ARMS Legend
Excellence Without Boundaries
Excellence in Leading. Teaching.Learning
TEAM
GRIT
GROWTH
December 12-16, Week 5 of 3rd Six Weeks
BY MAY 2017, AT LEAST 80% OF ALL STAAR EXAMS TAKEN BY ARMS STUDENTS WILL MEET THE PHASE II PASSING STANDARD.
Informal Follow Up Observations & Pre Identified Spots
- Leadership's goal is to conduct a minimum of 85% of our SPOT feedback sessions in person.
- 100% of Group spots are to be conducted each week.
- 100% of observation conference are conducted with both (leader and teacher) bringing necessary PRE WORK and document action steps and follow up.
Improve Student Achievement
Improve the Quality of Instruction
Create a Positive & Supportive Campus Culutre
Principal Message
We have very long days here at ARMS, that extend way beyond the sound of the bell at 4:10 p.m. We extend ourselves during "off time" with tutoring, during lunch and after school. We meet after school or attend district meetings to grow ourselves and our campus. We meet with parents and students during, after, and on weekends to ensure expectations are understood, information is clear, and supportive partnerships are established and maintained.
Staff members commit to our students through sponsoring of clubs, events, or by leading practices after school.
This is inspiring and is a product of the culture we are creating at ARMS.
Please know that this tremendous commitment to being of service to our students does not go unnoticed. Taking time from your own personal planning and time with family is truly appreciated. I personally never take this for granted from any of you. I am truly thankful!! We strive to create experiences for our students that expand the opportunities that they have and will have in their lives. As I have said before, we are involved in the most important work of our time.
As we go that extra mile, we are able to do this because we operate as a team. This is part of the fabric of ARMS Way. As you continue to grow as an individual, continue to know the value contribute, as we strive to embody TEAMWORK.
Take care of yourself because everything that preceded this sentence is contingent upon your personal wellness. The sentiment of that one sentence is foundational and everything shared above is null and void if we are not keeping this as #1.
Dominate the Day Rangers!
Proudest Principal in DISD,
Mrs. Taylor-Glenn
Operation Excellence - Excellence in Leading.Teaching.Learning
Operation Excellence: TG2 Spotlight
Spotlight on Ms. Motley: Operation Excellence - Grit & Team
I wanted to spotlight Ms. Motley, Custodian, here in the morning. Whenever there is a problem she promptly comes to help or fix it without complaints. She is always friendly and offers help whenever needed.
Spotlight on 360 Degree Leadership Book Study: Operation Excellence- Team & Leading
This team is coming together and having some great discussion about leadership. It is a diverse group that doesn't normally work together, so they are taking the time to engage with new co-workers and develops a life long skill.
Ms. Scally Spotlights Rangers: Operation Excellence Team!
Ms. Scally writes:
I would like to spotlight Ms. Hice for offering her students incentives to remember to turn in their overdue library books.
I would also like to spotlight Mr. Babeu and Ms. De La Rosa for collaborating with me about college research and having me teach students how to navigate college websites.
I also want to spotlight Mr. Stephens, Mr. Getz, and Mr. Gardner for collaborating with me on their Texan reading card project. I enjoyed teaching the 7th graders how to research and find information for this as well as review how to find images free of copyright.
Spotlight on Ms. Ward: Operation Excellence: Team & Leading
Ms. Conley writes:
Spotlight on Ms. Ward for ‘Operation Excellence-Leading’ for putting on a ‘reward ceremony’ for the 6th grade A and B honor roll students this Wednesday. These students had the opportunity to get out of class and go to the cafeteria during 8th period to play on their phones, socialize, and eat snacks. Ms. Ward organized the entire thing and it was a true success! Thank you Ms. Ward for taking the time to recognize our wonderful students’ academic achievement, your hard work is super appreciated.
Ms. Hunt Spotlights 6th Grade: Operation Excellence Team
Spotlight on Ms. Calvin: Operation Excellence- Teaching & Grit!
Each week administrators and instructional coaches will highlight the growth in the instructional practices, creativity, purposeful and meaningful practices that promote student success. It is important that we recognize ALL the Excellence in Teaching we have in all of areas of our academic programs. The highlights are on a rotation and each content/department will be the focus for the week. The rotation will repeat itself throughout the year.
Mrs. Jenkins would like to take the time to highlight several ELAR teachers.
Mrs. Jenkins would like to highlight a handful of teachers who attended an ELAR training at Lang Middle School after a long day leading their classrooms.
I know time is valuable, so thank you for your willingness to take time away from your family to help develop your practice as an educator. Not only did you attend and implement the new practice immediately, you also requested additional training in the future. You all encourage me to be the best instructional leader I can be. Thank you Mrs. Gill, Ms. C. Lewis, Ms. Conley, Ms. Leake, and Ms. A. Lewis.
ARMS Tardy Data 12/5-12/9
Over the next week, ensure that we are:
- Actively in the hallways during transition (not in our classrooms preparing for the next class).
