Patriot's Pen
Week 18: January 13-17
A Message from Mireles
Welcome to the end of our 3rd six weeks, and the first semester!
Grades, grades and more grades!!
Grades can get complicated. Sometimes they don't reflect the growth you see in your students, other times they seem inflated, and often, they can make or break a child's self worth.
Even when a child acts like grades aren't important; that they don't matter or care about them. The truth is, they care a great deal. The truth is, sometimes, for some kids, bad grades have been a part of their story for as long as they can remember. They identify with being unsuccessful, they feel like failure is part of who they are, and who they will always be. They begin to identify with those numbers or letters like they are a predetermined fate.
We as teachers have an incredible responsibility to help identify their success. Your students crave your recognition, your responsiveness, your approval.
Some students feel such incredible pressure to perform, that it can be almost debilitating. There are those who are so used to being successful, that when they are challenged, they can't even fathom anything less than perfection. They lack grit and perseverance.
These are the teachable moments, the opportunities to seize and to change a child's fate.
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As we "Carry the Banner" and act as a "Champion" for kids, let's be sure we don't forget about our Patriot Superstar students and the commitment we made. This week be sure to make contact with your Superstars.
(Funny story: I had to tell my Superstar that he wasn't allowed at the game for getting into some trouble earlier in the week. When his mom showed up to ask me about it at the game, we had a really great conversation. I learned so much more about him and his current situation. He's definitely my Superstar for a reason!)
Tuesday's Faculty Learning, 4pm Prompt start in the Library
Remember: if everybody does a little, no one has to do a lot!!
Note: some committee members have been shifted per their expertise and prior knowledge. Additional committee meetings times/days may need to occur to hit deadlines and to be sure the event goes off without a hitch.
Led by Counselors
Plan upcoming ceremony at Clark. Confirm date/location w/Clark. Discuss and plan for the selection process, duties/responsibilities, communication with teachers, promoting event, sign up sheet.
Plan for and order any items needed. Awards, decor etc.
Led by Nancy Kilborn
Plan 2nd semester events for staff,
schedule events, duties/responsibilities, sign up sheet, discuss budget.
Let by Tisha Martin
Plan Dodgeball tournament for March 6th. Reflect on previous events, discuss possible modifications, duties/responsibilities, sign up sheet, discuss budget, promoting event.
Let by Blanca Martinez & Shelley Miller
Plan incentives for students and staff aimed at improving attendance. Review our attendance % vs all middle schools. Reflect on previous events, discuss possible modifications, duties/responsibilities, sign up sheet for events, AWN, phone calls, and meeting with students.
Led by Natalie Garcia & Patti Vlieger
Plan April Parent Night
Important dates (Prep Day optional dates, Fall Picture Day, 6th grade Meet the teacher)
Additional needs specifically connected to sixth grade students and the transition to middle school.
Let by Emily Countryman & Kelli Potter
Plan for events aimed at character development. Reflect on previous events.----Patriot shirt Friday's
Need motivational Videos aimed directly at Exceptional character & Respect. (1 per week remainder of year)
(Getting info to Zavala) --promoting events
Feb 5 Pep Rally: Celebrate basketball season, send off for ALE special olympics and a Power kick off.
Led by Hannah Narvaez & Lori Tarbell & Aaron Vasquez & Shannon Zavala
Fiesta Texas-- How many per bus, how should we organize? By teacher? By bus? Should they check in? How often? Communication By remind? Should we let parents pick up early from theme park? If so who will be in charge of check in and out at Park?
8th grade Dance: PTA gets involved
Field Day: Aaron Vasquez needs to be present.
What events? How much money do we need? Budget: approximate? What company are we ordering from. We need to order by end mid February.
Led by Brandee Brandt
Plan upcoming ceremony
Discuss selection process, duties/responsibilities. Decor, awards process, ordering awards.
Confirm date/time and place.
Led by Chris Herrera
Create goals for each program, character development, student success strategies (organization)
Reflect on current program, pros/cons, discuss possible modifications, rolling strategies out to teachers
Monday, 1/13
Leadership Team Meeting, 3:05pm, Library
Tennis Tryouts
Tuesday, 1/14
Faculty Learning, Committee meetings - MAKE BIG PLANS/ Map out the rest of the year, 4pm
Tennis Tryouts
Wednesday, 1/15
Girll's Basketball Pictures
Girls Basketball vs Rudder* 7th home, 8th away, 5pm
Tennis Tryouts
Thursday, 1/16
Boys Basketball vs Rudder-8th home, 7th away, 5pm
Friday, 1/17
End of 1st Semester
Expresso Yourself Cafe
Maintenance & Custodial Staff Appreciation Day
Spirit Shirt Day
Mark your calendar!
Attention Teachers!
Please do not specify a sub unless you have already talked to and confirmed that the sub is able to take the job. When you specify without talking to them the job often sits in limbo and sometimes other subs can't see it to pick it up.
Half Day Sub Times:
AM Half day 8:25AM-12:25PM
PM Half day 12:05PM-4:05PM
We are seeing some issues with subs picking up an AM half day job at one school and a PM half day job at another school where the times overlap or there isn't time for them to travel. Subs need to make sure they have enough time to complete their assignment at one school and travel to the next school in time to start their second assignment. We know that this is truly their responsibility but we want to make sure and do everything we can to avoid these issues. When possible, please double check with your sub that they realize they need to be here their entire assigned time. Even if your conference is at the beginning or end of their assignment as we may have plans to use them in another capacity during that time.
Thanks so much!
Erica
Shout Outs
- Thank you to Mr Herrera, Ms Boston, Ms Johnson, Ms Bent, Ms Blocker, and Ms Lopez for your understanding, flexibility, and willingness to jump in and help with all the crazy sub issues this week. Between no shows, cancellations, last minute needs, and having to pull subs to cover classes you guys have gone with the flow and helped out where you can. You are appreciated! ~Erica Hart
Congratulations Mrs. Hart!
Our Superhero this week is our sub-master, and without her scheduling skills we would often be left with a skeleton crew. She always wears a smile even after having an office full of students. She builds relationships with kiddos to ensure their success before they even hit an administrator's office. She ensures everyone feels comfortable and loves spoiling us with yummy baked goods. Mrs. Hart we love you with all of our HEARTS. Congratulations on being Superhero of the week!
Patriots show up to support their Basketball teams!!
GO PATRIOTS GO!!
EPIC CONVERSE!
EL's High Yield PD!
UBER Book Check-out!
PATRIOT SPIRIT SHIRTS are in full swing!
PD is awesome!! Let's talk about it, let's learn!
Friday smiles!
Edu Breakout
PATRIOT POWER
Website: nisd.net/rawlinson
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Twitter: @NISDRAWLINSON