Raven Report
Decker Middle School Weekly Newsletter 23-34
October 2nd - 6th, 2023
Last day to nominate a peer!
Nurturing Our Well-being: Recognizing Burnout and Finding Renewal
Dear Decker Middle School Family,
As we dive into the heart of the school year, it's crucial to prioritize our well-being. Teaching can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Today, we'll explore the importance of recognizing burnout and share strategies to reset during the day.
Assessing Burnout: Ask Yourself These Questions
To gauge if you or a colleague might be experiencing burnout, reflect on these questions:
1. Do you constantly feel physically and emotionally drained, even after a good night's sleep?
2. Have you lost enthusiasm for teaching or noticed a decline in your passion for your subject?
3. Is there a persistent feeling of cynicism or detachment from your students and colleagues?
4. Are you experiencing unexplained health issues, such as frequent headaches, stomachaches, or sleep disturbances?
5. Do you find it challenging to concentrate or make decisions related to work?
If you answered "yes" to multiple questions, it might be time to reevaluate your well-being. Burnout can happen to anyone, but recognizing it is the first step towards rejuvenation.
Reset Strategies for Teachers
To prevent burnout and find renewal throughout the day, consider these strategies:
1. Mindful Moments: Set aside a few minutes for deep breathing exercises or short meditation sessions. These moments of mindfulness can clear your mind and reduce stress.
2. Quick Walks: Take short walks during breaks. Even a brief stroll outside can refresh your perspective and boost your mood.
3. Desk Declutter: Organize your workspace to reduce visual distractions and create a more peaceful environment.
4. Positive Affirmations: Create a list of positive affirmations related to your teaching journey. Refer to them when you need a mental boost.
5. Connect with Colleagues: Engage in meaningful conversations with fellow educators. Sharing experiences and support can alleviate stress.
6. Time Management: Prioritize tasks and break your day into manageable chunks. Efficient time management can reduce overwhelming workloads.
7. Self-Care Rituals: Dedicate time to self-care outside of work. Whether it's reading, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones, nurturing your personal life is essential.
Remember, recognizing burnout and taking proactive and responsible steps to reset professionally is a sign of strength, not weakness. By caring for ourselves, we ensure we can continue to inspire and guide our students effectively.
Take care and have a rejuvenating week ahead!
Warm regards,
Renee Lee
Principal
Decker Middle School
Education is hard right now. Students are not the same.
Here are some statistics about education and specifically teacher burnout right now:
- K-12 teachers are the #1 most burnt-out profession in The United States
- 44% of teachers in K-12 school report often or always feeling burnout
- 90% of teachers claim that feeling burnt out is a serious problem
- Over half of teachers say they will leave teaching sooner than originally planned
- There are 500,000+ fewer educators in the American public school systems post-pandemic
- 44% of public schools posted teaching vacancies in early 2022
- 43% of educator job postings are going unfilled
- 30% of teachers were found to be chronically absent
- Compensation is the #1 reason educators plan to quit their jobs
This profession is hard. This profession is hard. This profession is hard. This profession is also worth it.
Hispanic Heritage District Door/Bulletin Board Decorating Contest
Let's continue to spread the spirit of fiesta and felicidad! We would love for you to participate in our Hispanic Heritage Month door/bulletin board decorating contest! Please complete the interest form below by September 29, 2023.
Hispanic Heritage Festival
We are excited to announce our upcoming 6th Annual district-wide Hispanic Heritage Festival. The event will take place on October 14, 2023 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Manor New Tech Middle School. Mark your calendars! We will have performances, guest speakers, campus project exhibits, and bilingual community resources from local businesses and organizations.
If you would like to have a table setup to showcase your campus projects, art work, and/or exhibits, please complete the form linked below. We need this form completed for your campus by end of day October 9, 2023. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Last Week on Campus
DMS Porch Party
We had a fantastic Porch Party at DMS today. Cheers to our scholars who work hard and deserve a little extra fun!
Yeehaw!
We’re blending in with Camo or standing out as Cowboys. #DMS #SpiritWeek
Surprise, Surprise!
We also appreciate the community support for sharing some sweet treats with our dedicated teachers.
DMS scholars hard at work! Practice to Learn, Learn to Excel.
Weekly SEL Character Education:
Positivity Project - What Does Forgiveness Mean?
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Forgiveness. Forgiveness means you forgive those who have done wrong and you accept that people make mistakes.
Forgiveness is the ability to move past being injured, and allow yourself to reconcile with the person who hurt you. Forgiveness can often be seen as a selfless act, but it also carries many benefits for those who practice it. Those who demonstrate forgiveness have the ability to move forward after someone has hurt them. Forgiveness is often rooted in the idea that all people are valuable and worthy of a second chance. Many who forgive have the ability to consider things from another’s perspective.
The ability to reconcile differences and move forward positively is a trait of any effective group. When people work together, conflict is inevitable. However, when people value each other’s contribution and believe in the group’s goal, they become more capable of moving past conflict toward genuinely positive behavior. A group member’s willingness to forgive imperfections of both other members and the group as a whole contribute to overall success.
