Redbird Roundup, Vol 16
Friday, December 14, 2018
Principal's Greeting
Happy Friday Norris Staff!
There is lots of excitement in the air as we move towards winter break. We are seeing a ton of summative activities and projects out there that are fantastic. Keep it up, and make the most of these last days!
Next week features a bunch of great activities, including another trip to the Durham, a Chorus concert, our fundraiser dances, and our holiday crockpot exchange. Check out the calendar below and all the other important announcements so you're in the loop.
I will not be doing a Redbird Roundup next week, but instead will be using the Bulb app to display pictures from our week. I hope you enjoy it!
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Carr
Preparation for Winter Break
As we near the end of the semester I'd like to share a few important reminders:
1) Vigilance is huge. Please be in the hallways, at your supervisions, at your door as much as possible. NLT is going to up our supervision in the cafeteria as well.
2) Instruction doesn't stop because we're close to a break. You should be engaging your students in summative assessments and reflecting on goals for first semester with your students.
3) Please take time to come to our Crockpot Exchange on Thursday, December 20. It will be a great opportunity for us to see each other and celebrate before break.
4) Take time for you over break. Get rest, get refreshed, spend time with family and friends.
Dr. Carr unavailable December 26-January 2
December 17-January 4
Monday, December 17: NAC Meetings after school
Tuesday, December 18: VILS PD by teams; Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19: Fundraiser Dance for 6th and 7th grade during 7/8 block
Thursday, December 20: Crockpot Exchange and Ugly Sweater Contest during lunch; Grading Window Opens; Fundraiser Dance for 8th Grade during 7/8 block
Friday, December 21: LAST DAY BEFORE BREAK!!!
Thursday, January 3: Building Open for teacher use/access
Friday, January 4: Teacher Work Day
Mark your calendars, New Student Open House
Staff Introductions
Michelle Coniglio
Name: Michelle Coniglio
How many years have you been teaching? 9
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? The staff and students. People are very nice here!
What is one of your favorite quotes? People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? Reading
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? I hate sweeping the kitchen floor!
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Go on vacation with my family and pay off everything I owe.
What TV show would you binge watch if you had the time? Poldark
Leanna Jurgens
Name: Leanna Jurgens
How many years have you been teaching? This is year 53.
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? Caring staff members and students
What is one of your favorite quotes? Please pardon the length.
Isn't it strange, that princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common-folk like you and me,
are builders for eternity?
To each is given a bag of tools,
a shapeless mass and a Book of Rules;
and each must make 'ere time has flown,
a stumbling block or a stepping stone.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Just about anything that can be called housework.
What is something you learned in the last week? Reminded again to be patient and kind when talking to the person that I think has made a mistake, because it just might be my mistake. (It was.)
What could you give a 40 minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? Student rights and responsibilities.
What TV show would you binge watch if you had the time? Mini- series, “Manhunt: the Unabomber.”
Sweet or salty? And what food is your favorite in that category? Sweet and my favorite is Ritter Sport candy bar--milk chocolate with hazelnuts.
Gordon Russell
Name: Gordon Russell
How many years have you been teaching? I have been teaching for 23 ½ years – 21 years at Norris and 2 ½ in Iowa.
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? I just love the students and the feeling of family here.
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? I enjoy hiking, just spending time in the outdoors.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning house, I want someone else to do it for me.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Playing piano.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? I would pay off all of my debt and then buy a private island in Alaska.
Sweet or salty? And what food is your favorite in that category? I like them both. I like almost all sweets and as far as salty – potato chips!
Powerful Practices
Summative Projects/Visiting Castelar Elementary
Students in Ms. Wright's Language Arts classes took their final book projects to Castelar Elementary to read to students. Each student was able to read their story and share their illustrations with eager kindergarten students!
Take Flight Mentoring Day
Library PLC
Chat Stations
Check out this cool article on Chat Stations-a way to engage your students in conversation during class time. You can use this with content-related material, or as a brain break.
Norris Staff and Students Seen and Heard
Scheduling Updates
Durham Field Trip
Think Tank
Swim Finals
Superintendent's Town Hall
Final Thought
"All children need reliable, positive adults in their lives. Children who grow up with positive relationships learn healthy, appropriate emotional responses to everyday situations." (Eric Jensen, Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind).
We only see them for around eight hours a day, but we have to take advantage of the time we have them. How many positives are you giving out in a class period? During a school day? I challenge you to kick it into high gear on your positives given to students in this last week before break.