EAST PAULDING MIDDLE SCHOOL
April 26, 2019
FACULTY AND STAFF NEWSLETTER
Taking Care of Each Other
I want to encourage you to keep those who are climbing mountains (new and old) in your thoughts and prayers. Often times, knowing that others are praying and thinking of you in your time of need gives us the courage and strength to continue to move forward and fight. It is an honor to serve a school that is full of such wonderful, caring people.
Updates to the Newsletter
Please do not hesitate to ask questions if you are unsure of procedures or if you need support. We are here to help!
UPCOMING EVENTS
4/29-4/30 - 6th Math EOG
5/1-5/3 - EOG Make-up Days
5/1-5/2 - 9th Lit EOC
5/3 - 9th Lit Make-up Day
5/3 - ADAP Program - Whole School Event
5/6-5/10 - FAMILY APPRECIATION WEEK
5/6 - Algebra I EOC
5/7-5/10 - 7th Grade Spanish Finals
5/7 - ELA Title II PL
5/7 - Go Math PL - 502 - Professional Block
5/7 - Faculty Meeting - Cafeteria - 4:00pm
5/7 - Band Concert and PTSA Meeting - 6:45pm - Gym
5/8-5/9 - 8th Grade Spanish Finals
5/8 - Algebra 1 EOC Make-up Day
5/8 - Science Title II PL - All Day - 601
5/9 - 6th Math and SS Planning Day
5/9 - Upcoming 6th Grade Parent Night
5/10 - 8th Grade RI #4
5/10 - 7th Math and SS Planning Day
5/10 - Upcoming 6th Grade Visit/Tour
5/10 - Food Truck Friday
5/13 - 6th and 7th RI #4
5/13 - SBIT Meeting
5/13 - EOY Posting Window Opens
5/13 - Chorus Concert - EPHS - 7:00pm
5/13 - Mrs. Brooks Retirement Party - 4:30 - Media Center
5/14 - RI Make-Ups
5/14 - Career Day
5/14 - Mr. Irby Retirement Party - 4:00 - Media Center
5/15 - RI Make-Ups
5/15 - 8th Grade Olympics and Picnic
5/16 - 7th Grade Olympics
5/16 - ELA Retest (8th Grade Reading Only)
5/17 - 6th Grade Olympics and Picnic
5/17 - Math Retest (8th Grade Level 1 Only)
5/20 - Yearbook Distribution Day
5/20 - Promotion Retention Meetings - Professional Block- 601
5/20 - Buddy Club Celebration - Time TBD
5/21 - 8th Grade Field Trip
5/23 - Awards Day - 8th Grade Walk
5/24 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 2-Hour Early Release (1:35pm)
Milestones Update
EOCs
Students taking Honors HS courses in 8th Grade will begin completing their EOCs next week. ELA students will begin on Wednesday. While this is a smaller group of students, their assessments are equally if not more important because their results will impact their HS transcript. Our transition expectations will remain the same until ALL testing is complete.
Honors Algebra I students will complete their EOC on Monday, May 6th.
Spanish
Mrs. Dyer wanted me to communicate the dates for the 7th and 8th Grade Spanish Finals for so that you are aware. While this isn't a Milestones Assessment, the students are receiving HS credit for this course.
Dates for Spanish Finals are as follows:
- 7th Grade: May 7-10 (All 3 portions of the exam: Speaking, Multiple choice, Written constructive responses)
- 8th Grade: May 8-9 (Multiple Choice/Listening portion)
MAY EVENTS
Family Week to Appreciate Everyone - UPDATE
You may wear jeans the entire week of Teacher Appreciation Week.
Friday, May 3rd - Las Magueys Taco Bar in the Media Center
Monday, May 6th - Biscuit Breakfast from Martin's
Tuesday, May 7th - Gift from Admin
Thursday, May 9th - Lunch provided by PTSA
Days Requiring Schedule Adjustments - UPDATE
We will have several days in which we will run alternate schedules during the month of May. Please refer to the schedules that have been provided as attachments on the newsletter email.
May 3 - ADAP Day
May 14 - Career Day
May 15-17 - Olympic Day Schedules
May 20 - Yearbook Distribution Day
May 24 - Awards Day
May 25 - Last Day - 2 Hour Early Release
5/3/19 - ADAP Day - UPDATE
Please refer to the attached information for the schedule and procedures for this day. It is extremely important that you follow your grade level's timeline.
Because of the large amount of changes to the day, no additional personal absences will be approved, and any sick absence will require a doctor's note. If you have questions regarding this, please see me.
5/9/19 - Upcoming 6th Grade Parent Night
To help you prepare, we will operate the program just as we have the past two years. Parents will meet as a whole group in the gym to begin the night. Following the whole group meeting, they will be provided a mock schedule where they will visit a classroom for each content area. During that time, it would be appropriate to share information that will help their student be successful in that content area. If you have information that you shared with parents last year, you can review that information and make any adjustments needed. We conclude the night with a return to the gym for a brief meeting.
Again, please be on the lookout for additional information from Mrs. Howey.
5/10/19 - Upcoming 6th Grade Field Trip/Tour
Nothing really changes for you other than you may encounter visitors peeking in your door or walking down our hallways. Again, Mrs. Howey will be leading this charge, so be on the lookout for additional information from her.
5/14/19 - Career Day - UPDATE
5/15 - 5/17/19 - Olympic Days - UPDATE
Because of 8th Grade Milestones Retakes, we have flipped 8th Grade and 6th Grade's days. This has been reflected in the Upcoming Events section of the newsletter.
