#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week 9, October 14th-18th
What a positive approach really takes.
Being positive about our students with negatives would not be saying "oh everything is great with them!" Instead it involves saying, "This is happening but I believe we can make it better." A belief that things which are negative cannot improve will yield in zero growth or improvement.
Instead, as Jim Collins in Good To Great would say, let's "confront the brutal truth". Great organizations do this collectively and are committed to growth.
Let's keep the great things which are happening at the forefront, and, at the same time, figure out together how to improve those things which need to improve.
I feel that this is where we are on our journey. The best things that are happening in our school are those where teacher leaders have said the same old same old isn't working, I'm going to try something new. Don't be afraid to fail. Be a change agent for good. I read a quote this weekend which I really liked, "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
Thank you for all that you do to support our students in so many ways!
Special Announcements-
Nurse Duncan is expecting!
Congratulations to the Social Media Team!- Maven of the Month Winners!
" Congratulations to Pickens Middle School for winning the Maven of the Month Competition for September with a new record of 581 points! They’ll be getting a Starbucks gift card and shoutout on social media soon.
Also, I want to honorable mention the following schools for each amassing more than 200 points:
· Central Academy
· Dacusville Elementary
· McKissick Academy
· RC Edwards Middle
· Daniel High
We’ve never had SIX schools top 200 in a month before. I would consider any school topping 200 to be doing an amazing job with promoting their school. This year is off to a great start! Keep up the great work!"
Keeping a "Gain Frame"- A strategy for our students
Instructional Updates
We are happy that teachers are participating in these opportunities, and we always ask that participants come back and share out so that others may learn as well. This model of teacher leaders with professional development is one element of a true professional learning community.
In our informal observations, you have probably noticed that we have added a section for inclusive strategies. The goal should be to help struggling students become empowered, and successful with their own learning. Scaffolding requires that we assist and remove assistance as students grow so that they are capable of mastery. I spoke with a teacher this week who shared how many students want to be spoon-fed, but she is having to let them go. Challenge where you can, and support where it is needed.
The discussions at PLC show a true committment to helping students grow and find success. Thank you!
Photos from last week!
Mr. Ashley conducts a game of Plinko for our early birds!
Great discussions in our PLC meeting this week!
Our own Sparks players and coaches at PHS volleyball!
This Week's Agenda-
Mon., Oct. 14th-
Stetson Group Training (Career Center)
Class Meeting Kick-Off
A Team Volleyball-Wren
B Team Volleyball @ McCants 7th
MAP - 6th ELA
MAP- 7th Math
Tues., Oct. 15th-
A team Volleyball-Palmetto (8th Grade Night)
B Team Volleyball @ Glenview 7th
MAP - 6th ELA
Wed., Oct. 16th-
PSAT (8th Grade) Administration Media Center 8:30am
Furman Consortium- Autism Spec.
Robotics Team Meeting Afterschool
MAP - 7th Math
Th., Oct. 17th-
No PLC
Pink Out Day!-- In honor of our own survivors and fighters!
Earthquake Drill
1st Nine Weeks Ends
Football-Wren (Pink Out Socks?)
Fr., Oct. 18th-
1st Nine Weeks #sparkcelebration
(#sparkfun schedule)
Halloween Dance and Carnival!!
Sat., Oct. 19th-
Division Volleyball Tournament @ Walhalla
Happy Birthday!!
Birthdays This Week!
October 18th- Leann Masters
October 18th- Brad Tankersley
October 19th- Chris Griffin
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Here are the last week's spotlights! Have you done one before? We tend to be very compartmentalized in middle school. If you share the great things you see around you, we hear about what others are doing in the building. Also, it feels good to recognize others!
Jennifer Reeves- Jennifer is great at working with students all of types of abilities. She makes sure all students are able to be successful in her class. She works hard at making sure her classroom is accommodating to all.
Cindy Whittemore- Cindy taught me that I’m in charge of creating beauty around me..this quote reminds me of what she has shown me “A woman is a conductor, who leads the orchestra of her surroundings in the songs and music of her life. God is a God of creativity and dimension, and so He is pleased when we we co-create beauty in our own realm, through the power of His Spirit.”
Olivia McCoy- Olivia showed me how the lower pressure on the marshmallow causes its volume to increase (Boyle's Law). Then how it expands like atmospheric pressure. See it wasn't working for me. She put her finger at the tip of the syringe and it worked. Olivia "don't let anyone look down on you because you are young" We could all learn a thing or two from you. I love you!
Erin Allen- 1) She is so cute! I love her style! She encouraged us to send pictures and look what happened PMS won “Maven of the Month”! Thank you Erin for letting us bombard you with pictures through email and texts. You are such a team player and you do it with kindness... and style!!!
2) Erin created the Student Council Dance social media post in minutes after I emailed her the info!!! Wow! After meeting yesterday with the kids, they wanted to know if we could change DANCE to BASH. I emailed Erin, and within a minute, BOOM. Done. I love how we all have our talents and we can work together for the good of the school! Erin Allen Rocks!
LeAnn Masters- LeAnn is a great listener. God gave us two ears and one mouth on purpose and LeAnn listens and I want to be more like her and talk less! She was so patient with me and my SLO. Also when she knew I was looking for her after school, she walked all the way to me to see what I needed even though she had somewhere else to be. Call it motherly instinct, compassion, or support. However you want to say it, she values you and collaborates with you to come up with a solution.
2) I wanted to give a shout out to LeAnn for helping me during MAP testing. The librarian was absent and LeAnn helped me get extra chromebooks for our class in case we needed them. She also stayed during the beginning of my 1st period to make sure everyone got logged on correctly. She is always there to answer all of our questions and we are so blessed to have her at PMS!
Bryan Lively- He was a great referee for dodgeball! Even though this was his first time he has a positive can do attitude and confidence. My team was eliminated today and rightly so, he was fair and fun! So thank you for being flexible and organized!
Sarah Chastain- I feel like I need to spotlight the spotlighter who is always spotlighting everybody else... did I say spotlight one too many times? Anyways, Sarah you are the most selfless person I have ever met! She is constantly putting her colleagues and students needs before herself. If you know Sarah you know she is not a so called "animal lover" but this week she took in a turtle that a student brought in because, I quote, " I only trust Mrs. Chastain to take care of it". She stayed till almost 6:00pm yesterday setting up the tank and making the home suitable for this very large turtle.
Click on the link below as you see and hear great things happening in the building. Please let us know about them by filling out the form. You may want to bookmark the link as we will be "Spotlighting" teachers and staff all year. Please note, this is a new link for this school year.
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks