MI-WAYE REPORT
Week 9
Failure
How many of our students have been told one of these stories before? How many have other teachers in their life treated them like they would amount to nothing?
How can you change this? How can you reach our students and give them hope? Encourage them and let them know it's okay to fail, but it's never okay to give up.
Curriculum and Instruction
MS Benchmark Assessment 10/23-10/26
Please remember to complete your Virtual Benchmark Test Training by 10.16.17:
- View Benchmark Test Training Presentation
- Submit confirmation on the Benchmark Test Training Confirmation Form
This is a reminder that every teacher is expected to provide alternate and/or paper assignments for any student that is without use of their laptop- regardless of the reason or timeframe.
Monday: Math
Tuesday: ELA
Wednesday: Science
Thursday: Social Studies
HS Mid-Term Exams: 10/23-10/26
- Mid-Term Exams are fast approaching. Below is the schedule for which day exams should be given by subject area. CTE and Elective courses may give their Mid-Term Exam any day Monday-Thursday.
- No other tests or quizzes should be given to students from Monday-Thursday. Please let an IC or Admin know if you have any questions.
Tuesday: Social Studies
Wednesday: Science & World Language
Thursday: Math
Students Failing 1st Quarter
- Adopted from the HS
- I would like to implement this as well with MIWAYE MS and HS...and of course we are going to continue to work with students, but this will some responsibility back on them to get things done.
- It is expected that the teacher makes a reasonable effort to contact the parent of each student who failed Q1. For a conversation of this nature, a phone call should be your first approach and email as a backup. If an EC or 504 student fails Q1, the teacher is also expected to inform the case manager.
- In the case a student earned a Q1 average less than a 50, you must put a 50 as the Q1 grade in PowerSchool (more detailed directions to come). The reasoning behind this is to give that student a reason to remain or become engaged, in your class during Q2. If a student knows that their Q1 average is below a 50, then many will not even attempt to make up the grade during Q2, causing more challenges and a lost learning opportunity for the student.
- In a situation in which a students grade was artificially raised to a 50, there will be a comment to include on the report card so that that parent is aware that the actual grade was less than a 50.
- If a student failed Q1, then the student must be offered an Academic Contract, to be completed no later than December 6th. The number of items for a student to complete the contract should be reasonable and sufficient to justify a grade change from the original Q1 grade, to a grade of 60.
- If a student does not successfully complete the Academic Contract in the time frame permitted, then the student's grade remains a failing grade between 50-59.
- Additional information on submitting final Q1 grades in PowerSchool is forthcoming.
District Info
- Construction Update- Mega Units at elementary schools are up and running at South and Rocky and River. There have been updates to Parkview main office and playground; Woods main office(C building); MHS has turned old gym into 9 classrooms and Performing Arts Center will be ready March 2018.
- Budget- Due to the K-3 law there is a 1.2 million dollar shortfall. 11 new teachers were hired and new mega units had to be added. To offset this balance,money was pulled from the fund balance (acts as a savings account) to fund the difference. This is a one-time only transaction. For the 18-19 school year, MGSD will be funding locally 21 teacher positions. Also it will cost 475,000 to add mobile unit. Next year we are looking at a budget deficit of 1.5 million dollars. Refreshing laptops this year drops the 1.2 million dollar lease payment to Apple. If county commissioners give money this will fill in the gap. The plan for next year is to maintain all current positions as of right now. Dr. Mauney ensured Enhancement teachers that the plan is to keep these jobs especially with the competition of the local charter schools. Also the General Assembly may help fund enhancements next year. We can expect classroom size to increase for grades 4-12 and no additional teacher assistants for K-3.
- Housing- 2000+ homes being built in the community. The facilities task force has met about upcoming needs for the next 10 years. They are looking at future enrollment and new schools. MGSD has acquired land off of Rhinehart Rd. for the next 2 or 3 schools. The next school would probably be a middle school. School system is looking at 2 options. Option 1 is to make both middle schools 6-8 and intermediate and elementary schools become K-5. Option 2 is to turn middle school to 6-8 and move 3rd grade to intermediate.
- "Zero" Grading Policy - We discussed this issue among our table. Basically, there are numerous policies. We also had discussions about grades for not doing the assignment and how to grade students who performed horribly on tests and quizzes.
- Summer Institute and Summer Connection - The district is dropping Summer Connection due to the drop in attendance and the amount of preparation. Dr. Mauney wanted to know our thoughts on Summer Institute and how valuable is it. Some of the questions he wanted answered was: Should we wait for workdays in Aug. or is July better? They were thinking of adding it to the workdays before school. Due to budget shortfalls, we are having it one more year as is with being paid a stipend, but things will very possibly change after this upcoming year due to the expense of having Summer Institute.
Human Resources
Optional Workday
- October 30th and 31st are Optional Workdays
- Please fill out the Google Form (below) to let me know your intent for those 2 days
- Complete by Wednesday, October 25th
Open Enrollment
- Please make all staff aware of the upcoming deadline for the open enrollment for the State Health Plan. Everyone must go into the enrollment process or risk higher premiums and a plan they do not wish to have.
