Redbird Roundup, Vol. 23
Friday, March 22, 2019
Principal's Greeting
Happy Friday Norris Staff!
There is so much excitement coming up with our NSCAS testing. Please be sure to read all the notes below with important information. Remember, we have to model what we want to see from our students. We want them here, well-rested, and ready to rock NSCAS. I need the same from you. Here. Well-rested. Ready to rock NSCAS. I absolutely believe we have all the right people to be able to make this happen. Let's do this Redbirds.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Carr
We need you here!
7th and 8th grade NSCAS testing: March 26 and 27
6th grade NSCAS testing: April 16 and 17
Just as our students' attendance is important these days, so is yours. We need you here to help provide a strong testing environment so our students can do their best.
March 25-29
Monday, March 25-Holocaust Speaker during Block 7/8 (8th graders only); NAC meeting after school
Tuesday, March 26-NSCAS Testing for grades 7 and 8 (alternate schedule); MTSS-B Vision Team Meeting
Wednesday, March 27-NSCAS Testing for grades 7 and 8 (alternate schedule); New Teacher Meeting after school; Principal's Roundtable at 7 a.m. in room 129
Student Appreciation Week Activities:
Monday-Strive for 95 Party in RBB (list in mailboxes by Monday morning)
Tuesday and Wednesday-Student cell phone and ear bud use during lunch
Thursday-Student-selected music during passing periods
Friday-prizes all day
Staff Activities:
Jeans all week with $10 donation for flood relief
Wednesday-Jo on the Go here from 9-11 outside gym, order forms in your box on Monday
Staff Introductions
April Johnson
Name: April Johnson
How long have you been in education? My first year with teaching
What is your favorite thing about Norris? My favorite thing about Norris Middle School is the staff and students.
If you could stay one age forever, what would it be? If I could choose to stay a certain age forever it would be 40
When you have 30 minutes of free time what do you do? When I have 30 minutes of free time I like to talk on the phone.
If you won the lottery, what's the first thing you would do? If I won the lottery first thing I will do is donate to Make-A-Wish Foundation.
What is something you learned in the last week? In the last week I learned what LHH means in a text. (Laughing Hella Hard)
If you could binge watch any show, what would it be? If I could binge watch any TV show it would be Iyanla Fix My Life.
Sweet or salty, and favorite food in that category? Sweet or salty I would choose sweet and it would be fudge brownies.
Koku Degbe
My name is Koku Atsu (Eugene) Degbe.
How many years have you been teaching?
I have been teaching for 13 years.
I started teaching in September 2001, in Togoville, a small town in Togo (West Africa) where I am from. After 7 years teaching in a high school, I enrolled in a Master’s degree program at the University of Lome (capital of Togo). I taught Spanish at the University of Lome from October 2012 to August 2013, when I was in a Ph.D. program. Then I moved to the USA in September 2013 and joined the Norris staff in August 2014.
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School?
My favorite thing about Norris is the “Norris Family”. I really feel like in family here at Norris with its wonderful staff.
What is one of your favorite quotes?
One of my favorite quote is “Listen, or Your Tongue Will Make You Deaf”. It is a Native American Proverb. I usually refer to it when my students start talking, instead of paying attention to the lesson I am explaining.
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
If I could choose to stay a certain age forever, it would be 45. This week, on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, I turned 45. It think I don’t look too young, and not old. So I would to stay forever like I am now.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
When I have 30 minutes of free-time, I play guitar.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do is “freeze” my bank account that has the money for a year (Not really freeze, but I know I wouldn’t touch the money for a year.) I would take all my time and think, think, and think again, before starting any project I could have about the money.
What could you give a 40 minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Spirituality. I’ve been studying spirituality, religions, and teachings related to God, Soul, the Cosmic worlds, the Spiritual laws and Principles of Life, Secrets of Health and Youth, Dreams, Karma and Reincarnation …etc. for 30 years. I can give at least 2 hours presentation on the topic with absolutely no preparation.
Powerful Practices
Using Stations
Flipgrid
Norris Staff and Students Seen and Heard
Science Fair Participants
6th Grade Intramural Basketball
SPED Conference
Meet Chris, new to Norris for P4K!
Spring Sports Begin
Boys and Girls Soccer, and Track have begun! The sun is shining and the weather is warming up. I can't wait to see our kids in competitions. It's going to be a great spring!
Final Thought
Next week is a big week for us as we start NSCAS testing. We have talked about it, we have helped get everyone excited about it, and now it's time to show how we can do.
To your students: Tell them you believe in them. Tell them they can do it. Encourage them to take their time and try their best. Tell them this test is a reflection on all they have learned, and we want them to show their stuff and be proud of themselves. We know they can do it.
To you: If you expect your students to be excited to do well, you also have to be excited. Be an active proctor, walk around the room and monitor how they're doing. Talk with them about testing ahead of time and share how important it is they do well. Give them encouragement.
Our success on this is a reflection of all of our efforts. Redbirds are going to rock NSCAS!