Heritage Middle Staff Newsletter
January 2017
Getting to Know You...
Now that you have met newcomers to the Patriot family, it is time to learn a little about the other staff in the building.
6-2 Navigators
Heidi Kuntz, Sci/SS
Laurene Campbell, Math/SS
Pamela Kirkland, ELA/SS
6-3 Knights - working together as a team 6 years and counting
Brian McIlvain, ELA/SS
Julie Sisneros, Math/SS
Will Brooks, Sci/SS
Food for thought...
Peer Critiques
Achieve the Core
Beware of Fake News
Professional Development Opportunities
Literacy Credit from Jan. Dept. Meeting (Core Teachers)
Last week you conversed with your department about the ELA shifts and creating a literacy-rich classroom. If you have not yet completed the Canvas course you can self-enroll at https://wcpss.instructure.com/enroll/HMD8YE; click on "Modules" and "Shifts in Literacy" to begin the presentation. Make sure to enroll in eSchools (SRN 176600001) to receive 0.1 literacy credit.
Want to see some exemplar teachers using text dependent questions in their classroom (part of the ELA shift)? Check out these specific videos on the Teaching Channel: Informational Texts: Reading for Inquiry (Grade 2) and Analyzing Texts: “Text Talk Time.” (Grade 5).
iReady Growth Monitoring
The county is hosting another iReady training for teachers to learn how to use the iReady Growth Monitoring and Mid-Year Diagnostic Growth Reports to plan effectively and maximize student growth. Each session is 3:30 pm-5:00 pm and participants need to come to only one session.
- Feb. 15th @ Wendell Middle, SRN: 17955701
- Feb. 16th @ Wakefield Middle, SRN: 17955702
- Feb. 21st @ East Cary Middle, SRN: 17955703
- Feb. 23rd @ North Garner Middle, SRN: 17955704
Integrating the Arts into Middle School Science Workshop with Piedmont Laureate, Mimi Herman (Subs are covered for all day session)
- March 30th, SRN: 175997201
- March 31st, SRN: 175997202
Giving Effective Feedback in Middle School Science (Subs are covered for all day session)
- Feb. 2nd, SRN: 176000301
- March 1st, SRN: 176000302
Discovery Education (Intermediate) - SRN 176500201
Feb. 20: 1:00-4:00 p.m. - Crossroads II, Room 1410
You may be familiar with Discovery Education and have used it a few times in your classroom, but have you explored its new features? Would you like to hear how other teachers are using these features? This session will give teachers the opportunity to collaborate, develop new ideas and plan upcoming lessons using Discovery Education. For more information, contact Shelley Sink at 919-533-7704 or email ssink@wcpss.net
Math teachers - review a draft of the revised standards
Discipline and Testing Data
Deadline to Apply for National Board Candidacy
Need Praxis and/or Pearson Reimbursement or Tuition Assistance?
Who is eligible?
- Any teacher at any school required to take the appropriate Praxis II and /or Pearson test between July — May, to meet North Carolina licensure requirements for their job assignment.
- Any teacher at any school who took an appropriate Praxis II and/or Pearson test to add on a teaching area, with priorities given to critical needs areas including ESL and special education as long as funding is available. WCPSS reserves the right to restrict support to add-ons in core subjects, ESL, Reading, and Special Education.
- Teachers must be employees of WCPSS at the time they took the test and at the time of payout.
Tuition Assistance
Who is eligible?
- Any teacher who is taking a course at a regionally accredited college/university or community college between July and May of current school year must meet North Carolina licensure requirements for the academic school year.
- Any teacher assistant who is taking a course at a regionally accredited college/university or community college that is required as a part of a teacher education program that leads to a NC teacher’s license
Click here for more information. Praxis and/or Pearson Reimbursement/Tuition Assistance application.
February Calendar of Events for HMS
February 2: HMS Basketball at Wendell
February 3: 8th Grade Assembly at 9 am, WFHS Choir
February 4: Science Olympiad Competition at Southeast Raleigh HS @ 8:30 am
February 6: Cultural Arts performance for 6th and 7th grade
February 6: Home Basketball Game vs. at 4:00 pm
February 7: PTA Board Meeting at 7:00 pm
February 10: Early Release at 12:35 pm, Enjoy your break Track 2!
February 13: Welcome back Track 3, Spring Sports Try-outs begin, Student Council Meeting at 3:30 pm
February 14-15: Access Testing
February 15: Bully Lesson – all students remain in Homeroom
February 16: PBIS Meeting at 7:10 am
February 20: Leadership Meeting at 3:30 pm
February 22-24: 8-1 in Washington, DC
February 24: Character Ed Breakfast in Auditorium
February 25: Battle of the Books at Apex Friendship HS
February 27: Department Meeting at 3:30 pm
WCPSS Employee Discounts
- Tuition Discounts from Liberty University
- $50 application fee waiver;
- 15% tuition discount* toward any degree program;
- Life experience/transfer credit; and
- Payment plan options.
All WCPSS employees and spouses are eligible to receive the following benefits the following benefits from Liberty University:
- Need help with student loans?
Student Resource USA provides North Carolina educators with free eligibility assessments and guidance regarding qualification and application for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness. SRUSA helps to secure grants, scholarships and tuition discounts for teachers who wish to return to school to earn an advanced degree. Contact Felicia Dickson at FeliciaARCS@gmail.com or (828) 713-2279 for more information.