Warrior Beat
Student Focused-World Class
Word for the Warrior...
Here it is:
These 3 things matter:
Educators' belief in students
Educators' belief in themselves
Students' belief in themselves
I have thought about these three things that matter all weekend.
1. Educators’ belief in students
So many of our Sevier students come to school having lost hope. Many of our kids have never had anyone in their lives who let them know that they matter. Many of our kids have never been the apple of their parents’ eyes. For many of our students who have, adolescence has convinced them otherwise. The students who come to us with natural academic ability, confidence and hope make our jobs easy. For the others, they make our jobs worth it. Teaching is supporting all of the needs that students have that do not come naturally. If we are student-focused and if we focus on their needs, teaching is hard work. Teaching is often even exhausting work. But, teaching is exhausting for all of the RIGHT reasons if we are in it for the right reasons. Sometimes, it’s easy to feel like a failure when our work is hard. Don’t lose hope. Many of our students are depending on US as THEIR hope. If we give up hope, they have no hope. What a gift we have in our profession. We know that our work matters. Like the quote above says, the hard part for us is that it matters EVERY SINGLE DAY.
2. Educators’ belief in themselves
It took me way too many years to trust myself as an educator. For too many years, I created an environment that I thought was loving and supportive for all students, but when certain students didn’t succeed in that environment, I panicked. I assumed either that I was a failure, or I determined that that particular student was beyond my reach. Fear is often the result when we reach difficulty. Sometimes it is easy to be negative and hopeless when we face difficulties that exceed our experience or knowledge base. When we focus on students instead of ourselves, it’s easier to have the confidence to be creative, to learn and to be a risk taker in working to meet the needs of our classrooms. Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result. This quote should empower us to keep trying. We can’t expect students who do not have the necessary skills to succeed to suddenly acquire the skills to be successful without us changing something for them. This is about our kids and what they need, instead of it being about our expertise or failure. To me, this is empowering. It is imperative that we trust ourselves and believe in ourselves to problem solve for the sake of our kids.
3. Students’ belief in themselves
We are at Sevier because we believe that students matter. Most of our kids are full of self-doubt. It is our calling and our responsibility to find ways to inspire hope and confidence in our students. When our students are unsuccessful and when they lack motivation, it’s clear they do not have a belief in themselves. Loving kids is our highest priority. Believing in our kids will help our students see reasons to believe in themselves. When our students challenge us, they are revealing their weakness . I have to personally remember that the students who challenge us most, need us the most.
The clip below is one I have shared time and time again, but it’s just that good. I need it several times a year. Remember, every child needs a champion. You may be the only champion that some kids will every know. We matter. We are difference makers. We are CALLED to DREAM BIG for the sake of our kids.
#worldchangingwarriors
Week of the Warrior
MONDAY 9/26/16
Leadership Team Meeting-Library-3:00
RTI Data Conferences: LA First half of Planning/Math Second half of Planning
BOYS’ BASKETBALL TRYOUTS 3:00-5:00
Sevier on Stage Practice 3:00-5:00
SPIRIT WEEK KICKOFF with ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE
Volleyball Area Tournament, Game @ Sevier, 4:30 & 6
TUESDAY 9/27/16
Grades are due.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL TRYOUTS 3-5
Cheerleading Practice 3-5 (5:15 Tumbling)
Swim Team Practice 3:15-5:15
Dance Team Practice 3:00-4:45
Student Council 3:00-3:45 (Mrs. Wagner’s Room 344)
JV Football vs Boone at DB @6 (Meet at field 5:30)
Varsity Football vs Boone at DB @7 (Meet at field 6:30)
Cross Country Sectionals Meet @ Holston Home for Children in Greeneville
WEDNESDAY 9/28/16
8th Grade Breakfast & Book Club-Mrs. Youngs’ (Room 338)
Cheer Practice 3-5 (5:15 Tumbling)
Dance Team Practice 3-5
The STAFF of the SEQUOYAH SCRIBE student newspaper will meet 2:45-3:30
All STAFF Members are REQUIRED to attend. The Editorial Team will meet until 5:15.
