Panther Press
for the Week of Apr 8 Plus
FUN Friday Adjustments Due to Weather
WE WILL NOT HAVE FUN FRIDAY TODAY.
On Wednesday, April 10, 6th Grade students eligible for FUN Friday activities THIS WEEK will be released to the gym at 2 PM. The list of eligible students will be sent out before the end of today.
On Thursday, April 11, 7th Grade students eligible for FUN FRIDAY activities THIS WEEK will be released to the gym at 2 PM. The list of eligible students will be sent out before the end of today.
On Friday, April 12, 8th Grade students eligible for FUN FRIDAY activities THIS WEEK will be released to the gym at 2 PM. The list of eligible students will be sent out before the end of today.
This means we will have to work a week in arrears going forward. Students who have to complete testing or who have make-ups will not be able to attend FUN FRIDAY activities on their designated day if they are testing. Remind students that we will be looking at the previous week to determine eligibility based on attendance and behavior.
For the week of April 15, the schedule will be as follows:
- Tuesday, April 16 - 8th Grade at 2 PM to the gym.
- Wednesday, April 17 - 6th Grade at 2 PM to the gym.
- Thursday, April 18 - 7th Grade at 2 PM to the gym,
For the week of April 22, the schedule will be as follows:
- Wednesday, April 24 - 7th Grade at 2 PM to the gym.
- Thursday, April 25 - 8th Grade at 2 PM to the gym.
- Friday, April 26 - 6th Grade at 2 PM to the gym.
We will update for the last rotation next week.
April 10,11 & 12 - this will occur during normal schedule with all students going to 7th period for FUN FRIDAY activities.
April 16,17 & 18 - this will occur with all students reporting to 7th period at 1 PM and rotating to 6th period at 2 PM for FUN FRIDAY activities.
April 24, 25 & 26 - this will occur during normal schedule with all students going to 7th period for FUN FRIDAY activities.
Location may be adjusted on a case by case basis based on field conditions.
Reminders from the Principal
Make sure you are reading the Panther Press each week and planning accordingly. Visit the Google Classroom to ensure you know when things are due. Lesson Plans are due today in the google classroom. Next set is due April 18.
All teachers should be reviewing expectations and class rules with every class at a minimum of once a week. When doing group or partner work, expectations and group norms should be revisited.
The forms for submitting Parent Contacts are in the Google Classroom. Make sure these are up-to-date. It is the expectation that parent contacts are entered when they are made not at the end of the nine weeks or days/weeks/months later. It is imperative that these contacts are made prior to the end of the Nine Weeks. we cannot have any surprises. All students who are failing your class must be contacted before the end of the semester.
All teachers will be required to administer a minimum of four assessments every nine weeks: two before progress reports and two after. The two Unit Assessments count towards the total minimum assessments required: One unit assessment must be before progress reports and one after. Plan accordingly so that required RTI activities can be completed prior progress reports and report cards going home. Progress reports were sent home this week and we will be checking grade books to ensure the minimum number of assessments have been administered.
I need to remind ALL staff members of a couple of things: 1) all staff members are required to remain on campus during the work day unless they have permission from an administrator to leave for school related business (teachers must sign out in Mr. Anders' Office and classified must clock out as well), 2) All staff are responsible for electronic communications and items shared through the google platform. We will be adding additional documents as the year progresses. "I did not read my email" or "I did not know how to access the google folders" is not an acceptable excuse.
Spring Testing Incentives and Exam Exemptions
If the 6th Grade shows an average of 60% growth in Math and Reading then Mr. Powell will take a pie in the face on Field Day May 3.
If the 7th Grade shows an average of 60% growth in Math and Reading, then Dr. Foster will take a pie in the face on Field Day May 3.
If the 8th Grade shows an average growth of 60% in Math and Reading, then Mr. Anders will take a pie in the face.
The grade level team that has the highest average growth over 60% in Math and Reading will earn a duty free lunch and a catered lunch later in May.
Exam Exemptions
There are currently four ways available for students to try and exempt semester diagnostics. Exemptions are a privilege extended to the student body as a whole and may be revoked at the discretion of the school. The exemption requirements and deadlines are listed below and will be announced in morning announcements and on social media as well as in weekly school broadcasts prior to the dates. These are hard deadlines and students and parents should plan accordingly to ensure all requirements are met by the posted due date. Late submissions will not be accepted.
1. Pride of the Panthers - Must have an "A" average for the semester in every class, no unexcused attendance (includes absences, check-ins, check-outs & tardies) and no discipline referrals
2. Panther Passes - 30 Panther Passes and a "C" average in the class for the semester
3. Math Scantron Exemptions - to use Spring Math Scantron Scores to exempt a semester diagnostic (either Math or Science) the student a) must meet or exceed their learning target in Math, b) must have no unexcused attendance in the testing window (includes absences, tardies, check-ins/outs) , c) have no Class IIs or IIIs on testing days and d) must have a clear balance in the lunchroom, library and front office.
4. Reading Scantron Exemptions - to use Spring Reading Scantron Scores to exempt a semester diagnostic (either English/Language or Social Studies) the student a) must meet or exceed their learning target in Reading, b) must have no unexcused attendance in the testing window (includes absences, tardies, check-ins/outs) , c) have no Class IIs or IIIs on testing days and d) must have a clear balance in the lunchroom, library and front office.
Testing Window: April 8 - May 3
Submission Deadlines for Exemptions:
- Deadline to sign-up for Scantron Exemptions - 3 PM. May 3 with Mr. Anders
- Deadline to sign-up for Pride of the Panthers - 3 PM, May 10 with Mr. Anders
- Deadline to sign-up for Panther Pass Exemptions - 3 PM, May 10 with Dr. Foster
The dates and times listed above are hard deadlines and late submissions will not be accepted.
Lunchroom
All teachers will be required to sit with their students during lunch. Lunch is not duty free. All teachers are responsible for the students they take to lunch whether the students are in the hall on the way to lunch, in the line to get their food, at the lunch table, taking their trash to the garbage and in the hall on the way back to lunch. Supervision of students assigned to the teacher is one of the primary professional responsibilities of the teacher. Teachers are required to ensure their table and areas are clean when they leave the lunchroom.
Important Reminders for the Week of Apr 8
Apr 8 - May 3 - Spring Testing Window (follow link for schedule ) All teachers should be reviewing expectations for testing in the hallway and in the testing rooms will their students.)
Apr 8 - Timecards approved by 3 PM
Apr 8 - PTA Meeting/Gear Up Parent kickoff @ 5 PM in the Gym
Apr 8 - HMS Baseball vs Thompson @ Bud Newell Field
Apr 9 - NO FACULTY MEETINGS
Apr 9 - NJHS Meeting after school in room 104
Apr 9 - HMS Baseball vs Helena (Double Header) @ Bud Newell Field
Apr 10 - Student Council Meeting after school in FACs classroom
Apr 10 - HMS Baseball vs Bessemer City & Oak Mountain @ Bud Newell Field
Apr 11 - Grades Due by 3 PM
Apr 12-13 - Jefferson County Softball Tournament hosted by HMS @ Natalie Bunn Field and Hueytown High School Softball Field - see Coach Glasgow for details
Apr 18 - Progress Reports Go home