Warrior Beat
Student Focused-World Class
Word for the Warrior...
I hope all of you were able to relax, disengage from work and take time to reflect upon the blessings of this life.
Sometimes, it's easy to allow the hectic schedule of the holidays to distract us from our very reason for celebration. I want to challenge all of us in the next three weeks to finish strong, while at the same time taking time to breathe and enjoy one another and the season.
The next few weeks will be busy, but let's make sure we focus on the strength and purpose of our work which will result in a strong finish for all of us in this first semester!
I am grateful for you!
Proud to be a Warrior,
Holly
Week of the Warrior
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Leadership Team Meeting-3:00-Library
Tutoring at 7:00am Monday-Friday in Mr. Blair’s Room/Room 343
Girls Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
Wrestling Practice 3:00-5:15
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Tutoring at 7:00am Monday-Friday in Mr. Blair’s Room/Room 343
Girls & Boys Basketball Games @ Sevier vs Gate City
JV Girls 4:00/Varsity 5:00 JV Boys 6:00 Varsity 7:00
Dance Team Performs @ Girls Basketball Game @ 5:00
Wrestling Match @ Elizabethton 6:00
Swim Team Practice 3:00-4:30
Student Council Meeting in Mrs. Wagner’s Room/344 3:00-3:30
Cheer Practice 5:00-6:00
Geography Bee Informational Meeting in Mrs. Utsman’s Room/236 2:45-3:15
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Special Ed. Collaborative-3:00-Holly's Office
Tutoring at 7:00am Monday-Friday in Mr. Blair’s Room/Room 343
Breakfast & Book Club/Mrs. Young’s Room/338 7:00
Girls Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
NO Wrestling Practice
Cheer Practice 3:00-5:00/Tumbling 5:15
The staff of the Sequoyah Scribe student newspaper will meet on Wednesday from 2:45-3:30 pm.
All Staff members are required to attend. The editorial team will meet until 5:15 pm.
Geography Bee Informational Meeting in Mrs. Utsman’s Room/236 2:45-3:15
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
Transforming Teaching and Learning Meeting: Grading-3:00-Conference Room
Family Engagement Team Meeting-3:00 Library
Tutoring at 7:00am Monday-Friday in Mr. Blair’s Room/Room 343
Girls Basketball Game @ TA DUGGER/JV 4:30 Varsity 5:30/Bus leaves at 3:10
Boys Basketball Game @ Sevier JV 5:30 Varsity 6:30
Dance Team Performs at Boys Basketball Game @ 6:30
Wrestling Match @ Science Hill/6:00
Swim Team Practice 3:00-4:30
Bridge Club/3:00 in Library
Natural Helpers will volunteer at the Family Resource Center putting together Christmas Dinner Boxes.
We will prepare to leave during Tribe Time.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
Tutoring at 7:00am Monday-Friday in Mr. Blair’s Room/Room 343
Girls Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
Wrestling Practice 3:00-4:30
Swim Team Practice 5:00-6:00
Chess Club/3:00 in Library
Natural Helpers Meeting 3:00
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
Wrestling Match @ Church Hill Middle/9:00
Swimming Championship Meet @ KAC/Warm ups 12:30 Start Time 1:30
SAVE THE DATE:
It’s Spelling Bee Time at John Sevier! If you’re interested in participating in the 2016/2017 John Sevier Spelling Bee, please see your
Language Arts Teacher for an informational form/permission slip. The first round is a written qualifying round and will be conducted on
Wednesday, December 7.
Parent Expo on Tuesday, December 6/6:00-7:30
6th Grade Christmas Concert Tuesday, December 6 @ 7:30
Geography Bee coming in January….more details to come!
The JSMS Jam...
Data Conference Dates
Thank you to all of you who have turned in dates for your upcoming data conferences. Please do that by the end of the day on Monday if you have not already done so.
