Warrior Weekly for Staff
April 22, 2024
Loudermilk's Thoughts
Happy Friday!
Week one of state testing is complete! Thank you to ALL staff members at JSMS that helped make testing run so smoothly. Compared to last year, the number of hiccups or minor issues are down significantly! Please remember that it is vitally important that everyone is reading and following Dr. Smith’s emails. Make-up testing will be in full force!
Hang in there, and we will be done with testing before you know it!
The action items below remain the same as last week. On the TN Dept. of Education Survey, we increased our completion rate this week from 51% to 75%! We have a guaranteed Jean Day on May 3, 2024. If you haven’t completed the survey, we encourage you to do so. Your voice and feedback are important to admin at the building and district level!
Our chorus students will be performing their spring concert in the evening on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Mr. Hartgrove has done an outstanding job in preparing students for this performance. We are also blessed to have Mrs. Kayce Green (Head Volleyball Coach at DB) working to support theatrical components for this concert. If you are unable to make it Thursday evening, please stop by during a related arts block to watch a rehearsal. Additionally, Mrs. Green and her family have transformed the auditorium stage and have many elements working for the first time in numerous years. We hope to find time during the school day for chorus students to be able to perform for the school. Fingers crossed that we can make the logistics workout!
Important Action Items:
- We are planning for the 2024-2025 school year! We need your shirt size so that we can order correct sizes. To reserve a specific size, you must complete the JSMS T-Shirt Size 2024-2025 form.
- Admin will start having Professionalism Conferences beginning May 1, 2024. Teachers have the option of completing the Professionalism Support Questions 2023-2024 that is found in Canvas. This is not required, but can act as a tool to share evidence for the four different indicators on the TEAM Professionalism Rubric. If you wish to complete, the deadline is April 30, 2024.
- While on the topic of Professionalism Conferences , we will be sending invites out to those very soon. We ask that each teacher answer three questions on the form, "Sevier's S-S-C for 2024-2025," before your Professionalism Conference. All employees are encouraged to complete, but teachers need to have this done so we can discuss more during our time together at Professionalism Conferences. Your voice matters! Let us know what things we should START, STOP, and CONTINUE doing in 2024-2025 school year.
- Complete Tennessee Educator Survey - see next section.
TCAP Calculator Motivator
One tool you may want to use as a motivator is the TCAP calculator. This week, a student who gave little effort on his ELA TCAP. Baker and I reviewed his grades for the year and then showed him how the state of TN provides a "Quick Score" that will be used in his final grade. His words to us were, "That's amazing. If I try and get some right, I can make a good grade."
If you feel like this is something you would want to use with individual students, feel free. It may (or may not) be a motivator to show that if you will simply put forth effort, your quick score can be high! If you decide to use it, simply enter in the numbers for the yellow boxes (number of items on the test and number of items correct). The quick score (grade) will automatically be calculated for you.
TCAP Initiative Reminder
We are implementing an initiative to encourage and reward students who demonstrate our Way of the Warrior Expectations of doing their Personal Best Effort and utilizing Perseverance during the testing period.
We will be organizing an In-School Dance as a celebration for those students who demonstrate their Personal Best Effort and Perseverance during the TCAP. This initiative aims to acknowledge and appreciate the dedication and commitment shown by our students throughout the testing process.
During the TCAP testing period, I kindly ask for your assistance in observing students' engagement and effort through Pearson Access Next. By monitoring the time spent on the test and utilizing your expertise in the classroom, you can help identify students who may not be giving their best effort.
Students who fail to give their best effort, as determined by your discretion based on observations and Pearson Access Next data, will not be eligible to participate in the In-School Dance. It's important to emphasize that this decision is not meant to penalize students but rather to incentivize them to put forth their best effort during the TCAP.
To streamline this process, here is the TCAP Dance Spreadsheet where you can record the names of students who do not meet the participation criteria. Your cooperation in maintaining accurate records will be greatly appreciated and will ensure fairness and transparency in our selection process.
