EAST PAULDING MIDDLE SCHOOL
September 16, 2016
Quote of the week
One of the things I was most impressed with about Michael Phelps was that after every race, when questioned by the talking heads, he explained that his focus was on his form, his process, his execution...he was racing against himself. No matter how the media tried to portray it, he complimented his opponent, and he talked about his performance and his goals. Growth and achievement comes from within...wanting to improve self.....far before you will ever be able to beat "the opponent"...whoever or whatever that may be.
"Winners focus on winning; losers focus on winners."
"Winners focus on winning; losers focus on winners."
UPCOMING EVENTS
9/19/16 - EdPlan PL - Planning - 816 - Dress like a PE Teacher Day (No Connections)
9/19/16 - Fall Chorus Concert @EPHS - 7pm
9/23/16 - Faculty Breakfast - 7:45am - 700 - Provided by Admin
9/23/16 - 1st Walkthough Observations Completed in TKES
9-26/16 -9/30/16 - FALL BREAK
10/3/16 - SBIT in Room 816 @7:45
10/4/16 - Local School Council Meeting - Time TBD
10/4/16 - SAMs Club Membership Drive
10/4/16 - PCHS Magnet Program Visit - 8th Connections (3rd Period)
10/4/16 - Faculty Meeting - 4pm - Cafeteria
10/5/16 - Picture Re-takes
10/6/16 - RTI Meetings with Mrs. Curtis - Planning
10/7/16 - RTI Meetings with Mrs. Curtis (if needed) - Planning
10/7//16 - Connections PL - Mentoring (No Academic PL)
10/10/16 - 10/14/16 - Conference Week
9/19/16 - Fall Chorus Concert @EPHS - 7pm
9/23/16 - Faculty Breakfast - 7:45am - 700 - Provided by Admin
9/23/16 - 1st Walkthough Observations Completed in TKES
9-26/16 -9/30/16 - FALL BREAK
10/3/16 - SBIT in Room 816 @7:45
10/4/16 - Local School Council Meeting - Time TBD
10/4/16 - SAMs Club Membership Drive
10/4/16 - PCHS Magnet Program Visit - 8th Connections (3rd Period)
10/4/16 - Faculty Meeting - 4pm - Cafeteria
10/5/16 - Picture Re-takes
10/6/16 - RTI Meetings with Mrs. Curtis - Planning
10/7/16 - RTI Meetings with Mrs. Curtis (if needed) - Planning
10/7//16 - Connections PL - Mentoring (No Academic PL)
10/10/16 - 10/14/16 - Conference Week
EPMS 2016-2017 SIP - A Little deeper thought...
1. We will increase the number of students at or above Lexile levels on the Universal Screener.
What are you doing in your classroom that supports this goal? How are you implementing reading strategies that expose students to your content while setting the expectation that to truly learn, you must read? Remember that we are looking for reading strategies and reading opportunities during our informal pop-in visits. Placing reading material in a student's hand is one of the most important things we can do as educators.
2. We will increase the number of students who score proficient or higher by 10% on the EMBRACER writing protocol.
How are you incorporating writing into your classroom? I have seen some great examples where teachers allow students to write a reflection/journal about something they recently learned, where students are having to respond in complete sentences while restating the question or where students are citing evidence to support their answers. They will become more comfortable with this the more they are exposed to it. If we set the standard in 6th, and remain consistent with our expectations while increasing the rigor in 7th and 8th, we should meet our goals. Remember that our missions aren't completed in a year.
3. We will decrease the amount of students in all grades who fail 2 or more classes for the EOY average.
Have you taken the time to speak with students who are not passing your class. Do they know they are not passing...do their parents know? An example of an insufficient answer would be, "I gave them their progress report." or "Their parents have access to parent portal." I know we are all extremely busy, but I also know I certainly appreciate when my child's teacher makes the extra effort to communicate with me. Make sure you are communicating effectively!
What are you doing in your classroom that supports this goal? How are you implementing reading strategies that expose students to your content while setting the expectation that to truly learn, you must read? Remember that we are looking for reading strategies and reading opportunities during our informal pop-in visits. Placing reading material in a student's hand is one of the most important things we can do as educators.
2. We will increase the number of students who score proficient or higher by 10% on the EMBRACER writing protocol.
How are you incorporating writing into your classroom? I have seen some great examples where teachers allow students to write a reflection/journal about something they recently learned, where students are having to respond in complete sentences while restating the question or where students are citing evidence to support their answers. They will become more comfortable with this the more they are exposed to it. If we set the standard in 6th, and remain consistent with our expectations while increasing the rigor in 7th and 8th, we should meet our goals. Remember that our missions aren't completed in a year.
3. We will decrease the amount of students in all grades who fail 2 or more classes for the EOY average.
Have you taken the time to speak with students who are not passing your class. Do they know they are not passing...do their parents know? An example of an insufficient answer would be, "I gave them their progress report." or "Their parents have access to parent portal." I know we are all extremely busy, but I also know I certainly appreciate when my child's teacher makes the extra effort to communicate with me. Make sure you are communicating effectively!
