The Black Bear Corner
March 9 -13
#AIMHIGH
Hello Black Bears!
The time has come to welcome Governor Kay Ivey to Austin Middle. The Governor will arrive at AMS at 11am with her entourage, Dr. Douglas, the President of Boeing, the President of Learning Blade Company, and others. The visit will last approximately 30 minutes. It will be critical for each of you to enforce the following tasks to ensure that our students and faculty represents Decatur City Schools and Austin Middle School with a strong sense of pride.
Safety
There will be heightened security with Governor Ivey. Please remember to wear your badge. Although, this should happen daily, I want to make certain every employee is identified as such.
It is important that everyone is vigilant and enforce the hallway procedures. Please be sure to follow the guidelines set for dismissing your class.
Students should not travel anywhere in the hallway without a pass.
Attire
Please make sure that your dress is professional.
Parking
On Monday morning, Mrs. Myrtha will have two complete rows reserved for guest parking. Please avoid attempting to park in this restricted area.
Thank you,
Mrs. Clarke
ACAP Testing Preparation -------USA Test Prep
USA Test Prep Plan
Monday, March 9 - USA Test Prep Pre-Assessment (ELA & MA)
Wednesday, March 11 (tentatively) - SS, SC and Select Elective Courses will begin practice sessions.
USA Test Prep Schedule
Social Studies - Weekly Thursdays and Fridays (20-25 minute increments)
Science - Weekly Thursdays and Fridays (20-25 minute increments)
Reading - Weekly Thursdays and Fridays (20-25 minute increments)
Gifted Education - Math (Tuesdays & Thursday) & ELA (Wednesdays & Fridays) - 15-20 minutes
Spanish & Tech Classes - Math Prep (Daily 15-20 minutes)
Coronavirus Information...
ELearning Plan
Maintaining a schedule of instruction without a break in services is important for learning and growth. Various modes of Instruction will be delivered to students in order to provide a continuous opportunity for learning. DCS technology coaches will provide training to teachers on loading content and assignments in Google Classroom.
GRADES 3-8
District issued devices will be sent home with students (Chromebooks) which will allow students to access 15 days of instruction for English Language Arts and Math in Google Classroom or Seesaw. Students will also have access to Accelerated Reader and Epic as technology resources. Wonders anthologies and leveled books can be sent home with students which include stories in the AR platform. District and OpenEd Tech Resources will be published for teachers.
A week worth of lesson plans should be entered in advance by Friday of each week. We should continue to follow the COS. Elective teachers may provide assignments or allow the students to practice test prep during any prospective closings. However, this option should be listed in your lesson plans.
Handwashing Techniques
Drying hands is crucial after washing since wet hands pick up more germs than dry hands.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
DCS Survey...
Please adhere to the following message:
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey using the hyperlink provided below. The information will be used to help us plan for the upcoming school year (2020-2021). Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. The deadline for submission is: March 12, 2020. Thank you in advance for your cooperation, Yvette Evans https://forms.gle/7epoEesxqA3acF6T6 Once you have completed the survey, please initial the sheet next to the time clock.
Testing in Progress
ACCESS Testing...
Testing will begin Monday, February 10. The bells will be turned off. Please adhere to our standard bell schedule. We ask that you monitor the hallways and encourage the students to transition quietly.
February 10 - March 5 - EL
Please encourage all students to do their best!
March Madness - Million Word Challenge
Million Word Challenge
AMS had a great first week! We are presently in the lead with 14,178,504. AWESOME! Please encourage the students to continue reading and share our numbers with them.
The challenge has begun.... remember we are competing against Decatur Middle School. However, by increasing volume of reading, our students ultimately reap the benefit.
The school that meet the following parameters will earn a day for students to enjoy inflatables as a precursor to testing:
- The window for the enhanced challenge is March 2 - April 6.
- The # of words will be divided by the # of students enrolled.
- Students must earned a minimum of 80% accuracy in order for their words to be counted.
