Faculty Meeting
November 1st
Why this new format?!?
For the majority of things I would like to move toward a flipped staff meeting. This way you can read, watch or listen to information that needs to be provided. I like this format because it protects our time. I will only call staff meetings for things that may need to be addressed in person or other important information.
With that said, it is very important that you read the Smore thoroughly and implement and policies or procedures that may be stated. At the bottom of each Smore I will have an area for feedback, suggestions or ideas as we continue to grow.
This month we will not meet for a staff meeting...I would like to see how this flows...there will always be a Padlet for comments or questions.
Click here for access to the Padlet
Updates and Information
Change
- There has been has been much change this year for everyone...CHANGE can be very hard, we are creatures of habit...it's natural for their to be struggles and can be tough to make the transitions.
- What's New....Principal, Middle school, Students, Procedures, Policies, Expectations...
- How to attack changes? OPEN MINDED and TOGETHER
- I have extremely high expectations for myself and everyone that works with me
- I will challenge, push and support everyone...
- Decisions that are made are based on the BEST interest of STUDENTS
- We will get this done together
How do we win? TOGETHER
Communication
- Make sure that you are checking your email at least twice a day for any important information
- Please respond to emails if they require a response
- Keep me in the know...I know emergencies come up and we need to deal with them...Please make sure you let me know
Got to Go
- If you need to leave campus for any reason remember the following:
Inform office staff Hobbs, Allen, Nussman and/or Simpson
Sign out in the front office before leaving
99 Problems
- If you have any problems/concerns that need to be addressed, please make sure you let me or Ms. Allen know.
- We will try to resolve any and all concerns asap
Staff Absences
All staff must notify the Office (Robin or Tammy) and Principal (Dennis) about upcoming absences via phone call, text, or email.
Classroom Teachers (Requiring a Substitute):
Submit your absence on Aesop to locate a substitute as soon as possible.
Notify your other colleagues who may be affected by your absence.
Submit a Leave Form to the Finance Manager (Robin) either before your absence (if it was planned) or upon your return (if you were absent unexpectedly).
All Other Staff (Those who do NOT require a substitute):
Please remember to notify all colleagues who will be affected by your absence.
Example: TA’s should notify both teachers, as well as the Finance Manager and an Administrator.
Personal leave should be approved by the Principal 2 WEEKS BEFORE you plan to be absent.
Classroom teachers are expected to leave plans for the substitute or have a set of plans on hand ready to go in case of an emergency.
All staff absences should be reported to the appropriate personnel no later than 8:00 AM.
All staff are required to work during Required workdays...if you are not here for an emergency it must be communicated to Mr. Hobbs as soon as possible and it will be a day without pay
Early Release Day
- Early Release days are for Professional Development...except for the ER day before Thanksgiving.
- Please stay away from making any type of appointments on these days, this includes doctors, dentist, automotive, etc.
- This is just a reminder of the procedure since ER days have been in effect.
- Purpose are to continue to grow as educators and serve a professional development for staff.
Curriculum and Instruction
- Make sure you post your Learning Target and Agenda everyday for each day.
- Reviewing your Learning Targets agenda with the students should be a daily routine to set the tone for your class.
- Read article below and complete the 3-2-1 activity on Today's Meet
- 3 things you learned or was reminded of
- 2 things you are going to implement
- 1 Aha moment
- Samples below...post it who you would like but i wanted to
Lesson Plans
- Lesson plans should be open and on your desk
- Lesson plans are for you...make them work for you
Blackboard Grades
- It is very important to to have our grades updated in Blackboard
- This will give parents and students updated grades
- If grades aren't updated it give students/parents a false sense of what their grades really are
- When I log into Blackboard it states the last time grades were updated...
- ALL GRADES UPDATED by MONDAY of every week!
Managing Behaviors
Discipline
All teachers should have reviewed the procedures, policies and routines during the first two weeks of school... we need to continue to review the information regularly throughout the year.
All MGSD staff uses Educator’s Handbook to record classroom and office referrals.
If you are having trouble logging in to Educator’s Handbook, please let me know.
Discipline is Proactive not Reactive
Behavioral Modification vs Punishment: The philosophy of discipline at N.F.Woods is to modify/change the child's behavior not to punish the child.
Meet the child where they’re at
Build strong Relationships with students and home (in order for discipline to be most successful there must be a partnership between school and home
Be Visible
Know your customers (students & parents)
Teach, Model and Reinforce your expectations
Classroom Managed vs Office Managed Behaviors click here.
Breaks
- We have been doing a good job monitoring students during breaks, let's make sure that we are consistently keeping an eye on our kids....be proactive.
- At the beginning of the year we discussed and laid the foundation for our students...there has been a lot that has been going on so this is a reminder of our conversation.
- Rotate teachers in Courtyard
All HS students should be only in 3 areas: Courtyard/Hallway/Common area
NO student should be in classrooms
If a student is caught out of place during breaks it is a teacher managed behavior where the following take place 1-warning. 2- classroom (Held in Key's classroom)
Laptops & Cell Phones
- As I've been listening to many of you, it seems as though electronics are an issue in class, such as watching movies during class and on cell phones during class time
- I know each of us may have different policies during class, but make sure you are consistent with your policy
- Inspect what you expect....
- Address students who are not using their computers properly based on school and classroom policies
- Cell phone policy stated in the beginning of the year was as follows: In between classes only...during our breaks, unless you are allowing them to listen to music during class
Earbuds if listening to music
No speakers
No social media (write up)
1. Warning
2. Teachers desk
3. Conference
4. Write up
Won’t turn in phone?
Parent phone call
Bathroom
- Make sure that students aren't taking advantage of bathroom breaks
- Set your policy and procedure in place for using the bathroom during class
- Students have been out of class a lot for bathroom, during instruction
- Keep an eye on it and monitor it better
Student Attendance vs Tardy Policy
- If a student is late to class, you must go into PS and mark them late
- A student is late if they enter class after the bell but within the 1st 15 minutes of class
- If a student enters class after the 15 minute mark then they need to come up to the office to receive a note and so Robin or Tammy can mark them absent in PS
- 1st period: 7:30-7:45 tardy...7:46 absent send to office
- 2nd Period: 9:18-9:33 tardy...9:34 absent send to office
- 3rd Period: 10:56-12:11 tardy...12:12 absent send to office
- 4th Period: 1:06-1:21 tardy...1:22 absent send to office
- I hope this makes things a little clearer...let me know if you have any questions