The Monday Message
Office of the Principal; Monday, February 1, 2016
Quote for the Week!
“Whatever you start, you finish. The problem with the world today, people get involved with things and if they don't like a certain person, if they don't like the process, if it is not what they thought it was, they quit.”
~Inky Johnson
Duty Roster
Click here for the Duty Roster
Monday - I Group on duty (PK Jones and K. Mays-Fowler)
Tuesday - R Group on duty (R. Jackson PM Duty)
Wednesday - M Group on duty (R. Crothers PM Duty)
Thursday - O Group on Duty (G. Hutto, PM Duty)
Friday - M. Group on Duty (I. Odom, PM Duty)
The Week Ahead
February is African American History Month
February 1-5 is National School Counseling Week
Monday 2/1/16 - National Freedom Day, Admin Mtg (9:00am, Cafe)
Tuesday 2/2/16 - World Wetlands Day, Crew (8:20-8:50), No Team Meetings (use this time to catch up), PD Workshop (3:50pm, Cafe')
Wednesday 2/3/16 - Late Start PD (7:50am, Media Center), Principal's Meeting (1:00pm, DO Board Room),
Thursday 2/4/16 - World Cancer Day, Winter Sports Pep Rally (1:35pm, Gymnasium), C-Team Basketball PAC Tourney (Girls @ Northside Middle, Boys Home vs Northside Middle; 5:30pm, Gymnasium)
Friday 2/5/16 - No events scheduled
Saturday 2/6/16 - D5 Teacher Recruitment Fair (8:30-11:30am, IMS Cafe'), PAC Basketball Tournament (All-Day, Irmo HS Gymnasium)
Email: rsjackso@lexrich5.org
Website: http://www.lexrich5.org/IrmoMS.cfm
Location: Columbia, SC
Phone: 803-476-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/irmomiddleschool
Twitter: @irmomiddle
Tasks to Complete This Week!
Tasks to Complete This Week!
1. Teach like a scholar every period, every day!
2. Continue working with students who have academic deficits and develop and implement a plan for improvement.
3. Contact parents of students in danger of failing
4. Attend Tuesday afternoon's PD Workshop
5. Incorporate at least one of the Global Themes into your classroom activities, lessons, etc.
6. Everyone report to duty as scheduled. See roster here.
7. Read the Monday Message in its entirety (including the articles linked and inserted). Also view the video clips, reflect, and adjust your practices where needed.
February Staff Birthdays
Regan Moore, February 6th
Alicia Gordon, February 20th
Awatif Ismail, February 23rd
Chris Ranly, February 29th
Please join me in wishing these amazing IMS staff members Hauʻoli lā hānau (Happy Birthday in Hawaiian)!
1. Adam Jones- You may not know this but someone has to put the flags out every single day and make sure they are flown according to state law and proper decorum. This was previously done by one of our former staff members. Mr. Jones along with his children (Zach and Abby) perform this duty every single morning. There are times when we get directives from the state and federal level to fly the flag at half mass in honor of someone's life. iAM so grateful for Mr. Jones along with Abby and Zach for their dutiful service to our school. Additionally iAM so proud of Mr. Jones for all that he does around campus to make our school the best it can be. Please join me in recognizing Mr. Jones, Abby, and Zach for going above and beyond to ensure the job always gets done. Let's give them a huge iAM shout out.
2. Will Green, I'esha Odom, and Clare Bellucci - This past week, I learned some amazing news that I want to share with everyone. Mr. Green, Ms. Odom, and Ms. Bellucci have been selected to present their project at the 2016 National Children and Youth Garden Symposium (NCYGS). The title of their presentation is Monarchs, Milkweed, and Migration: An International Expedition. iAM so proud of them as they continue to build on their project work while creating excitement and high quality work with students. Please join me in recognizing Mr. Green, Ms. Odom, and Ms. Bellucci for their outstanding work. They continue to embrace New Thinking and New Practices. Now they are getting New Results! Let's give them a huge iAM shout out.
