Paxton Faculty Newsletter
Week of December 17, 2018
At Paxton, we do everything with PRIDE, PASSION & PURPOSE in EPIC proportions!
Mission:
It’s H.A.M.R. Time!
High Expectations + Accountability + Motivation = Results
EPIC Shout Outs!
Excellence, Professionalism, Innovation, & Collaboration:
- Sammie Watson was chosen to go to Panama City to assist AP teachers who are behind schedule due to Hurricane Michael.
- Jessica Cook for helping to organize the Tropicana Speech Competitions and the 4th and 5th grade Science Fair.
- Thank you to Lindsey Stuart and Kalli McMillan for the wonderful drama presentation to our elementary students.
- Thank you Lewis Thorn from all Elementary Teachers! You always come right away to fix our technological issues such as setting up our movie in the auditorium.
- Science department for great science fair participation at the District Science Fair.
- Band Concert was AWESOME!
- Basketball Coaches and Volunteers for Cats Against Cancer.
- PTO for giving elementary children a chance to buy economical presents for their families.
- Congratulations to FFA for having several qualify to compete in the District competition. Thank you Mrs. McDaniel!
- Thank you to the best custodial staff in the school district! They are always willing to lend a helping hand or a friendly smile. Grateful for them all! (L. Burke)
- Heather Stewart did an awesome job spearheading the toy drive for the hurricane victims.
- Christi Elmore has gone above and beyond during semester exam preparations.
- Jackie Adams for organizing the dress up days!
- Becky Wilkerson and Nita Cottle for setting up and cleaning up the Christmas Luncheon!
PLEASE KEEP THE SHOUT OUTS COMING FOR ANY STAFF MEMBER THAT EXHIBITS EXCELLENCE, PROFESSIONALISM, INNOVATION, AND COLLABORATION.
In the Spotlight
Our Paxton Family - It warms my heart to see the compassion you have for our students, each other, and our community. You are what makes Paxton so special!
Productive Struggle for ALL
Every student deserves challenging and thought-provoking work. Productive struggle helps students persevere even when easy answers fail to emerge. But in an age where information is at our fingertips, students' expectations about the ease with which their minds should retrieve knowledge may contribute to a fear of failure.
I will be sharing articles from educators offerring tips to orchestrate learning that challenges all students, whether it's a keen eye for differentiation or the trust to let students climb into the driver's seat. Learning to step back as a teacher can be, as Barbara R. Blackburn calls it, the "sweet spot" that allows students to own their expertise.
Differentiated Accountability: We are proudly educating 792 future leaders.
Discipline Referrals
Read the following article and get some strategies on how to increase student achievement through productive struggle.
Professional Development Updates
Important Information
- Semester Exams: Block Scheduling - Monday (1,3,5,7); Tuesday (2,4,6,7) NOTE: All secondary will be testing this week and it is important to provide a quiet testing environment for our students during this time. Please limit any interruptions by keeping students in your classroom, communicate with teachers through e-mail, and keep noise levels down throughout the day.
- Cell Phone Usage in the Classroom: It is imperative ALL teachers adhere to the following classroom procedures regarding cell phone usage in the classroom. All cell phones are to be off and out of sight in the classroom. This includes listening to music with earphones. Classroom Disciplinary Procedures regarding cell phones: Record the infraction on the Behavior Tracking Form in the Student Planner and take the phone up. The phone should be sent to the office and parents will be contacted. It is imperative we all have the same expectations regarding cell phone usage in the classroom.
- Attendance: Attendance should be taken each day. Secondary teachers need to take attendance each period in an effort to monitor students throughout the day.
- Passes: If you give verbal permission for students to go to the bathroom before the tardy bell, please ask them to take a pass.
- Substitutes: Please use only the CURRENT and APPROVED Substitute List if you choose to obtain your own substitutes. Also, when making substitute notes, please include that students are not allowed to use cell phones. All cell phones should be OFF and Out of Sight.
- Passwords: Please do NOT give out your passwords to anyone.
- Absences: Any time you are going to be out, please contact Ms. Cain, Ms. Neale, or Mr. Jackson.
Calendar Additions:
Please refer to the Calendar Handout you received at the last faculty meeting for all events.
NOTE: If there are any changes or additions, please contact the front office.