The Falcon Files
Your Weekly Falcon Updates for Staff
September 23, 2019
Words of Inspiration
"We are no longer the gatekeepers of knowledge. But, we are the experts at how to learn"
-A.J. JULIANI
A Special Applause To....
I wanted to give a shout out to our 5 bell lunch crew. Sandra, Donna, Tyler, Michelle, Brenda, Sandy, Rebecca, Kathy, and her staff. There have been times in the past two weeks that we have been short handed down there because of a number of reasons (schedule) but they kept pushing through. Thank you for your dedication and your flexibility.
Professional Learning On The Go
How to group students can be a paralyzing decision. There is no right answer as different structures fit with different learning opportunities. Interestingly enough, when we talk to students they prefer to be in groups without friends as they don't want to have disagreements with them.
In this article, the authors affirm this when they state, "Having students interact with one or more peers can build community, increase engagement, and make learning more active. But deciding whether and how best to form groups can be daunting." They walk you through rationale and strategies to make this work in your classroom. Enjoy!
Professional Library for You!
I have created a professional library in the teachers lounge. It is located in the cupboard by the TV for now. If you would like to check a book out, go to this link.
This week I wanted to share a book about learning spaces. I took my OTES exam sitting on my couch with a drink near by and some classical music playing. I did a lot of my last masters in a library with flexible seating and yes, some music. Sometimes I sit at a desk, sometimes I stand. I bought a desk that is flexible to sit or stand for my office. When people come in to talk to me, I have comfortable chairs to sit in or a table to look over things. I need a dry erase board to map my thinking out. How do you read? How do you learn? What does your environment have to be to be successful? How do you think your students are learning when they go home? Our students sit in a rigid chair, not allowed to stand for hours. I can't do it. If I sit in a chair over an hour my back and legs are killing me. Plus, my kinethetic needs start screaming! Just thinking about what is best for our students.
libib.com's review:
SPACE: Thoughts, Ideas, Hacks on Learning Space Design by Rebecca Louise Hare and Robert Dillon supports the conversation around this necessary revolution happening in education concerning reshaping school spaces to better support learning. This book goes well beyond the noise on learning space design that focuses on pretty Pinterest classrooms and moves towards a more sophisticated conversation about how learning spaces support and drive brain-friendly learning. SPACE is a beautifully designed book that respects that reading and learning can happen in a visually appealing way. Hare and Dillon walk educators through a series of questions and ideas on how learning spaces can support collaboration, creation, showcasing learning, and a learner’s need for quiet. In addition to nudging thinking forward, SPACE provides practical design tips and uses images and testimonials for hacking learning spaces on a realistic budget. This book is designed to motivate, grow capacity, and energize educators to begin shifting their learning spaces to support modern learning for all students.
For the week of September 23rd....
Monday September 23rd
- ELA Data Dig (7:30 to 10:30) Meet in 533
- Math Data Dig (10:45 to 2:15, lunch from 11:45 to 12:15) Meet in 533
- 2:35 - Ice Cream Social for Staff in the teachers lunchroom
Tuesday September 24th
- PGP meetings - Check your calendar
Wednesday, September 25th
- PGP meetings - Check your calendar
- BLT meeting at 2:35
Thursday, September 26th
- PGP meetings - Check your calendar
Friday September 27th
- Falcon Friday - Jeans appropriate
- PGP meetings - Check your calendar
Please Announce to Students
*Field Trips - Student who have not completed their Final Forms will NOT be allowed to go because they do not have their medical release and field trip form complete.
*Fund Raiser - Fund Raiser is over on October 2nd. All money and forms should be returned to Jill in the middle school office on that day.
All Grades
*Snap-On Cases MUST be on computers at all times. If they do not have them on, warning first, then an after school detention, then up the discipline matrix. Why? The cases protect our warranty which is void if they are not on. This is new policy for us all. Please help me spread the word. If you have questions, please ask Rachel or myself.
Our Own....
CPR Training in 7th Grade Falcon Time
Mrs. Ratliff's 7th grade Falcon Time dedicated their time to learning a life saving skill. Another way our students are representing our pillars!
Homecoming 2019
Look at the picture below....
Info For The Staff
#fuelthepositive Website - Don't forget! Our day to post things is Tuesdays! 1st Tuesday is Admin, 2nd Tuesday is 6th Grade (Kate is with them), 3rd Tuesday is 7th Grade (Nicolin is with them), and 4th Tuesday is 8th Grade (Tammy and Robyn are with them). You all can decide if one person is responsible for the media that day....maybe do it once a month? Tell our story! It helps our culture! Please send to Lorinda and David.
Professional Growth Plan - Please go into eTPES and fill in your PGP. You will need one student achievement goal and one personal growth goal. I will start meeting with people on Wednesday. I will send out calendar invites. If you have questions, please ask.
Data Digs
- September 23rd - English in the morning, Math in the afternoon
- September 30th - Science in the morning, Social Studies in the afternoon
Middle School Tech Team - Looking for a few more possiblities Please use this FORM to nominate students to be on a middle school tech team. I only received a 10 nominations from 2 grades. I need 8 nominations from all three grades. Thanks for your help.
Helpdesk - A reminder to please send your technology requests to helpdesk@cmfalcons.org. There is no need to send an email to helpdesk, Michael, and David. In fact, it makes it more confusing on their end as to who needs to provide support. They are making a concerted effort this year to be more timely and responsive to helpdesk tickets. The start of the year is always tough but as they fill out their Tech Team and the Oaks Interns, they need their process to be clear. Thank you for your attention to this.
Birthdays
Kate Eddington - September 25th
Kim Dorgan - September 27th
Sandra Archor - October 1st
Donna Hubbell - October 14th
Jill Binau - October 16th
Rachel Cornett - October 28th
Our Gold Standards
Our Gold Standards
Email: lorinda.ottaway@cmfalcons.org
Website: cmfalcons.org
Location: 2556 Lebanon Rd, Clarksville, OH 45113
Phone: (937) 289-2932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clinton-Massie-Middle-School-169983643627883/
Twitter: @CMFalconsMiddle