To practice and encourage the character strength of forgiveness with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2) where together you will watch a video, read a quote and talk about the answers to three questions.
Raven's Nest - Weekly Line Up
Click on the button above and find the current week. Once you find the lesson, use the lesson from the grade level you service. Follow the guided reading for the week.
Monday - Positivity Project (Forgiveness)
Tuesday-Positivity Project (Forgiveness)
Wednesday- Iready Math
Thursday-iReady English
Friday-Update AVID Agenda Notebooks and Check Assignments (RN Grade)
iReady is on the Move!
This is the last week iReady will be conducted in Raven's Nest. There are 10 extra minutes embedded in 2nd Period that will now be utlized for conducting iReady lessons. In order to get more out of the product we will also designate it during stations in RLA, Math, Tutorials, and ISS. Stay tuned for more information.
For Your Calendar
DMS Football Schedule
The school football season is finally here, and the excitement is kicking off! Check out the DMS team’s game schedule and join us in cheering them on. #DMSpride #footballseason #gameon
DMS Spirit Days
Thurs.- 10/5 Disney Vs. Anime
DMS Volleyball Schedule
Get ready to spike some excitement! Take a peek at the DMS volleyball team’s schedule and be part of the cheering squad. #DMSpride #volleyball #gameon
Duty Station Assignments (Updated)
Scholar Expectations:
Front: All scholars go into the building upon arrival. (Monitor check for dress code and redirect if necessary)
Gyms: Scholars remain seated once in gyms (restrooms can be visited on the way back to class) Continue to remind scholars to sit down and not stand to talk to others.
Bus Drop Off: All scholars go into the building upon arrival ( monitor and check for dress code)
October
5- Football Game @ Taylor HS
4- Mrs. St. Amand & Ms. Danica's Birthday
7- Festivals of Bands
9- Indigenous People Day | Volleyball Game
10 - AVID Samsung Field Trip /Football Game @ Manor Rise Academy
11- Hispanic Heritage Performance @ 6:30 / Goal Setting Night @ 5:30 / Staff Meeting (changed)
13- Non Discretionary Day - Several Staff Out
14- Ms. Simon's Birthday | Heritage Festival 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at MNTMS
16- Mrs. Booe's Birthday
19 - Theater field trip | Picture Retakes
20- No School / MHNT Middle School Night
21- Regional Concert Additions - Choir
23- No School
24- AVID Field Trip to UT (8th grade)
26- Football Game @ Jarrell HS
27- Fright Night 6:30-9 / Staff Meeting
28- District Band Auditions
31- Halloween
November
1- Football Game @ MNT Coliseum | Dia De Los Muertos
2- Staff Flu Shot Clinic - 1:30 - 3:00pm
3- End of 6 Weeks | DPF
6- Theatre Fundraiser
7- No School
10- Staff Meeting
11- Mrs. Reyes' Birthday | Veterans Day
12- Diwali
15- Jazz Academy Performance
17- Dance Showcase | Early release 4-7 periods| No DPF
20- 24- No School Fall Break
23- Thanksgiving
27- Morning Huddle 7:30 am
Campus Scholar Expectations
DMS Vape Detectors are Now Live
The DMS vape detectors are now live. The admin and school security officers will get real time alerts when vape fumes are detected on campus. Scholars who are caught with a vape or suspected of having using a vape will be sent to MAP for a minimum of 10 days. Jessie, the MISD drug dog, will also begin to make appearances at DMS.
Scholar Tardies and Passes
Passes:
Our scholars are spending too much time in the halls during class time. To increase their opportunities for learning, we won't be giving out hall passes during RN, Math, and ELA classes. If a scholar needs to leave class for a legitimate reason write them a pass to the location, time and sign the pass. Also, only one scholar needs to be out at a time.
Tardies:
Teachers and scholars we're enforcing our tardy policy. Remember, every minute of instruction matters. Tardies will result in consequences: 1st, formal warning, 2nd lunch detention, 3 after-school detention, and eventually ISS. Let's make the most of our learning time. Teachers in order for this to work please close your door after the bell. Only admit scholars that have a pass from a teacher or the office. Thank you!
Important Information
Upgrade your DMS shirts for the 23-24!
A percentage of each sale goes to the dance department. Sale ends October 13th.
There are 3 designs to choose from. Check out the attached PDF to see the designs and links to order.
Designs #1 and #2 can be put on a T-shirt, a long-sleeve, or a hoodie. These are purchased and shipped directly through the vendor.
Design #3 is a pre-order placed through Jenna Rank.
Let me know if you have any questions and thank you in advance for your support.
Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank
The MISD Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank is now open for enrollment. From September 1st-30th, 2023, the bank will accept enrollment for staff who choose to participate for the 2023-2024 school year. Please encourage your staff to consider enrolling. There are more details in the district email from September 5th from the Communications Department with the subject; MISD Catastrophic Leave Bank Now Open. Our goal for this year is to have at least 300 donors. Please help us reach this goal by sharing with your staff how they can help their MISD colleagues who may be in need of assistance this year.
