The Falcon Files
Your Weekly Falcon Updates for Staff
September 13, 2019
Words of Inspiration
- Dr. Nancy Blair
A Special Applause To....
Patriot Day Video
Professional Learning On The Go
Our students are so tech-savvy. They have learned to navigate the digital world through years of experience at home and here at school. As we continue down this path, we will see the pendulum swing, as we do in most things in education. I found this article interesting. The author talks about creating thinkers, collaborators, and revisers. Sarah Weir states, “Imagine a school class with children fully engaged and immersed in working together to solve real-world issues. They are self-driven, collaborative, coming up with new ideas and throwing out the ones that don’t work. They think creatively and apply this across their entire life."
I know you are reflecting on the work you do here constantly. I hope this makes you think! Enjoy!
https://www.raconteur.net/technology/essential-education-future-jobs-tech
Professional Library for You!
This week I wanted to share with you Dave Burgess' book, Teach Like a Pirate. This book inspired me to continue to look at things a little different. I was in the middle of trying to help my youngest navigate through school somewhat successfully and this book really spoke to me in terms of what was possible for him and students that I had like him. It also affirmed what I was doing in my classroom. I was personalizing and empowering my students. That was a turning point in my career.
The libib.com review:
Based on Dave Burgess's popular "Outrageous Teaching" and "Teach Like a PIRATE" seminars, this book offers inspiration, practical techniques, and innovative ideas that will help you to increase student engagement, boost your creativity, and transform your life as an educator. You'll learn how to: • Tap into and dramatically increase your passion as a teacher • Develop outrageously engaging lessons that draw students in like a magnet • Establish rapport and a sense of camaraderie in your classroom • Transform your class into a life-changing experience for your students This groundbreaking inspirational manifesto contains over 30 hooks specially designed to captivate your class and 170 brainstorming questions that will skyrocket your creativity. Once you learn the Teach Like a PIRATE system, you'll never look at your role as an educator the same again.
For the week of September 16th....
Monday September 16th
- Homecoming Week - Pajama Day
- MAP make-ups
Tuesday September 17th
- Homecoming Week - Dress as your favorite movie character
- MAP make-ups
- Meet with full evaluation teachers at 2:30 until 2:45. I will be sending out a calendar invite tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 18th
- Homecoming Week - Red Carpet Look
Thursday, September 19th
- Homecoming Week - Cartoon Characters
- Conferences 3:30 to 6:30
- Parade
Friday September 20th
- Early Release - PD Day
- Homecoming Week - Falcon Friday
- Pep Rally at HS
Please Announce to Students
Homecoming Week
- Monday - Pajama Day (no pillows/blankets, please)
- Tuesday - Favorite Movie Character Day
- Wednesday - Dress like you're a celebrity walking the Red Carpet in Hollywood
- Thursday - Cartoon Character Day
- Friday - Falcon Friday
MAP Testing Make-Ups - This will be done on Monday and Tuesday during study hall. Please click HERE for schedule.
All Grades
*Snap-On Cases MUST be on computers at all times. If they do not have them on, warning first, then an after school detention, then up the discipline matrix. Why? The cases protect our warranty which is void if they are not on. This is new policy for us all. Please help me spread the word. If you have questions, please ask Rachel or myself.
*Final Forms for Students - 76% compliant
*Field Trips - Student who have not completed their Final Forms will NOT be allowed to go.
Patriot Day
What a day this was! I was very proud of how our students represented CMMS in Clinton-Massie's Patriot Day program! Mr. Baker spoke about remembering, serving others, and reflected how we can live in our pillars to be there for our family, friends, classmates, and teachers. Great day! #fuelthepositive
Mrs. Beams Math Class
ReDo Day
Info For The Staff
Professional Growth Plan - Please go into eTPES and fill in your PGP. You will need one student achievement goal and one personal growth goal. I will start meeting with people on Wednesday. I will send out calendar invites. If you have questions, please ask.
Evaluations - I would like to meet with the full evaluation group Tuesday from 2:34 until 2:45 in 533. I will be sending out calendar invites for this tomorrow.
MAP Make-Ups - As said above, MAP Make-Ups will be Monday and Tuesday during study halls. We are trying to do the least amount of disruption. HERE is the schedule. Please let your students know that we will be pulling them out.
Early Release Day - Here is the early release schedule for next Friday. We will be going over to the High School for the Homecoming Pep Rally. Please make a note of times.
Data Digs
- September 23rd - English in the morning, Math in the afternoon
- September 30th - Science in the morning, Social Studies in the afternoon
Middle School Tech Team - Looking for a few more possiblities Please use this FORM to nominate students to be on a middle school tech team. I am looking for the students that have a tech interest and are the ones that jump up to help when we are in need of help with our computers or tech in our classrooms. It could be a student at any level but they need an interest in technology. They will have opportunity to be leaders for our school, assess tech problems, and even lead in some instruction. I would like 8 from each grade. I am going to have to look at schedules to see when they have study hall. I would like to have 3 students for each bell. They will work with Mr. Moss, Mrs. Ford, Michael, and myself. Don't say anything to them until I work out the schedules. I will let you know when the team is chosen.
Helpdesk - A reminder to please send your technology requests to helpdesk@cmfalcons.org. There is no need to send an email to helpdesk, Michael, and David. In fact, it makes it more confusing on their end as to who needs to provide support. They are making a concerted effort this year to be more timely and responsive to helpdesk tickets. The start of the year is always tough but as they fill out their Tech Team and the Oaks Interns, they need their process to be clear. Thank you for your attention to this.
#fuelthepositive Website - The goal is to fill every day of the school year with something positive happening at CM. It can be a video, a picture, a written piece or other creative ways to tell our story. We need your help!! Please share what you see! Getting too many positive ideas is not a bad thing!! Please send your picture/video/etc. to David Moss and include a brief description.
Our day to post things is Tuesdays. 1st Tuesday is Admin, 2nd Tuesday is 6th Grade (Kate is with them), 3rd Tuesday is 7th Grade (Nicolin is with them), and 4th Tuesday is 8th Grade (Tammy and Robyn are with them). You all can decide if one person is responsible for the media that day....maybe do it once a month? Tell our story! It helps our culture!
2019-20 Student Handbook
Birthdays
Kate Eddington - September 25th
Kim Dorgan - September 27th
Sandra Archor - October 1st
Donna Hubbell - October 14th
Jill Binau - October 16th
Rachel Cornett - October 28th
Our Gold Standards
Our Gold Standards
Email: lorinda.ottaway@cmfalcons.org
Website: cmfalcons.org
Location: 2556 Lebanon Rd, Clarksville, OH 45113
Phone: (937) 289-2932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clinton-Massie-Middle-School-169983643627883/
Twitter: @CMFalconsMiddle