#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week #31- April 8th-12th
It was a great week at Pickens Middle School!
As the seventh grade field trip returned from Atlanta and the aquarium, I was fortunate enough to get to speak with many of the partiicipants. Several teachers and parents were tired but happy. One student reported to Mrs. Anderson that it was the best field trip she had ever been on, and they had only been on the bus and to Chik-Fil-A at that point. This illustrated to Laura and me that many of our students don't have many opportunities to go anywhere! One of the bus drivers stated that it was the best group of middle schoolers he had ever driven anywhere. The other was a former principal and told me I should be very proud of my school. I assured him that I certainly was!
On Friday, Jon Gordon came to speak to our students and staff. I was impressed by the level of engagement of our student body. They listened so well and interacted during Q&A with intelligent and thought-provoking questions. Jon Gordon himself stated that this was the best middle school group he had ever encountered, and I don't believe he says this to everyone.
Both of these moments reminded me that we need to focus on the great students and things happening at our school! Middle schoolers will always surprise you. Sometimes, developmental challenges cause them to make poor decisions and this can easily be our focus. I encourage you to showcase the good and grow it! Let's maintain those high expectations for all, and help our students grow.
My hope is that the week before spring break is even better than last week! Please let us know if there are things that you need.
Students shared their appreciation for teachers at the assembly!
Admin. with Jon Gordon
Mrs. Martin in action!
Learning with my peeps!
Mr. Ashley with Mr. Gordon
SRO Griffin with Jon Gordon
Instructional Focus
This week, Mr. Ashley will be sending home the parent survey to our 8th grade parents. We will also be distributing the student and teacher report card surveys. Like the engagement survey, we need as much participation with this as possible. The results give us further insight into how our school is doing instructionally and otherwise from its various stakeholders.
Also, we will be completing course preference sheets with our current sixth and seventh graders for next years electives. We will continue to maintain the belief that we want students enrolled in classes that are of interest to them. We have seen numerous examples this year of an experience in a related class that supported engagement in the core.
Leadership will begin setting up instructional rounds with teachers this week. We want to complete this process with everyone at least once before the year is out. We will also inform you if an instructional round will be happening in one of your classes.
Thank you for engaging students and having high expectations for what they are capable of academically!
This Week's Agenda!
Monday, April 8th-
Tablets Collected
EVA project meets in C118
Tuesday, April 9th-
Fishing Club Trip
Wednesday, April 10th-
Student Council Meeting 3:15-4:00
Robotics Meeting (3:15-4:30)
Thursday, April 11th-
Momentum Bike Club (3:30-5:00 PM)
Sparks Finest Ceremony (PM Related)
Friday, April 12th-
7th Period in the Sun (March of Dimes Fundraiser)
Science Club After School
Saturday, April 13th-
Electrify Your Strings at Liberty High School (7:30 PM)
April 15th-19th- Spring Break!!
April 22nd- Inclement Weather Make-up Day
Happy Birthday!! (4/8-4/22)
April 10th- Rikki Owens
April 14th- John Garrett
April 17th- Michael Searcy
April 17th- Justin Bramblett
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Here are the spotlights from this past week! Thank you for recognizing great things from your peers! If you know something incredible, spotlight them!! Thank you for building each other up! We have so much to spotlight everyday, and we are building a winsome culture. Pickens Middle is truly a great place to work and learn!
Jennifer Reeves- Jennifer is one of the most selfless people I know. Spending time with her at Space Camp gave me the opportunity to get to know her and I am glad to call her a dear friend! She is here to serve and she will do whatever it takes to get the job done! Resiliency is a part of her DNA. She inspires me.
Susan Hilyer- This lady is a wealth of love, and logic. Her mind is open, her heart is generous, and she is practical! She gives me tips on staying hydrated, taking care of my feet, and self care! She knows all about the balancing act of being a teacher, wife, and mother! I’m so thankful that she shares her “love” and “logic” with me!
Laura Anderson- She is a burst of bubbly energy! It can be 5am in the morning but give her a microphone and a cup of coffee and she can get you up and excited about the 6 hour bus ride ahead! I love her and will gladly travel with her anywhere! Thank you for planning all these field trips for our kiddos. Your hard work, great organizational skills, and people skills make it happen.
Coach Morris and Coach Gowan- These two fabulous humans tag teamed and took care of my kiddos while I was out! They have been doing this teaching thing for a heck of a long time! The crazy thing is that they are still doing it and enjoy it! They demonstrate Character, loyalty, kindness, and common sense (which isn’t so common)! I appreciate and admire them so!
John Garrett- John Garrett gave me his parking pass for the month of April! I often joke with him about being his mentor, but a lot of times he mentors me!! He focuses on the quality of person he is over the image and façade we sometimes pretend to be. I’m proud of him for his desire to improve and grow, to stretch and challenge himself!
Anna Taylor- Anna Taylor is a rock star teacher. I can tell which of my students has had her for Agriculture! Her students know plant parts, how they reproduce, and all the functions (which is all apart of our standards)!!! Mrs. Taylor thank you for all the fun things you are doing with our kiddos. Agriculture is fun and so relevant for our adolescents! Anything to get them engaged and motivated right?!! They love it and they are eager to teach and share what they have learned!
Sheila Roper- Mrs. Roper was recognized this past week by Kudzu and Human Resources for perfect attendance! We appreciate all you do and the example you set!
Click on the link below as you see and hear great things happening in the building. Please let us know about them by filling out the form. You may want to bookmark the link as we will be "Spotlighting" teachers and staff all year.
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks