CMS Weekly Update
Week of February 13, 2023
February is Black History Month
Upcoming Dates to Remember
February 17: Ruby Bridges Movie (Alternate Schedule)
February 24: Activity Day
March 1: Club Photos (Rescheduled)
March 3: Faculty Meeting
March 27-31: Spring Break!
Upcoming CMS Events For This Week
Monday, February 13:
-Girls Red Basketball @ Waldron at 6:00pm
Tuesday, February 14:
-Wrestling vs. Greensburg 5:30pm
-Girls Red Basketball @ Madison at 6:00pm
Wednesday, February 15:
-Girls Red Basketball vs. New Palestine at 5:30pm
Thursday, February 16:
-Wrestling @ Lincoln at 6:00pm
Information/Reminders
Ruby Bridges Movie this Friday (2/17):
In celebration of Black History Month, all students will be watching the movie Ruby Bridges during the afternoon of Friday, February 17. We will be running an alternate schedule that day, so be on the lookout for that schedule from Mr. Morey. Bells will only ring at the beginning and end of the school day, so please watch your clocks to know when to release your students to their next class.
Rescheduled Club Photos (3/1):
Club Photos have been rescheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 1.
School Messenger Opt-in QR Code:
There is a QR Code on display in the mail room that you can scan to make sure that you have opted in to our School Messenger system. Please do so if you have not received a notification that you are already in the system.
REMINDERS:
Teacher of the Year Nomination Forms:
It is the that time of year to be thinking about nominating someone for Fayette County Teacher of the Year. Take a look at the email I sent out last week with instructions as to how to nominate a deserving Fayette County teacher.
Black History Month:
In a recent email, Ms. Smejkal provided you with activities to assist in the celebration of Black History Month. These activities are mandatory and need to take place in your Spartan Pride during the month of February. Thank you for your help with this!
Teaching Assistant Vacancy:
We are still in need of one more teaching assistant, so if know of someone who might be interested in that position, please have them contact me or have them fill out the online application located on the school corporation's Human Resources page.
February's Character Strong Theme and Focus Word:
● Teamwork: recognizing individual strengths and differences to expand our perspectives and work more effectively.
● Focus Word - Commitment - a willingness to practice and fulfill your obligations or goals even when it is challenging or you don’t feel like it.
● Resources:
○ Character Dares https://curriculum.characterstrong.com/csgym/characterdares/student?trait=commitment
○ Videos with Reflection Questions: https://curriculum.characterstrong.com/csgym/video-library?tag=commitment
Safety Reminder:
Please make sure that your classroom doors remain locked in the event we need to go to a lockdown. This is a corporation-wide expectation.
Domain 3 Classroom Visits:
Don't forget that you were given a blue Domain 3 Classroom Visits log sheet earlier in the school year. If you have not had time to visit other colleagues' classrooms, you might make an effort to to do so. These will need to be turned in to your primary evaluator in the Spring. Make sure to include them in your Domain 3 documentation.
Grades Per Week:
Please make sure that you record at least one grade each week in your grade book for all of your classes.
Character Strong
Appreciation/Congratulations
Thanks to the Kindness Club for making cards to send out to our local nursing home residents. We appreciate your sharing some love with members of our community!
Self-Care
This week's focus from 180 Days of Self-Care For Busy Educators is about Play.
Playtime isn't just for kids; it is also great for adults. Our author notes that "if we want to live a life of meaning and contribution, we have to become intentional about cultivating sleep and play. Consider what you did as a child that was fun? What were your favorite toys? What did your imagination dream up when you had moments of boredom? Chances are some of those notions might appeal to you today, as an adult, even if you've buried them to due to obligations, full schedules, and a need to be an adult (p. 93). Consider how today, coloring books for adults have become quite popular.
Here is your invitation for this week:
Monday - To set the tone for your week, take 26 minutes to watch the TED Talk entitled: "Play Is More Than Just Fun." (https://bit.ly/1e1z9LS) (You could also split it up into multiple days if needed.)
Tuesday - Reflect on your own play history. What did play look like when you were a child, adolescent, an a young adult? What were your favorite playtime activities when you were alone and when you were with friends? Which activities still appeal to you now? Make a list.
Wednesday - What does play look like and feel like for you as an adult? Can you schedule a "playdate" with a friend, family member, colleague, or child? Fell free to go to a park and hop on thew swings!
Thursday - Consider ways that you can incorporate play into your classroom. Allow your students to have some fun too. Ask them what they might like to do for fun in your class.
Friday - Schedule some time to play. Do something like ride a bike, have a dance party, plan a vacation, take a walk, design your dream house, sing along with your favorite songs,..... have some fun!!!!
As you reflect upon your week, what did you learn or like best? How can you continue to implement elements of play in your week?