Principal Parker Weekly
Weekly Newsletter from Mr. Parker, Principal of TRMS
Email: ParkerK@fultonschools.org
Website: www.fultonschools.org/taylorroadms
Location: 5150 Taylor Road, Johns Creek, GA, USA
Phone: 470.254.7090
Twitter: @TaylorRoadWay
December 2, 2021
Enjoy your break!
A lot going on with my family this week, so I have to keep this short. Do take the time to scroll down - there is a great deal in this week's PPW. Especially proud of the One Well news!
Most importantly, remember to ask for help when you need it -- and be there for each other.
Continue to shout out those bright spots. Please give a staff member a shout out today.
PBIS values: Be responsible -- Be respectful - Be proactive
This week's learning: SMART goals
This All Things PLC Magazine feature quotes from Anne Conzemius and Jan O’Neill’s book on SMART school teams. Their definition is helpful because the meaning of the R in SMART is often taken to be “Relevant” or “Realistic,” which is duplicative of other letters and misses the all-important feature of focusing teacher teams on actual student learning. Here’s how Conzemius and O’Neill define SMART goals:
- Strategic and Specific – Linked to district priorities and part of a larger vision of success focused on students’ needs.
- Measurable – The goal specifies how teachers will know that the desired learning was accomplished. “Measurement can and should occur in a number of different ways using a variety of different tools and strategies,” say Conzemius and O’Neill.
- Attainable – The learning outcome is within the realm of teachers’ influence and control, and doable given current resources.
- Results-oriented – Aimed at specific student learning outcomes that schools can measure or observe; this could be a percentage of students who improve in a certain area, or a demonstration of learning defined by the teacher.
- Time-bound – Having a specific date by which the learning will be completed helps make the goal a priority and determine if it’s attainable.
“Words Matter: What Are SMART Goals?” by Anne Conzemius and Jan O’Neill in in All Things PLC Magazine, Fall 2021 (p. 41); this comes from their book The Handbook for SMART School Teams: Revitalizing Best Practices for Collaboration (Solution Tree, 2nd edition, 2014)
Thank you for sharing your family with us.
Remember to follow us on Twitter @TaylorRoadWay and @Proud_Tigers and on Facebook for updates. We will also continue our traditional Messenger newsletter, along with weekly principal emails. You can always find more information on our website.
I love my job!
Core values of TRMS: Engagement, Rigor, and Relationships
One Well Project - The well is complete!!!
The students and teachers collected money to build a fresh water well in Idanre, Nigeria last year. Congratulations on accomplishing the entire goal from fundraising to completion of the well.
National Sock Day
December 4th is National Sock Day, and December's theme is compassion! So, This Friday, Dec 3rd is school spirit day!
Please wear your funniest pair of socks and bring a pair of new socks to donate! Socks will be collected in your homerooms.
Click on the image for more information and an RSVP form for the Grandparents' Celebration
Help Wanted - PBIS Reward Day - December 17th
We have been hard at work creating school-wide reward opportunities for our students for the months of November and December. Throughout each day, students can earn points for being proactive, respectful, and responsible. On December 17, we will be throwing a school-wide event- a Glow Party- for our TRMS tigers! Students will "purchase" tickets to the Glow Party with the PBIS points they have accrued. However, we need YOUR help!
We are asking you to please donate your time and energy to help supervise this event. The event will last 1 hour for each grade level. For each hour, we are looking for 10 adults from the community that would be so kind as to help us with tasks such as checking wristbands and monitoring students. You can sign up for one or many slots. Please consider helping us reward our students’ positive behavior for the rest of this semester!
In order for you to serve as a volunteer for FCS, you must complete the following documents: Safety & Security / Register as a Volunteer (fultonschools.org).
McTeacher Night @ McDonalds on State Bridge Road
Food Drive - Please help!
The No Place for Hate Group is collaborating with Backpacks for Love to collect nonperishable food items to support our local community during this Holiday Season. The donation boxes will be available outside each grade level counselor's office. The food packing list is below and separated by items to bring for each grade level. We will begin accepting donations from Dec. 2nd-10th. Our anticipated pickup/delivery date would be December 13th.
We appreciate your support!
6th grade
1 can meat pasta ( Ravioli, spaghetti's)
1 can fruit or fruit cocktail- pop top if possible
Individual packets of Instant Oatmeal
Cheese Crackers
Peanut Butter Crackers
7th grade
Plastic Jar 16 oz Peanut Butter
Chef Boy R Dee microwaveable bowls (single serving=_pop top)
Mac n Cheese Individual Cup ( Microwaveable)
Granola Bars (Varieties)
Peanut Butter Cups
Fruit Snacks
8th grade
1 large can chunk chicken
1 can soup (any type) or chili- pop top if possible
1 small can chunk tuna or 1 small can Vienna sausage
Maruchan Ramen noodles cup (other brands are fine)
Ramen Square Package of Noodles
Cheese-its individual packets
Goldfish Individual packets
Please keep from buying chocolate as it melts!