EASY CBM
Please choose a date to administer Easy CBM to all students in December. As a result of conversations in RTI data conferences, it has been determined that it would be helpful for all students to have a check-up. 6th Grade will need to administer all parts of each test as directed by the state. For 7th and 8th Grades, the fluency section of the LA portion does not need to be given unless desired by the teacher. Please email Admin and InDes the date when you would like your team to administer the screening. This data will not only help us identify students who may need extra support, it is also an indicator of performance for our students overall. States that use both Easy CBM and gave the "Smarter Balance" assessment....which is the test some states gave last year that is similar to TN Ready reported high proficiency correlations between results yielded between the state assessment and Easy CBM. (In thinking about it, if LA teachers gave the assessment the week of the 12th following the writing assessment, the writing assessments could be scored during the time that students are working on their Easy CBM assessment...just a thought).
TRIBE CLASSIC
On Friday, January 6th, the JSMS and RNR Basketball Teams will face off at the Buck Van Huss Dome at 9:00am! All JSMS and RNR students will be bused to DB following a pep rally to cheer on their teams in the experience of the dome! More information to come!
FOR NOW....Order your TRIBE CLASSIC T-SHIRT!
Tribe Classic T Shirts will be on sale through Friday, December 2! Order forms will be given out on Monday, November 28 and can be returned to your
Homeroom teacher. CASH ONLY
Youth-XL $7
XXL-$8
3X-5X-$10
JSMS Yearbooks On Sale!
If you have not reserved your 2016-2017 yearbook, it's not too late! Order your full-color yearbook with personalized color for $23, or without name for $22.
To order, visit www.inter-state.com/yearbook and enter code 11192D or return an envelope with cash or a check made out to John Sevier Middle School.
PTA Needs YOU!
Don't forget to join PTA! Membership is just 5$ and your membership and helps support the students of JSMS! Please print the slip below (it is also an attachment to the email with this link) and return the form and your $5 membership/donation to the JSMS office! Thank you!
Back By Popular Demand....
From the ASC...
KCS EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
Is there a KCS employee that you would like to see recognized for her/his outstanding work?
This year, there is a new way to highlight the work of these outstanding educators! The KCS Employee Recognition Initiative serves to award those that go above and beyond in their service to the students, staff, and families of KCS.
How can you nominate an employee for this honor?
Simply submit a nomination form to your principal/supervisor by clicking here!
Do You Have an Innovative Idea?
KCS has a new Innovation Tool is up and running. I have been encouraged to use any and all available methods to communicate that our district is seeking your ideas and that this tool is active for use. It can be accessed here.
SchoolMessenger Training Offered
For anyone who works in SchoolMessenger and needs additional training or support, Becky Clark will be conducting a training session on Thursday, December 1, in the Computer Lab at the ASC. This session will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. So she can have an adequate supply of training materials available at this session, please RSVP to Becky Clark by Tuesday 11/29 the number of folks from your location who will be attending.
Nominations Open for 2017 Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2017 Tennessee Council for the Social Studies (TSCC) Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Awards in the areas of elementary level (grades K-6), middle level (grades 5-8) and secondary level (grades 7-12). Award winners will be recognized at the TSCC State Conference on March 9-10, 2017 in Gatlinburg, TN. For more information and eligibility guidelines, please click on the file below. Contact Patsy Brooks if questions.
Sample Items for Math and Social Studies Posted on TDOE Website
The TDOE website now shows samples of integrated items in mathematics for a few grade levels and sample writing items for social studies in grades 5–8. The examples showcase how these item types will appear in TNReady during the April/May administration window.
- Integrated items are 4–6 point questions that ask students to assimilate information from multiple grade-level domains. Additionally, integrated items may require background knowledge from previous grades. For all 2016-17 math assessments, students will see two integrated items that will be field tested.
- Written response items for social studies are two or four point items intended to assess a student's historical awareness and provide the opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and ability to respond to historical questions in writing. For all 2016-17 grades 3–8 social studies assessments, students will see short written response items that will be field tested.
Please note that the TDOE will be pilot testing multiple items in the Spring of 2017, including multiple select and technology-enhanced (paper version), in addition to the items mentioned above. If questions, please contact Virginia Mayfield (mathematics) or Christina Fox (social studies) at the TDOE.