Betsy's Bits
December 2, 2018
In Case You Missed It:
Friday night's dance was a lot of fun and a huge success! A big shout out goes to ALL the people that were able to come out and help with the Winter Dance; Tonette Wicker (8), Karen Caldwell, Susan Weunski (7), Kevin Degon (8), Misty Thompson (6), Sarah Yoder (8), Alison Poole(C), Kim Vaughn (7), Karen Briggs (6), Andrew Allen (6), Sheryl Bristow (6), Christina Reed (6), Bonnie Marshall (7), Gail Vaughan (7), Debbie Bryan (E), Josh Hodge (6), Anreitte Pienaar (6), Vincent Pienaar (E), Ashley Inman (7), Tristan McKinney (7), DJ Clemmons (TA), Andrew Orellana (Cust), Allison Hickman (E), Jamie Cox, Evan Roush, and LOTS of parent volunteers! All the food and drinks sold for concessions were donated by parents. Dance profits will be used to take AVID students on college tours.
This is ANOTHER reminder that if you had a student FAIL your class first quarter, you MUST work with the team to develop a PPS for the student. Personal Plans for Success are developed because there is a pattern of behavior that is keeping a student from being successful. If a student fails, there definitely is a pattern of behavior. Other reasons to develop a PPS are because of attendance or behavior problems that are causing the child to not be successful. This is a plan and documentation on what you and the team will do differently to help the child be successful. Parents must be included in the conversation and sign the plan.
Students that have a PPS must be on the RADAR list with this down as a note with the date of when it was put into place. There are students that do not have a PPS that are on the radar list, too. These students may be having issues but are not failing or maybe because of a situation (death in family, homeless/McKinney Vento, sudden drop in grades or change in behavior). Hopefully we recognize a child is having issues and are placed on the RADAR sheet before a PPS has to be developed. This means that you recognize there is an issue and want to catch it before it gets to the point where the child fails or acts out in a way that could harm himself or others.
Teams MUST give DETAILED information when adding to the RADAR, be specific on number of days missed/tardies, grades, behavior shown, etc. It is also important to date and initial information added, so if there are questions, we know who to ask. You should see this document as a way to communicate with admin, counselors, and other teachers. If an elective teacher has issues, too, this is a great place to put the information. The expectation is for TEAMS to update information at least once a month, more often if there are issues, meetings, phone calls, etc.
Grades must be updated weekly in PowerSchool. This, too, is a form of communication. Use the marks in the system to note late or missing assignments. Please do not put zeros in for a student that was absent until they have had enough time to make the work up. If a student has 3 missing assignments in your class, you MUST call the parent. If you are unable to reach the parent, please email the an admin or the front office for additional numbers. Always ask the child if they have any different numbers. Email if you are unable to reach through phone and document in the email that you were unable to get up with mom/dad, also ask for new or updated numbers. We have some parents that do not have minutes to talk, but are able to text. See if they are willing to join your Remind, so you can text them. Always remember that this is their child and go in with the attitude that you wanted to make sure the parent is aware and part of the team.
Don't forget to use ABE for classroom actions and notes concerning students you teach to be able to communicate with all teachers that have the student. This is a wonderful place to document parent contacts as well! Administrators also use this feature. If you have questions or need a tutorial, please reach out to an administrator. We will be happy to help! Also remember that there is an expectation that teachers use other strategies before writing a child up for routine classroom behaviors. Moving the student's seat, silent lunch, bouncing to another classroom, and private teacher conferences are all examples of strategies. If you have to use interventions more than once for the same type of behavior, then parents should be called and involved. Again, if you cannot reach the parent, ask the child and front office for additional numbers. Please do not see emailing a parent as communication unless you relieve an email back that they received the information. Ask for additional numbers or if they will join REMIND to be able to text if that is a better way to communicate. If you need a translator to call during your planning, please reach out to Yanira (mornings) or Alex(afternoons) to assist you.
Culture Team is planning a Glow Party Incentive for good behavior and grades for second quarter:
- No failing grades on next report card (Report cards go out Jan. 31)
- No ISS or OSS beginning Dec. 3- January 31.
- Incentive on February 1 (9:30 - 10:00 - 7th, 11:50 - 12:20 - 6th, 12:20 - 12:50 - 8th)
- Counselors, Admin, Support Staff and parent volunteers will monitor
Grade levels will open their doors for WICOR walks
- Monday, December 10 ~Exploratory/EC
- Tuesday, December 11 ~ 7th and 8th
- Wednesday, December 12 ~ 6th
I will be sending out a form to collect information from each teacher and will create and send out a flyer so you will be able to choose what you want to see. *New teachers to SLMS are not expected to have visitors.
ALL teachers will be expected to visit at least 4 teachers and spend at least 15 minutes in each room (one exploratory and at least one in a different subject than you teach). You may visit more rooms if you would like.
Our new ESL tutor began on Friday. (I apologize but forgot her name, and it's written in my book at school.) Sara Barker showed her around and worked out the best schedule. Sara will share with us any changes and updates from the previous schedule.
Andrew Carnegie's grandmother and Cindy Quiggle's aunt passed away recently. Please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers.
Congratulations to Denise Green. Her second grandchild, Jace Anthony McCormick, was born on Friday evening. Tiffany, and baby Jace are doing well.
Bianca DiMarcello shared this with me this week saying it reminds her of SanLee! :)
Coming Up:
Monday's UnMeeting
LCS Exceptional Children's Director, Kevin Allen, and Asst. Director, Anne Sessoms, will be at the meeting to answer questions and guidance for us on classroom modifications and testing accommodations.
Please develop and bring at least 1 question to ask Kevin and Anne.
Mark Your Calendars:
Tuesday: 6th Grade Band Concert in cafeteria @6:30 pm
Wednesday: Wrestling match, Sports Banquet (softball, tennis, golf) @6pm
Thursday: Mid-term progress reports, basketball @West Lee
Friday: Last day to RSVP to Christmas Party (It's going to be FUN!)
I appreciate our TEAM! You give me strength to push through the hardest days. #keepreaching #keeprising #TOGETHER
Culture Team FUN DAYS :)
Tuesday, December 18 -Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Christmas Party 5:30-7:30 @Flame
Wednesday, December 19 - PJ Day Drop Everything and Read for 10 minutes in each class - Suggestion: Bring a favorite children's book to read aloud to your students or invite a guest to come in and read