EAST PAULDING MIDDLE SCHOOL
September 7, 2018
FACULTY AND STAFF NEWSLETTER
featured quote
Part of our role as educators (and adults) is to help the children in our lives realize when they have made mistakes and learn from those mistakes so that they do not make them again. We inform them that a mistake was made, how that mistake could have been avoided, possible consequences of their mistake, and what they should do different in the future.
Unfortunately, there are times when the message is lost because of our tone, our body language, or even the volume at which we are speaking. When our tone is angry, our body language is animated or aggressive, and our volume level is elevated, students could become defensive, they could shut down, or they could completely shut us out. When we reach that point, we are no longer helping the child or modeling any desired behaviors. Often times, when parents complain about a teacher "lecturing" their child, they aren't complaining that the teacher addressed the behavior, they are complaining about how the message was delivered.
Within our roles, we serve in authoritative positions over the students we teach. However, it is important that we perform those roles within the same expectations that we have for our students. Although we are older in age, seasoned with more life experience, or placed in a role "above" our students, we are not "above" them as individuals or human beings. We are all humans who make mistakes, but we sometimes forget that.
Over the years, I have found that my message is much more effective when I speak with a student privately, calmly, and quietly. I use the opportunity to connect with the student; to build the relationship, and avoid destroying it. Even if the student continues to make the same mistake, I do my best to let them know that I am disappointed in their decision but not mad or angry at them.
The quote above says it all. Talk WITH your students. The results are much different.
UPCOMING EVENTS
9/10 - Math Department Meeting - 4:00pm - 605
9/10 - 4H Club Meeting - NBI
9/11 - PTSA Meeting - Community Night - 6:45pm
9/12 - 2-Hour Early Release - 1:35pm
9/12 - Para PLC - 1:45pm - 601
9/14 - Mentor Observation #1 Due
9/17 - SBIT Meeting - 7:45am - 601
9/20 - ESEP Meeting - 7:45am - 601
9/20 - Chorus Concert - 7:00pm - EPHS Auditorium
9/21 - TKES Walkthrough #1 Due
9/24-28 - FALL BREAK
10/01 - 1st 9 Week Posting Window Opens
10/02 - Fall Picture Day - Staff Photo at 7:50am
10/02 - Faculty Meeting - 4pm - Cafeteria
10/04 - Math/ELA RTI Meetings - Planning - 601
10/05 - End of 1st 9 Weeks
10/08 - 4H Meeting - NBI - Some students will miss NBI
10/08 - 6th and 8th Grade RI #2
10/09 - AdvancEd Visit - 12:00-3:45
10/10 - 1st 9-Week Posting Window Closes
10/10 - 8th Grade PSAT
10/11 - 7th Grade RI #2
10/11 - Behavior RTI
10/11 - 8th Grade Reality Fair
10/12 - RI #2 Make-up - All Grades
10/15-19 - PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE WEEK
10/15 - 8th Grade SS Benchmark #1
10/16 - 8th Grade Science Benchmark #1
10/18-19 - Savannah Trip
10/18 - Para PLC - 2:45 - 601
10/19 - 1st 9-Week Grade Reports Go Home
Holy October Batman!!
1. The end of the 1st 9 weeks comes quickly. Please make sure that you are maintaining an updated gradebook so parents aren't surprised. Additionally, please make sure that you have balanced assessments (formative vs. summative). The 1st 9 weeks is officially over on 10/10, and any grades submitted after that date will be considered 2nd 9-week grades.
2. AdvancEd will be visiting on October 9th. Please remember to plan no assessments for that day. The AdvancEd observer will be observing students and what they are doing while also paying attention to your role as the classroom faciliator.
3. 8th Grade will be taking the PSAT on 10/10. We will let you know of any schedule changes.
4. 8th Grade will be participating in the Reality Fair on 10/11. This may also result in a schedule adjustment. We will keep you posted.
