The Middle School Falcon Files
Your Weekly Falcon Updates for Staff
February 24, 2020
Words of Inspiration
"They may not remember what you said but they will not forget how you made them feel."
~ Carl Buechner
A Special Applause To....
Professional Learning on the Go
I think February in Ohio is one of the hardest months. We have recently had a few snow days to recharge but the gray skies and unreliable weather get me grumpy sometimes. I know I am not speaking for everyone but I do believe about this time of year, we all could use a pick me up. Good news, spring break is less than two weeks away!
In the meantime, I thought I would share this article. The authors provide strategies to recharge your teaching. The authors suggest these elements to get things moving again: Constructivism, Movement, Collaboration and Differentiation. In the end they provide a reflection. As you read, see what can fit into your lessons. Enjoy!
https://wegrowteachers.com/4-strategies-to-recharge-your-teaching/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Professional Library for YOU!
I have created a professional library in the teachers' lounge. It is located in the cupboard by the TV for now. If you would like to check a book out, go to this link.
Differentiation is a topic that is in most of our conversations as we talk about curriculum, OTES 2.0, and interventions inspired by data. We have several books about differentiation down in our library. This one provides specific strategies for our middle school students.
Libib.com review:
In this one-stop resource for middle and high school teachers, Kristina J. Doubet and Jessica A. Hockett explore how to use differentiated instruction to help students be more successful learners--regardless of background, native language, learning style, motivation, or school savvy. They explain how to* Create a healthy classroom community in which students' unique qualities and needs are as important as the ones they have in common.* Translate curriculum into manageable and meaningful learning goals that are fit to be differentiated.* Use pre-assessment and formative assessment to uncover students' learning needs and tailor tasks accordingly. * Present students with avenues to take in, process, and produce knowledge that appeals to their varied interests and learning profiles.* Navigate roadblocks to implementing differentiation. Each chapter provides a plethora of practical tools, templates, and strategies for a variety of subject areas developed by and for real teachers. Whether you re new to differentiated instruction or looking to expand your repertoire of DI strategies, Differentiation in Middle and High School will show you classroom-tested ways to better engage students and help them succeed every day.
For the week of March 2nd...
Monday, March 2nd
- Don't forget to nominate your student for the #fuelthepositive award. This week, Beth Beam, Patty Ratliff, Sara Long, Robyn King, Sandra Holland, Michael Stewart, Jen Gantz, Betsy Wellman, Jen Henderson, Katie Collett, and Becky Carroll will be nominating students. Here is a link to the spreadsheet.
- Curriculum Team meeting 2:45 to 3:45
- Track is starting afterschool
Tuesday, March 3rd
- BLT meeting 2:45 - 3:15 - Finalize what we are putting in the coursebook
- Band and Choir Concert - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, March 4th
- 7th Grade TBT - 9:15 am
Thursday, March 5th
- 8th Grade TBT - 7:30 am
- 6th Grade TBT - 12:00 pm
Friday, March 6th
- FALCON FRIDAY! Feel free to wear your jeans and Clinton-Massie spiritwear
- #fuelthepositive awards will be given during Falcon time
- National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony - All are invited
Please Announce to Students
Track - Boys and Girls practice begins Monday, March 2nd (today) after school.
Band/Chorus Concert - Our middle school band and chorus concert will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:00 pm.
Writing Club UPDATE - Starting in March, Writing Club will meet on Tuesdays after school until 3:35 Mrs. Molitor will meet the students at the middle school and then take them to her classroom at the elementary. This permission slip has been sent to those that are already participating but if you know of anyone that might be interested, please pass it on. The dates will be as follows: March 3rd, 10th, 24th, 31st April 7th, 14th, 21st
Invention Convention - Jill Binau met with a group of students who are interested in being a part of this opportunity. If there are students that missed her organizational meeting, please direct them to cm-inventionleague.weebly.com to get an Invention Convention Program Packet and the Student Journal. Parent permission and intent to invent forms must be submitted to Mrs. Binau on or before March 15th. Our local Invention Convention day is April 28th at the middle school from 2:30 to 3:30.
Lacrosse - The Clinton Massie Lacrosse Club for middle school boys and girls in the 7th and 8th grades will be having sign-ups for a team this year. Flyers are in the office if you are interested in playing lacrosse.
Library Cards - Students and teachers wanting to check out books on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from the Clinton-Massie Branch Library will have to have their card with them. The library is switching over to a new circulation system and can't check out books without the actual library card. So please remember to bring your card with you to school next week!
#fuelthepositive Award Opportunities
*Take a moment to introduce what you will be looking for and what will happen. We start again on Monday and go through Wednesday. We will present awards during Falcon Time on Wednesday. We will announce the Falcon of the Month at the assembly on Friday.
Falcon of the Month
*This student will be chosen randomly from the pool of #fuelthepositive award winners. Next Falcon will be chosen on the 20th.
Library Events for our Students and Families
*Dungeon and Dragons for students and parents on Wednesdays from 2:45 - 3:45.
*Retro Cinema - Fridays from 2:30 - 4:00 pm
*Kanapy - Movie Streaming App - If you have a library card (which also include teacher and classroom cards) you can download the app and stream various movies and educational films for your class and yourself! The service includes not only entertainment films, but also instructional films and lessons for k-12 students, as well as teacher education development videos.
Just login through your computer or download the app to your tv streaming device, create an account with your library card and you're there! Click Here to sign in.
All Grades
* Snap-On Cases MUST be on computers at all times. If they do not have them on, warning first, then an after school detention, then up the discipline matrix. Why? The cases protect our warranty which is void if they are not on. This is a new policy for us all. Please help me spread the word. If you have questions, please ask Rachel or myself.
