West Staff News
November 24, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving!
Core Values and Goals
Action Plan Goals:
- English/Language Arts Students will learn the fundamental reading and writing skills to be successful across content areas.
- Math Students will learn the fundamental math skills to be successful across content areas.
- Every individual at West knows that they are valued and recognizes that they have a place in our community.
Effective Instruction Junction
Jennifer Serravallo, author and educator of all things literacy, has shared some great resources regarding conferring with students. If you are on Facebook, consider following The Reading and Writing Strategies Community page for lots of great information and resources.
https://www.hmhco.com/blog/conferring-well-even-when-you-havent-read-the-students-book
https://www.middleweb.com/41336/effective-5-to-7-minute-reading-conferences/
http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Journals/VM/0244-may2017/VM0244Dropping.pdf
Conferring is not just a valuable use of time in ELA! Check out this article if you teach students in other content areas:
https://www.middleweb.com/41536/conferring-a-powerful-tool-across-disciplines/
West Calendar
November 25 - early dismissal, conferences 1-3 pm
November 26 - early dismissal, conferences 1-3 pm, book fair closes
November 27 - early dismissal, teachers who did evening conferences on 11/20 may leave after students dismiss
November 28 - December 2 - Thanksgiving break
December 3-4 - Cyberbullying presentations by Rafe in PE classes
December 4-5 Algebra Keystone, schedule for all students - periods HR-8-9-3-4-5-6-7-1-2-10-HR
December 6 - Festive Friday, orchestra concert at BASH at 7pm
December 9 - faculty meeting at 2:50pm in library
December 10 - Holiday Potluck in library
December 13 - Festive Friday, Hunter Trapper Club Dance 7-9pm
December 16 - band concert at 7pm at West
December 19 - holiday music assembly in auditorium 8:15am
December 20 - Festive Friday, NPFH movie and advisory follow-up activities
Update on Makayla Becker
Student council is currently in the process of creating a fundraiser project for Makayla. More info to come soon. Also, there is a card on the office counter for staff to sign so we can let Makayla know we are continuing to think of her. We also have a gift card for her. We are currently seeking homebound instructors to work with Makayla. If you are interested, please let Grace Turnbull know.
Staffing Updates
Jordan Webb - instructional para, started November 18
Coming soon:
A new learning support teacher has been found for 8th grade! Mrs. Jillian Miller is on the board agenda for approval this week!
We are in need of:
- Title I specialist (teacher cert required, 85+ day position)
- 2 building subs (teacher cert required)
- 4 paraprofessional positions
Please help spread the word to interested candidates!
Important Updates
Guidance Pass - Just a reminder that there are students who have a permanent pass to guidance for various reasons. Please call the guidance office first before sending a student down. If the counselors are not available and the student needs to be seen, call the main office and they will send Steph or Dave to come pick the student up and escort them to the office to wait.
Complete IEP input forms - Please complete IEP input forms when requested. It is very important that we have this input to include in not only the academic section, but also the functional performance section of IEPs. Thank you!
Important Info from HR
On Early Dismissal days, a FULL DAY of Personal time must be used (for Professional Employees), even though students have half a day, and their Sub will only be need here for the AM (usually).
The only 2 days this does not apply to are: 11/27 and 12/20, and employees can only take them as .5 Personal Days is if they have attended their school’s conferences. If they did not do conferences, then they need to use full days on these 2 days also.
Professional staff still may use a half a day (.5) on an Early Dismissal day if they are coming back in for the afternoon (or vice versa). Please just make sure that is noted on the leave form so that it is not changed to full day leave when processing the form.
Where in the world are Steph and Dave?
November 25 - Steph at Enrollment Projections mtg at Ed Center at 11:30am
December 10 - Steph at NHUF for building sub interviews in PM
December 11 - Steph and Dave at Ed Center for secondary principals' mtg in PM
December 13 - Steph in Pittsburgh for college graduation :)
December 18 - Steph and Dave at leadership team mtg at Ed Center in AM
Boyertown Middle School West
Email: sllandis@boyertownasd.org
Website: www.boyertownasd.org
Location: 380 South Madison Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
Phone: 610-369-7471
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyertownWest/
Twitter: @WhatsUp_West