Toy/Gift Drive
The Jr. Beta Club will be holding a toy/gift drive. The toys/gifts will be donated to the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services “Foster Care Kids” program.
Toys/gifts will be collected through homerooms. The homeroom in each grade level that collects the most toys/gifts will win a cookie cake party. Students should bring gifts that would be appropriate to give to middle school students. Examples: decks of cards, card games, board games, art supplies, craft kits, football, basketball, soccer ball, baseball equipment, gift cards etc.
Toys/gifts will be collected on:
- Wednesday, December 8th
- Thursday, December 9th
- Friday, December 10th
Device Update
Did you know that if your student has previously waived having a Fulton County device and is using a personal device, you can always change your mind and request one for your child?
Please contact Peggy Callander (callander@fultonschools.org) at any time if you need to have a Fulton County laptop issued for your student.
Lockers Are Coming Soon!
After the Thanksgiving Break, 8th grade students will be issued their lockers.
6th & 7th grade lockers will be issued later in a manner that will encourage a successful experience for the students. Please be patient!
All students may benefit from some combination lock practice. If you have a lock at home, please help your students learn how to use it! This will give your students some confidence when they are issued their hallway lockers and have to open them quickly!
Looking to have something to do during the holiday season?
Join the Atlanta Falcons as we celebrate teachers and PTA members for the December 26th game vs Detroit Lions. This offer includes a buy one get one free discounted ticket.
Inventory is limited in select areas of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and you can purchase tickets below on the link in the flyer with promo code FLF at checkout.
Backpacks of Love
At TRMS we have a program called “backpacks of love”. The purpose of this program is to provide assistance by donating non-perishable items to our families. The participants’ names are known only to the counselors and social worker. Once every two weeks a backpack with food items are available to go home. A student can carry the backpack home, or the parent can pick it up at the front office. All we need to know is if you would like to participate, how many adults are in the house, how many children are in the house, and if there are any dietary allergies such as peanut butter. We can only provide for a certain number of families so the sooner you reply the better. We will respond regardless of whether you are in the program or if supplies run out.
6th grade Counselor- Mr. Fredric Johnson
7th grade Counselor- Mrs. Alexcia Massey
8th grade Counselor- Mrs. Cindy Sabula
Supporting our work --
These generous voluntary donations will be used exclusively to purchase academic programs or supplies to support student learning or to purchase learning opportunities for our Teachers to enhance their ability to educate our students. Please enter any amount that you are comfortable donating. Thank you for supporting Taylor Road Middle School.
TRMS Staff Recognition Donation 21-22
Donation to be used by TRMS specifically for Staff recognition and awards. Any amount you wish to donate will be appreciated. Thank you for your support of our Taylor Road Middle School teachers.
Taylor Road is on Facebook!
Important Dates
December 2 - 10: Food Drive for Backpacks of Love
December 3: Sock Drive & Sock Spirit Day
December 6: 6th Grade McTeacher Night @ State Bridge McDonalds, 4:45 - 7:00 PM
December 7: iReady Reading Testing, Testing Schedule 1
December 7: 7th Grade McTeacher Night @ State Bridge McDonalds, 4:45 - 7:00 PM
December 8: 8th Grade McTeacher Night @ State Bridge McDonalds, 4:45 - 7:00 PM
December 8: iReady Reading Testing, Testing Schedule 2
December 8 - 10: Toy/Gift Collection for North Fulton Foster Care
December 10: School Governance Council Meeting, 7:45AM
December 10: Chorus Concert @ Chattahoochee HS, 7:00 PM
December 14: Orchestra Winter Concert @ Chattahoochee HS, 7:00 PM
December 17: PBIS - Glow Party Reward
December 17: Grandparents' Coffee
The buck stops here
See our duties divided among the administrators responsible (click photo below). We continually modify and update this chart. It is also available on the TRMS website.
We are here to help - always!
If you feel any concerns - or know someone who does - please know Taylor Road is filled with people who care. I encourage you to reach out via this website link to report concerns to me personally at any time. I immediately receive email notification of all submitted concerns, and I promise to respond quickly. The report remains anonymous, unless you choose to share your identity and allow me to respond.
Fulton Schools also has a Quick Tip app to report issues to district leaders and school police. Please continue to reach out. It is never a bother or a hardship to show we care.
Finally, there are any number of resources for stakeholders. Please follow this link for more information. Do not hesitate; ask for help.
#TheTRWayForward
As we define our way forward, the administrative team welcomes input. Remember, I continue to use #TheTRWayForward to tag Twitter posts that represent my vision for Taylor Road.
Follow me personally @TaylorRoadWay on Twitter. I am excited about #TheTRWayForward
Thanks for supporting TRMS!
Relationships - Rigor - Engagement
Email: parkerk@fultonschools.org
Website: www.fultonschools.org/taylorroadms
Location: 5150 Taylor Road, Johns Creek, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-7090
Twitter: @TaylorRoadWay