What is happening?
6th Grade Science
6th Grade ELA
8th Grade Starts Planning
Mrs. Beam's Math Classes
Parent Informational Meeting
Project Trust
#fuelthepositive Award Winners for THIS Week
Staff, please nominate a fellow staff member for Staff Member of the Month next month! I know there are people helping each other out on a regular basis! Let's celebrate all the great things they do for our students AND for each other!!
Our One Word
Info For The Staff
National Junior Honor Society - National Junior Honor Society - We are going to have an induction ceremony for our newest members of our NJHS. It will be Friday, March 6th starting at 6:30 pm in the High School Auditeria. All staff is invited. I have included the names of the new members below.
Washington D.C. Trip next Fall - We had over 40 families present at the informational meeting. We hope to be approved to move forward at the next board meeting. Here is the slide presentation that was given that night. The company we are using is local and one we have used before. They presented to our parents and Jamie and I were there for school-related questions. Here is the presentation that Jason Utz, from Classic Student Tours, shared with our parents.
Course Planner - I sent an email out the other day about our middle school course planner. This is a tool that parents will use to make decisions about electives and have a better understanding of what is offered in our building. I would like descriptions of all courses taught in our building. Even if they do not have an opportunity to choose some of them. This is another opportunity to share all the great things we are doing/offering our students and keep our parents informed on what the curriculum looks like in each grade. What is the focus? What do you expect your students to master by the end of the year? I would like to share this with our parents right after spring break. We will work on this and finalize it on March 13th. Please have your description submitted before March 6th. Scheduling, I am hoping will soon follow. Thank you for your help with this! Course description form
Field Trips - Just a few reminders/procedures to ensure the safety of all of our kids! If any questions let the office or your team leader know.
Bring or have EMF’s accessible
Be aware of student allergies, epi-pen needs, etc
Sign out sheet if parents are leaving with their child before you leave
Remind parents to sign off on final forms permission slip and communicate date and time of field trip
Notify Nurse-the nurse will give you a first aid kit and other safety items needed
Notify Tracy Matthews-Food services
Notify Mr. Ford-transportation
Take attendance before leaving the field trip site
Fill out field trip form .
Writing Club - Jen Molitor kicked off the writing club before break during study halls and will continue for the rest of the semester. As mentioned in the TBTs, this is just an opportunity for students to write, collaborate, peer review, and explore their inner writer. This is extra-curricular that is student-paced and to be done once their school work is complete. We are really excited to see what happens with this and see where it goes!
#fuelthepositive Awards - We begin again on Monday with new nominations. Please use the spreadsheet to let us know who is up for the award each week. You can find the spreadsheet HERE. If you can get the names in here by Tuesday evening this week, it would be helpful. I try to print the certificates if possible the night before.
This week the following will be nominating students: Beth Beam, Patty Ratliff, Sara Long, Robyn King, Sandra Holland, Michael Stewart, Jen Gantz, Betsy Wellman, Jen Henderson, Katie Collett, and Becky Carroll.
Clinton-Massie Letterhead - If you are sending anything out to parents, please use the Clinton-Massie Letterhead located in our templates.
#fuelthepositive Website - Don't forget! Our day to post things is Tuesdays! 1st Tuesday is Admin, 2nd Tuesday is 6th Grade (Kate is with them), 3rd Tuesday is 7th Grade (Nicolin is with them), and 4th Tuesday is 8th Grade (Tammy and Robyn are with them). You all can decide if one person is responsible for the media that day....maybe do it once a month? Tell our story! It helps our culture! Please send to Lorinda and David.
A Couple of Dates you should know about:
- March 3rd - CMMS Band and Chorus Concert - 7:00 pm
- March 12th - End of third quarter
- March 13 - No School (for students) Professional Learning Day
- March 16 - 20 - Spring Break
- April 10 - Conference Exchange Day - NO SCHOOL (for students)
- April 13 - Flex Day - NO SCHOOL for students and those that this applies too
- April 15th, 16th - AIR English
- April 22nd, 23rd - AIR Math
- April 29th - AIR 8th Grade Science
- May 4-6 - MAP
- May 9 - District Art Festival
- May - Date to be announced - 5th grade move-up day
- May - Date to be announced - 8th grade move-up day
- May 21 - Last Day of School for Student
- May 22 - Teacher In-Service/Workday
Helpdesk - A reminder to please send your technology requests to helpdesk@cmfalcons.org. There is no need to send an email to helpdesk, Michael, and David. In fact, it makes it more confusing on their end as to who needs to provide support. They are making a concerted effort this year to be more timely and responsive to helpdesk tickets. The start of the year is always tough but as they fill out their Tech Team and the Oaks Interns, they need their process to be clear. Thank you for your attention to this.
Digital Citizenship Discussions
Professional Learning Opportunities
Grand Canyon University
Ashland University
BER Opportunities
- Presentor: Brad Fulton - Secondary Math Teacher and National Trainer
- Practical ways to increase the success of your students who struggle.
- Classroom-proven techniques to break the cycle of failure that students who struggle in mathematics often experience.
- Strategies to help students tackle tough math problems with greater confidence.
- Receive an extensive resource handbook
Grant Opportunity for Professional Learning Opportunities
American Wilderness Leadership School
Rapid Fire Google
Blended and Personalized Learning Tips
2019-20 Student Handbook
Our Gold Standards
Our Gold Standards
Email: lorinda.ottaway@cmfalcons.org
Website: cmfalcons.org
Location: 2556 Lebanon Rd, Clarksville, OH 45113
Phone: (937) 289-2932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clinton-Massie-Middle-School-169983643627883/
Twitter: @CMFalconsMiddle