Blaze Bulletin
Edition 37
GUIDING BHS>>>
Counselor Corner
A-D Counselor: Ms. Charlie Borel, E-K Counselor: Ms. Christine Bryan, L-R Counselor: Ms. Shannon Barber, S-Z Interim Counselor: Ms. Elaine Allen, College and Crisis Counselor: Ms. JoJo Breiner, Graduation Coach: Ms. Kim Garrott, Counseling Secretary/Registrar: Ms. Marina Sadler
*Thank you Sophomore and Junior English teachers for allowing counselors to come to your classes this week and talk with students about their transcripts and graduation requirements! If your students have any questions regarding what we went over during those meetings, please ask them to see us. We're more than happy to answer their questions.
*We’re all ready for Fall Break, aren’t we?! We’ve attached two articles addressing stress management for teachers. Enjoy!
*Groups with Mrs. Breiner meet during Impact in the Counseling Conference Room. Tuesday: Anxiety Group; Wednesday: Mindset Group; Thursday: GRIT Group. If you have any questions regarding these groups or would like to recommend a student to attend these groups, please email JoJo Breiner at breinerj@rcschools.net.
We are so thankful to be part of this team! Go Blaze!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
FACULTY MEETING
TIME: 7:30 am LOCATION: Auditorium
- October 9th
- November 13th
- December 4th
- February 5th
- March 5th
- April 2nd
- May 7th
SPED TIP
SPED TIP
Federal (IDEA) and state laws require that a general education teacher, familiar with the child, be involved as a member of the IEP team. This symbolizes that the IEP meeting must focus first on the general education classroom and the general education curriculum, and on what is needed to support the child in that setting.
ESL Tidbits
What is WIDA?
WIDA’s story begins with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which brought English language learners into the national spotlight. As a result of this change, WIDA was born in 2003, when an Enhanced Assessment Grant was awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Public Education, WIDA’s first home.
Funded by the grant, WIDA developed the 2004 WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards, which served as the basis for the ACCESS for ELLs test of English Language Proficiency. WIDA also created professional development workshops to support educators in the WIDA Consortium member states.
Today, ACCESS for ELLs is a sophisticated online test. The ACCESS suite of offerings also includes Kindergarten ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Additional assessments offered include WIDA Screener and WIDA MODEL.
ACCESS for ELLs Online (ACCESS Online) is a computer-based, adaptive test that responds to student performance and may be administered in group or individual settings. This proficiency assessment is given annually to students in Grades 1-12. It tests students' language in four domains: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. In order for students to test out of the ESL program, they must receive a score of 4.0 for Literacy and 4.2 Overall on the WIDA test.
For more information about WIDA, please click on the following link: https://wida.wisc.edu/
Tips on Helping ESL Students with the Speaking Domain:
One of the ways in which we are helping our students in the Speaking domain is by incorporating projects that reinforce presentation skills. For example, students are creating their research projects on Microsoft's PowerPoint or Sway program and will be presenting in smaller groups next week. ESL students tend to feel more comfortable expressing themselves when presenting in small group settings. As the year progresses and the students' confidence in English language skills progresses, we prepare the students for whole class presentations.
Article Submitted by: Evelyn Heckman and Anoulom Phimphivong
Mark Your Calendar
All teachers are expected to work one of the following events: Homecoming Dance, Prom, or Graduation. The dates for each event are below so that you can mark your calendar.
Homecoming Dance - Jan (day tbd) 2019 at 7pm
Prom - April 12, 2019 at 7:30pm
Graduation - May 19, 2019 at 2:30pm
FIELD TRIP PROTOCOL
Teacher Requirements:
- Paperwork should be turned in for approval 3 weeks in advance.
- Teachers should be notified with a roster of attendees 2 weeks in advance (and then the day before as a reminder)
- A travel itinerary and parent permission form must be attached to each request.
- A statement on the field trip notice that attendance and academics preclude participation in field trips is required if students should not go because of grades or attendance. If this is the case, please let the sponsoring teacher/coach know.
Nurse Requirements:
- Please notify me 2 weeks in advance of any upcoming field trips. It does take time to gather information on each student to ensure that any medication or procedure is covered accordingly!
- If you are ahead or a part of any group of students before or after school please send me a list! I want to make sure that any medical condition is discussed with whichever faculty member is in charge of a particular group of students'.
Equipping Teachers to Empower Their Students
Feed the Children supports the teachers in our nation’s struggling schools by inviting them to shop for free classroom and school supplies at one of our three Teacher Stores. These stores benefit more than 525,000 students across the country during the school year.
http://www.feedthechildren.org/how/us/education/
Tennessee Teacher Store - LaVergne location (calendar/hours):
JEANS DAY FOR YOU!!