Things to Remember for Olympic Day:
1. When it's not your day for Olympics, you don't really get a true "planning". Be prepared to keep your students on grade level hallways all day. You can plan some "down-time" opportunities for them, but do your best to keep them off their phones in the form of "free time". That never ends well....
2. Some students will be selected as Olympic Day helpers. Our helpers our primarily 8th grade students who provide support during the 6th and 7th Grade days, but you may find that some of our more responsible 6th and/or 7th Grade students are selected as well.
3. In the event of rain, Olympics will be moved inside. We will not have "rain day" in the event of inclement weather. Our PE staff has prepared indoor and outdoor activities, and they are prepared for any weather!
4. This is a great day for you to relax and have some fun. While your support is vital to the success of these days, you don't really need to plan for anything other than planning to have fun. So come ready to let your guard down a bit and have some fun with your kids!
5. Bring sunscreen!
6. I need 1 or 2 volunteers from each grade level to monitor and support students who will not be allowed to participate (Olympic No-Go's). Students who are not allowed to participate either have too many discipline referrals or they are not passing the required number of classes (5 of 6).
Olympic No-Go's
By the end of the day on May 13th, we will provide each grade level with the list of students who will not be allowed to participate in Olympics due to either grades (failing 2 or more classes) or behavior (7 or more assignments of ISS and/or OSS). If you know of any student who will definitely be on the list, please go ahead and begin gathering work for them to complete.
5/20/19 - Yearbook Distribution Day
All PE/Connections teachers will need to remain in the gym during this time for support.
5/20/19 - Promotion Retention Meetings
1. Not passing the required 5 of 6 classes
2. Not meeting the ELA and/or Math requirements of the Milestones
This meeting typically lasts your entire planning period, but it always helps if you come prepared. We will provide you with a list of students who will be discussed during the meetings. If you teach a student on the list, you will be expected to attend the meeting. Your input is extremely important in these decisions.
5/21/19 - 8th Grade Field Trip
There will be no adjustments to the schedule that day, but the building will feel a little lighter.
5/23/19 - Awards Day and EOY Grade Postings
The posting window for the end of the year will open on 5/13. To help us prepare for Awards Day, please follow the steps below:
May 13 – Beginning on this day, please post grades each morning before the end of Homeroom and each afternoon before you leave every day.
May 15 - The names of any and all award recipients must be provided to Mrs. Suttles on the Awards Day template.
May 17 - Award Invitations will be sent home to parents.
May 21 - Any student who did not receive an Awards Day Invitation but has since earned one, must receive an invitation, and the homeroom teacher must contact parents via phone.
*Please let me know when your grade level is meeting to discuss awards, and I will do my best to be there. I want to make sure we are all on the same page for the operational part of our Awards Day.
5/24/19 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
2-hour Early Release..
Is there really much more to say?
5/28-5/30/19 - Post Planning - UPDATE
"so...about next year?" - UPDATE
I have attached a document that provides you a glimpse into teaching assignments for the 19-20 school year. Again, we have not determined who will be teaching co-taught, advanced, accelerated, or honors courses.
Please remember, the Summer will often bring about surprises. Unexpected resignations due to moves or family needs could result in additional movement. Finally, we will share room assignments as we move closer to the end of May.
Current ABSENCE ANALYSIS - UPDATE
Fridays are very popular for the final 4 weeks of school, and any additional absences will likely place us in a situation where we will have to cover from within. Because of our already heavy Friday absences, no additional personal days requested on Fridays will be approved, and sick absences will need to be supported by a doctor's note when you return.
Please see the email from Mrs. Suttles regarding communication of absences. If you have any questions regarding absences, please see me.
AESOP
Below are a couple of reminders regarding reporting absences and requesting time off.
Unplanned Sick Absence
1. As soon as you know that you need to be out, enter the absence into AESOP AND call Mr. Jacobs. His number is 678-779-9541
2. If you are unable to enter the absence into AESOP, call Mr. Jacobs.
3. After 6am, you are no longer able to enter an absence in AESOP, please call Mr. Jacobs.
3. If a job fails to fill or if the sub cancels, there is a strong possibility that we will have to cover the absence from within that specific department or use other subs when they are on their planning.
Planned Sick Absences
1. As soon as you know that you need to be out, enter the absence into AESOP AND inform Mr. Jacobs and Mrs. Suttles of the upcoming absence.
2. If a job fails to fill or if the sub cancels, there is a strong possibility that we will have to cover the absence from within that specific department or use other subs when they are on their planning.
Personal Absences
1. All personal absences must be requested 5 days in advance. The request must be made to Mr. Alverson.
2. You can speak to Mr. Alverson in person or send him an email.
3. If you request an absence via email, please include Mrs. Suttles.
4. All personal absences will be entered by Mrs. Suttles.
5. If you have already arranged for one of our regular subs to work for you, please provide that information.
6. if a job fails to fill or if the sub cancels, there is a strong possibility that we will have to cover the absence from within that specific department or use other subs when they are on their planning.
It is important to remember that absences designated as sick days cannot be used for personal events or activities. If you have questions, please let me know.
Upcoming Birthdays
MAY
Sarah Humphreys-3rd
Jerri Mooney=9th
Deborah Irvine- 17th
Shannon Cole- 18th
Adrienne Kennedy- 19th
Brittany Graham- 24th
Sue Roth-31st
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Contact Information for Tom Alverson
Email: talverson@paulding.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Domain/29
Phone: 678-350-8027