THURSDAY 9/29/16
Sevier & RNR (all day during planning blocks and immediately after school)
GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS 3:00-5:00/Sprankle Gym
(Must have a sports physical on file)
Sevier on Stage 3:00-5:00
Natural Helpers 2:55-4:30/Room 241
Swim Team Practice 3:15-4:15
Bridge Club-3:00/Library
Volleyball Area Tournament, Game @ Sevier, 4:30 & 6
FRIDAY 9/30/16
GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS 3:00-5:00/Sprankle Gym
Sevier on Stage 3:00-5:00 (Full Cast)
Chess Club 3:00/Library
Lunch Bunch/Counseling
SATURDAY 10/1/16
Volleyball State Sectional Tournament @ Norris Middle School
SAVE THE DATE
PICTURE DAY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, Informational flyers will be sent home with students this week
SAM & BUDS will be on an extended day trip to Camp Explore/Thursday, October 6
BOYS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS (FOOTBALL PLAYERS) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5
BOYS 1ST FULL TEAM BASKETBALL PRACTICE, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
The JSMS Jam...
ATTENTION! ALL TEACHERS AND CLASSIFIED STAFF:
I had originally assumed that our meeting about insurance would be held after school. In a recent mail, I learned that these will happen during grade level planning times. Let's plan on meeting in the office conference room for these meetings during the first half of your planning time. For teams that have their department planning that day, both can meet during the second half of planning.
Observations and Evaluations
We have yet to receive 2016 Summative Teacher data from the state. As a result, we will proceed to do an unannounced observation on all teachers this semester. If a teacher receives a 5 as a summative score once the state releases the data, they will have no other observations this year. For all other teachers, the announced observation will be done in the Spring. Typically, the announced observation is done in the fall and the unannounced observation is done in the spring. Because we don't know scores yet and because we want to finish observations by Thanksgiving, we will be flipping the order. Unannounced observations will begin this week. We will be sending you the observation schedule so that you know who will be conducting your observations this year.
SPIRIT WEEK 2016!
Help us get ready and build up that Warrior Spirit as we prepare to play RNR in the City Championship on October 4th at J. Fred Johnson Stadium. Join us in participating in SPIRIT WEEK 2016! Go Warriors!
Tuesday 9/27 through Tuesday 10/4
It’s a competition…between 6th, 7th, and 8th grade!
Compete for points in the following events:
Food Drive
Monday 9/19 – Fri 9/23
The first period class in 6th, 7th, 8th that collects the most gets
DOUGHNUTS!!!!
Dress-Up Days
Wed 9/28 – Crazy Sock, Crazy Hair, and Mismatch Day
Thurs 9/29 – Country Attire Day
Fri 9/30 – Pajama Pant & Tee Shirt Day (Dress Code Applies)
Mon 10/3 – Twin Day
Tues 10/4 – Class Color Day
6th – White
7th – Black
8th – Red
PEP Rally Events
Human Hoola Hoop Line
Crazy Suitcase Dress-Up
Dizzy Balloon
Coin Drop
Pennies and Dollars add points for a grade
Quarters, Dimes, and Nickels subtract points from a grade
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Order JSMS Spirit Gear for the Whole Family!
John Sevier Spirit Wear is on sale through this Tuesday!. All items purchased will help fund the Athletic Program at JSMS. The items will be received in Mid-October.
Order Here:
http://order.fancloth.com/37660/193604
Goodbye Google Hangout...
Google Hangouts is a unified communications service that allows participants to initiate text, voice or video chats, either one-to-one or in a group. In order to fully utilize the software, more training needs to occur and since students are not using the software in appropriate practices, it will be turned off the evening of Friday, September 23.