Recognizing Phishing Attempts
Below are some quick tips on recognizing phishing attempts. Take the interactive optional quiz to see if you can tell when you are being phished.
- Reputable organizations will NEVER ask you for sensitive information via email.
- NEVER enter sensitive information in an online form, unless you are positive that the source is reputable – a bank loan for which you are actively applying, for example.
- Poor grammar is very common in phishing attempts.
- In the below screenshot of a phishing attempt, evaluate the email by asking yourself…
1. Do I know the sender?
2. Am I familiar with the email address? (TIP - Hovering your mouse over the email address might reveal a different and the actual email address.)
3. Is the link shared by someone inside my organization?
***If you answer “NO” to any of these questions, then delete the email and move on.
***If you’re unsure because there is a familiar name included (Principal below), then contact that person directly via phone, text, or separate email.
PEACEFUL Grant Opportunity
We are pleased to share that we have received the Preparing Educators and Counselors for Exceptional Learners (PEACEFUL) grant, funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs. This grant enables us to offer scholarships through a competitive application process to a minimum of 21 PEACEFUL Scholars over the next five years. The purpose of PEACEFUL is to enhance the collaboration between school counselors and special education teachers to support the mental well-being of students living with disabilities and those with high-intensity needs. This grant will support scholars from the departments of Counseling and Human Services and Special Education. Team Members include: Christine D. Lewis, Project Director, Dawn Rowe, Co-Director, Jon Borland, Co-Director, Pamela Mims, & Cynthia Chambers.
We would like to invite applicants who are interested in pursuing their Master of Art in School Counseling (MA) or Master of Education in Special Education (M.Ed.) with an emphasis in either (1) Advanced Studies in Special Education Concentration, (2) Initial Licensure in Low Incidence Disabilities or (3) High Incidence Disabilities to apply. Interested applicants can visit our website below and look for applications to be available in mid-April. Also, there is a promo video with more information on the PEACEFUL grant opportunity.
Website:
https://www.etsu.edu/coe/chs/peaceful_scholarship/peacefulmain.php
Video:
Check your email and complete!
The annual survey from the Tennessee Educator Survey should be in every teacher's email inbox. Please take time to complete and provide your feedback. Data from this survey is collected by the state, shared with Dr. Hampton, and then he shares with principals. Your feedback helps guide district and building level improvements.
The deadline to complete is Friday, April 26, 2024. In years past, Director of Schools have received
weekly updates on completion rates for each school.
Let's celebrate completion rates with Jeans Days!
- 70% Completion Rate = Jeans Day on May 3, 2024.
- 80% Completion Rate = Jeans Day on May 2, and 3, 2024..
- 90% Completion Rate = Jeans Day on May 1, 2, and 3, 2024..
Example email of with survey link
Example email once completed
Shout-Outs
I know organizing and managing our testing is a cumbersome job that I would not want, but Dr. Smith handles it with amazing grace! I appreciate the communication she sends out about it as well! Thank you Dr. Smith for ALL that you do!
Oliver goes above and beyond for our students and coworkers everyday. She is pulled so many directions and never knows what each day will look like but she still comes in and conquers her days. Thank you Oliver.
Sadie, you are little, but you are mighty! You do such a great job in such a challenging role! Thanks for all you do!
Matthew Hartgrove - thanks for all the work you are doing for the kids. They are very excited about their concert, and it is so nice to see! Keep up the good work!
Jan Street - Thanks for taking some 8th graders on the field trip to expose them to possible careers. They were very excited about what they had done during the trip!
Tia Turner is such a great person! She is a role model, caring teacher, and a loving coach. We are lucky to have her as a World Changing Warrior!!!
No one works harder than Zach - even the kids know this! He is everybody's best friend! Where would we be without him? Thanks for all you do, Zach!!!!!
Chris Carr always has such a good attitude and is willing to take a joke as well as give one! He is so much fun! Thanks for playing along with us in the Dr. Loudermilk kidnapping logic puzzle!