Finding your Why
Many people believe that a school's academic achievements, climate, mood, and overall success crowned by the "outside world" is a reflection of the students who attend the school and those students' abilities.
Before athletic events, home and away games, coaches will remind their players that they represent their school and how their school is perceived hinges on their behavior, their sportsmanship, or their performance. Many times, teachers and administrators do the same thing when students leave for a field trip or prior to a visit from special guests. We hold our breath once testing is complete or prior to CCRPI being released hoping that our students' performance propels our school into a positive light.
While all of these factors may contribute to the perception of our school, they, in no way, define us ultimately.
That is why we cannot focus on the output, rather place all of our energy and efforts on the input. This is a great challenge if we do not have a clear sense of why we do what we do. Our collective "why" has to outshine any external assessment whether it be academic or non-academic related. If you define your why as wanting to help students score higher or win more, or if you define your why as wanting our school to be perceived or score within a higher status, then your "why" is misguided.
EPMS is a reflection of US; the teachers and staff members who invest time, energy, and passion into our students and our school. Students leave us each year, but teachers remain. WE, ultimately, define EPMS; our achievement, our success, our climate, our school. While you may come to work "for the kids", your purpose has to be greater than just that. You have to love what you do and understand how what you do has transformed who you are. Your why has to be for you as it will be what drives you to want to achieve more that you ever thought possible!
Can you determine whose "Why" is pictured below without looking for it in our building?
Before athletic events, home and away games, coaches will remind their players that they represent their school and how their school is perceived hinges on their behavior, their sportsmanship, or their performance. Many times, teachers and administrators do the same thing when students leave for a field trip or prior to a visit from special guests. We hold our breath once testing is complete or prior to CCRPI being released hoping that our students' performance propels our school into a positive light.
While all of these factors may contribute to the perception of our school, they, in no way, define us ultimately.
That is why we cannot focus on the output, rather place all of our energy and efforts on the input. This is a great challenge if we do not have a clear sense of why we do what we do. Our collective "why" has to outshine any external assessment whether it be academic or non-academic related. If you define your why as wanting to help students score higher or win more, or if you define your why as wanting our school to be perceived or score within a higher status, then your "why" is misguided.
EPMS is a reflection of US; the teachers and staff members who invest time, energy, and passion into our students and our school. Students leave us each year, but teachers remain. WE, ultimately, define EPMS; our achievement, our success, our climate, our school. While you may come to work "for the kids", your purpose has to be greater than just that. You have to love what you do and understand how what you do has transformed who you are. Your why has to be for you as it will be what drives you to want to achieve more that you ever thought possible!
Can you determine whose "Why" is pictured below without looking for it in our building?
The "D" Word - Part II
Remember that differentiation is not always appropriate, and that "you can't put the horse before the carriage." I am hoping that our Data Teams and PLC's will begin to help us clarify the task of implementing appropriate and timely differentiated learning opportunities.
Remember to ask yourself these 3 questions:
1. What is the need?
2. How did I identify it?
3. What will I do to address it?
Remember to ask yourself these 3 questions:
1. What is the need?
2. How did I identify it?
3. What will I do to address it?
SNAPSHOT EXEMPLAR!!
I love Mrs. Keough's reflection and how she plans to address the needs of her students. This is greatly detailed with purpose and focus!
STAFF ATTENDANCE UPDATE
Below is the absence analysis for the month of September. Next week will be our 8th week of school, and I could not be more proud of you for the work you have put in thus far. Hang in there for one more week and you can relax with a week off.
Remember that a focus on our attendance makes a profound statement to our students that their attendance is equally important. Believe me...they know when a teacher is one who is hardly ever out. Be that teacher!
Great job everyone!!!
Please remember that if you are wishing to take a personal day, you must speak with me prior to it being approved.
Remember that a focus on our attendance makes a profound statement to our students that their attendance is equally important. Believe me...they know when a teacher is one who is hardly ever out. Be that teacher!
Great job everyone!!!
Please remember that if you are wishing to take a personal day, you must speak with me prior to it being approved.
One Final September Birthday....and the we move into October - Happy Birthday to You!
9/27 - Malada Kimbrough
10/3 - Debbie Tabler and James Davidson
10/11 - Laurie Parker
10/14 - Monique Prince
10/15 - Andy Aarons
10/16 - Kara Bechtel
10/17 - Sara Margaret Steed
10/19 - Jill Barron
10/22 - Scott Calta
10/23 - Cherie Divin
10/29 - Courtney Burchfield
10/30 - Leigh Stone and Mary Ann Hutchinson
10/3 - Debbie Tabler and James Davidson
10/11 - Laurie Parker
10/14 - Monique Prince
10/15 - Andy Aarons
10/16 - Kara Bechtel
10/17 - Sara Margaret Steed
10/19 - Jill Barron
10/22 - Scott Calta
10/23 - Cherie Divin
10/29 - Courtney Burchfield
10/30 - Leigh Stone and Mary Ann Hutchinson
shirt of the week
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Contact Information for Tom Alverson
Email: talverson@paulding.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Domain/29
Phone: 678-350-8027
Facebook: facebook.com/eastpauldingmiddleschool
Twitter: @epmsraiders