This is a powerful resource that can provide real time feedback as well as extend learning opportunities beyond the school day. However, if it is not used appropriately it can cause classroom disruptions as well as student disciplinary infractions. Over the next few months, the C&I team will begin to exam & research the best instructional use of Hangouts for grades 4-8 and determine if other software may be appropriate for this type of unified communications including options within Canvas. Along with this research, more support will be provided on the integration of digital citizenship into classroom practices and how other districts are utilizing unified communications for enhanced student learning.
For more information or questions about unified communications, please contact Scott Pierce or Laurie Norris.
Food Drive
Please join John Sevier in collecting canned food and non-perishable foot items! We are working on a community service project to help feed the hungry in our region. We will be collecting food September 19th -23rd. Please have your children take their food donations to their first period class. Thank you!
#worldchangingwarriors
You are invited to join PTA
Hi All, we have been invited to join the JSMS PTA. Right now, we have very few satff members who have joined PTA (including me). I know that there has been a lot on our plate and that this hasn't been at the front of our minds. I invite you to join our PTA and show support for our parent organization who works hard to provide support and funding. I will attach the membership form to the email containing this link. You can fill out the form and place it in an envelope with $5 to join. Thanks!
to our school to support our programs.
News from the ASC...
Help Needed by the Tennessee Department of Education
The TDOE is seeking "content developers" for grades K-5 for the standards rollout training. The deadline for applying has been extended to September 28. For the role description and application, please click on the file below.
The TDOE is also seeing classroom teachers who are willing to videotape "a great lesson that really highlights the instructional shifts" and/or one that shows a lesson "aligned to the academic standard and expectations for the content and grade level." The taping would include the lesson as well as an interview about the lesson. In addition, it would require some lesson plan development with Nicole Jimenez, Deputy Director for Teacher Training and Support, from the Office of Academic Strategy and Operations. Her contact information isNicole.Jimenez@tn.gov.
NIET Best Practices Portal
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a public nonprofit organization committed to improving educator effectiveness. The NIET best practices portal is an interactive web tool, available to ALL TEACHERS, that provides real-time access to individualized support in order to improve instruction and evaluation.
To login, please use your KCS email address (e.g., jhooker@k12k.com), then enter your password. If you do not recall your NIET password, click "forgot password" and a new password will be sent to your email address.
From the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
"What Makes Music Education Great in Your School District" Recognition Program Kick Off - Beginning today, eligible school districts throughout the U.S. are invited to submit an online application with a link to an original one-minute student-produced and faculty-advised video on the theme, “What makes music education great in my school district?” Since 2014, The NAMM Foundation has hosted 13 residencies in communities throughout the U.S. celebrating music education, and students, teachers, school and community leaders that are creating music learning opportunities for all students. Your school district could be next!
Submit a Video to Win! - Review the official rules and submit an online application here. A link to your video is required. Winners will receive a two-day residency with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, guided tours of the Bus as well as the opportunity for a group of students to work with Lennon Bus producers and engineers to create a music video for an original song. During the two-day residency, The NAMM Foundation will host a town hall event to showcase music programs in the district and feature performing groups, teachers and school administrators sharing their stories of the value and importance of music education for school and community. View the eligibility requirements and read the official rules by clickinghere.
Application OPENS: 9/14/16
Application ENDS: 11/18/16
Anticipated Award Notification: 12/1/16
2017 Best Communities for Music Education - "Save the Date” of October 11 and participate this year in the 2017 Best Communities for Music Education and SupportMusic Merit Award application, available here.
Subscribe to the "Talking Up Music Education" podcast - Talking Up Music Education is a podcast produced by The NAMM Foundation about music education. Download and subscribe today.
School Challenge - Good Sports Always RecycleTM (Deadline for Nominations is October 3, 2016)
Does your school like a little healthy competition? Are your faculty and students working to make your school and/or community more sustainable? Nominate your school for a chance to win money (and bragging rights) in this year’s Good Sports Always Recycle™ (GSAR) school challenge. GSAR will recognize 10 Tennessee schools for their outstanding environmental programs!
