EAST PAULDING MIDDLE SCHOOL
March 26, 2018
THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
Many of my sleepless nights have come from some of the obstacles and challenges I have recently faced. I have navigated some of them extremely well, while others continue to challenge me daily. Either way, the challenges and obstacles I face always bring some form of feedback (some positive, some challenging), but ultimately, it leads me to self-reflection. Many times, that self-reflection or feedback requires me to consider change, to challenge myself to improve, or to consider a new way of thinking or doing things.
This quote landed in my lap earlier this week, and I shared it via Twitter (my own, personal PLN). "Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." How we respond to the challenges and obstacles we face will certainly lead to change; whether we choose to change or the change is chosen for us. How we respond to change will most certainly determine our growth. Accepting the challenges of change can certainly bring greater opportunities or success, but remaining stagnant will only lead me to mediocrity. To me, mediocrity is the most dangerous villain of greatness.
My challenge to you is to never accept just being proficient at something, and never let your students settle for anything less than greatness. However, if we don't hold ourselves to that same standard, those we influence will not either. Be the change!
UPCOMING EVENTS
3/26/18 - Para PLC - 7:45am - 816
3/26/18 - Emergency Drill (Code Red or Fire - Will Be Announced)
3/27/18 - Chorus LGPE
3/27/18 - PTSA Officer Meeting - 9am - Cafeteria
3/29/18 - Testing Training - 816 - During Planning
3/30/18 - End of 3rd 9 Weeks - Report Cards and RI Reports
4/2-4/6/18 - SPRING BREAK
4/9/18 - ELA & Math RTI - During Planning - 816
4/12/18 - Milestones Refresh Training - During Planning
4/16/18 - 8th ELA 1
4/17/18 - 8th ELA 2 & 3
4/18/18 - 8th Math 1 & 2
4/19/18 - 8th Science 1 & 2
4/20/18 - 8th SS 1 & 2
4/20/18 - Leadership Team Meeting - 7:30am - 816
4/23/18 - 7th ELA 1
4/24/18 - 7th ELA 2 & 3
4/24/18 - Summative Conferences Due
4/25/18 - 7th Math 1 & 2
4/26/18 - Milestones Make-up Day
4/26/18 - Special Olympics
4/27/18 - 6th ELA 1
4/28/18 - 8th Grade Formal
4/30/18 - 6th ELA 2 & 3
5/1/18 - 6th Math 1 & 2
5/2/18 - Milestones Make-up Day
5/3/18 - Milestones Make-up Day
Thoughts about Classroom and School Culture
Always has been, always will be. - Dr. Justin Tarte, Executive Director of HR and Learning, Missouri
We succeed at teaching if we first succeed at connecting with students. If they smile and laugh with us, they'll learn from us. - Dr. Jessica Stephens, HS AP in Massachusetts.
A positive school culture is all about connections. Students, teachers, parents, staff, and community. - Jeff Kaplan, Social Studies Teacher, Georgia
No one has ever built a strong culture in a classroom or school sitting behind a desk, hiding behind a task, or refusing to be the change that they desire. - Me...I guess.
Below is a short article about how all of us can help impact the culture in our school. What are you doing to be the change?
TKES Update
Be on the lookout for that email!
Milestones
Testing training is upcoming, and one way to take away some stress is to attend training so that you can prepare to administer the assessment. Please make certain that you are in attendance during grade level training on March 29 during planning. We will have a "refresher" on April 12 during grade level planning. We look forward to seeing you there.
18-19 Stop-Bullying Campaign
A PLN I participate in has led me to discover a Stop Bullying campaign led by a company called Fear the Fighter who promotes and sponsors some of North America's MMA participants (MMA = Mixed Martial Arts). Their promoted message of strength, honor, and courage ties in great with a Stop Bullying campaign, and I have decided to adopt and become a part of that message that is gaining some national attention.
My goal with our Stop Bullying campaign will be to create a student led culture that includes four major points.
1. Students having the STRENGTH to withstand any bullying that comes from others because their daily life at school is filled with kindness and acceptance from their peers and love, encouragement, and positive relationships from their teachers.