- Only those students that meet 80% accuracy will allowed to attend the celebration.
Let's go BLACK BEARS!!!
ELA Test Prep Plan
Tuesday, March 10----Reading/Language
Thursday, March 12----Text Dependent Writing
Monday, March 16----Reading/Language
Wednesday, March 18----Text Dependent Writing
Friday, March 20------Reading/Language
Monday, March 23----Reading/Language
Wednesday, March 25-----Text Dependent Writing
Friday, March 27----Reading/Language
Monday, April 6-----Reading/Language
Tuesday, April 7-----Text Dependent Writing
Wednesday, April 8-----Reading/Language
Thursday, April 9-----Text Dependent Writing
Math Test Prep Plan
February 5th- March 12
Daily Warm-up ACAP Question & Complete Course of Study
· Reference page will be utilized
· ACAP Online Tools
· Strategic Teaching Techniques incorporated ie. Turn and Talk, Making Predictions. Quick Writes, Think Pair Share, etc..
Monday, March 16 & Tuesday March 17
Pretest
· Pretest will be developed from Item test banks provided from DRC
Wednesday March 18
Small groups
· Skill specific groups will be made based on data from Pretest
· Students will work with partners and with teacher
Science Test Prep Plan
Practice using ACAP online Tool Training
Dates: March 27
ACAP Sample Items with Test Taking Strategies - At the beginning of class on Thursdays, we will use South Carolina Sample Questions (SCPASS), A+ College Ready Checkpoint Questions, and ACAP Online Training Sample Questions to review content and teach strategies for answering ACAP style questions.
Dates: Feb 20, Feb 27, March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26
Incorporate Science Test Questions as Bell-Ringers Weekly
ACAP Final Review - Review unmastered topics based on areas of need and previous assessments.
Dates: April 6
Upcoming Events...
DCS 20-Minute Observations window opens Monday, March 2
March 9 - Governor Kaye Ivey Visit
March 9 - USA Test Prep Pre-Assessment
March 11 - Principal's Meeting @ 8:30am (Clarke)
March 11 - MPA Band @ Hartselle High School @ 10:15am
March 13 - SOM Assembly @ 8:45am
March 14 - DI Competition @ Bob Jones
March 14 - Green Power Competition
March 16 - Faculty Meeting @ 3:45pm
March 20 -AR Celebration
March 20 - Report Card Distribution
March 24 - EOY Personnel Meeting (Clarke)
March 25 - PST (Higgins, Blevins, & Huff)
Sports...
Softball...
March 2 - AMS vs Muscle Shoals @ 4:30pm
March 4 - AMS @ Hartselle @ 4:30pm
March 5 - AMS vs Athens @ 4:30pm
Soccer...
March 2 - AMS @ Athens Middle @ 4:30pm (A)
March 3 - AMS @ Sparkman @ 5pm (A) - Girls
March 3 - AMS @ Hartselle @ 6pm (A) - Boys
March 5 - AMS vs. Florence @ AHS @ 4:30pm
March 9 - AMS vs. West Morgan @ AHS @ 4:30pm
March 12 - AMS vs. Decatur Middle @ AHS @ 4:30pm
Baseball...
March 2 - AMS @ East Limestone Middle @ 4:30pm (A)
March 5 - AMS vs Ardome @ 4:30pm (H)
March 6 - AMS @ Hartselle @ 4:30pm
March 9 - AMS @ Priceville @ 4:30pm
March 13 - AMS vs. Lawrence County @ 4:30pm
February & March Birthdays...
March 1 - Regina Raney
March 2 - Wanda Merkt
March 5 - Melanie Stewart
March 10 - Debra Camden
March 10 - Florence Carter
March 20 - Peggy McKleroy
March 22 - Zach Linley
March 24 - Mike Dunlap
March 26 - Tracy Glenn
Austin Middle School
Email: ams@dcs.edu
Location: 2715 Danville Road Southwest, Decatur, AL, USA
Phone: (256) 552-4622