Team DCMS Super Heroes 2019-2020
Super Me, Super You, Everyday Heroes Make Dreams Come True!
Team DCMS Super Heroes Unite!
The time is coming when the days of summer start winding down. School year 19-20 is quickly going to be upon us. I hope your summers have been relaxing and restful. You are all welcome to work in your classrooms at any time as the school year approaches. Remember Meet the Teacher Night is Monday, August 5th, and you will want your classroom to give the appearance of a well-put-together community.
My summer has been one of surprise, for sure. I had visions of lazily hanging out at the lake for most of it, but I got a breast cancer diagnosis instead. Ugh, go me! I had a clear mammogram in April, yet I was diagnosed on June 25th and will have surgery on July 23rd. I have invasive lobular carcinoma. Reconstruction will take place later after I complete any additional needed treatments. So, unfortunately, I will not be starting the year with you all. Ladies, please do not delay your self-exams or mammograms. Guys, do not let your wives, mothers, sisters, or daughters delay either!
With that said, you all have an incredibly important job to do. I trust in you fully to carry on and sustain (or even improve) the culture we have built at DCMS. You have to come together, discuss expectations as grade-level teams (5, 6, & 7/8), and commit to teaching our students the expectations of the Warrior Way. I cannot stress enough how important this is. You need to be consistent from classroom to classroom on the expectations. One teacher giving in even one time sets us all up for failure and sends our students a mixed message. Don’t be the one teacher!
Dave and the department heads will lead the building, run the beginning of the year teacher meetings, and make sure the first days of school run smoothly. Day one with students will be similar to last year with a specific plan of activities for teachers and students that includes some time for socializing and time for teaching expectations. I have complete confidence in our team and in you!
2019 - 2020 School Theme
This year is going to be a "Super" year! Our theme for the year is Super me, Super you, Everyday heroes make dreams come true, as the staff voted to keep the theme from last year.
As a reminder, I wanted to share the reason this is such a good theme for us. People are attracted to Superheroes because of what they represent: kindness, compassion, selflessness, commitment to values for the good of others. While Superheroes most often known to fight “evil” in order to protect the world, there are also another kind of Superheroes out there, the kind that WE all can be.
Superheroes are defined not by the capes that they wear, the symbol on their chest, or the weapons they carry. Rather, Superheroes are defined by their compassionate actions toward others. However, what makes these Superheroes stand out are their actions and morals – no matter what it takes, Superheroes are known to fight for what they believe is right, to help those in need, and to instill hope.
What do Superheroes mean to us? They inspire hope, encourage us to overcome struggles, inspire us to be kind to others. While they don’t always wear flashy capes, there are everyday superheroes living among us.
Let's commit to being Super me, Super you, being Everyday heroes making DCMS dreams come true for our students, families, community, and one another!
Meet our New Superhero Teammates
Alexander Kemp
Keri McRoberts
Jennifer Jeffries
Kelly Harlett
Logan Inman
Hannah Jones
Lee Davidson
New IA for Behavior Support
5 Math/SS Teacher
Be Ready! Meet the Teacher on August 5th
The expectations for the event are that you be in your classrooms to meet and greet any parents and students who stop by to see you. Between drop-ins you may work in your rooms in preparation for the first day of student attendance.
You are not expected to make a formal presentation. It is expected that you have the following information available to parents and students in a packet or brochure format. In addition, suggested items follow.
Expected Information in a Brochure or Packet:
- Tell a little about you.
- What standards are covered?
- What materials are needed if not included with the supply list?
- Where will they find out about homework and grades?
- How do students get extra help if needed?
- How can parents reach you? Provide email or phone number and give them a sense of your turn around time.
Suggestions:
- Have a copy of your curriculum available for parents to peruse.
- Layout in plain view a copy of the textbooks, reference materials, and any special equipment students will use.
- Have a notepad handy so you can jot down what you promise to do or any notes you need to take.
- Place any sign-ups on the tables around the room to let parents sign up to help in your classroom. Place each volunteer opportunity on a separate table to prevent a bottleneck at the door.
The most important thing to remember is what most parents want to know: (1) You’re going to treat their child fairly; and (2) You are committed to teaching both the curriculum and other skills well, including how to stay organized, study for a test, take notes, make a mistake and recover from it, and become a lifelong learner. Parents want reassurance that you’ll listen to them as a valued partner in their child’s school year. You don’t want to give them the impression that you’ll do anything they want, but you do want them to know you are available to hear their concerns.
Meet the Teacher Materials from Teachers Pay Teachers
Agenda for August 5, 2019 - Teacher Day 1
DRESS IS BUSINESS CASUAL. First impressions are lasting impressions!
Objectives:
- Teachers will gain clarity on expectations for the school year.
- Teachers will understand school programs and their roles within them.
8:30 – 10:45 – Presentation & Activities
10:45 – 11:30 – Department Meetings
11:30 – 12:15 - Lunch on your own.
12:00 - 2:10*- LAUNCH PD session for anyone not able to make it for the full-day LAUNCH training on August 2nd.
12:15 - 4:00 - Work in rooms
4:00 – 7:00 – Meet the Teacher in Individual Classrooms
Agenda for August 6, 2019 - Teacher Day 2
DRESS IS BUSINESS CASUAL.
7:30 AM – District Breakfast @ Danville Community High School
9:30 – 10:15 AM – Climate Activity in the Training Room
10:15 – 11:30 AM – PLC/Dept Work Time in the Training Room
11:30 – 12:30 PM - Lunch on your own
12:30 - 2:30 PM - Work in rooms to prepare for Day 1 with kids
1:00 - 2:00 (RTI Teachers, Counselors, Special Ed Teachers) - Training on EasyCBM
Open ECA Positions: Want one?
- Math Club
- Assistant Cross Country
If you are interested in serving as the superhero sponsor for one of these positions, please send Marsha an email of interest.
What's New?
- This year will also be the start of the site, "Think Tank," for helpdesk and leave requests.
- You will learn more about a new resource called Schoology, which is a learning management system our district will begin using. It is a one-stop shop for assignments, communication, etc. for students and families.
- All GOAL classes (with the exception of the intervention classes, 2D Art, and WTTV) will be Study Halls ...strict study halls. Students do not leave class unless one of the B's is met: Bleeding, Barfing, Burning, or Broken.
- Character Ed lessons will be delivered on Fridays instead of Mondays this year to help set the tone in Study Hall for Monday through Thursday. More information will be coming.
Our Superhero Staff Mission & Collective Commitments
Living Mission
We are a collaborative group of educators committed to ensuring high student achievement.
Collective Commitments
- Focusing on student proficiency of Indiana College & Career Readiness standards, not just coverage of material.
- Working collaboratively to benefit all students with a focus on results.
- Join forces to learn by doing on a daily basis.
- Using frequent common assessments that inform and drive our instruction.
- Providing intervention and enrichment based upon the formative data.
- Furthering a culture that uses value-added language, encourages one another, and celebrates successes.
Key Professional Development Focus Areas
1. Professional Learning Communities
- Lesson Refinement - To develop lessons to get "best, first-time instruction"
- Student Achievement - To allow no student to fall through the cracks through formative assessment and responsive intervention
2. Teach Like a Champion Techniques
- Building teacher capacity through the use of the 62 techniques as applicable
- Developing a common language for our craft
- Increasing student cognitive engagement and rigor of instruction
3. Technology Integration
- Schoology Implementation
- One to one implementation
*Keep in mind that my belief is that technology does NOT replace good teaching and instruction by the teacher. I do believe it can enhance, simplify, and increase engagement when used wisely.
4. Our Culture (Staff to Staff, Staff to Student, & Student to Student)
- Character Ed
- Commitment to our theme, commitments, and mission
Due By Friday, August 9
Required
Fill out forms and turn in to Tisha Lucas
1. Favorite Things
2. Complete Google Doc Emergency Contact Info Sheet (sent out by Kim Hawk, Nurse).
3. Complete and digitally sign off on the Faculty Handbook.
Optional
- To wear jeans & a professional shirt on Fridays, you may pay Eva weekly or with a single payment (check or cash) of $38 for the school year.
- Donations to the Care Fund are appreciated. The Care Fund is used to provide items of support for staff who deaths in the family. Typical donations are in the $15 - $20 range, but any donation will be appreciated greatly.
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