Warrior Beat
Student Focused-World Class
Word for the Warrior...
Lately, I have been thinking about the strengths and challenges that we face as a school.
I have come to a conclusion that I believe to be sound. There is good news and bad news.
Bad News: The change has to be us.
BUT....Here is the good news.
Good news: The change has to be us.
It's up to US. WE WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE.
In today's landscape, there is much we can't control. As much as we wish goodness for our kids, we can't control whether our students have supportive and caring homes. We can't control whether anyone at home cares about their well-being. We can't control whether or not our kids have a parent who makes dinner in the evenings, or whether our kids have clean sheets to sleep on, or whether our kids have a caring adult at home who asks, "How was your day?" when they get home.
We can't control how schools are evaluated. We can't control how we are paid. We can't control what the state department dictates about how students are assessed from the state level. We can give input and we should do everything we can to be involved and make our voices heard, but ultimately, issues like these are often beyond our control.
BUT....
We can and must still be the change...
We control the relationships WE build with our kids. For so many, we are the only caring and stable forces in their lives. We matter. We are the constants.
We control how engaging our lessons are for our kids. Good teachers make ANY curriculum come alive and make learning meaningful. Good teachers connect with kids and make real-life connections.
We control what we see in our students. Good teachers look for what kids DO know. Good teachers are looking for the efforts (no matter how small) that kids are making and encourage them to take the very next step...even if that step if a long way from where the finish line has been drawn. Why? Because good teachers know that Rome wasn't built in a day and good teachers value GROWTH more than they value ACHIEVEMENT.
We control our ATTITUDES. We control whether we listen to the negative voices or the positive voices in our midst. While it is often easier to listen to the voices of the cynics, to listen to the voices of those who blame the kids, to listen to the voices of those who blame the parents, to listen to the voices of those who just look to blame someone else...
WE ARE IN CONTROL.
I CHOOSE TO BE IN CONTROL. I choose HOPE.
When we choose anything other than to be in control of our circumstances...
When we choose anything other than to have confidence that we can make things better...
...then we are giving up.
Giving up is unacceptable.
For me, when I feel I have no control, that will be my sign to pack up and leave Sevier Middle School and allow someone with a fresh vision to take my place for the sake of the kids.
For me, when I have decided that everything is the kids' fault, that's the sign I need to step aside and find another way to live out my calling.
Our kids deserve the VERY BEST.
Many of our kids have drawn the short end of the stick in life. Through no fault of their own, many of our kids come to school lacking academic skills, behavioral skills and social-emotional skills that allow their more privileged peers to excel.
We have immense power.
It’s hard work. In fact, it very well might be the HARDEST work.
Let’s choose to REFLECT. Let’s choose to PROBLEM-SOLVE. Let’s choose to listen to and associate with colleagues who breathe LIFE and not TOXICITY into our CULTURE.
Let’s choose to allow the change to be US.
For me, there is so much more HOPE and POWER in asking questions like "WHAT IF" rather than "WHY?"
I CHOOSE US.
#wematter
#wearedifferencemakers
#wedreambig
#worldchangingwarriors
Week of the Warrior
MONDAY: November 13th
-LA and Math Vertical Meetings-JSMS-3:15
- Tribe Classic order forms and money are due by Thursday the 16th to 1st period teacher or Mrs. Bingham!!
- Boys Basketball Practice 3-5
- Lady Warrior Basketball Practice 3-5
- Wrestling Practice 3-5
- The design contest for Excelsior Squad is due to Mr. Holt or Mr. Markl before the club meeting on 11/17
- If you would like to receive a JSMS 2017 Yearbook please turn your order form and money in to your homeroom teacher
- Our Thanksgiving meal will be served on Wednesday November 15th. Please let students know that this will be the only options on that day. We will not have the salad bar or a second choice option due to the labor intensity of this meal. Students may get everything that is included or choose 2 vegetables, 1 fruit and a milk. Roasted turkey with dressing, Cranberry sauce, Roll, Creamed potatoes, Green beans, Orange slices, and cookie.
TUESDAY: November 14th
- Tribe Classic order forms and money are due by Thursday the 16th to 1st period teacher or Mrs. Bingham!!
- Boys Basketball Game vs. Greenville at Sevier @ JV-5 and Varsity-6
- Lady Warrior Basketball Game vs. Greenville at Greenville @ JV-5 and Varsity-6
- Cheerleaders need to be at JSMS by 5:30 for a boys basketball game.
- Wrestling Practice 3-5
- Swim Practice 3:15-4:15
- The design contest for Excelsior Squad is due to Mr. Holt or Mr. Markl before the club meeting on 11/17
- Student Council meeting in Mrs. Wagner’s room 346 3:00-3:45. Athletes, Actors, Reporters, etc. Dress out between 2:45 and 3:00, report to Student Council meeting until 3:15.
- If you would like to receive a JSMS 2017 Yearbook please turn your order form and money in to your homeroom teacher
- Our Thanksgiving meal will be served on Wednesday November 15th. Please let students know that this will be the only options on that day. We will not have the salad bar or a second choice option due to the labor intensity of this meal. Students may get everything that is included or choose 2 vegetables, 1 fruit and a milk. Roasted turkey with dressing, Cranberry sauce, Roll, Creamed potatoes, Green beans, Orange slices, and cookie.
WEDNESDAY: November 15th
- Tribe Classic order forms and money are due by Thursday the 16th to 1st period teacher or Mrs. Bingham!!
