The Blueprint
Boonsboro Middle School Staff Newsletter #staythecourse
Communication
Clear communication is key to efficiency and effectiveness within any organization. Sometimes I think faster than I speak and there WILL be times when you will need to ask me for clarification of details (Thank you, Kristin Ganoe, for serving as my unofficial graphic organizer!). Please feel comfortable doing that. My goal this year is to share a weekly staff newsletter before dismissal on Friday. The newsletter will include information for the upcoming week and will hopefully eliminate multiple e-mails throughout the week. If you have information to share school-wide that can wait for the Friday newsletter, please send it to me. It will be important that you read the newsletter, as the information may not be shared otherwise.---Lindsey
Staff Website
The staff website is a tremendous resource. Almost everything you need to know for day-to-day operations can be found here! Please bookmark this site, as you will use it frequently. If you are a new staff member, you will want to spend some time browsing.
***The Opening Day Schedule (including iPad info) can be found under Bell Schedules
*** Updated Phone Lists are under Employee Contact Lists and Duties
Walk Throughs
In the coming days, you will receive access to your personal folder for walk through feedback. This folder is only shared with you, BMS admin, and your content specialist. When we complete a walk through in your classroom, our comments will be noted in the spreadsheet. Additionally, each week there will be a focus for the feedback (which I will highlight in the Friday Blueprint). The focus for the opening week will be class culture.
Employee Badges & Building Access
It is the expectation that every staff member wears his/her employee ID card each day. Additionally, your badge is how you should access the building each morning. Please only ring the doorbell on the rare occasion that you have forgotten your badge. During the school year, you can use your badge to access any building entrance between 6AM and 8PM Monday-Friday. On weekends (or non-school days) you can access the building during the same hours, but you will have to disarm and arm the alarm. Please see an administrator or Barbara Webber if you need instructions for how to do this.
Staff Member of the Month
We will have a faculty meeting each month (3rd Monday) where the Staff Member of the Month will be announced. Each recipient will receive a sign for his/her door and a special prize that has been donated from local businesses.
Purchases
Throughout the year there may be times when you need to purchase items for your classroom or student activities. While we will make every effort to support your needs, it is important that the correct process is followed. Please read the Reimbursement Memo Dawn has created and follow these procedures at all times so we are able to reimburse you.
Boonewalk--September 22nd
Although the 15 paid spots are taken, we still need more members to join our Boonewalk Team to ensure we show Gary and his leopards who's boss. Join us!
Auditorium Use & Activities Requests
To utilize the auditorium or schedule a special activity, please do so here
***Any time you use a location other than your assigned classroom, you must notify Kathy Deatrich. If you are using a space without a phone (i.e. Auditorium/outside), please take a walkie.***
Back to School Night
Cell Phones
Several people have asked me about cell phone policies. I stand by the WCPS policy, which leaves classroom cell phone use at the discretion of the teacher. You each received red/green signs that should help with student awareness, but the most important piece is that you teach and enforce your practice consistently. Administrators will enforce policy when there are violations. If you require students to place their cell phone in a designated location in your classroom, you are accepting liability for any damage or loss---be sure the location is secure! Please be sure parents are aware of your cell phone policy. Lastly, staff members should model appropriate cell phone use and should not use their cell phones for non-instructional purposes during class time.