Wm. Adams Middle School
Faculty and Staff Newsletter • November 14, 2016
Afternoon Duty This Week
Christina Garcia - Station 1: Flagpole
Casey Haliburton - Station 2: Outside near the gym doors that face east
Gennie Lopez - Station 3: Outside near the covered walk
Nino Mendietta - Station 4: Outside near the covered walk
Ric Mireles - Station 5: Outside near the covered walk
Destiny Pena- Station 6: Outside the cafeteria
Sandra Garcia - Station 8: Outside the gym on the south side
Cindy Gutierrez - Station 9: Bus Stop
Andrea Harder - Station 10: Bus Stop
Dennis LaPlant - Station 11: Bus Stop
Becky Lutzke - Station 12: East Exit
It is imperative that everyone reports to their duty station promptly. We know from experience that the presence of adults prevents many student misbehaviors.
*If you know in advance that you will be absent, please alert administration in order to have someone monitor your station in your absence.
Morning Duty Has Changed
No one is to be released to go to the restroom, the office, the nurse (unless bleeding, vomiting, or in need of urgent attention) during Advisory time. Students have time to take care of these needs before being dismissed to their classroom.
All teachers and staff are to be on campus no later than 7:45 a.m.
Progress Monitoring
Also go into your red folders and update that information as well.
Coming Soon: Learning Rounds
We have had many discussions about why our students are not performing at the expected level(s). We have talked about "systemic" problems which are impacting student performance. Our District is taking steps to address these concerns and one of these steps is called Learning Rounds
So, if on November 30 you happen to look up and see a group of adults quietly enter your classroom, please carry on as if we weren't there. There will be central office people, and some of our own teacher. Be assured that no names are ever tied to results.
Teacher/Staff Dress Code
It is my opinion that the way in which we dress dictates to some degree the way in which our students treat us. Educator Harry Wong says "People do not learn because they like you. They learn because they respect you."
Unless you have been awarded additional jean days, jeans may only be worn on two days: Wednesdays with your Positive Wednesday--Paddles In shirt, OR with a college/university shirt, and Fridays with a school/District spirit shirt. Even on these days, the jeans should not have holes or excessive frays.
Tennis shoes/sneakers may be worn only on Fridays unless you have a doctor's note.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Dr. H
TAIS Update
The goals and interventions for the second quarter (Nov., Dec., Jan.) are as follows:
ELAR -
Goal: All instructional personnel will acquire skills and knowledge to use data to make informed instructional decisions.
Interventions:
•All teachers within the department will analyze their assessment data and present the data noting areas of strength and areas of needed improvement
•Collaborate weekly to strategize and identify teaching practices and instructional and instructional resources
•Utilize house resources to provide training in analyzing data
•Re-teach and spiral SEs not mastered.
Data to be collected:
•Data sheets, quintiles, Eduphoria reports, data binders
•Sign-in sheets and agendas, meeting minutes
•Lesson Plans
Math
Goal: 65% of all students will meet Level II Satisfactory standard on SEs taught the first semester as measured by the District benchmark assessment
Interventions:
•Classroom instruction will consist of student-centered activities
•Teachers will utilize feedback from Learning Rounds to improve instruction
•Administrators will conduct weekly walkthroughs to observe implementation of teaching practices
•Teachers will conference with students to review data and academic progress
Data to be collected:
•Lesson plans, classroom observations
•Observation feedback
•List of students and conference dates
Science
Goal: A minimum of 65% of students will master SEs taught the first semester as measured by the District Benchmark assessment
Interventions:
•Identify struggling students and provide interventions for all subgroups
•Re-teach and spiral SEs not mastered
•Use a variety of methods/strategies to teach and reinforce academic vocabulary
•Analyze District benchmark data
Data to be collected:
•Eduphoria data and Benchmark SE data
•Lesson plans, walkthrough documentation
•District Benchmark data
Writing
Goal: Conduct collaborative meetings between 6th and 7th grade writing teachers once per semester
Interventions:
•Schedule meeting dates with specific agenda objectives
•Students will complete a minimum of 2 writing samples and 2 mini multiple choice assessments on editing and revising each six weeks.
•All core content area teachers will provide 1 writing sample that addresses a revising and editing checklist
•Students will write 2 samples each six weeks with one being peer reviewed, revised, and edited.
Data to be collected:
•Emails, invites
•Writing samples
•Writing samples from core subjects
•Writing samples and peer feedback sheets from peer reviewed and edited piece.
Social Studies
Goal: A minimum of 60% of all students will meet Level II Satisfactory on the Social Studies Benchmark assessment
Interventions:
•All teachers will apply differentiated strategies a minimum of 2 days each week
•All students will set individual goals and track performance on Unit tests and assessments
•Implement small group instruction and learning stations to address weakness in content knowledge
•Provide frequent progress monitoring
Data to be collected:
•Lesson plans, walkthrough documentation
•Student tracking sheets
•Informal assessments