- Address students who are stopping and talking - WE WALK and TALK.
- Not distracted talking to our colleagues during transitions (all eyes and encouragement on students)
- Verbal with students - for every directive you give - say 2 things you see students doing correctly (students like being given positive statements for what they are doing to be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn.
I will be paying attention to myself and also listening for this from ALL staff members as I walk through the halls during transitions.
3rd Week Instructional & Cultural Focuses
Instructional Focus: Maximize Time around Most Effective Practices Based on Data!
Culture Focus
Keep the main thing the main thing!
Teaching & Learning, Teamwork, and Grit
Ensure that all of our actions support the focus on the main thing. We are about student academic and social/emotional success. We do that through consistency managing our selves to maximize our individual impact, working effectively with one another, and continuing to foster relationships and connections (staff and students).
Focus on adult monitoring and positive narration, aggressively throughout the day.
Staff attendance - Be here, you make a WORLD of difference!
ARMS New Information
Cold Weather Procedures
Over the next several months we will be experiencing much colder weather. Please review the following campus procedures to ensure that we are mindful and ensuring the safety of all.
My Expectations for Morning Arrival are as follows:
- The front foyer area will be open at 7:30a.m. for students to enter due to the cold weather. By 8:00 a.m. those students will be released to go to their respective grade level doors.
- We will be opening metal detectors at 8:05 a.m. in the morning.
7th Grade students move directly to their floor upon entry, students in electives move to Auditorium (as normal).
8th Grade students sit in the cafeteria, until they are release to their floor at 8:15am.
I appreciate everyone's attention to these expectations and being helpful as we enter these cold months ahead.
My Expectations for lunch are as follows:
- If a student has nothing on but a uniform shirt, they are to stay inside the cafeteria, NO EXCEPTIONS. Students may have long undershirts on and that is at the discretion of the administrator on duty students to allow them outside.
- Per district policy, students DO NOT go outside if the temperature is 38 degrees or below (consider wind chill factor).
ARMS Updates
DISD Climate Survey Let's Meet 100% by Dec. 14th
Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey. Looking forward to sharing results when we return from break!
Updated: (End Time) ACP Schedule Overview 12/19 - 22nd
Monday, December 19th (Full Day) Test Periods 1 and 2
Tuesday – Thursday Students are dismissed at 12:20pm
Tuesday, December 20th Test Periods 3 and 4
Wednesday, December 21st Test Periods 5 and 6
Thursday, December 22nd Test Periods 7 and 8
Click here for detailed daily schedule.
ARMS REMINDERS
Toys for Tots Drive - Due Monday 12/12
Ms. Reddy writes:
Hello amazing staff of Ann Richards,
I hope you all are having a great week as we near the Winter Holidays. We are all counting the days until we get to spend time with family and friends. As the holidays near, it is important to keep the community in mind, because we never know what situations our kids go home to over the Holidays.
Toys for Tots is an charity that is sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. Toys for Tots is committed to ensuring no family in the United States has to feel the shame and embarrassment of waking up on Christmas morning and not having any gifts to open for their children.
If you find that you are in the giving spirit please pick up a $5-10 gift for a child ranging 3-12 years old and bring it to my room, room 209. I will be accepting gifts until Monday, December 12th.
I appreciate you all and I hope you have an amazing December! Below is a link to go to if you would like to donate directly to Toys for Tots or to learn more about them.
Staff Meeting on Tuesday 12/13
Testing Information
Nuts n Bolts
Birthday Celebrations
Reminder S.L.A.M Saturday Sessions - 9AM to 1PM
- S.L.A.M. - ACP Saturday School
- Teacher Hours 8:30-1:30
- Students Hours 9:00-1:00
- Buses and Snacks will be provided
Letters go out to students no later than Tuesday 12/13 for 12/17 session
Ranger Staff Winter Celebration - Dec. 20th
Fun Committee Chair, Mrs. Jenkins writes:
I am pleased to announce the details for the Staff Winter celebration. The majority of us selected to have a fun time on December 20, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. In order for us to karaoke like no other, all money will be due to me by Friday, December 16, 2016. Please remember the cost is $10 per person. This is an adult only event, so be sure to find a sitter. The restaurant location is below (link).
Family Karaoke 11433 Goodnight Ln. Dallas, TX 75229
Upcoming - TEI Teacher and Administrator Survey
DISD Special Education Program to be Reviewed
Individual involvement as a campus level has not been communicated at this time.
