Redbird Roundup, Vol. 18
Friday, January 18, 2019
Principal's Greeting
Happy Friday Norris Staff!
If you're reading this, it means we got a snow day! I hope you stay safe and warm this weekend!
A great second full week back. MAP testing is moving along. Teams are doing a great job using their own schedules for testing, and even including fun activities. Both 8A and 6th Grade have used a rotation schedule for testing, and I can't wait to hear more of their feedback!
Winter sports competitions take off next week. Please be sure to check out some of our students in competitions! We'll also be celebrating "I Love Public Schools" Day on Wednesday, and more info on that is below.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Carr
Snow Day Fun
I hope everyone enjoys their snow day. Tuesday, January 22 will be an "A" day, but don't panic if it is not immediately reflected in IC. Mrs. Denning has to submit a Help Desk Request to rotate the calendar, and it most likely will not get addressed until Tuesday when the IMS staff report.
And here's a little Snow Day humor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZJwgXkTz_c
January 21-25 Calendar
Monday, January 21: No School
Tuesday, January 22: MAP Data PD by appt; Girls Bball home vs. Morton, Wrestling at Morton
Wednesday, January 23: Team Leaders meeting at 7:00 in room 129; I Love Public Schools Day, New Teacher Meeting after school; Boys Swim at Morton
Thursday, January 24: Girls Basketball home vs. Lewis and Clark, Wrestling at Davis
I Love Public Schools Day
"I Love Public Schools" Day will be held on Wednesday, January 23. All staff are encouraged to wear their "I Love Public Schools" t-shirts. If you don't have one, please wear Norris gear. You may wear jeans on this day with a public schools t-shirt or Norris gear.
I am looking for Redbird Blocks to make some "I Love Public Schools" signs and take a picture of their RBB holding the sign. I would encourage you to have your RBB do this on the 23rd to celebrate our amazing public schools.
Finally, Nebraska Loves Public Schools has just released a new movie, "The Mind Inside" which details the mental health issues facing our students, and it will be available January 18. I am hoping to host a screening here at Norris, potentially during one of our faculty workshops. So if you're excited to see it, please just wait a little longer to see it!
Staff Introductions
Jody Boyer
Name: Jody Boyer
How many years have you been teaching?
Seventeen years college studio art
Eight years K-12 art
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School?
The kids
What is one of your favorite quotes?
You are what you repeatedly do - Aristotle
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Artmaking / Swimming
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Go home to Oregon and buy an acreage in Tillamook County.
What TV show would you binge watch if you had the time?
Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown
What could you give a 40 minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Copyright law for artists or using plants to make natural dyes
Sweet or salty? And what food is your favorite in that category?
Salty – Chips of any kind.
Duane Jabens
Name: Duane Jabens
How many years have you been teaching? 21
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? The staff and students.
What is one of your favorite quotes? A student from whom is never asked to do things he/she cannot do, never does all they can.” - Unknown
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? Cooking, fishing, going to my sons sporting events.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Relaxing with family and friends.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Pay off all the bills and then disappear for a while.
What is something you learned in the last week? Sometimes things we are trying to find are right in front of our faces.
What TV show would you binge watch if you had the time? Shameless
What could you give a 40 minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? Tiling
Sweet or salty? And what food is your favorite in that category? Both- sea salt caramel
Adriana Piña
Name: Adriana Piña
How many years have you been teaching? This is my fifth year
What is your favorite thing about Norris Middle School? The Diversity and the friendly staff
What is one of your favorite quotes? “Don’t let for tomorrow what you can do today”
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? Indoor to walk on my treadmill or play games/ outdoor to walk when is not cold
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? To mop the floor
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? To buy houses in several cities
What could you give a 40 minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? I can give a presentation about the Mexican culture and some costumes
Sweet or salty? And what food is your favorite in that category?
Sweet is dark chocolate, salted is mixed nuts
Powerful Practices
Multiple Representations
Formative Assessments
More MAP Testing
Visit from NDE
Norris Staff and Students Seen and Heard
Mayor Jean Stothert visits GSA
Science Fair and Science Night
Norris Parent Group
Students Recognized at CSM Basketball Game
Final Thought
Golden Rule 2.0.
We talk all the time about how so many of our kids are "relationship" kids. And Rita Pierson tells us that "no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship." As we work through this semester, what things are you still doing to build relationships with your students? 2 X 10's? Positive Pep Talks? Attending their events? Teambuilding?
And beyond that, what are we doing to nurture the relationships we have with one another? The holidays are a great time for fun events and celebrations, but how do we keep that going? "I Love Public Schools" Day is a great chance to show our unity and support for the job we do every day. I hope to continue to provide more opportunities in the future for us to celebrate our time with each other!