Badger Bulletin
Working the Willkie Way!
Word of the week....Gratitude!
Gratitude!
During this time of the year we have a tendency to get a little overwhelmed with everything that is going on both in and out of school and its easy to get lost in the things we have to do and forget to take time and remember all the amazing things we have to be grateful for.
I want to encourage you to take a moment each day and remember the many blessing you have in your life. I know that this can sometimes be difficult, especially when there are personal struggles that we are going through, but I truly believe that if we start each day with a grateful heart, it changes the lens with which we look at the world that day.
Never forget you are an amazing part of an amazing mission!
I want to encourage you to take a moment each day and remember the many blessing you have in your life. I know that this can sometimes be difficult, especially when there are personal struggles that we are going through, but I truly believe that if we start each day with a grateful heart, it changes the lens with which we look at the world that day.
Never forget you are an amazing part of an amazing mission!
Thank You!
What am I grateful for? YOU!
I want to start this week by saying THANK YOU! I'm afraid that I don't use those two little words often enough, yet they are two words that carry a great deal of meaning. I am truly grateful for so many things, and at the top of that list is you...the faculty and staff.
Your dedication to your craft and to the children you serve is obvious and I don't know that I tell you enough. So thank you for all you do each and every day. It truly is an honor to serve you and the children of our community.
Cross Country
I feel as if I have been remiss in communicating and promoting the kiddos in Cross Country this year. I want to issue a public apology to Coach McKinnie and Coach Groves for not doing a better job of communicating just how awesome our cross country teams have done this year.
We are very proud of all their accomplishments and I appreciate your dedication to those students!
We are very proud of all their accomplishments and I appreciate your dedication to those students!
UEA
Another area for which I am truly thankful is the opportunities you have given me to address your concerns before going to your professional organization. UEA is the predominant organization on our campus and in our district and we are fortunate to not only have a great campus representative in Waine Bourgeois but we also have the president of the local chapter, Dawn Reynolds, here as well. These ladies have kept open lines of communication with me and I am incredibly grateful.
I encourage you to please come to me with your concerns as I truly want to make Willkie the best it can be.
I encourage you to please come to me with your concerns as I truly want to make Willkie the best it can be.
Concerns
504 and Special Ed Paperwork: Teacher input
Several concerns that have been brought to my attention have to do with 504 and Special Ed paperwork that you are required to complete. As previously stated, I have asked that you be given at least 5 school days to complete the required teacher input forms for 504 and special education students. That being said, I really appreciate your flexibility regarding this time frame.
I say this because both our Special Education and 504 departments are working diligently to get all of our paperwork up to date and in order. This requires everyone's help to ensure we are serving these students to the best of our ability and occasionally things come up that require the time frame for getting your input to be shortened to meet deadlines. I appreciate your support.
504 and Special Ed Paperwork: Documentation
Another concern that has been brought to my attention is the way in which we document accommodations and modifications you are doing in the classroom.
I have sought clarification on some specific concerns and I would like to offer some insight that hopefully will help. Several of us attended a legal seminar regarding Special Education and here are some things that you need to know.
Things to know:
Keeping these things in mind, there are several ways in which you can document what you are doing. You can decide how and which way of documentation works best for you, but please know that keeping the appropriate documentation is a non-negotiable. This for your protection when we get audited, or a parent makes a request, or in the event litigation ensues.
Here are a few suggestions for documentation.
The point is, you will be asked to provide feedback to the monitoring teacher each six weeks, you are required to document, but how you do it is up to you. Just make sure you are doing it as you will be asked to provide it.
Thanks for your support!
Several concerns that have been brought to my attention have to do with 504 and Special Ed paperwork that you are required to complete. As previously stated, I have asked that you be given at least 5 school days to complete the required teacher input forms for 504 and special education students. That being said, I really appreciate your flexibility regarding this time frame.
I say this because both our Special Education and 504 departments are working diligently to get all of our paperwork up to date and in order. This requires everyone's help to ensure we are serving these students to the best of our ability and occasionally things come up that require the time frame for getting your input to be shortened to meet deadlines. I appreciate your support.