5. Parent Teacher Conference Week is officially the week of 10/15. If you want to get a head start on those, you can schedule them for the week prior. I will have information for you to send to parents before Fall Break.
6. 8th Grade will be going to Savannah on 10/18 and 10/19. This means all of your conferences must be completed if you are going on that trip.
Whew....that's a lot, I know. Again, stay ahead of the calendar, and let us know if you need support.
Hey Co-Teaching Teams
How's planning going?? Yep...I am talking to you! To me, the definition of a Co-Teacher is any teacher who shares a classroom, students, and the responsibility of teaching those students. There is no "Gen Ed Teacher" or "ESEP Teacher"; there are 2 Co-Teachers. So, if you fit in that role, then I am talking to you!
You have one of the most important jobs in our school, and I need to make sure that you are being supported. One of the most difficult parts of teaching comes when you and a Co-Teacher share a classroom, share the same students, and share the responsibility of teaching those students. Those difficulties become magnified when communication and planning are not up to par. When planning and communication between adults fails or is lacking, students are impacted negatively, and because we have such a large population of ESEP students, we must be intentional when planning to serve those students.
To help each other, please make sure that the following is happening:
1. Plan, at the very least, weekly together for the upcoming week's lessons. This may need to occur outside your content area's regularly scheduled meetings.
2. Plan and prepare materials ahead of time so that individual student needs can be met with fidelity. Many times, those needs are defined in the students IEP. Sometimes, those needs are defined through other forms of formal or informal data.
3. Communicate and plan any changes or needs as soon as possible. None of us are mind-readers and learning of changes in lesson plans or materials at the last minute can be extremely frustrating.
4. Ask each other questions and share thoughts and concerns when they arise. If you are not communicating as a team, you will struggle to support your students. No one should be on an island within our building, especially within our Co-Teaching teams. If you have a need from your Co-Teacher, let them know.
This list could probably continue, but these are 4 basic priorities that can help your Co-Teaching team improve. We are here to support you if needed. If you are having a difficulties finding time for planning, communicating needs, or preparing materials, please let us know and we will help!
The Purpose of the Reading Strategy
As everyone moves forward, I want to highlight a few things to consider:
1. Connect current learning to what you are asking students to read. This can be done through the content of the article, through conversations and collaboration, and through closings. If we want literacy to be meaningful to our classrooms, connecting it to the learning must be a priority.
2. Plan for the use a Reading Strategy that supports the level of learners for the content you are providing. Learning when to use PALs, Collaborative Reasoning, Reciprocal Teaching, or Magnet Summary Writing is tricky and is a learned skill. I don't expect us to be experts at it yet, but PL for this specific highlight will be forthcoming!
Once again, this is a learning year where mistakes will happen. We aren't going to "break" our students, but we can all grow through literacy!
NBI
I want to encourage you to keep up the good work! I also want to thank you for the time you are spending preparing for NBI. I realize that planning for an additional class is time-consuming, but I know that all of you have a passion for our students and seeing them be successful.
Please let me know if there is anything that we can do to support you.
PEF School Grant Awards
Online applications and program information is available on the Paulding Education Foundation web site (linked below).
The deadline for application submission will be Friday, September 28, 2018. If you are wanting to submit a grant, please let me know. The grant must be submitted by me.
ABSENCE ANALYSIS
For the month of August, we finished with 64.1 absences (8.5 personal and 55.6 sick). I appreciate everyone's efforts to be at school every day!
September Birthdays
Christa Casaletta- 3rd
Anita Connally- 4th
Danielle McAuley- 5th
Marie Welsh- 7th
Lisa Braddock- 7th
Amanda Gillette- 8th
Bettina Hubbard- 11th
Robert Freshour- 14th
Suzanne Simmons- 22nd
Malada Kimbrough- 27th
follow or like us on social media
Contact Information for Tom Alverson
Email: talverson@paulding.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Domain/29
Phone: 678-350-8027