- Eight schools will be awarded $1,000 for the GSAR School Competition
- One exemplary school will be awarded $1,500 for the GSAR Sustainability Steward Award
- One school will be awarded $1,500 for the Best New Program
Each winning school will also receive two tickets to the November 5, 2016, University of Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech football game, a special tailgate celebration and on-field recognition during the game.
To nominate your school online, please click here or complete the Word document found below and mail it to Jennifer Wiggins, jwiggins@akinsps.com.
For more information on GSAR educational resources, please click here.
KCS UPCOMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 2016
- Fri. 9/30 - Home Football Game, D-B vs Maryville, J. Fred Johnson Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
OCTOBER 2016
- Sat. 10/1 - Mon. 10/31 - National Principals Month
- Sun. 10/2 - National Custodial Worker's Day
- Mon. 10/3 - Deadline for "Good Sports Always Recycle" school challenge nomination
- Tue. 10/4 - BOE Meeting, TN Room (ASC), 6 p.m.
- Wed. 10/5 - College/Career Shirt Day
- Fri. 10/7 - NO SCHOOL, In-Service Day
- Fri. 10/7 - AWAY Football Game, D-B @ Bradley Central, 7:30 p.m.
- Mon. 10/10 - Fri. 10/14 - NO SCHOOL, Fall Break
- Fri. 10/14 - AWAY Football Game, D-B @ Bearden, 7:30 p.m.
- Tue. 10/18 - BOE Work Session, TN Room (ASC), 6 p.m.
- Thu. 10/20 - Report Cards
- Fri. 10/21 - Home Football Game/SENIOR NIGHT, D-B vs Jefferson County, J. Fred Johnson Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
- Fri. 10/28 - AWAY Football Game, D-B @ Science Hill, 7:30 p.m.
NEWS FROM THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (NEW IF IN RED)
Commissioner's Update & State Dates/Deadlines
College & Career Readiness Update
Special Education Director Update
Celebrations and Recognitions
Please keep Calvin Kyte and his wife in your thoughts and prayers. His wife is has been in the hospital this week.
Sevier Volleyball Lady Warriors Junior Varsity and Varsity teams both placed third in the conference! So proud of these ladies, their hard work, determination and victory this season! Go Warriors!
- Our Boys and Girls Cross Country teams are Conference Champs! Both teams remain undefeated while heading into Sectionals Tuesday at Greeneville.
The Girls and Boys dominated both races and won by large margins. PLEASE CONGRATULATE THESE ATHLETES.
Conference Overall Results:
1st Place - Macee Pickup
2nd Place - Morgan Cordell
3rd Place - Jaden Potts
5th Place - Hope Fulkerson
6th Place - Autumn Hendrick
8th Place - Sara Smith
10th Place - Emma True
BOYS:
4th Place - Jackson Farr
5th Place - Joe Neglia
6th Place - Will Everett
7th Place - Justyn Knittel
10th Place - Dane Sullins
- We are so proud of our 6th grade Math team (Kristen Bridwell, Schaun Potts, Brian Winstead) who presented at the UETCTM regional Math conference this week for Math teachers across East Tennessee! Warrior Pride!
- Thank you to our SRO, Brad Conkin, for taking the initiative in helping us purchase protective tint for our windows and doors! Check out the story here:
http://wjhl.com/2016/09/20/two-kingsport-schools-receive-crucial-time-saving-film-to-help-deter-intruders/
- Welcome Back and Congratulations to Aaron Gourley, who will be serving as our JSMS Varsity Basketball coach. Aaron is a former Warrior Math teacher who currently teaches Math at DB. While still teaching at DB, Aaron will serve as our Varsity Basketball coach. #onceawarrioralwaysawarrior