INSERVICE TRAINING AVAILABLE
Book Study Inservice
Title of Session: Professional Book Study for 6-12 teachers using Engagement by Design by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey
Synopsis of Session: In this three part workshop, teachers will receive a copy of and use the book Engagement by Design by Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey as a focus for the workshop discussions and activities. Teachers will commit to three after school meetings, totaling five (5) hours of professional development. There will be short Bridge to Practice activities to complete prior to each meeting. Space is limited to 30 teachers. Please do not sign up if you cannot commit to all three sessions as you will receive a copy of the book at no cost.
Location : Professional Development Center, Classroom A
Dates and Time :
Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 4 :00-6 :00
Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 4 :00-6:00
FIRE SAFETY EDUCATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
SportsCenter Spotlight
IT IS GAMEDAY!!
GO BLAZE!!
Kate's Tech Corner.....
Blaze bulletin
1. Please join our school playposit
https://www.playposit.com/getIntoSchool/MTA3Ng==
2. Thought I would share this new research about teens and their social media use and how it is affecting them: https://www.commonsense.org/education/blog/what-new-research-on-teens-and-social-media-means-for-teachers
This would make for a great class debate, discussion, or writing assignment!
3. ** Attached Digital Citizenship Tip to share with teachers and students
4. Protecting Student Privacy on Social Media: Do's and Don'ts for Teachers
https://www.commonsense.org/education/posters
5. Every Tuesday!
PD in your PJs on Twitter 7 pm
Join us for another #rcstechchat live on Twitter from 7 to 8pm. We have a quick video to help you if you've never joined a chat before. If you have any questions please just ask me and I can help you get started! We hope you will join us! It will be a fun and fast hour that will help you grow your Professional Learning Network!! Click here to watch the video on how to get started!
Technology Issues
Please send technology work orders to bhswo@rcschools.net and include your room number and phone extension if it is a phone issue!
Professional Development Opportunity
Back by popular demand, we are offering another year of our BHS Professional Development Series. These are in-service sessions presented on our campus - by BHS teachers, for BHS teachers. Our theme this semester is "Outcomes" as we look to focus on outcomes of student tasks, the outcomes of classroom relationships, outcomes of integrated technology, etc.
SEPTEMBER 25
GREAT TEAMS: 16 THINGS HIGH-PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONS DO DIFFERENTLY BY DON YAEGER
PILLAR ONE: TARGETING PURPOSE Want to strengthen your team in your classroom? Your sport? Your school? Guybrarian Brian Seadorf will be using Don Yaeger's bestseller titled Great Teams to discuss ways to build a great team. The first pillar is titled: "Targeting Purpose". Learn how great teams in sports and business have connected to a greater purpose. You will learn to understand whom you are serving and why that matters. This will be the first session in a 4-part series. Presenter: Brian Seadorf Time: 3:45-4:45 Location: Media Center
To sign up, just click the session you are interested in and you'll be directed to either Microsoft Form or to SchoolStation (required for K. Brown's sessions).
Click here to sign up:
Picture Dates 2018-2019
Club Pictures - October 25 - All Day - Main Gym
Senior Picture Makeup – November 15 (Early Dismissal) - After Dismissal - Cafeteria
Spring Pictures - February 28 - 1 - 3 Periods - Auxiliary Gym
Cap and Gown Pictures - February 28 - All Day through English Classes - Main Gym Lobby
Junior Orientation (Upcoming Senior Portrait Info) - April 4 - Primetime - Auditorium
IN FINANCIAL NEWS...
Blackman High School Spirit Wear website is going live Wednesday, August 22, 2018. A direct link will be available on the BHS home page.
Shop to support our school and enjoy a 10% discount!
GO BLAZE!!
Let's play who is that? HIGH SCHOOL YEARS REVISITED....
Send Mrs. Brewer a high school or younger days picture (teacher & staff) to be featured in the bulletin. Be the first to email your answer and win a prize!!!! brewerk@rcschools.net
In the know....
Follow Dr. Justus on Twitter @bhsjustus
Sign up for Remind by texting @ljustus to 81010
SEND US YOUR NEWS!!!
Birthdays in August
9/01 - Michael Amaro
9/01 - Beth Stone
9/06 - Juliet Oncale
9/07 - Mary Beth Boston
9/07 - Benjamin Holl
9/07 - Sam Turner
9/08 - Cindy Brown
9/09 - Jennifer Watkins
9/15 - Noi Woodruff
9/16 - Shawn Jones
9/17 - Justin Smith
9/19 - Stacey Henderson
9/19 - Madeline Burford
9/20 - Landon Sessoms
9/20 - Jason Wooten
9/22 - Kirk Bagley
9/22 - Greg Jones
9/24 - Shandy Sewell
9/25 - David Comer
9/25 - Justin Cunningham