- Any questions or concerns should be directed to Angel Tomlin at extension 2534 or email atomlin@mgsd.k12.nc.us.
Info
OCTOBER 25: NATIONAL UNITY DAY
October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Our district has a bullying prevention plan that we are strongly focusing on this school year. Some specifics at the elementary level include:
- Individual and group counseling as needed for perceived bullies and targets.
- Class lessons that will focus on the definition of bullying as well as emphasizing character building, friendship skills and making smart choices.
- Utilizing resources such as www.pacer.org for lessons and activities.
- An anonymous phone line and website have been set up for each school to report bullying. A poster with this information has been posted in the front office of our school (please see attached copy below).
Staff and students are being asked to participate in Unity Day on Wednesday, October 25th by wearing ORANGE to send a message of support, hope, and unity to show that we stand together against bullying and are united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. This information will be sent via Dojo and reminders will be given a few days before hand.
Thanks for your support and if you have any questions, please let us know!
- http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp
OF COURSE, ANYONE WHO WEARS ORANGE CAN ALSO WEAR JEANS!!!
Technology
Macbook Refresh -- Start Your Backup Now!
- As we start to prepare for the Macbook Refresh, you and your students should start backing up any files on your laptops to a thumb drive or move them to your Google Drive. A more succinct plan with additional details will be forthcoming. The refresh will happen before Christmas break.
The refreshing of laptops will occur before Christmas break; after Nov.20 -Dec. 15 is the time span.
The case needs to be on the computer because the case is tied to the warranty. Also MGSD is NOT migrating data so make sure you have files, etc. saved.
Parent Involvement
OPEN HOUSE PARENT NIGHT MEETING AT SELMA BURKES
- On January 23, the Parks and Rec is having a parent information session. They are looking for teacher volunteers who are willing to come out and talk about what is happening at all of our schools.
- The night 6:30-8:30. If you are willing to attend and receive swap time, please let me know.
Professional Development
Required Workday Discovery ED Professional Development
- As part of our partnership with Discovery Education, we receive a certain number of professional development days where their trainers come to work with our staff. Each year they add new features, lessons, and updates to their TechBooks to improve the quality. Central Office has decided that we will have required booster training this year to share updates and ensure all staff (particularly new hires) know how to best use these resources. Dr. Black and Dr. Smith have worked with DE to use our professional development days this year as follows:
- Nov. 1 (districted-required PD day): Science, Social Studies, and Math Techbook Training in the morning
#PineapplePD
Some of you have noticed the pineapple cards that are popping up around campus. These cards let others know that you are open to receiving visitors in your classroom, even if you didn't sign up in advance on the #PineapplePD Chart. If it's not a good time for drop-ins, simply turn it over on the hook so the blank side is showing instead. And if you see a Pineapple hanging outside a door, take a minute and pop inside to see the great things going on in that room!
Staff Member of the Month
- As we near the end of the month, now is a good time to reflect on those co-workers who went above and beyond. Nominate them for the Teacher/Staff Member of the Month by completing the form above.
Upcoming Events
Week of October 23rd
Monday, October 23rd
- HS English Mid-term Exams
- MS Math EOQ
- Golf State Finals-Day 1, Pinehurst
- Staff Yoga, 2:45 in Fitness Room
Tuesday, October 24th
- HS Social Studies Mid-term Exams
- MS ELA EOQ
- Golf State Finals-Day 2, Pinehurst
- Winter Athlete/Parent Meeting @ Main Gym, 6:30
- HS Student Talk (Underclassmen) 12:10-12:50 continue at 2:15
- MHS Theater presents VOICES @ CMCC, 6pm
Wednesday, October 25th
- Unity Day, wear orange
- HS Science Mid-term Exams
- MS Science EOQ
- Department Meetings, 2:30
- Soccer vs. Mallard Creek, 5:00/6:30
- MHS Theater presents Wendy's Tale and At the Bottom of Lake Missoula @ CMCC, 6pm
Thursday, October 26th (BDU Bell Schedule)
- Football Game vs West Charlotte, 6:30pm
- Band Concert
- HSMath Mid-term Exams
- MS Social Studies EOQ
- JV Football vs. West Charlotte, 6:30
Friday, October 27th
- END OF 1st QUARTER
- MMS Dance
October
October 30: Optional Workday
October 31: Optional Workday
October 31: Open Enrollment Ends
November
November 1: Required Workday
November 2: START OF 2nd QUARTER
November 4: MHS Athletic Booster 5k/10k Race
November 4: SAT
November 6: ELT Meetings
November 6: Chic-fil-A Spirit Night
November 7: ELT Meetings
November 7: BTNT Meeting (BT1, BT2)
November 8: HS Data Meeting #1 2:30pm
November 8: ELT Meetings
November 8: NJROTC Blood Drive
November 9: Pre-ACT (All Sophomores)
November 9: 1st Quarter Report Cards Released
November 10: Veterans’ Day--NO SCHOOL
Assessments
October 23-26: HS Mid-Term Assessment and MS Quarterly Benchmarks
Fall Break
October 30th-November 1st