2. Students having the COURAGE to stand up to any bullying they witness, demanding better from their peers, and not allowing anyone to be a victim of bullying in our school.
3. Students bringing HONOR to our school, but more importantly to themselves as they lead the change needed to create a culture of acceptance and kindness.
4. Finally, students will learn to NEVER SURRENDER to bullying; not giving another person power over how they feel about themselves or how they treat others.
If you would like to help me promote and kick-off this campaign during the 18-19 school year, please plan to purchase a custom made shirt (at cost). The cost of the shirt will be $14.99 if I order 100-199 shirts, and $13.75 if order 200+ shirts. I will be ordering shirts to sale to parents and students during open house and throughout the 18-19 year.
I will not be collecting any money at this time, but if you would like to pre-order a shirt, please let me know by April, 13th. I will need to know how many shirts you want to buy and what size you will need. I have added pictures of the shirt and a size chart below. Staff members will be able to wear jeans once each week (when wearing shirt) during the 18-19 school year (in addition to other jeans days that may be planned).
2018-2019 Clubs and Extra-Curriculars
Also, if you are willing to support your idea and sponsor the club, we are in desperate need of people who are willing to take on those leadership roles. School leadership is not limited to making building level decisions. School leadership also includes providing opportunities for students.
Summer Refresh Update
IMPORTANT - If you return to your room in the morning and find construction debris, please inform me ASAP. I have been in close contact with the supervisor for the electricians who have been working in the evenings, and they are working diligently to improve the quality of work.
Continue to make sure that your valuables are secured or taken home. I will leave this information on our newsletter through the remainder of the year as a reminder.
- Everything will need to be packed in boxes.
- As you begin packing items, make sure they are packed in boxes and labeled with your room #. We will communicate any room changes prior to post-planning.
- The company completing the refresh will move all boxes and items into large storage containers that will be located on our campus. They will return the items to the correct room # once the refresh is complete.
- Any and all personal items or items of value must be taken home. This includes mini-fridges, microwaves, lamps, etc.
- All school technology (laptops, tablets, document cameras, etc) will need to be returned to the Media Center for inventory and secure keeping.
- Many of you have accumulated a lot of "things" over the years. Some of these "things" that you have saved for that rainy day may now be considered trash. This will be a great time to eliminate any trash by simply labeling it as such (trash). Free disposal at your service!
- During the week of Spring Break, we will have people in our building. Your valuables will need to be locked away in a secured location.
If you have specific questions, please let me know. Mr. Jacobs will work on obtaining boxes for our classrooms.
Attendance Information
Below is our current attendance data for the entire month of March, including any planned absences for next week.
REMINDER: If you need to leave for any reason prior to the end of the work day, please speak with Mrs. Raley, Mr. Jacobs, or Mr. Alverson for approval.
Maintaining Focus - Why is this picture important to our SIP?
STRATEGIES AND INITIATIVES
1. Teachers will utilize academic vocabulary and anchor charts to increase student achievement in the classroom.
2. Teachers will provide specific daily learning targets as a tool to direct student focus for each class period and monitor student progress via feedback and assessments.
Remember, these goals do not solely belong to Math and ELA, these are school-wide goals, and you can support them through several ways:
1. Utilizing reading strategies within your classroom (PALS, Paragraph Shrinking, Reciprocal Reading, etc)
2. Focusing on academic vocabulary through Data Teams and the use of CFAs
3. Utilizing Learning Targets and Anchor Charts to help students make connections to what they are doing and what you what them to learn
4. Ensuring students are being allowed to attend their NBI groups CONSISTENTLY
If you need help with supporting our SIP goals, planning for the use of reading strategies, or if you need to make sure your students are reporting to their designated NBI group, please let us know.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
3/9 - Bonnie Vest
3/10 - La Rue Conatser
3/11 - Teresa Raley
3/14 - Becky Tarbush
3/20 - Tyler Rowe
Like us on Facebook - East Paulding Middle School
follow us on twitter - @epmsraiders
Contact Information for Tom Alverson
Email: talverson@paulding.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Domain/29
Phone: 678-350-8027
Facebook: facebook.com/eastpauldingmiddleschool
Twitter: @epmsraiders