504 and Special Ed Paperwork: Documentation
Another concern that has been brought to my attention is the way in which we document accommodations and modifications you are doing in the classroom.
I have sought clarification on some specific concerns and I would like to offer some insight that hopefully will help. Several of us attended a legal seminar regarding Special Education and here are some things that you need to know.
Things to know:
- we are legally bound to provide any and all accommodations or modifications on a student's 504 or IEP.
- we are legally bound to document how we are providing the accommodations and modifications. We are constantly being audited and monitored and the law requires that we provide documentation as to how we are implementing accommodations and modifications. If we cannot provide documentation when requested, then the assumption is it didn't happen.
Keeping these things in mind, there are several ways in which you can document what you are doing. You can decide how and which way of documentation works best for you, but please know that keeping the appropriate documentation is a non-negotiable. This for your protection when we get audited, or a parent makes a request, or in the event litigation ensues.
Here are a few suggestions for documentation.
- Mr. Leary has provided teachers a way to document and track progress for the students he monitors that includes the goals and objectives for the students. This is an attempt in helping support you in data collection. If you need further clarification you can reach out to Mr. Leary or bring your specific questions to me as well.
- Document in your lesson plans how you provide accommodations. For example, when you have an assignment in you lesson plans and you have students who have reduced assignments, notate the reduced assignment in your plans.
- I used to keep a file for each student so I could drop work samples, etc. in the file. If you create a reduced assignment keep a sample.
- Same thing with extended time. Note the due date in your lesson plan and then the due date for those who have extended time.
- Oral Admin- Write on a copy of the test that it was orally administered and the date and drop that in a file folder.
The point is, you will be asked to provide feedback to the monitoring teacher each six weeks, you are required to document, but how you do it is up to you. Just make sure you are doing it as you will be asked to provide it.
Thanks for your support!
Shout outs!
If you have any shout outs please email them to me with "Shout Outs" in the subject line.
This weeks Shout Outs!
This weeks Shout Outs!
- Mimi Morris sends a big shout out to Rebecca Asher for stopping by to see one of our students. He was absolutely thrilled. He will not stop talking about her.
- Mrs. Willis sends a shout out to Tamara Williams for helping me figure out how to grade my first literacy plan writing assignment.
- From Mrs. Shaffer: Can I just tell you that hiring Jen Mobley as your secretary this year was the smartest move ever??!?! She is FABULOUS!!! In my ten years working in EMSISD, I have never worked with someone as efficient as her. Good move, Mr. Knowles. Good move. Note from Knowles: I absolutely concur with Mrs. Shaffer. I could not have made a better choice. Words cannot describe how incredibly blessed I am to have Jen Mobley taking care of me and the entire staff. Jen, I know I don't say it enough, but thank you for all you do each and every day!
The week ahead...
Monday October 17 , 2016
Tuesday October 18, 2016
Wednesday October 19, 2016
Thursday October 20, 2016
Friday October 21, 2016
- Knowles at Ventures Training all day
- Tennis vs. Wayside @ Home
- GT Field trip to STEAM Carnival @Region 11
- National Bosses Day
Tuesday October 18, 2016
- Knowles at Ventures Training all day
- Spirit day- "Wear Pink!"
- 8th Grade vs. Highland MS @ SHS
- 7th Grade vs, Highland MS @CTHS (Admin -Knowles)
Wednesday October 19, 2016
- ELAR GVC 1:00pm
Thursday October 20, 2016
- Knowles @ LEAD (AM)
- 7th Grade@ home
- 8th Grade@ Timberview
Friday October 21, 2016
- Happy Friday!
Past Posts
Survey Concerns: Hallways
As I stated the survey truly is anonymous, and sometimes I wish it weren't because some of your comments created more questions that I want to ask for clarification.
