BAMS Staff Newsletter
April 25, 2016 - Volume 3, Issue 30
Be Awesome Today!!
Bessie Allen Middle School - SLO & Goals
Building SLO:
By June of 2016, 80% of students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will show growth in their opinion writing rubric score from the September 2015 opinion writing rubric score.
***Mid-Year Update: 62% of our students are showing growth. Grade levels noted that students have shown improvement in "citing and using evidence" in their writing. "Knowing the audience" was a skill that the data showed our students needed improvement in.***
Building Goals:
- Have Patience and Courage
- Purposefully Use Learning Targets for Every Lesson
- Have Solution Based Discussions
- Be an Award Winning School - DPI School of Recognition/PBIS School of Merit
Driving Question for 2015-2016:
What have we changed with our instruction to prepare all our students for higher level thinking opportunities?
News and Notes
- Attendance Reminder - Thank you for helping to keep our students safe by taking accurate attendance.
- Thank you to Connie Gross for getting the ball rolling with the Honor's Reception for this school year. This has been a great tradition that I am glad is going to continue. Thank you to everyone for your support with this.
- Staffing Update - Welcome Nate and Mike!! It's great to add two new Orioles to our Bessie Allen family. Nate Hughes will be our new PE/Health teacher and Mike Gonzalez will be our new building principal. I talked to Mike last night and he is very excited and hoping to make some visits to our building before the school year ends.
- Another Staffing Update - The 6th Grade teacher position has been posted and we are planning to interview on May 12th. I'll keep you updated as we move forward with our process.
- Wisconsin Forward Exam - We are off to a great start with this year's state assessment. Thank you all for executing our plan. Keep in mind the research we looked at that found that what you do and say matters before, during, and after testing. You have great power to influence your students. There is similar research that holds true for classroom assessments and student work.
- Stay the Course - We are nearing the final stretch of the school year. We have big goals to accomplish before the year ends. Any of us that have been in education long enough know that the end of the year can be a busy time of the year. Stay focused and stay the course. I appreciate all of the work that has taken place so far this year. Let's finish strong - PATIENCE and COURAGE!!
- Writing Samples Scored by May 13th - I'm setting the date of May 13th as the date to send me your writing sample data. This is give us enough time to report our goal to the School Board at the May 23rd Board meeting. Remember to score these samples with your team so that you eliminate bias and promote consistent scoring. Valid data is important to us supporting our students.
Out of the Office
- April 26 - Admin Meeting, 9-11am, DMR
- April 27 - BCT Meeting, 8:30-10am, Team Room
- April 28 - Orange Frog Training, all day
- May 3 - Admin Meeting, 9-11am, DMR
- May 4 - Oriole Way Meeting, 7-8am, Team Room
- May 4 - District EL Meeting, 8-9am, Cafe
Oriole Way - Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Safe
Minor Behavior form link - here
Major Behavior form link - here
- Using SWIS Data to Evaluate What We Do - I always want to make sure we evaluate what we do to ensure it makes a positive difference for our students. I was reviewing data referral data for the cafeteria on months when we offer recess after lunch compared to months when we did not offer recess after lunch. On months when we have offered recess after lunch, we averaged 4.5 referrals per month. On months when we did not offer recess after lunch, we averaged 9 referrals per month. I like that not only does this 10 minute recess promote physical wellness, but it also promotes behavioral wellness.
Next Meeting - May 4th, 7am - Team Room
OASYS and Teacher Effectiveness
To Do List
- Complete Documentation Log - Due on May 1st
- SLO Reflection and Evidence - Due on May 15th or when data is available
- Make 2 Professional Visits to Another Classroom - Due by End of Year
Click Here for a link to Teacher Effectiveness Info from CESA 6
Click Here for a Teacher Effectiveness Calendar for EDUCATORS/SPECIALISTS
Dates to Remember
April 25 - 8th Grade WFE - modified schedule
April 25 - School Board Meeting 7pm
April 26 - 8th Grade WFE - modified schedule
April 27 - 7th Grade WFE in SSR/SSW
April 27 - Secretaries Day
April 27 - Jazz Band Chili Supper 6pm
April 28 - Jazz Band Performance 8:30am - BAMS Cafeteria
April 29 - District Inservice - no students
*See Google Doc titled "2015-2016 BAMS Yearly Calendar" for a look at events for the entire year.
Highlights from April 26th Board Meeting
- Melissa Will and Pete Chisholm were each elected for another term as school board members.
- School Board Members Roles - Nominations were taken for the positions on the School Board. Pete Chisholm will remain as Board President; Steve Hock will remain as Board Vice-President; Vickie Goldapske will remain as Board Clerk; Mike Streetar will remain as Board Treasurer; Melissa Will will remain as a Board member.
- Aaron updated the Board on the various staffing updates through out our district.
- Aaron updated the Board on the plan for our Orange Frog training.