- Boys Basketball Practice 3-5
- Lady Warrior Basketball Practice 3-5
- Wrestling Practice 3-5
- Dance Practice 3-5
- The design contest for Excelsior Squad is due to Mr. Holt or Mr. Markl before the club meeting on 11/17
- Newspaper Staff meeting Wednesday from 2:45 to 3:30 pm. Newspaper Editors and Broadcast Staff will meet until 5:15 pm.
- If you would like to receive a JSMS 2017 Yearbook please turn your order form and money in to your homeroom teacher
- Our Thanksgiving meal will be served on Wednesday November 15th. Please let students know that this will be the only options on that day. We will not have the salad bar or a second choice option due to the labor intensity of this meal. Students may get everything that is included or choose 2 vegetables, 1 fruit and a milk. Roasted turkey with dressing, Cranberry sauce, Roll, Creamed potatoes, Green beans, Orange slices, and cookie.
THURSDAY: November 16th
-All Content Collaborative Planning Meetings-Planning Time
-ACTION TEAM MEETING: NEW CLASS for SUPPORTING TIER 2 BEHAVIORS-3:00 Library
- Tribe Classic order forms and money are due by Thursday the 16th to 1st period teacher or Mrs. Bingham!!
- Boys Basketball Game vs. Vance at Vance @ JV-4:30 and Varsity-5:30
- Lady Warrior Basketball Game vs. Vance at Sevier @ JV-7 and Varsity- 8
- Cheerleaders need to be JSMS by 5 for a girls basketball game.
- Wrestling Practice 3-5
- Swim Practice 3:15-4:15
- The design contest for Excelsior Squad is due to Mr. Holt or Mr. Markl before the club meeting on 11/17
- If you would like to receive a JSMS 2017 Yearbook please turn your order form and money in to your homeroom teacher.
FRIDAY: November 17th
- Boys Basketball Game vs. Church Hill at Church Hill @ JV-4:15 and Varsity- 5:15
- Lady Warrior Basketball Game vs. Church Hill at Sevier @JV- 4:30 and Varsity at 5:30
- Cheerleaders need to be at JSMS by 5 for a Girls Basketball game.
- Wrestling Practice 3-5
- Swim Practice 5-6
- Robotics 3-5
- The design contest for Excelsior Squad is due to Mr. Holt or Mr. Markl before the club meeting on 11/17
- If you would like to receive a JSMS 2017 Yearbook please turn your order form and money in to your homeroom teacher.
Save the Date:
- Tribe Classic Long Sleeve T-Shirts are on sale!
-December 18th -Tribe Classic
JSMS JAM...
Operation Christmas Child
Change of due for Operation Christmas Child boxes: Please have packed boxes to Mrs. Wagner's room by Wednesday, November 15. Please make sure the boy/girl/age label is taped to the outside and make sure a label with your name is also taped to the outside. Also, please make any checks out to Samaritan’s Purse not JSMS. -Mrs. Wagner
PTA BREAKFAST FOR ALL STAFF
Please Stop By For A Biscuit
Thursday, November 16
7:00 am
JSMS Library
JSMS Student Survey
We have been asked to give the following survey to ALL Sevier students. As a grade-level, please determine how you want to give this survey that is most desired by your grade level. It needs to be completed by THIS FRIDAY, November 17th. There are only three questions and it should not take more than 10 minutes for students to take it.
Here is the link:
? I would probably just ask each grade level to work out how they want students to take the survey by a certain date.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfS6RNBj7u_Y7ph1iafZP3Nh0bQRHXjdWJpHa1hmbiBZLyPIg/viewform
CLUB Survey
Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehYSIdTnP82pmUQp6yTg5UWto7ybp_ANQuZa_GWl1IcmPEWQ/viewform
Tribe Classic T-Shirts
JSMS Golf
Anyone interested in playing boys or girls golf at Sevier this year, please note that an informational meeting and tryouts will not take place until after students return from Christmas Break. Please pass this information along to all parents/guardians.
InDeS Survey
We are administering a 2017-18 survey to gather feedback based on the work of Instructional Design Specialists during the second year of implementation. The information we glean from the feedback will be of great importance as we further develop the roles and look toward the future. The survey link is below and will be open beginning Monday, 11/13 through Friday, 11/17. Please share the link with your teaching staff no later than Monday morning, 11/13, to allow teachers ample time to complete the survey. The survey consists of 11 required multiple choice type questions and 4 open-ended optional questions. Thank you all for your cooperation in distributing the link and for the work you do each day!
The link:
Please access the 10-day PL Calendar via the link below.
Our Newest Warrior! Welcome to the world, Nora Rosie King!
Swim Team!
Congratulations to the Middle School swim team on their victory last night. Leading the team and taking home first place in multiple events was was Graham Chandler and Conner Hall. Way to go Warriors!
JSMS Veterans Day Ceremony
*Thank you to Debbie Moore, family liaison, for planning our student-led Memorial Day service.
*Thank you to Zhonte Bell for serving as our emcee for the Veterans Day service! He did an outstanding job! So proud!
*Thank you to the Mayor Clark for taking time to speak to our students!
*Thank you to our JSMS Chorus and to Angela Miller, Hunter Graybeal, Lynna Bingham and Hunter Mullins for your performance!
*Thank you to the DB ROTC for joining us for the Presentation of Colors!