#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week 14, November 18th-22nd
Keep driving your bus!
On Thursday and Friday, admin. was dealing with several students who had made negative choices regarding interactions with other students and teachers on campus and/or on social media. As we met with their parents, it was easy for me to see why several students do the things they do.
These students can have a negative impact on our school environment if we don't help them grow and find a way to not bring negativity into our school environment, they will continue to suck the positive energy out of those around them. This reminded me of the phrase from the Energy Bus, "No Energy Vampires Allowed!" We must deal with these students and help them grow, but we can't let the negative of the few become the sole focus. Let's focus on the positive things and work to grow them.
If I say to several students in class, "Why can't you have your things out? It's not hard!" I have negatively reinforced their behavior. Instead, I might say, "I really appreciate that most of you have your materials out and have begun the activator!" I have now positively reinforced the behavior of the many, and the few who are not following procedure often get the message as well and work to join their classmates.
Being positive does not mean that we overlook and pretend everything is perfect. Instead, we maintain high expectations and believe their is a solution for areas we seek to find improvement and demand more from our poorest students. Can we catch them being good? Do we demand more from students and encourage them toward growth? There are many examples where we do!
On tough days, I will share with my wife what made it challenging, but I have lately been trying to finish with something great from the day as well!
So while the end of the week was challenging, I saw students wanting to shout out to teachers, a student who has never cared about school excited to find a way to get on diploma track, and adults in the building looking out for each other and their students!
I truly believe we have great kids and incredible faculty and staff! Let's continue to show our community why Pickens Middle is a great place to learn and work!
Special Announcements-
A little late, but I thought you might enjoy Gerry Brooks' perspective on Halloween in school.
Instructional Updates
We are doing great things through engaging instruction, working lunch, tutoring, pulling students on Wednesdays, and assignment to mentors in Mr. Getsinger and Mrs. Moody. Mrs. Masters met with students last week who had shown negative growth on MAP from the spring to the fall. We are seeing that it has to be a collective process. Teachers can't do it alone. Admin. can't do it alone. Strong growth will take a village.
If you have great ideas to try as a whole, please let us know. Also, please let us know how we can support your efforts. Thank you for all you are doing!
Photos from last week!
Sixth Grade Nascar Week was a huge success!
Maven of the Month Winners
Landon Touzeau is head to the DECA state competition!
This Week's Agenda-
Tues., Nov. 19th-
2nd Nine Weeks Progress Reports
Wed., Nov. 20th-
Robotics Team Meeting Afterschool
AOP Showcase - Anderson -8th grade
Th., Nov. 21st-
Inclusive Practices PD (PM Planning)
Pageant Practice
Fr.. Nov. 22nd-
Miss Torch Pageant (PHS)
Happy Birthday!!
Birthdays This Week!
November 17th Melissa Riddle
November 18th Misty Patnode
November 20th Andrea Sutton
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Here are the last week's spotlights! Thank you! Have you ever taken the time to recognize those around you? It feels good to recognize others!
Antonio Rincon- Mr. Rincon is an asset to the Pickens Middle School family. I can’t imagine how difficult it has to be to come to a new country and begin teaching middle schoolers! But Mr. Rincon does it so well. It’s obvious that he cares about his students and wants them to succeed. He’s always open to questions, whether from students or parents. Thank you for all you do for the students at Pickens Middle!
LeAnn Masters- LeAnn is the best! She works hard in all that she does. She seems to be involved in so many areas and is always helping others out. LeAnn is someone I can always talk through my ideas and questions with and get great advice. She works so hard to make Pickens Middle great!
Butch Morris- Where do I begin... Coach Morris has to be one of the most genuinely positive, caring people I know. No matter what kind of day he's having, he always has something positive to say. I don't think I've ever seen him in a "bad" mood nor have I heard him say negative things. If I'm having a bad day, a conversation with Coach Morris will always help... and nine times out of ten, he will say something that brings "happy" tears to my eyes. Pickens Middle School is so blessed to have Coach Morris as an assistant principal!
Topher Bishop- Topher did a wonderful job with the sixth grade chorus! He invited the sixth grade teachers to a mini concert! Although our sixth graders are the most compulsive bunch I have ever been around, Topher had them singing like angels! It was beautiful and thank you Topher for the invitation! You do a marvelous job!
Tracy Lawson- After teaching all day you you sometimes don’t feel like cooking for your own family! Tracy shared a simple and hearty soup recipe that made my family happy especially my husband! Thank you Tracy for helping us, you keep it real!
Connie Douglas- Thank you for letting us use your high class speakers during our SPARKS celebration .... again. Your patience and generosity are appreciated friend! Thank you for all you do for our students! I admire your type “A” personality and your patience with my type “B” personality! I always enjoy working with you when I get a chance!
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