UHMS Rising Phoenix
Uplift Hampton Middle School August 19, 2019
"Be Committed, Be Consistent, Be Courageous"
A Word From Administration
Hello Phoenix Nation!
Another great week! When we walked classrooms this past week, it was gratifying to see scholars begin to push their thinking and be inquisitive. As lessons are designed ensure that we are challenging our scholars and pushing them to master college-ready skills as well as deep understanding of content. It’s OK for scholars to struggle a little with a concept. Struggle means learning. Continue to drive yourself to do the intellectual prep needed to ensure that ALL our scholars are receiving what they need to be academically successful. 20% of the year is already behind us, with only 80% remaining! Each lesson is an opportunity to challenge scholars, push their thinking, and maximize their learning and growth.
Be Kind. It would be great to live in a world which kindness and respect truly mattered to everyone and where interacting with our fellow humans humanely was the norm. But as you may have noticed, such considerations seem increasingly rare these days. Just read Twitter and you’ll see what we mean. We get it. We’re all dealing with a lot of stuff. This week take time to restore a little kindness to our world, our country, our State, our community, and our school. Do something kind large or small for someone else.
“Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Period. No exceptions.” – Kiana Tom
With much love, gratitude and admiration,
With love, admiration, and gratitude,
Priscilla, Chataqua, Chrissy, and Jabez
Walk-Through Focus
ELA and Humanities: Close Reading and Writing in response to reading
Math and Science: VMA, math vocabulary
Routines and Procedures: Classroom Greeters, 100% Scholar Engagement
Strategy of the Week: Turn and Talk
IB ATL Communication: 1) Scholars can explain their understanding of a text or idea to each other. 2) All scholars can contribute to discussions. 3) Scholars are assessed or given feedback on speaking or writing concisely.
When administrators walk through your room, please do not stop instruction.
Two Weeks At A Glance
Brenda S for consistently engaging lessons during Spanish
Xavier for having scholars lead advisory
Ranae for coming up with our Phonix Nation Huddle chant
Kelly Anna and Marisha for modeling their INM and adjusting their lessons after receiving immediate feedback
Rosa for resetting her class and persevering through having to float from one class to another
Javetta for developing Backwards Planning Protocol
Trenese, Laurasia, Ashley, Karina, Marisha, and Coty for holding 7th grade scholars accountable and working together as a team
Tammy, Stedmon, Carmen, Katricia, and Ms. C for being so joyous with scholars and staff
De’onna for engaging technology lessons and going over and beyond to bring in props to develop scholar understanding
Cynthia for her work on the scholar schedules
Ryan for being open to feedback and teaching scholars’ appropriate hall behavior
Phillip, Shenika, Brenda S, Charlotte, Gabby, Michael, Tasha, and Tiffany for 6th grade scholar consistency in the halls
Phillip, Shenika, Trenese, Laurasia, Lauren, and Bella for seeking feedback and having a growth mindset
Daniela for being flexible in her work and doing it with a smile
Arliscia for always finding a way to get it done! No matter what it is!
A giant shout out goes to Kecia and primary for including us on Friday with Steel City Pops!
Important Announcements and Information!
New Scholars: We are adding several new scholars on Monday. Please give them and their families a warm Phoenix welcome. Reach out to Samantha if you have any questions. We will continue to add scholars until classrooms are filled or we reach our enrollment target.
Covering Classes: Using teacher planning time to cover classes will always be our last resort when we do not have sub coverage. When it does happen, we appreciate your flexibility and willingness to give up your planning time to make sure scholars receive appropriate lessons. When a classroom teacher covers another classroom during their planning time due to a shortage of subs, we will provide sub pay once you hit a full day of coverage. You must fill out the attached form and submit to Priscilla.
Classroom Window Coverings: If you have a curtains or paper covering your door window, please make sure it is pulled up with clips or tied together in the middle. There should be access to see into your classroom unless it is a Code Red or Yellow in which case it should be covered.
Visitors: We will have visitors on campus two days this week.
· Monday: Yasmin will be on campus to meet with Priscilla and walk classrooms and the math CIS (TLT) will visit all math classrooms.
· Thursday: TLT team will visit and walk classrooms for 9 am - 11am.
Repeated for Your Convenience
Weekly Staff Huddles: UHMS Weekly Staff Huddles are on Fridays in the Secondary Library at 7:15am. Be on time.
Lesson Plans: Add your lesson plans to the Everything Binder in the lesson plan folder.
Scholar Dress Code: We are rescinding the black and white shoe policy for scholars this year. Scholars may wear any color shoe if it's skid resistant. No scholar should be reprimanded for different color shoes or being in the shirt color from last year moving forward.
Attendance: The expectation is that all teachers are to take online attendance via PowerTeacher. If you do not know how to take attendance in PowerTeacher or need a refresher, a new video has been developed and may be accessed on Blackboard. https://uplift.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_335_1&content_id=_73659_1&mode=reset
MAP: MAP assessments will take place this week for new scholars. 6th and 7th grade scholars will take their MAP assessments in the technology classes. 8th grade will take MAP assessments in the Library Computer lab. Follow the MAP schedule given out by Ms. Brown.
Treasure: If you are still reading sign your name on Priscilla's whiteboard and you can wear jeans on Tuesday. This is a treasure so don't tell anyone else. Shhh!
TEAMS: This is the portal for absence reporting and getting subs. https://uplift.tx01.teams360.net/servicecenter/EntryPointSignOnAction.do
Use It or Lose It: https://ishine.uplifteducation.org/cmo/HR/Pages/Shared-Leave-Donation.aspx
Announcing UHMS 2019 - 2020 Teacher Leaders
Content Leads
- ELAR - Xavier Leonard
- Science - Brenda Guzman
- Humanities - Michael Manca
- Math - Chrissy Cormier w/ Marisha Ash
- 6th Grade - Brenda Sanchez
- 7th Grade - Laurisia Thomas
- 8th Grade - Chelsie Bell
We are in need of the following Teacher Leads:
- Staff Climate Lead
- Scholar Council Sponsor
Ideas Worth Spreading
21 Cool Anchor Charts to Teach Close Reading – Anchor charts build a culture of literacy in the classroom, as teachers and scholars make thinking visible by recording content, strategies, processes, cues, and guidelines during the learning process. Posting anchor charts keeps relevant and current learning accessible to students to remind them of prior learning and to enable them to make connections as new learning happens. Students refer to the charts and use them as tools as they answer questions, expand ideas, or to discussion and problem-solve in the classroom. These anchor charts from We Are Teachers are pretty cool.
https://www.weareteachers.com/anchor-charts-101-why-and-how-to-use-them-plus-100s-of-ideas/
There are 7 Days Until the Start of College Football!
Phoenix Nation!
Here's How to Reach Us!
Priscilla Parhms 469.236.2900 pparhms@uplifteducation.org
Chrissy Cormier 214.326.3002 ccormier@uplifteducation.org
Chataqua Mangum 972.897.4659 cmangum@uplifteducation.org
Jabez Deacon 414.562.7592 jdeacon@uplifteducation.org
Website: https://www.uplifteducation.org/Page/13790
Location: 8915 South Hampton Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-421-1982