EAST PAULDING MIDDLE SCHOOL
February 26, 2018
THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
The focus for our first week (2/26-3/2) will be Kindness. Throughout the day and week, remind students of our focus and highlight those who you witness displaying kindness towards others by rewarding Raider Bucks or just by simply acknowledging their actions.
Our goal as educators is to continuously grow and improve in our profession. We have that same goal for students, but that goal cannot be solely linked to academics. If we are not intentional about building a climate of acceptance, kindness, and diversity, then we are missing the mark. We create that environment by reinforcing it daily.
I am looking forward to a great week, and I appreciate your efforts to help us grow students who can LEAD!
L.E.A.D.
Over the past year, I have communicated and thought through the need for a student leadership team, but I just couldn't wrap my head around the purpose or how I would construct it. That is until our district and school has experienced some focused attention from the media and community.
After a conversation with Mrs. Cassandra Dobbs, Director of Diversity and Engagement, I have found that our school is in need of a student group that focuses on just that, engagement and diversity, with the goal of building a climate and culture of acceptance, kindness, and understanding.
Accepting that all of us are different in our beliefs, backgrounds, and appearances; understanding that we may not always agree, but allowing kindness to be the force that builds a school of over 900 diverse students into a safe place for all students to learn.
I am going to begin looking for students to be a part of this leadership team. They may not fit your mold of a leader, but my goal is to build a diverse group of students to help me better understand what it's like to be not only a student at EPMS but also a student in today's climate. And to be honest, when I was in middle school, I didn't fit many of my teacher's mold of a leader, but I am glad my life's path was not based on my middle school decisions or behaviors.
If you know of a student who would be a good voice or provide a different perspective beyond the "all-star" student, send me their name.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2/28/18 - Walkthrough #4 Due
3/1/18 - RTI for Behavior - 816 During Planning
3/1/18 - Talent Show - 6:30pm
3/1/18 - PCSD Transfer Fair - 5:00-6:00pm - PB Ritch Middle School
3/1/18 - PCSD Career Fair - 6:00-8:00pm - PB Ritch Middle School
3/2/18 - TOTY Assembly
3/5/18 - Grade Level Faculty Meeting - During Planning - 816
3/6/18 - Spring Pictures
3/6/18 - Chorus Concert - 6:30pm - EPHS
3/8/18 - Ghost Walks and PL Review Q&A - During Planning - 816
3/9/18 - Leadership Team Meeting - 7:30am - 816
3/13/18 - Band Concert - 7:00pm
3/15/18 - PTSA Trivia Night
3/18/18 - PBIS Meeting - 4:00pm
3/23/18 - Formative #2 Due (designated staff members only)
3/23/18 - Faculty Breakfast - All 8th Grade (Irvine, China)
3/23/18 - RTI for Academics - 816 - During Planning
3/29/18 - Testing Training - 816 - During Planning
3/30/18 - End of 3rd 9 Weeks
4/2-4/6/18 - SPRING BREAK
***SBIT - TBA
Milestones testing calendar update
I believe we lose a make-up day or two, but I am willing to sacrifice if we can have an extra week...especially coming off a break.
literacy
If this is something that you are passionate about, please let me know. I am not looking for an enormously large group, but I do want a powerful, passionate group.
Below is an article that speaks directly to our literacy concerns as a school and district. It is a great read with some eye-opening data.
DATA TEAMS AND CFAs
I noticed that some of you have completed your most recent vocabulary CFA and Data Team meeting. You will not need to complete this for April, but please make sure that March is included in your data. Don't forget to chart your progress on your PLC anchor chart in 816.
Summer Refresh Update
- Everything will need to be packed in boxes.
- As you begin packing items, make sure they are packed in boxes and labeled with your room #. We will communicate any room changes prior to post-planning.
- The company completing the refresh will move all boxes and items into large storage containers that will be located on our campus. They will return the items to the correct room # once the refresh is complete.
- Any and all personal items or items of value must be taken home. This includes mini-fridges, microwaves, lamps, etc.
- All school technology (laptops, tablets, document cameras, etc) will need to be returned to the Media Center for inventory and secure keeping.
- Many of you have accumulated a lot of "things" over the years. Some of these "things" that you have saved for that rainy day may now be considered trash. This will be a great time to eliminate any trash by simply labeling it as such (trash). Free disposal at your service!
- During the week of Spring Break, we will have people in our building. Your valuables will need to be locked away in a secured location.
If you have specific questions, please let me know. Mr. Jacobs will work on obtaining boxes for our classrooms.
Yankee Candle Fundraiser
$20,000 Sold
- Mr. Alverson will sky dive. Students must meet or exceed the $20,000 goal for this to happen.
- The top-seller receives a free iPad.
- All students who participate will be entered into a drawing for $100.
$10,000 Sold
- The top seller receives a free Kindle.
- All students who participate will be entered into a drawing for $50.
Classroom Battles
- The top-selling HR for each grade level will get to pick a teacher on their grade level to pie.
- All students in the winning HR will be placed in a drawing to be picked to actually pie the selected teacher. They can buy additional opportunities through the Raider Trader.
- Each student in the top-selling HR for the entire school will pie Mr. Jacobs.
I hope you are excited and ready to help us reach our goals! Let's have some fun with this.
NBI Rotation - 2/26/18 - 3/2/18 - TOTY
Additionally, to accomodate the March 2nd TOTY assembly, we will adjust our NBI rotation. See below:
Monday - 1st Academic (Tuesday support schedule for 6th and 7th)
Tuesday - 2nd Academic ((Wednesday support schedule for 6th and 7th)
Wednesday - 3rd Academic ((Thursday support schedule for 6th and 7th - ELA EYP for 8th)
Thursday - 4th Academic ((Friday support schedule for 6th and 7th - Math EYP for 8th)
Friday - Homeroom
Attendance Information
We are all aware that student and staff attendance over the past month has not been at it's best due to illness. Over a two week period, we averaged nearly 100 students absent daily (our typical average is between 20 to 35). This is significant if you add our staff absences as well.
I hope the break gave you an opportunity to get well and rest up for the next 5-week push. The month of March will be a critical time for us and our students with the Milestones looming. Please make every effort to be here daily. While we all have necessary appointments, breaks are a great time to make those. If you do have a scheduled appointment, please do your best to avoid taking whole days if at all possible. Our students need you here.
Below is February's current attendance data. March needs to be our best month of the year.REMINDER: If you need to leave for any reason prior to the end of the work day, please speak with Mrs. Raley, Mr. Jacobs, or Mr. Alverson for approval.
Technology Update/Information
INTERACTIVE FLAT PANELS
Over the break, I met with Julie Ragsdale and Chad Sebree regarding upcoming technology upgrades. Because we recently received a projector upgrade for all of our classrooms we were not originally scheduled to receive the Interactive Flat Panels (large TVs). However, because our building will be "refreshed" this summer, they have moved us up on the list, and all classrooms and labs WILL have the Interactive Flat Panels installed. Below are a couple of notes about the installation process.
- All panels will be installed in the middle of your white boards at the front of your classroom. I know some of you do not prefer this location, but the panel company and district have agreed to place all panels in a consistent location in all classrooms across the district.
- The installation process will begin after the refresh is complete. This means that installation will be occurring during pre-planning. Patience will be a must, but their goal is to have all panels installed prior to Open House.
- The district will provide training. We will look at scheduling this during pre-planning.
- The days of Smart Boards and Smart Technology are quickly coming to an end, therefore, we will no longer purchase any replacement bulbs. If you need a bulb, see Cherie or Taylor and we will work on locating a replacement, but there are no guarantees.
WINDOWS 10
Taylor will be working on converting all computers within our building to Windows 10. If you have any glitches or concerns, please enter a HELP TICKET.
COMPUTER LABS
Please do not forget that the 3 computer labs (502, 504, and 705) are all booked during NBI for Milestone Prep. They will be available after Milestones are complete.
Maintaining Focus - Why is this picture important to our SIP?
STRATEGIES AND INITIATIVES
1. Teachers will utilize academic vocabulary and anchor charts to increase student achievement in the classroom.
2. Teachers will provide specific daily learning targets as a tool to direct student focus for each class period and monitor student progress via feedback and assessments.
Remember, these goals do not solely belong to Math and ELA, these are school-wide goals, and you can support them through several ways:
1. Utilizing reading strategies within your classroom (PALS, Paragraph Shrinking, Reciprocal Reading, etc)
2. Focusing on academic vocabulary through Data Teams and the use of CFAs
3. Utilizing Learning Targets and Anchor Charts to help students make connections to what they are doing and what you what them to learn
4. Ensuring students are being allowed to attend their NBI groups CONSISTENTLY
If you need help with supporting our SIP goals, planning for the use of reading strategies, or if you need to make sure your students are reporting to their designated NBI group, please let us know.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
3/9 - Bonnie Vest
3/10 - La Rue Conatser
3/11 - Teresa Raley
3/14 - Becky Tarbush
3/20 - Tyler Rowe
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Contact Information for Tom Alverson
Email: talverson@paulding.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Domain/29
Phone: 678-350-8027
Facebook: facebook.com/eastpauldingmiddleschool
Twitter: @epmsraiders