Falcon Flyer
January 2, 2018
Happy 2018!
It seems like yesterday that I was sitting in the office on my first day at Liberty Middle listening to the alarm going off in the front office, having no idea how to turn it off or who to even call to get help with it. But yet, here we are preparing to start the second semester! I'm not sure where the time has gone, but as I think about my personal and professional goals for 2018, I cannot help but to reflect upon all that we have accomplished together during the first semester. I am so proud to be a part of the Liberty Middle family, and I cannot think of anywhere else that I would rather be!
I hope you each had a restful and relaxing holiday break and that you are ready to tackle the second half of the school year.
Hillbilly Elegy
Beginning in February, we will do a faculty book study of the book Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance. If you have not already received your copy of the book, I will be bringing you one this week. We have purchased these books for all full time certified staff.
The book Hillbilly Elegy is a memoir of a boy raised in a white working class home that details the struggles that he faced and how he managed to break the cycle even though so many of his other family members were not able to do so. It truly is an eye opening account of not only how our students are living, but how many of the decisions that we make to help people are done without understanding those same people we are trying to help. Additionally, the author discusses studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences and the consequences that follow these children into adulthood.
I have included two of my favorite quotes from the book, just to give you a taste of what you will be reading.
“We don’t study as children, and we don’t make our kids study when we’re parents. Our kids perform poorly in school. We might get angry with them, but we never give them the tools—like peace and quiet at home—to succeed.” - J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
“For kids like me, the part of the brain that deals with stress and conflict is always activated…We are constantly ready to fight or flee...”
January 8th PD - Action Needed
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rP9VcrQPsKbU9_zNSqutDRVDC-2Ivy8sfYatE14nlvM/edit?usp=sharing
Also, please take a moment to watch this video put out by Chase. It is under 7 minutes and will be well worth your time.
Upcoming Dates
4 - Basketball - HOME - Starr Iva
5 - FCA - Gym - 7:30 a.m.
8 - Basketball @ Honea Path
9 - School Level PD during planning
10 - Oconee Nuclear Station Siren Test - 11:50 a.m. - 11:53 a.m.
11- Basketball - HOME - Belton
12 - FCA - Gym - 7:30 a.m.
Group to Ron Clark Academy
15 - Holiday
16 - Basketball @ Dacusville
District PD after school - Optional Participation
18 - Basketball - HOME - West Oak
Induction
19 - FCA - Gym - 7:30 a.m.
Fire drill
22 - Basketball @ Starr Iva
23 - School Level PD during planning
24 - School-wide Benchmark TDA
25 - Pep Rally for Basketball and all winter sports recognition
Basketball - HOME - Honea Path
TDA Benchmark Makeup
26 - FCA - Gym - 7:30 a.m.
30 -District PD after school - Optional Participation