UHMS Rising Phoenix
Uplift Hampton Middle School September 2, 2019
"Be Committed, Be Consistent, Be Courageous"
Hello Phoenix Nation,
UHMS scholars are limited only by our expectations, by what we hope, dream, and believe is possible for them. In countless research studies, the #1 determinant of students’ learning is the high expectations of teachers, leaders, and staff. In the book, The Smartest Kids in the World, the author finds that the most drastic difference between American schools and schools in Finland, Korea, Japan, Denmark, and other high-performing countries, is that teachers expect much more from the students in those countries as compared to teachers in the US. Teachers continuously push students to do better and meet their ambitious goals. High expectations are reflected in our actions. The work we expect our scholars to produce, the rigor and complexity of the assignments we give our scholars, and the quality and accuracy of the work that they create all reflect our expectations. The behavior, level of effort, hard-work, resilience, and focus that we expect, accept, and allow, all reflect our expectations. What we do when scholars don’t meet our expectations, reflects what we believe they can do. Every scholar will give you what you expect of them, which means we must be very thoughtful and honest of what we truly expect of our scholars.
We will spend the month of September focused on building relationships. We will develop opportunities for scholars to build a connection with us, for us to build connections with scholars, for scholars to build relationships with each other, and for us to build relationships with one another for the purpose of supporting the development of internal motivations. which will support the development of internal motivation. Every day is a new day. Allow scholars opportunity for a fresh start regardless what the day before looked like, you are modeling for them determination, grit, and perseverance.
“If we expect kids to be losers, they will be losers; if we expect them to be winners, they will be winners. They rise or fall, to the level of expectations of those around them, especially their parents and their teachers.” - Jamie Escalante
With love, admiration, and gratitude,
Priscilla, Chataqua, Chrissy, and Jabez
Walk-Through Focus
Building Relationships with Scholars through engagement, getting to know your scholars on a personal level, praising scholars for meeting your expectations, and calling parents for positive behaviors.
Strategy of the Week: Identifying Similarities and Differences
IB ATL Communication: 1) Scholars can explain their understanding of a text or idea to each other. 2) All scholars can contribute to discussions. 3) Scholars are assessed or given feedback on speaking or writing concisely.
When administrators walk through your room, please do not stop instruction.
Counselor Update
Greetings, Phoenix Nation!
I hope you all are enjoy your long weekend! First, I would like thank you all for your hard work and dedication. Scholars are complimenting you all and are really engaged. Thank you for all for keeping scholars first!
Updates
This month all scholars have received the Bullying Prevention and Introduction to Social Counselor lessons. When a scholar needs to speak with me, they have been instructed to complete a referral and submit it to myself or my confidential mailbox located outside of my office. If it is truly an emergency, please feel free to shoot me text or call me directly.
Food for Thought
While purging my bookshelf, I came across a special edition TIME magazine called “The Power of Habits”. This issue was inspired by the book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Given this is often the time of year that we tend to reflect on our lives and make new commitments to achieve our goals, I thought this may be an interesting share. According to Duhigg, “we repeat behaviors because they got us through one day and will likely get us through the next.” In this video, Duhigg explains that understanding the cues, routines, and rewards of our behaviors can help us make or break habits. In thinking about our scholar’s behaviors, I can’t help but think about the cues, routines, and rewards of the behaviors they exhibit that both help them to be successful or signals a need for improvement. In what ways can we support our scholars this semester to help them establish the habits they need to be successful in life? Take a moment to discuss this with our scholars or use to reflect on for yourself.
Announcements:
1. Upcoming Guidance Lessons for September
· Executive Functioning (8th Grade)
· Healthy Relationships (6th and 8th Grade)
· Sexual Harassment (All Grade Levels)
Counseling Resources
The Calm app is being offered at no cost to teachers and school personnel. Please review the link below to request access to all of its features. The app provides meditation/mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and sleep routine suggestions.
