Miner Minutes
December 1, 2018 #itsgreattobegold
The Week Ahead
Today: Happy birthday to Ms. Torain!
Monday: Happy birthday to Mr. Treadaway and Mr. Clifford!Tuesday: Happy birthday to Mr. Stienbarger! SLT at 7:45am
Wednesday: Happy birthday to Ms. Redmond! PLCs
Thursday: PLCs
Friday: Happy birthday to Ms. Wagner! SIT meeting 7:45am; Mentor/mentee 7:45am; progress reports sent home in every class; winter dance 4-6pm
Saturday: Staff Christmas Party 7pm
Nuts and Bolts
IB Updates
Please remember to keep your Unit Planners updated as the year progresses.
Can your students explain the IB unit key and related concepts in your lessons?
Just a few enriching IB experiences...
- Mrs. Friday's Design classes are exchanging holiday cardswith 29 other states and countries during December. They are learning about culture and holiday traditions through personal experiences! They are also participating in a Mystery Skype session with a class!
- PE classes have been busy this past week hosting a Capoeira instructor and a Skype session with a Panther player!
- Ms. Brooks' World Dance classes will feel the magic of the Nutcracker this week!
- Mr. Clifford's Design classes will work with business professionals from Junior Achievement this month to promote real-world experiential learning.
- Ms. Horgan's is hosting a guest speaker from CVAN to help her 8th graders learn about domestic violence in preparation for their Community Project.
- There are many opportunities and connections available to increase our students' global awareness! Let Shannaknow if you want help finding appropriate IB experiences for your classes.
Become a Global Teacher and TRAVEL for FREE!
- Global Learning Fellowship offers a wonderful opportunity for a 12-month professional development program for classroom teachers which includes in-person workshops in Washington , DC, online coursework, webinars with leading experts and an international field study experience! This program aims to expand global competence. The application is open now.
- Irex Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program offers a prestigious year-long professional development opportunity for US classroom teachers with an international field study opportunity. Sign up to receive the update when the application opens in December.
- Go Global offers an international travel/learning experience during the summer. Cabarrus County teachers have participated in this trip in the past. The application opens in December.
Reminder of Benchmark Goals for NC state EOG/EOC tested subjects
We really need our students to understand the importance of taking the benchmarks and goal setting together. We need you to set a CLASS GOAL for each of your classes that have a benchmark on how your students will do on this next benchmark in early January. This class goal (for each of your classes) needs to be posted in a visible location, such as a bulletin board or markerboard. I would recommend the following simple format:
Class Benchmark Goal for 1st block: To ---------------
We will achieve this goal by (list 2-3 specific steps)
Then add the date of benchmarks - anytime from January 8 - January 14th (We will get specific test dates to you ASAP).
Your class goal needs to be submitted via google form to me with the following link and posted in your classroom by December 7th (progress report day). Thank you!
https://goo.gl/forms/tduKUl2L8fWxkFYA2
Job transition: Congratulations, Ms. Toth!
Ms. Toth will be starting on MONDAY as a full time employee with CMS! We are so excited! She is taking over Gloria Wassel's former position, but we are altering some of the responsibilities to better fit Ms. Toth. Long term: Susy will be serving as enrollment woman! She will be meeting and greeting families and talking them through what information we need. She will also be the primary backup for the front office if Jill is not available. Susy will also continue to serve as our interpreter with families, parents, and working with students as needed. We may be setting up enrollment hours to further facilitate her service to our Hispanic community. Susy will continue to work closely with counselors and admin to help any students that we feel best fit her skills. Do not change a thing on how you communicate or utilize Ms. Toth to help our students. Ms. Toth will remain in her current office. We are posting a part time position for a registrar. That person will be in charge of student records and also work with enrollment as needed. This person will share an office with Ms. Stammen.
Staff Handbook Tip of the Week: Student Searches
Occasionally, it will be necessary for us to conduct a search of a student’s locker, book bag, belongings and/or clothing. In the event a search is necessary, only ADMINISTRATORS are permitted to conduct the search. NC Statute does not provide statutory protection of teachers who conduct searches of students. So, do not conduct searches!! Please feel free to alert administrator when a search may be needed.
Staff awards... coming SOON!
Inclement Weather Procedures for Cabarrus County Schools - Tis the season!
It will be coming soon... yes, the possibility of inclement weather and the anticipation of snow! So we want to be sure everyone is clear on the procedures. When in doubt, the CCS website is our official authority on decisions made for the school district. The CCS Snow Patrol heads out at 3am in the morning; they take pictures (which will often get posted on social media for CCS - a very smart tactic); the weather team discusses the options at 4am, and the final decision is made by 4:30am. All instructions typically posted and shared by 5am. Keep in mind the following: if we delay for students, we allow certified staff to have the same delay (hourly has to take leave, make it up, or just come when they feel safe). Work from home days are not predetermined. Each inclement weather day with all its moving parts will be evaluated as it occurs. When in doubt, please contact the principal.
Extended Calendar
Dec 10-14: Candy grams sponsored by Studco
Dec 10: Happy birthday to Ms. Driver
Dec 11: Happy birthday to Ms. Cindy Farmer!
Dec 11: 7:30am Faculty meeting (Dr. Lowder); 7th grade band concert 7pm
Dec 12: World dance field trip
Dec 13: 7:30am GOLD committee; band concert 7pm at CHS auditorium
Dec 14: Chorus concert (change from original calendar)
Dec 15: Happy birthday to Ms. Carpenter
Dec 16: Happy birthday to Ms. Lawing
December 18: Student/Staff volleyball game 3pm
Dec 19-20: Uncapped teacher workdays
Dec 21 - 31: Winter break
Dec 24: Happy birthday to Ms. Terry
Dec 30: Happy birthday to Ms. Azzarello!
Makeup day for Oct 11 is Jan 2