3. Odessa Hilton - Last week, we had one day where all members of Mrs. Hilton's team were out during Crew. Mrs. Hilton did not hesitate. She jumped into action, pulled all the kids into one room and had one mass Crew session. I cannot complement Mrs. Hilton for always going the extra mile to service the needs of our students. iAM so proud of her for all that she does to help our students succeed. Please join me in recognizing Mrs. Hilton for always embracing new thinking and new practices in order to get new results. Lets give her a huge iAM shout out.
4. Kelly Thacker, JaNette McKnight, Kate Paull, Sheila Inabinet, Tina Stevens, Kerra Mays-Fowler, Joe Cioffi, Nina Blackburn, Coach Hardy, Dr. Ware, Irma Richardson, and April Herring - Last week, these individuals were absolutely amazing in their facilitation and/or participation in last week's community meetings. They students are getting acclimated to the new structure. I am hearing and witnessing so many positive things that are advancing our work with culture, climate, and student outcomes. iAM so proud of all these staff members for their extraordinary work. They are truly embracing a Crew not Passengers mindset which is contributing to new and improved outcomes. Let's give them all a huge iAM shout out.
5. Will Green and Regan Moore - For the past couple of weeks, Mr. Green and Mrs. Moore have been working with our Science Team in preparation for this weekend's event. They worked with our students late into the evenings, making sure everything was right. On Saturday, they traveled to Newberry College for the Science Olympiad. As a result of their hard work, our students placed 8th in the state. iAM so proud of Mr. Green and Mrs. Moore. They truly go above and beyond to serve the needs of our students. Let's given them a huge iAM shout out.
Employee Transfer Process (Reminder) - The transfer process information will be sent to everyone Monday February 1st. The window for submitting transfer paperwork is February 1st thru April 8th. If you are interested in a transfer, please follow the process as specified in tomorrow's correspondence. The deadline for all transfers in May 31st. After this date, to ensure we are properly staffed for 2016-17, we will not authorize any transfers.
Standardized Testing Information (repeat) - Here is some critical testing information that is a must read for everyone (especially ELA and SPED Teachers). Click the links to access this information.
SC READY Assessment Update PPT
Scoring Guideline for Text Dependent Analysis
7th Grade Student Response Sample
Statewide Virtual Faculty Meeting - This past Wednesday, Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman facilitated a virtual faculty meeting to cover Educator Evaluation and the "new" assessment program. Click on the links above for more information. Also included below is the video clip of the meeting.
Closing Thoughts
Our closing thoughts are centered on the concept of positive energy. Ask yourself the question, if you are not filled with positive energy, is someone sapping your energy? Is there an Energy Vampire in your inner circle?
Relationships are always an energy exchange. To stay feeling our best, we must ask ourselves: Who gives us energy? Who saps it? It's important to be surrounded by supportive, heart-centered people who make us feel safe and secure. It's equally important to pinpoint the energy vampires, who, whether they intend to or not, leech our energy.
Positive energy in others can be rejuvenative. For instance, you're nervous about an interaction with a parent but the minute you meet with them and sense their support, you relax. Because the parent is so supportive and encouraging, you calm down too. Or perhaps you have a good friend around whom you always feel loved. These are energy-givers, those we must gravitate towards.
In contrast, energy vampires exude negative energy that drains. Vampires range from the intentionally malicious ones to those who are oblivious to their effect. Some are overbearing and obnoxious; others are friendly and charming. For example, you're talking with a co-worker and suddenly you're nauseous or weak. Or how about the co-worker who drones on about how hard the work is or why they are being asked to do something? Eventually, they feel better, but you're spent. The bottom line is that on a subtle energy level, these people suck you dry.
Exercise: Take an inventory of people in your life who give energy, and people who drain. Specifically identify the energy vampires, and begin to evaluate ones you'd like to limit contact with or eliminate. Plan at least one complete afternoon with people who give off positive energy and avoid drainers. Notice how this beneficially affects their physical and emotional well-being.
In our Crew, we are in search of positive energy to positively impact the lives of the students and families we serve. With Crew members full of positive energy, we will be able to continue our relentless pursuit of greatness.
Let's have an amazing week of teaching and learning.
Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal