McMillen Minute
Feb 6-10
Duty Schedule
Shout Outs
Mark Brown and Frances Allday did a great job presenting mastery grading to our group of new teachers earlier this week after school. Also, Jaye Chavez helped volunteer during her conference time last Friday when the SPED department was short-handed. Thanks.
District News
Computer Science
On February 23, from 4:45 – 5:15, we will have an informational meeting for any teachers interested in possibly teaching one of the new computer science courses next year. It will take place at the PISD Admin Building, on the 3rd floor.
The purpose of the meeting will be to –
1. Answer questions about these new courses (as many as we’re able to answer at this time J)
2. Share certification information, including support available to teachers needing certification to teach CS
I will share this date with teachers whose names have been added to the teacher interest document (link below)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NM4BCH4FRKVufQbAHpg-VT1IflDEugjEpaGeYyFmFs0/edit?usp=sharing
but please be sure you share this information with teachers on your campus who may be interested. You can also share the attached document with them, in case it helps answer a few initial questions.
I’ve already heard from one school that they have 185 students requesting to take AP CS Principles next year as 10th graders. Wow! Looks like we’re in for a wild ride. J
Politics In The Classroom
Campus News
"Open Letter" from Stratton Brown
If you are going to be out for any reason (personal day, school business, or sick leave) please do the following:
· Put the job into TEAMS as far in advance from the absence date(s) as possible.
· Go back into TEAMS frequently to verify that a sub has picked up the job (please do not assume it’s been picked up).
· Once the job has been picked up, use the sub system to acquire the substitute’s phone number in order to call them for confirmation.
o Not only does this enable you to develop rapport with that sub, but they are much less likely to drop that job once they have spoken to you.
o For teachers split between campuses, please confirm the sub understands their full-day commitment.
· Email me (Cc both Vanessa & Jackie) and let me know the date(s) you will be out. This allows your department chair or team leader to come to your room and ensure that the sub has everything they need the day of.
· This should go without saying, but please leave work for your students. I can tell you from personal experience that a room full of students without anything to do is a sub’s worst nightmare; not to mention, the students are in your class to learn in the first place, not to count the ceiling tiles.
I understand that life’s emergencies happen and that time may not always be on your side when reporting an absence and that’s understandable. In those rare instances, please just shoot your department chair a text or email and they will be happy to help get things set up. But out of consideration for your students and respect of your coworkers conference periods, please try to follow these procedures when possible.
February 14th and Lions Lunch
Come Check Out What's New is the Cafe
Come by and check out our new boards. I know we can upload photos and videos from school events. If you have any that I can practice with send them so I can play with the system.-Patricia