Betsy's Bits
August 26, 2017
In Case You Missed It...
Candice McNew will not be joining us as planned in the EC resource math classroom. She had problems getting out of her contract in VA and had to go back. Please keep her and Nick in your thoughts and prayers as they go through an unexpected transition.
We do have an EC math resource position open. If you know ANYONE that would be interested...let me know. I wait for GREAT people :) Please be understanding and supportive of our EC team as they pick up the extra load while we look for a "right fit" in our school family.
Speaking of our EC Team, I want to give them a shout out for the sessions they did yesterday in the PLC room. The time they took to speak with teachers about students they serve concerning modifications and accommodations will help so much in the long run. Thank you all for being receptive and available.
I also want to give a shout out to Lori Kearns for meeting with our first responder team to prepare for high risk students and emergency situations at SLMS. Just so you know the following individuals are first aid/CPR/AED certified through the American Red Cross: Drew Lyerly, Katherine Fanning, DJ Clemmons, Ashley Parker, Betsy Bridges, and Nathan Faulk. Our Health/PE staff, Tommy Harrington, Nick Baker, Jake Stevens, Suzanne Swierczek, and Brianna Simmons, and Nurse Kearns are all certified trainers through the American Red Cross. It is nice to have a large team of caring people prepared to help in an emergency situation should it occur.
I have learned that we will have iReady until December. The district is discussing the possibility to purchase after that for intervention. If you have someone you are concerned about and need more data, I encourage you to do the beginning of the year test. It gives a lot of information on sub skills needed to be successful at this level. It is also a great research-based intervention for reading or math for students.
We will have Brain Pop this year. They are discussing what portions of Discovery Education (streaming and/or Techbook) are needed and utilized. We will NOT be purchasing Achieve3000. We will have Read180 for EC. I will know on Monday about Flocabulary and IXL for math. At the school level, we purchased Accelerated Reader for 6th and 7th grade only. Please let me know if there are any additional programs that were purchased by the district that you are still wanting to know about.
I realized this morning that I had neglected to remind our Grade Level Team Leaders to remind you that someone on each team MUST be responsible for going over/teaching the SanLee student handbook. It can be split up, but it MUST be done. We did not make copies this year to conserve paper, copies, and money. This can be accessed on our website under "Find it Fast", "Student Handbook".
Joy and I are placing kids in classes this morning that registered on Friday, so don't be surprised if you have someone new Stallions added to your rosters. We have 884 students enrolled right now. This is 42 mores students than we had last year on the first day. If you have someone that does not show up on the first day and did not show up to Open House, please call during your planning to see if you can find out more information. Share any information you obtain in an email with Joy, the correct counselor and me.
Reminders from Jamie:
Teacher Cheer "Sunshine" dues are due to grade level rep by Friday, September 1. Everyone who turns in by then gets a free jeans pass plus will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Please participate so we are able to make our Christmas and End-of-Year celebrations awesome.
Your grade level/department rep from the Culture Committee will also be in touch about our upcoming celebrations for teachers who got married or had babies over the summer.
Culture Committee Grade/Department Reps:
6th - Hegwer
7th - Graham
8th - White
All others - Maskulka
Homeroom teachers must show the bus safety video shared with you via an email on August 15 on the first or second day of school AND complete the form acknowledging your students have watched this. I have embedded the video below.
Bus video MUST be shown Monday or Tuesday in homeroom:
Coming UP:
Mark your Calendars:
Tuesday: Softball and football tryouts until 5pm, Tennis tryouts (3-5pm at Kiwanis tennis courts)
Wednesday: Softball tryouts until 5pm, Tennis tryouts (3-5pm at Kiwanis tennis courts), Instrument Rental Meeting - Cafeteria 5-6pm
Thursday: Softball tryouts until 5pm, Tennis tryouts (3-5pm at Kiwanis tennis courts)
Yes, we are all a little nuts to work in middle school ;)
One final word...
- Check your email, mailbox, and phone at least 2x's a day. Phone calls and emails from parents MUST be responded to/acknowledged within 24 hrs!
- Be on time and think about others! We depend on each other at SanLee. Being late and early can and will cause problems. We go by cell phone time at SLMS. Set alarms if you need reminders for bathrooms breaks, duties, lunch, electives, end of periods, etc. If you have to hold someone back, you MUST call the teacher, escort the student to class, or write a note explaining where the student was.
- Be "in the moment". Social media, texting, and other distractions should be done when our kids are not around. They need us.
- Call the front office if you have an EMERGENCY (fight, injury, drugs/weapon, MAJOR distraction to teaching and learning ) and need an administrator. Do not wait to write up emergencies!
- Call parents during planning, before, and after school BEFORE problems get out of hand! If you are writing a kid up, you must call the parent!
- Do NOT embarrass a kid in front of their peers.
- Do NOT yell UNLESS it is to keep someone from harm.
- DO spend time getting to know your kids, letting them get to know you and each other, and establishing your procedures. The time spent now will save you time down the road.
- Remain consistent and follow through with what you say. We all,adults and kids, count on you.
- Choose to be POSITIVE!
- Choose to be SUPPORTIVE!
- Choose to be a TEAM PLAYER!
- We are in this TOGETHER! It takes a village to raise a Stallion! I'm so glad we are all in the same village together this year!