One of the overarching concerns that was voiced is hallway behavior. This is an issue in which I really need everyone's help. If we are going to curb hallway behavior then everyone must be in the hallway between classes. I realize that there are times when you have to address a student issue and can't get to the hallway right away, but we need to make every effort to do our best to be visible between every class, even if it is between your conference period, please make an effort to be in the hallways.
Our biggest area of concern seems to be the back stairwells. If you have a class at the end of the hallways, please try and monitor the stairs.
I know this is not an easy task, but it is the only way we will address the issue effectively.
One of the overarching concerns that was voiced is hallway behavior. This is an issue in which I really need everyone's help. If we are going to curb hallway behavior then everyone must be in the hallway between classes. I realize that there are times when you have to address a student issue and can't get to the hallway right away, but we need to make every effort to do our best to be visible between every class, even if it is between your conference period, please make an effort to be in the hallways.
Our biggest area of concern seems to be the back stairwells. If you have a class at the end of the hallways, please try and monitor the stairs.
I know this is not an easy task, but it is the only way we will address the issue effectively.
Edivate is here!
Edivate has taken the place of PD 360. It is an online professional development program that has more professional development opportunities than you cane ever imagine.
Everyone should have gotten an email with your username and password recently. If you deleted it, not knowing what it was, then go find it inn your deleted file because you will need it. You can find a link in the Employee tab on the district website if you want to explore.
I will be setting up a training very soon to introduce you to Edivate. It's going to be AWESOME!
Everyone should have gotten an email with your username and password recently. If you deleted it, not knowing what it was, then go find it inn your deleted file because you will need it. You can find a link in the Employee tab on the district website if you want to explore.
I will be setting up a training very soon to introduce you to Edivate. It's going to be AWESOME!
Oral Administration of test.
We need your help. Please let CM know at least 2 days before you are having a quiz or assessment of any kind so we can staff our room appropriately by emailing Mr. Leary and carbon copying Mrs. Reid. Also be aware that the oral administration takes time. We need you to record the assessment with the software provided by the district and upload it to your web page on the Ed Willkie Site.
Thanks!
Have you ever been to Kirklands? You know the home decor store.
I love going to Kirkland's, but I simply can't. The reason is due to the assault on my senses. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate air fresheners, especially essential oils, but when I walk into Kirkland's it is suffocating!
Unfortunately, there are many people who have allergies to even the slightest of smells such as perfumes, plug-ins, Scentsy, and other aroma producing devices. As a matter of fact, we have several on this campus who have medically documented allergies to these types of smells, and for those folks, the even the smallest exposure can feel as if they are walking into Kirklands.
Therefore, I am asking you to be diligent in your use of these aroma producing products. I know that the teen age body can produce some pretty funky smells, but please try to limit your used to short periods of time during the day and please make sure you turn them off when you leave for the day. I have had several reports from the custodial staff that there have been some left on at night.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated!
Unfortunately, there are many people who have allergies to even the slightest of smells such as perfumes, plug-ins, Scentsy, and other aroma producing devices. As a matter of fact, we have several on this campus who have medically documented allergies to these types of smells, and for those folks, the even the smallest exposure can feel as if they are walking into Kirklands.
Therefore, I am asking you to be diligent in your use of these aroma producing products. I know that the teen age body can produce some pretty funky smells, but please try to limit your used to short periods of time during the day and please make sure you turn them off when you leave for the day. I have had several reports from the custodial staff that there have been some left on at night.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated!
Lesson Plans
Just a reminder:
- Lesson plans should be in Eduphoria no later than the beginning of school every Monday.
- Lesson plans should follow the template that is in your Willkie Way Binder based on the ICLE model.
- The lessons and activities in your classroom should reflect your lesson plans.
- Each content area/grade level should be planning together to create your upcoming lessons.
Please keep in mind that this correlates to the Planning Domain and the Professional Practices and Responsibilities Domain in TTESS.
Web Sites
Please make sure your website is up to date. Parents really rely on your website for information about your classes. I really would like to see your sites be as comprehensive as possible. Take some time and look at what others are doing both in your content area an out. Explore other middle school's faculty sites as well for ideas. If you need help, please ask.