The 2023-2024 Manor ISD Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank enrollment form can be found at the link below.
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas Health Insurance
All employees should have received their BlueCross BlueShield of Texas health insurance card in the mail by now.
Under TRS-ActiveCare, everyone had a medical card and a separate pharmacy card (with CVS). Under the new plan, the pharmacy benefits are on the medical card. The card has “Rx” printed in the lower right hand corner and just above it is the RxBIN number and RxPCN number which would be needed by any pharmacy. It also lists the pharmacy costs above those numbers on the right side of the card.
Additionally, if employees want to order prescriptions by mail, here is a flier that explains how that works:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ymBbXTFmMy-lWZUQyvui9pQWYcycDU_r/view
Quick Task to Complete
Texas Cybersecurity Awareness Training from KnowBe4
Manor ISD will use KnowBe4 for compliance training and internal phishing campaigns to increase employee security awareness.
KnowBe4 modules cover the cybersecurity training requirements for standard users as identified under Section 2054.5191 of the Texas Government Code for the fiscal year 2023/2024. Topics include information security habits and procedures that protect information resources, with updates to include best practices while working remotely as well as detecting, assessing, reporting, and addressing information security threats.
Manor ISD employees and contractors with access to technology systems and network resources will be required to complete the training. Failure to comply could result in access being revoked till training is complete.
Users will receive an email from CybersecurityTraining <do-not-reply@manorisd.net> with the Subject: Action Required: You’ve been enrolled in Manor ISD Annual Cybersecurity Awareness Training. The email may have come 9/5.
Apply today for a Manor Schoolhouse Foundation Innovator Grant
The Manor Schoolhouse Foundation is offering MISD teachers, campuses, and departments the opportunity to apply for grants to support innovative programs or projects to enhance student learning. Grants of up to $750 will be awarded to individual teacher-initiated programs or projects, while $1,500 will be awarded to campus teams, departments, and district-initiated programs or projects. The grants must strengthen student academic performance and support the objectives, goals, and initiatives of the Campus Action Plan or District Improvement Plan.
Projects must be completed this school year and can fall into one or more categories: Project-based Based Learning Initiatives, Fine Arts Programming, Academic and Educational Enrichment, Parent Education, Innovative Teaching, Physical Health, Student Leadership Development, and Hybrid and Virtual Instruction. We would also like to hear teachers' innovative ideas for improving students' work skills through career and technology education at all levels.
The grant application, instructions, and guidelines can be found here.
Important Dates
October 3 & 4 Grant Writing Virtual Workshop October 3, 2023, 4 - 5 p.m. or October 4, 2023, 5 - 6 p.m. (See website for Zoom link)
October 22, 2023 Grants Due
Goal Setting and Professional Development Planning
Manor T-TESS Teacher Evaluation - While classroom observations are conducted throughout the school year. T-Tess formal observation window will officially open 9/25. Your appraiser will be contacting you shortly for inform of meetings that go along with the task. Input your 2 SMART goals by 10/15 in Talent Ed. (One professional and one scholar performance)
Child Find Duty: Everyone’s Responsibility- LAST DAY!
Child Find is a federal mandate under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Manor ISD is required to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing within our jurisdiction who need special education and related services (34 CFR 300.111) Child Find
Awareness of Child Find is a continuous process for both the public school and community. A student identified through Child Find is not automatically guaranteed services under IDEA. A Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) of the child must be conducted. It is the responsibility of every administrator, professional, and non-professional staff member to understand the policy and procedures for Child Find in Texas and Manor ISD.
Each Campus Administrator, Professional Teacher, Office staff, and Educational Assistants must participate in this annual training. For the 2023-2024 school year, each individual will be responsible for completing this training and submitting your certificate of completion to the MISD Special Programs Department by September 29, 2023.
Each individual will create an account and complete Child Find Duty- Everyone’s Responsibility 23-24. It is a self-paced professional development. Upon completion of the PD, you will upload your completed certificate to a Google Folder. You will upload your certificate in the folder specific to your campus.
In the Classroom
Magic AI Teacher Assistant
Banish burnout and reclaim your time with MagicSchool - the AI teaching assistant. MagicSchool helps you plan engaging lessons, differentiate instruction, create assessments, draft IEPs, communicate clearly with students and parents, and more. With MagicSchool's help grading, assessing, and handling admin work, you can focus on what matters - connecting with students. Sign up with your Manor ISD Google account and let MagicSchool's advanced AI give you back precious time in your day.
Continue to Fill Out Tutorial Information
In the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS), the goal associated with offering tutorials typically aligns with the domain of Instruction and often falls under the domain element of Supporting Students in Learning. This is because offering tutorials is a way for teachers to provide additional support to students to enhance their learning and understanding of the content.
Email Lee- Send a funny meme to be entered in a drawing for a class period off!
AVID SOARS AGAIN!
WICOR Poster
Teachers add this “WICOR Activity Overview has been placed in your boxes. Please tape it under your name plate as displayed in the picture. If you share a class, you will only have one. Please have this done by Friday the 22nd. Thank you