Cold Weather Policy & Guidelines
DISD Partners with First Book Network
Weekly Events December 12-16
Tuesday, December 13
Testing/Staff meeting @ 4:30 p.m. in the library
Wednesday, December 14
Thursday, December 15
College T-Shirt Day
Friday, December 16
$Jean Day
POD Elective Meeting
Winter Sweater Day
Saturday, December 17
S.L.A.M Saturday Academy Math/Social Studies 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
ACP's Testing
Tuesday, December 20
ACP's Testing
Staff Winter Celebration - @6:00 pm
Wednesday, December 21
ACP's Testing
Thursday, December 22
ACP's Testing
End of 3rd Six Weeks
Winter Holiday December 22 - January 6 (All staff return on January 9)
Marshall Memo Highlighted Resources - Rangers, tag for future reference
An online homework help tool – ASSISTments, a free online homework help program developed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, www.assistments.org, did well in a study published in AERA Open. For more information, contact Neil Heffernan at
A listening/reading website – The ListenWise site, https://listenwise.com, with free registration for teachers, has a plethora of resources in current events, ELA, science, and social studies, with prompts for listening, reading, discussing, and critical thinking.
Fake It Till You Make It?
In this Harvard Business Review article, Rebecca Knight suggests strategies for boosting our confidence when we’re beset by “imposter syndrome” (lots of people experience this) and feel we’re in over our heads:
• Frame it as an opportunity. “The more you focus on what’s scary about the new team you’re leading or the project you’re steering, the more intimidated you’ll feel,” says Knight. Instead, focus on what’s new and exciting and remind yourself that it’s not categorically different from things you’ve done before – just a little different and you need to scale up.
• Think incrementally. Rather than setting grandiose goals – as we do with New Year’s resolutions – think about small, incremental improvements – for example, “In today’s meeting, I’m going to make sure everyone on the team feels heard.” Think of goals as a moving target, constantly being set, met, and reset.
• Watch and learn. Watch how those you admire use humor, pose questions, use silence, intervene, influence others, and come across as charismatic and self-assured. Borrow bits and pieces that fit your style.
• Use bold and expansive body language. In surprising ways, the way we carry ourselves has a direct impact on self-confidence. Take long strides, walk with your chest held high, sit up straight, and carry yourself in ways that convey power, poise, and healthy pride. When you do this, says Amy Cuddy, “You feel less guarded, more optimistic, more focused on goals, and more likely to take a stand.” [See Memo 492 for a summary of an article by Cuddy.]
• Use self-talk. Don’t be overly daunted or scared, and don’t beat yourself up for feeling like an imposter; it’s normal to feel nervous about a professional challenge.
• Recognize when faking it won’t work. If the challenge you’re confronting is way beyond your skillset, or if the time-frame is absolutely unrealistic, using the above tactics may not be a good idea. If the task is too much, speak up!
“How to Fake It When You’re Not Feeling Confident” by Rebecca Knight in Harvard Business Review, June 7, 2016, https://hbr.org/2016/06/how-to-fake-it-when-youre-not-feeling-confident
8th Grade Hosts Breakfast
Rangers Take Time to Review, Reflect, and Respond to Progress on Campus Action Plan
ARMS Choir Winter Concert
Way to Go Ms. Williams and our Young Men & Women!
Ms. Morrison's Rangers Practice CPR!
Ms. Remikie's Rangers work on calculating and comparing simple and compound interest.
8th Grade Parent Meetings: What is needed to be successful?
Thank you Mr. Villegas and Ms. Cardenas for translating and clarifying the very important message to our Parents.
Rangers invited to perform at the new Administration Building Event!
S.L.A.M. Saturday Session - "With the support and Persistence of my teachers I will succeed academically!"
Mr. Smalls, Ms. Husband, Ms. Burns, Mr. Davis, Ms. McIntyre, Ms. Masters, Ms. Woods, Ms. Lee, Ms. Parambath, Ms. Romero, Ms. Burks, Ms. Ward, Ms. Dela Rosa, Ms. Gill, and Ms. C. Lewis, and Ms. Walsh.
6th Grade Floor was Buzzing!
7th Grade Floor Taking Advantage of the One on One support!
8th Grade Floor Targeted Teaming
Rangers Represent at Mayor's Race! Way to Go in the COLD!!!
Rangers Shine at the UIL Secondary Competitions this Saturday!
Ve Robotics Ranger Team Represent ARMS
Magnet Boot Camp Kick-Off on Saturday
Thank you to Ms. Burns and Ms. Luckey for your leadership!! Much appreciation Ms. Walker and Ms. Husband for your support. We continue to support our Rangers on their endeavors beyond ARMS-- encouraging them to take the risk, expand their opportunities, and fully embrace the process. Again thank you for your commitment to our students!!
UPDATED: ARMS Fall Observation Rotations
ARMS Facility Request Google Doc
This is how all facility requests are to be made moving forward.
ARMS Safety Drill Staff One Pager
The Most Important Work of our Time! Always remember YOUR IMPACT!
Ann Richards Middle School
At Ann Richards MS, our vision is to be a flagship middle school at the hub of the community, nurturing diverse leaders, and empowering intelligent trailblazers.
Email: frataylor@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/annrichards
Location: Ann Richards Middle School, North Prairie Creek Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972 -892-5400