Kris Markl taught Spanish at one time at JS. Anytime we need help with a Spanish-speaking parent on the phone or in person, Kris is willing to translate and assist in every way needed. Thank you, Kris for always going the extra mile!!!
Ms. True has a huge heart and really works hard to help all students feel included. Thanks for being flexible and going above and beyond to differentiate.
April 22- April 26, 2024
Monday, April 22
- TCAP - Math Subpart 1 (Non-Calculator) Regular Schedule
- Softball game vs. Sullivan Central Middle @ Sullivan Central (Varsity and JV)
- Baseball Game vs. T.A. Dugger @ TAC (Varsity and JV)
- Golf Match against RNR/Sullivan Heights @ Warriors Path at 4:00pm
- JROTC until 4:00 in the JSMS library
- All JV Track uniforms are due on Wednesday, April 24th to Coach Potts in room 106. They can be turned in from 7:45-8:15.
- No games club this week. It will resume on May 3rd.
Tuesday, April 23
- TCAP: Math Part 2 & 3 (Calculator) 2 Hour Testing Schedule
- Softball game vs. Sullivan East Middle @ Sullivan East (Varsity and JV)
- Middle school weight lifting will be Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:10-4:10 at D-B. Students must have a physical on file to participate. If anyone has questions they can reach out to Coach Luethke in the gym.
- Golf City Championship @ Ridgefields Golf Course at 4:00pm
- Track Meet @ TN High
- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
- All JV Track uniforms are due on Wednesday, April 24th to Coach Potts in room 106. They can be turned in from 7:45-8:15.
Wednesday, April 24
- TCAP: Science Part 1 & 2 (2 Hour Testing Schedule)
- Orchestra Practice Club 3-4
- JV Track and Field uniforms are due to Coach Potts today in room 106.
Thursday, April 25
- TCAP: Social Studies Part 1 & 2 (2 Hour Testing Schedule)
- Double Band during Related Arts
- Chorus Concert 6:00 in the Auditorium
- Middle school weight lifting will be Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:10-4:10 at D-B. Students must have a physical on file to participate. If anyone has questions they can reach out to Coach Luethke in the gym.
Friday, April 26
- Jazz Band - Friday from 7:15-8:00am
- Track Conference Meet @ DBHS
- Food Truck: 2 to Taco
Save The Date:
- 8th Graders interested in trying out for Dobyns Bennett Color Guard and need to ride a bus to DB will need to get a bus pass from the office. You will ride a bus to DB and a current member of the Color Guard will meet you at the bus stop to walk you to the band building the first day. See Mrs. McMurray with questions regarding Color Guard Auditions! Auditions are April 29-May 2.
- Any 8th grader who is planning on trying out for DB Volleyball must have a physical on file. Tryouts for upcoming freshman will be at TAC from 4:00-6:00 on May 23rd. Students can complete the try-out registration form prior to tryouts.
- 6th graders will be going to Bays Mountain on the following dates:
Team 6-1: Tuesday, May 7
Team 6-2: Wednesday, May 8
Team 6-3: Thursday, May 9
Please have students return the signed permission form to their science teacher.
- END OF YEAR AWARDS PROGRAMS:
- May 22, Wednesday- 6th grade Awards Program 8:00 AM
May 22, Wednesday-7th grade Awards Program 1:30 PM
- May 23, Thursday-8th grade Awards Program 9:00 AM
John Sevier Middle School
- Sevier Staff Handbook
- JSMS Master Schedule
- JSMS Staff Duties and Responsibilities
- KCS Professional Learning for Middle School 2023-2024
- KCS School-Sponsored Club or Organization Parent/Guardian Consent Form
- Sevier Field Trip Request - Online Form
- KCS Acceptable Content/Resources Curriculum Guidance
- Lunch Detention Form 23-24
- After School Detention Form 23-24
Email: kloudermilk@k12k.com
Website: https://sevier.k12k.com/
Location: 1200 Wateree Street, Kingsport, TN, USA
Phone: 423-378-2450
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCSSevier
Twitter: @KCS_Sevier