Work/ Life Balance: Upcoming Events
· September 1st at 4pm- Klyde Warren Park- Labor Day Food Truck Rally (FREE)
· September 6th- Dallas Chocolate Festival
· September 7th-8th- Dallas Nourished Festival
· September 20th at 7pm- A musical Night of Compassion- The Potter's House (FREE)
Thank you again for all that you do! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
Warm Regards,
Kelsi Jackson
Social Behavioral Counselor
Two Weeks At A Glance
Parent Calendar
Tasha and Phillip for their scholar engagement during ELT
Facilities Staff for being flexible and keeping the building looking goodArliscia for being a "lifesaver" for our scholars and all of us
Cynthia and Carmen for being committed to our scholars and going above and beyond while going through their personal life experiences
Trenese, LT, Karina, Marisha, Koty, Brenda, Mark, and Bella for hosting their first Scholar Reward Raffle and Auction
Daniela for continuing to sub and test scholars this week
Phillip, Shenika, Brenda S, Michael, Charlotte, Tasha, Tiffany, and De'Onna for the Popsicle party
Tammy and Stedmon for a fun and engaging lesson with a writing prompt on sequencing
Xavier, Lauren, Kelly Anna, Kennedy, Joe, LaTresa, Coty, and Chelsie for hosting the first 8th grade Choice Friday
Chrissy, Chataqua, Jabez, Cynthia, Ranae, Javetta, Kelsi for consistently rising to the occasion and working together as a team
STAAR Goals
Weekly Goals
- Create Rigorous Assignments and Scaffold Lessons so that Scholars are Required to Engage in Productive Struggle
- Provide Ongoing Feedback that Challenges Scholars to Produce Exemplar Work
- Define College-Level Expectations for Scholars’ Work
- Communicate Clear Expectations and Tenaciously Follow-Up with Scholars
- Consistently Give HERO tracks, and Coach Scholars on behaviors by connecting feedback to Core Values
- Build Relationships!
Important Announcements and Information!
1st quarter Progress Reports: Grades for 1st quarter progress reports are due on Sep. 10th. Grades will lock at 11pm. Each scholar should have a minimum of 10 grades in each subject.
Goal-setting meetings:
- Window 9/2nd - 9/13th
- Calendared with your evaluator
- Approximately 30 min
- Set goals for the year
- Agree on coaching plan to achieve goals
Released STAAR tests: We are asked NOT to use released STAAR tests from previous years in creation of any quizzes or reviews. Uplift will be utilizing these exams for assessments and want to maintain the validity of the assessment by ensuring scholars have not already seen the questions.
Repeated for Your Convenience
New Scholars: We will continue adding new scholars on Monday. Please give them and their families a warm Phoenix welcome. Reach out to Samantha if you have any questions. We will continue to add scholars until classrooms are filled or we reach our enrollment target.
Covering Classes: Using teacher planning time to cover classes will always be our last resort when we do not have sub coverage. When it does happen, we appreciate your flexibility and willingness to give up your planning time to make sure scholars receive appropriate lessons. When a classroom teacher covers another classroom during their planning time due to a shortage of subs, we will provide sub pay once you hit a full day of coverage.
Weekly Staff Huddles: UHMS Weekly Staff Huddles are on Fridays in the Secondary Library at 7:15am. Be on time.
ESL: All ELA teachers must be ESL certified by October 31st. Getting ESL certified is not an option. If you have questions or concerns see your dean.
ESL Information: It’s time to reflect on the ELs in your classes! ELLevation will email you the information for adding your reflections into our online ESL database. Your insights help to establish which scholars need testing supports, which need small group intervention, and which are on track to progressing their English fluency. If you have any issues with ELLevation please email Mary Hawkins for support, mhawkins@uplifteducation.org .
Classroom Doors and Scholar Greeters: Doors are to remain unlocked during instructional time. As our administrative team or guests enter your room, ensure that you have a scholar greeter prepared to greet guests.
Scholar Essential for the Week
Teach Scholars to Make eye contact. When someone is speaking, scholars should keep their eyes on the person speaking at all times. If someone makes a comment, turn and face that person. Track the speaker.
Staff Calendar
Phoenix Nation!
Here's How to Reach Us!
Priscilla Parhms 469.236.2900 pparhms@uplifteducation.org
Chrissy Cormier 214.326.3002 ccormier@uplifteducation.org
Chataqua Mangum 972.897.4659 cmangum@uplifteducation.org
Jabez Deacon 414.562.7592 jdeacon@uplifteducation.org
Website: https://www.uplifteducation.org/Page/13790
Location: 8915 South Hampton Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-421-1982