always willing to step up and help in any manner needed. This is evidence of their continually embracing new thinking and new practices in order to get new and improved results. Please join me in giving these extraordinary educators a huge iAM shout out.
4. Nicholas Godfrey, Amelia Tweito, Erika Braswell, Janet Hudson, Irma Richardson, Nina Blackburn, Tonnellis Hiller, Richard Schedler, Kim Waters, Diane Clayton, Sandra Dupre, Dr. Robin Gary, Barry Lee, and Michelle Eichelberger - This week, with a heavy volume of absences, we ran short on subs several times. These teachers and staff members jumped to help out and cover classes when needed. iAM so thankful that these incredible educators are on our team. Regardless of the need, they will always put IMS first. Please join me in giving these amazing professionals a huge iAM shout out.
5. Regan Moore, Odessa Hilton, Vernon Sava, and Glenn Hutto - This past Saturday, we hosted a community service project with two local churches to revitalize our green house area. Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Hilton, Mr. Sava, and Mr. Hutto were on hand to help cut bushes, pull vines, string tomatoes, build raised beds, and pick up trash around campus. iAM so thankful for these educators. They took time out of their busy saturday morning schedules to help out in any manner needed. Please join me in giving these amazing staff members a huge iAM shout out.
Final Exams - I learned last week that there appears to be some confusion regarding the rationale for the final exam schedule. Dr. Hefner has requested for several years now that we not administer exams on the last three half-day due to high school graduation ceremonies. As a school system, we want to afford all employees, students, and families the opportunity to attend these ceremonies and celebrate the accomplishments of their family members and friends. To comply with this request, all middle schools in SD5LRC are administering final exams prior to the half-days and using the remaining time for school closure activities.
Grading and Gradebooks - The closer we get to the end-of-the-year, the more anxiety that parents and students will have. It is critical that all gradebooks are updated weekly and that you are regularly communicating with parents about their child's academic progress/performance. If you are having a problem getting in touch with a student's parents, please work with your grade level administrator to get working numbers.
Leave Requests During Standardized Testing (Reminder) - As we approach the SCPASS assessment, I want all staff members to know that your daily attendance is instrumental in creating an optimal testing environment. To ensure that we provide the best and most familiar environment for students during testing, I will not be approving any personal leave on these dates:
May 11, 12 - all teachers and staff
May 16, 17, 18, 19 - teachers administering EOC exams
If any employee has a pressing or emergency situation, let's discuss that in person so that I can help provide guidance.
Teacher/Staff Absences - This was one of our worst weeks all year for teacher and staff attendance. During last week's principal's meeting, Dr. Hefner informed us that during the month of February, as a district we used 2147 sub days (record setting). This amounted to 107 subs per day district wide. In order to maintain consistency and ensure that students are on task, we need all hands on deck. I do realize that we have a few persons attending PD and others absent for various reasons. Our students and staff need everyone present every possible day. I
Closing Thoughts
Our closing thought this week focuses on the concept of continuing to work hard and persevering through the assigned tasks ahead. Let;s face it, we are all worn down by the end of the year. Merely saying we are worn down and seeking out pity parties will not get the work done and allow us to finish #IrmoSTRONG. I will be the first to say that having someone to problem solve with as a stress reliever is perfectly okay. When we just complain continuously at the mere thought of a problem wastes precious time that we could be using for solutions.
As I began my customary weekend reading, I ran across this incredible story that helped me deal with a recent situation. I am certain that it will help you too. It is entitled "The Thirsty Crow."
One hot day, a thirsty crow flew all over the fields looking for water. For a long time, he could not find any. He felt very weak, almost lost all hope. Suddenly, he saw a water jug below the tree. He flew straight down to see if there was any water inside. Yes, he could see some water inside the jug!
The crow tried to push his head into the jug. Sadly, he found that the neck of the jug was too narrow. Then he tried to push the jug to tilt for the water to flow out but the jug was too heavy.
The crow thought hard for a while. Then looking around it, he saw some pebbles. He suddenly had a good idea. He started picking up the pebbles one by one, dropping each into the jug. As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising. Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink. His plan had worked!
The moral of this story is: think and work hard, you may find solution to any problem.
Let's have an amazing week of teaching, learning, and SCPASS testing. We are Crew, not Passengers!
Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal