Discovery Digest
October 2019
DMS Faculty Newsletter
"There is no gift like the gift of Fall Break." - Merritt
Does it make you feel better to hear that I think we are ALL "feeling it" right now? Swamped to get everything done, can't find the time to do it all, on edge...also WHY is it so hot outside? It's not just you! It's a busy time of year. You are doing GREAT work for these students and they DO appreciate you, despite what you get from them sometimes. They are thankful for you and your hard work and WE are thankful for all of you!
DMS teachers are the hardest working out there! Thanks for putting in the work.
You're almost there!
Don't forget to check out our birthday list at the bottom of the newsletter.
PTA Meeting - Cobwebs and Cocoa Concert
Tuesday, Oct 29, 2019, 06:00 PM
DMS Cafeteria
DMS HALLOWEEN DANCE!
The dance will be held in the school gym. It is hosted by the DMS Band and DMS PTA - there will be concessions and a "haunted hallway" for students to enjoy. We would love to see tons of you there!
CONGRATULATIONS Mr. Ikard!
Congratulations on the new addition to your beautiful family, Wes!
Welcome to the Panther family, Morgan Ensley Ikard!
WELCOME, MR. MILLIGAN!
Welcome, Micah Milligan! He has joined our DMS Social Studies crew. He just joined the team this past September and has had to hit the ground running. Please make sure to drop by and check in when you have a chance!
We are so glad to have you in the Panther family!
How to Teach Middle School in 49 Easy Steps:
1. Write a lesson plan.
2. Gather materials.
3. Write your agenda on the board.
4. Stand at the door to greet students in the hallway.
5. Run back inside because you hear a student screaming.
6. Trap cockroach under plastic cup and put a book on it. Make mental note to figure out what to do about cockroach later.
7. Go back in hallway to greet students.
8. Tell student to stop running.
9. Run down hallway unironically to catch and punish running student.
10. Walk back to classroom with hands on head, inhaling deeply.
11. Go inside classroom when bell rings.
12. Begin to talk to class about today’s plan.
13. Stop mid-sentence to write down the names of two tardy students who walk in the door on a Post-It note.
14. Ask reliable student what you were talking about before you lost your train of thought.
15. Continue with your debrief and move on to warm-up.
16. While students are doing warm-up, log in to online attendance to mark students tardy.
17. Attempt to find the Post-It note among the 1,205,281 Post-Its currently on your desk.
18. Go over the warm-up with students.
19. Tell student “DON’T TAKE THAT BOOK OFF THAT CUP.”
20. Begin modeling new concept under document camera projected on the board.
21. Field student questions and comments, including, “Why don’t you ever paint your nails?” and “YOU’RE GOING TOO FAST!” and “Who farted?”
22. Have students try sample problems independently.
23. While students are working, glance at inbox and see several red exclamation point emails.
24. Cry a little inside.
25. Go over answers.
26. Realize that 11 of your 35 students aren’t showing mastery and have them move to the front to work on some other problems with you.
27. Assign independent work to remaining students.
28. Alternate between teaching your small group, answering questions from big group, and reminding big group to be working quietly 8,391 times.
29. Send student to bathroom because you’re out of Kleenex.
30. Tell student to use Scotch tape because you’re out of Band-Aids.
31. Answer the phone and tell front office you’re so sorry, you’ll take attendance right now.
32. Look up and see two students having light saber wars with stacked markers, one student texting, and another student crying.
33. In one fluid motion, confiscate marker sabers and texting student’s phone.
34. Gently tell student who is crying to join you in the hall.
35. Listen and console as crying student tells you about break-up.
36. Give student a hug and send to bathroom.
37. Go back inside.
38. Give students reminder of time left to work independently.
39. Yell “PANICKING LEADS TO IMMINENT DEATH” when students scream as fire drill alarm goes off.
40. While taking students outside, remind them to be silent 8 bazillion times.
41. Wait for all-clear announcement to come back inside.
42. Send student who stood directly in anthill during fire drill to nurse.
43. Tell students to finish independent work.
44. Assign homework.
45. Literally run to your computer to take attendance before you get another email about it.
46. Actually take attendance this time.
47. When bell sounds, dismiss students, tell them you love them, and encourage them to make good choices.
48. On your way out, accidentally kick over the roach cup.
49. Spend the next 8 hours thinking there is a roach on you somewhere.
HAPPY October BIRTHDAYS!
October 5 - Jordan Shelton - Special Ed
October 7 - Monique Haselden - ELA
October 19 - Brandon Blair - ISS
October 24 - Judy Bagwell - Art
October 25 - Candace Rose - ELA
October 28 - Paige Runnion - Math
October 31 - Chandler Smith - PE
DMS Social Committee
This faculty newsletter is brought to you by the DMS Social Committee in an effort to keep us all connected - we are family, after all.
Judy Bagwell (Head)
Leigh Shergy
Emily Stephenson
Megan Wilson
Kristen Barofsky
Jenney Merritt
Leslie Hughes
Matt Brewer
Minouche Perry
Morgan Gentry
Kelle Moody
Kelsey Cooper
Rosalind Bailey
Come see any one of us if you have questions about anything or suggestions for faculty social events! We look forward to hearing from you!
Whose birthday did we forget?? Let us know and we will add you!
jmmerritt@madisoncity.k12.al.us
If we didn't know it was your birthday, and it is -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Discovery Middle School
Website: discoverymiddleschoolpta.weebly.com
Location: 1304 Hughes Road, Madison, AL, USA
Phone: 256-837-3735
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoveryMiddlePTA
Twitter: @DMSpanthers1