From the Principal
October, 15th 2023
Good evening Team! This is a Small Block Week....
Here is the Parent Peek that went out this week: https://www.smore.com/kr216n
Core Poster Winners
CORE Poster Awards:
1st - Shennett’s Squarepants
2nd - Whitcomb’s Wanderers
3rd - Wanser’s Who Oncelers
Honorable Mention: Ramey’s River Rats
Honorable Mention: Lecompte’s Lobsters
Other Awards:
Harris’ Homeys: Best musical representation
Laprise’s Lakers: Best self portraits in a Lakers Jersey
O’Neill’s Golden Oblongs: Best use of Snapchat Avatars
Larviere’s Lions: Best graphics
Callahan’s Caterpillars: Most creative title design
Washburn’s Wonders: Best use of stickers
Bailey’s Bosses: The CORE most likely to succeed
Kids Cookin’ in Kochis’ Kitchen: Best use of props
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES THIS WEEK
Wednesday, October 18th, 2023.
- We are using PTCFast.com to make signups as convenient as possible this year.
- You should have received an email from PTC fast this evening so that you can see who is signed up to meet with you.
- Parent-teacher conference checklist: CLICK ME
- CORE ACTIVITY SUPPORTING PTC'S
- During Core have your students create their talking points for their part of their Parent Teacher Conference.
- This is what we have been using. There is still time to get this done before the 18th.
- CLICK ME
PTO this Tuesday 5pm in our Library. All are welcome!
There will be a PTO meeting this Tuesday, October 17th at 5pm in the school library. If your team/classroom has something to share at the meeting, including updates about the great things your classes are up to, let us know and we can put you on the agenda. If you cannot attend but still want to share, we’d love to pass on the info!
Happening This Week
- PBIS @ 2:30
- PTO Meeting in Library @ 5pm
- Early Release @ 12pm; Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Early Release Schedule. CLICK ME
- District 2 Auditions
Friday
- Hat Day
Hat Day Friday
CONTENT MEETINGS
We are starting up Content Meetings for all content areas. Calendar invites are being shared.
- November 1st
- December 6th
- January 17th
- February 7th
- March 6th
- March 20th
- April 3rd
- May 1st
- May 29th
CORE NEWS
UPDATES:
We have tried a few things to help students get to CORE on time.
- Breakfast now has two lines open in the morning to expedite serving time.
- Students now have 2 minutes transition between blocks 4-5 and 4 minutes transition between block 5 and PM CORE. This should help with students needing to pack and get to COREs off team.
- Continue sending students to the office ANY TIME they are tardy. There are still many students left in the hallways after tardy bells have rung. It’s important to be consistent across the building.
- Congratulations to all COREs which have achieved their perfect attendance goal so far (we hope we’ve remembered them all):
- Ramey's River Rats,
- Camiere’s Cars,
- Evans’ 108 Zest Fest,
- Westbye’s Warriors,
- Kids Cooking in Kochis’ Kitchen who will receive their ice cream treats on Monday.
- There are so many benefits to coming to school every day. Continue reaching out to families of habitually absent or tardy students (UA CORE communicate with teams). Make sure this information is discussed during Small Blocks this week.
- Remember that AM CORE is a time for welcoming students each morning, taking attendance, actively engaging in the Infotainment, and doing a brief check-in. PM CORE is a time for welcoming students each afternoon, doing a brief check-in, and completing activities or playing team-building or fun games.
- Student iPads should only be used during CORE when there is a QR code that needs to be scanned, or if students need the iPads for a certain activity (ex. Voting for student council officers this Thursday during PM CORE).
- Wednesday’s PM CORE is 22 minutes. Take advantage of these extra minutes by playing a longer game, working on your pumpkin, etc.
- Is the BOO making its way around the building? Please keep it going - we would love to have all COREs receive a treat before the end of the month. Don’t forget to hang your ghost on your door if you have been BOOed!
CORE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES:
- During Core have your students create their talking points for their part of their Parent Teacher Conference.
- This is what we have been using. There is still time to get this done before the 18th.
FIELD TRIP FOLLOW UP:
Here are a few ideas as follow-ups to those field trips:
Have a discussion in CORE about the trip, what was learned, and how what was learned can be applied to future learning.
Write an individual or collaborative thank you letter to the field trip host
Ronan Goulden AmeriCorps VISTA/Civic Leadership Fellow
- Bates Harward Center
WEEKLY GOAL SETTING WITH YOUR CORE:
Have Students send an email to their families and you containing:
- Picture of their scores in PowerSchool
- A goal for their academics for this week
- A goal for their Habits of Work for this week
SCHOOL CLIMATE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR CORE:
Have a discussion with your core about our PBIS data. (Choose the highest behavior issue)
- As the leader of the group help define it
- Ask your students if, when they see it
- Discuss how it makes them feel, how it makes you feel
- Discuss what we can do as a school to end it
- Take notes and send them to Ben and Michelle
SWISS LOCATION DATA 10/9 - 10/13
SWISS BEHAVIOR DATA10/9 - 10/13
SWISS TIME OF DAY DATA 10/9 - 10/13
Pumpkin Run Thursday the 26th
Pumpkin Run on Thursday October 26th
Last Day to Sign Up: Tuesday, Oct 24
Preliminary Race: Thursday, Oct 26
Time: 12:20pm
Finals: Tuesday, October 31st
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
These are our updated Student Council officer election dates that might be helpful for CORE teachers:
Students have been nominated to run for an office (President, Vice-President, Reporter, Secretary)
Monday, October 16th - Friday, October 20th -- Campaigning continues
Monday, October 16th - Secretaries read their speeches during AM CORE
Tuesday, October 17th - Reporters read their speeches during AM CORE
Wednesday, October 18th - Vice-Presidents read their speeches during AM CORE
Thursday, October 19th - Presidents read their speeches during AM CORE
Thursday, October 19th - COREs will vote during PM CORE (Google Form will need to be created and sent to staff)
Friday, October 20th - Officers announced during Morning Announcements
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Links to Keep:
2023-2024 STAFF HANDBOOK: CLICK ME
2023-2024 School Calendar: CLICK ME
2023-2024 AMS Bell Schedule: CLICK ME
AMS Staff Extensions: CLICK ME
Professional Development DRAFT Calendar: CLICK ME
AMS STAFF HUB: One-stop shopping for all AMS links: CLICK ME
BATES Teacher Assistants: CLICK ME
- Bates students in your classroom to support your teaching
- Working with small groups
- Photocopying
- Sitting with and supporting your students who need more attention
First three days workshop agenda: Will be sent out as soon as it is completed.
DETENTION COVERAGE: CLICK ME
- Please sign up to cover detentions this year. Thank you!
SUB FOLDERS NEED TO BE UPDATED
- Illness has been making its way around the school, so it is important to be prepared for a possible absence. Classroom teachers, substitute folders are due. If you have any questions about what should be included in your sub folder, see the Staff Handbook.
STUDENT COUNCIL. CORE REPS
- Please see the list of all members and alternates on the student council bulletin board on the main stairs.
AMS WEBSITE
- There are still staff who have not updated your contact information on the AMS web page. An email reminder was sent out September 18th. Use this video to assist you.
PICTURES FOR YEARBOOK, 8th SLIDESHOW, VIRTUAL TOUR
- There are some amazing things taking place around school, and we would love pictures! Please take some photos and add them to the 23-24 Photos Folder. These photos may be used on our website, Facebook page, and yearbook. Thanks 7th grade for adding your Monkey C Monkey Do photos!
Communication
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amsfalcons