#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week #5 September 16th-20th
Thank you for a great week!
For the first time, we had Mr. Stone, our attendance interventionist, on campus working with our students with potential attendance problems. He was able to ensure that a student who has missed almost ten days already will be back on campus Monday! He will also be closely monitoring all students unexcused absences to guarantee that student are not missing without legitimate reasons. We know that face time between teachers and students is critical to success, and we appreciate his effort.
We have reached over 150 good news sent out and we collected 100's of excel cents on Friday. Please continue to recognize students for their excellent work.
An Important Concept Not Only For Our Students!
Instructional Update
Data Day Presentation
Tuesday's PD will focus on last year's test data. This data is still embargoed, but we will begin looking at our subgroups and overall data in regards to acheivement on SC READY/PASS/EOC. This data is being used to drive this year's professional development and our new PLC model with a focus on inclusive practices. As we move toward the first set of grades with the end of the nine weeks, I hope that we will see a correlation between student mastery and their grade. If we do, grades will become a good indicator of how we will perform on state testing.
Please continue to explore and implement new inclusive practices which will allow for our lowest students to be supported as they learn how to be successful. We will have our first instructional planning PLC on Thursday afternoon. We will provide the structure, but ultimately we would like this to be a teacher-driven effort as we plan for student success. I am looking forward to the first meeting!
Academic Recovery Plans
If you have not already done so, please let the leadership team know your plan for academic recovery. We have set the standard that students cannot choose to accept zeroes. Your plan can be individual or team-based. Please let us know how we can support.
Just For Fun!!
Photos from last week!
The inagural DECA chapter is on campus!
Mrs. Fogle's Spirit Squad for Intramurals!
Our first #sparkcelebration was great fun!
This Week's Agenda!
Mon.,Sept.16th-
Pickens Area Data Day Pres.
A & B Team Volleyball @ Wren
Tues., Sept. 17th-
Data Day PD (PM Planning)
1st Nine Weeks Progress Reports
A & B Team Volleyball-Powdersville
Wed., Sept. 18th-
Data Day PD for 6th grade (PM Planning)
Th., Sept. 19th-
Inclusive Practices PLC (PM Planning)
Football @ Edwards 7:30pm
Fr., Sept. 20th-
Apprenticeship meeting with Mrs. Smith during 5th period
Happy Birthday!!
Birthdays This Week!
September 15th- Marion Lawson
September 16th- Mary Jo Holley
September 18th- Topher Bishop
September 18th- Bryan Lively
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Here are last week's spotlights! Have you done one before? It feels good to recognize others.
Ashleigh Wilkins came and spent some time with me during planning period. We talked about our kiddos and it was nice that she took time to come and check on me and see how things were going! Thank you Asheigh! Your mom provided a wonderful spread of food for us too. Thank you for everything!!
Kelley Reid was helping the custodial staff on the sixth grade hall. She has a servant's heart. Her students see her loving and serving others. What an example! We love you Kelley! You are "grace under pressure"!
Scott Uselman walked one of my students to the guidance office when they didn't know the way. He also gave my fourth period a mini-lesson on Honey Bees! He is such a team player and I am so glad he is here at Pickens Middle School!
Jessica Reeves- We have some challenging 6th grade students this year who need some conferences/extra help up front to ensure they have a successful year. Jessica has handled scheduling these conferences and dealing with parents flawlessly! Thankful for her support in all of this!
Seventh Grade Teachers- They have been all over it at lunch. They have three or four teachers present at the beginning of every lunch talking to kids and making sure everything is orderly. They are also interacting with kids and building relationships. I am grateful.
Olivia McCoy- She led her "first ever" club meeting last week and did such a super job! Olivia is a natural at this and will be such an asset to the Student Council's leadership and yearly endeavors! I am so proud of the dedication, enthusiasm, and organization she has given and will continue to give to these kids! She will build leaders in this school!
Sarah Chastain- Sarah knows the answer to any question at Pickens Middle School! I didn't know where the Spark Spotlight was located and after trying to look for it on my own, it suddenly occurred to me to ask Sarah! Of course she replied to me within seconds!:) Sarah not only knows answers to any question you may have but her enthusiasm to be here is a joy to watch! You will always see her talking and/or being interested in you, and that is important to our students!
Click on the link below as you see and hear great things happening in the building. Please let us know about them by filling out the form. You may want to bookmark the link as we will be "Spotlighting" teachers and staff all year. Please note, this is a new link for this school year.
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks