UHMS Rising Phoenix
Uplift Hampton Middle School January 13, 2020
"Be Committed, Be Consistent, Be Courageous"
Be Strong!
Hello Phoenix Nation!
Thank you for excellent first week back after winter break. Thank you for accepting the responsibility as professionals and caregivers to provide a safe, predictable environment for our scholars to learn and thrive. We are all aware that trauma is real and more prevalent for our scholars than we would care to admit. Trauma is toxic to the brain and affects scholar development and learning. Continue your efforts to support all our scholars especially those with trauma, even if we aren’t sure who they are. Our scholars are resilient, and with all of us in their corner they can grow, learn, and succeed. As we continue to discuss, it is important that you take care of yourself. Our scholars are stronger when we are stronger and healthier. “All it takes is one person to change the world and that person can be you with a simple act of kindness.” - Natalie Hampton
With much admiration and appreciation,
Priscilla, Chataqua, Chrissy, and Jabez
Things to Do
Grades: You should have at least 2 or 3 grades in PowerTeacher by Jan. 17th
Prepare for CA2/Benchmark Data Meetings: Prepare for CA2 data meetings with Priscilla and your dean. Content data meetings will be held the week of 1/13th during planning. Accept the invite. Know your data and know your plan. No Blame, No Shame, and No Excuses!
Quarter 2 and Semester Awards: Complete the Awards spreadsheet sent by your dean. We are gearing up for our semester Awards Ceremony of the school year. Teachers will receive certificates on Friday, January 17th. We will be giving out the following awards for both the quarter and semester: “A” Honor Roll; “A/B” Honor Roll; Perfect Attendance; IB Awards
Note: Scholars receiving all A’s and/or B’s on their report card will receive an award at the school wide ceremony. You may give other awards during your Advisory. If you have any questions regarding awards reach out to your dean.
Pictures from Winter Break: Send a picture to Priscilla of a fun moment from over the break and we will print it out to create a staff bulletin board.
Two Weeks At A Glance
Things to Know
Hall Passes: Please ensure that all scholars have passes before they enter the hallway, whether they’re going to the bathroom, the office, to their locker, or another teacher. If scholars are in the hall without a pass, they will be sent back to their teacher to get one.
Re-Enrollment: Re-enrollment is for EVERY CURRENT scholar. The re-enrollment process will start in the next couple weeks. EVERY current scholar needs to re-enroll upon receipt of the email that Uplift's central office will send out (we do not know the exact date or time). More info to come with prizes for the advisory, grade level, etc. that finish first.
Campus Closure Process: If there is no school due to weather, Byron will be notified by his supervisor and then notify Priscilla. Priscilla will ensure deans notify team leads and team leads notify teams. Please do not reach out asking if the campus is closed. As soon as a decision is made, everyone will be informed.
Classroom Observations: Administration will continue to make regular visits to your classrooms. Feedback may be given in writing or during our O3 meetings. Feedback may not occur after every walkthrough. Please continue to teach when an administrator visits your classroom. If we need your attention, we will let you know.
Fundraisers: If you are planning any fundraisers for the second semester, please email bywalker@uplifteducation.org each time you want to do a fundraiser so we can ensure compliance with the legal part of the process.
Here's a SHOUT OUT to...
Tasha for building relationships by engaging scholars in a circle
Chelsea for going above and beyond for the Lady Phoenix basketball team
Kelly Anna for investing scholars in classroom jobs
Mark and Brenda for being observant and one of the first to respond to any and all situations
Carmen for holding down content mastery on her own whenever needed
STAAR Goals
UHMS Common Assessment 2
January Expectations for Increasing Rigor
Literacy Instruction: Reading and writing occurs in every Core class daily and in Electives at least monthly
· Every period starts with some form of writing. Writing is the most difficult thing you can have the brain do
· All Core classes are using Close Reading Strategies
· Scholars read and use textbooks and other complex readings daily
Habits of Discussion: 100% of teachers will prompt for exemplar responses
· Higher level thinking questions are scripted in the lesson plan with exemplar responses
· Scholars engage in academic conversation with each other
· Scholars can respectfully agree and disagree with each other
ELT: 100% of teachers are engaging scholars in the work
· Scholars are in class and actively working
· Teachers are circulating and checking work
· Teachers are using a tracker system to determine if scholars are completing work
Lesson Execution: Teachers execute high quality lesson plans daily
· Teacher teaches with lesson plan in hand or close by
· Teacher has evidence of high-quality scholar work based on lesson plans
January Expectations for a Brilliant School Culture
School Environment: The school environment feels safe, welcoming, and supportive of scholar and learning
· The school (including classrooms and common areas) is clean and clutter-free
· The school feels welcoming to everyone who enters and there is a consist joy factor
· Safety concerns can be freely expressed
· Regularly elicit feedback on instruction and learning from peers, scholars, admin, coaches
Scholar Work Posted: Bulletin boards are inviting and have current scholar work posted
· 100% of scholar work posted is exemplar
· 100% of scholar work posted is 4 weeks old or less
· 100% of your bulletin boards have work on them
· 100% of data walls are updated
Hero Usage: Teachers are utilizing HERO to track scholar behaviors and habits.
· 100% of UHMS scholars have at least 1 positive HERO recognition
· 100% of UHMS teachers have used the HERO system to give positive praise (Precise Praise)
Staff Climate
· 100% of the teachers have someone at work they can talk to “best friend”
· 100% of teachers have at least 1 administrator they can talk to openly and honestly
· 100% of teachers can give a feeling word at huddle by the end of the month
UHMS: Think Different!
Phoenix Nation!
Here's How to Reach Us!
Priscilla Parhms 469.236.2900 pparhms@uplifteducation.org
Chrissy Cormier 214.326.3002 ccormier@uplifteducation.org
Chataqua Mangum 972.897.4659 cmangum@uplifteducation.org
Jabez Deacon 414.562.7592 jdeacon@uplifteducation.org
Website: https://www.uplifteducation.org/Page/13790
Location: 8915 South Hampton Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-421-1982