KPMS Faculty/Staff
Weekly Update
November 17, 2019
Homework over Break?
In October, I shared some articles about homework and how you may (or may not) have homework count in your grades. As we approach the holiday season and the start of school breaks, I would like you to think about where you stand regarding homework over the break. Below is an article discussing some reasons for rethinking the practice of assigning work. The article also gives options in case you do plan to assign some work for students to complete over the break.
20 Reasons You Shouldn't Assign Homework Over the Holidays (TeachThought)
To be perfectly honest, there have been years when I have assigned homework over the break and years when I have not. I stopped the practice when I realized that sometimes what I was assigning was not really high-quality/meaningful and was really busywork. After this realization, I was very selective about the type of work, if any, that I gave over the break.
I am interested in hearing what you think!
Term 1 Final Grades
The window for posting term 1 grades will close on Monday, November 18, at 2:15 PM. After that time, you will no longer be able to edit grades. Please contact Michelle or Kyle if you have any questions.
Grades for Trimester Classes
Trimester System Survey - Feedback Needed!
There has been discussion about potentially moving the whole school to a trimester system starting next year. In a trimester system, we would no longer have quarters -- the school year will be divided into three 12-week trimesters. Teachers would complete grade reports three times during the year (early December, mid-March, and the end of the year).
Before making any decisions, I would like to have some feedback from our staff members. Please complete the short survey below before December 1st at noon. Thank you!
Student Success Team
Here are some examples of student issues that we are addressing:
- Academic struggles;
- Poor attendance;
- Discipline problems;
- Health-related issues; and
- Need for enrichment.
Please use our new referral form to refer a student. Turn the sheet into one of our core SST members: Michelle Kreuzer, Kyle Alves, Jill Goula, Sarah Prevelige, Jennilee Spinelli, Leah Barry, or Linda Chichester.
Co-Teaching Focus Group
If you would like to provide feedback to the district regarding co-teaching, please come to a focus group session on November 19th from 2:25-3:00 in Mr. Zinni's office. We would love to hear your thoughts!
New Universal Screener and Progress Monitoring Tool - Update
King Philip Clothing
Are you looking for some new KP clothing? If so, here is the KP Clothing Order Form). Items include hooded sweatshirts, windbreakers, dri-fit t-shirts, sweatpants, and more.
Payment can only be made by Paypal at www.sewwhatce.com. Order forms need to be returned to Room 203 or the Main Office by Friday, November 22nd.
November 20 - 1/2 Professional Development Day
12:15 - 2:15 PM
Teachers
All Staff: Curriculum Analysis and Alignment (Grades 7-12)
Location: HS Auditorium
Presenter: Superintendent/Department Head
Nurses
All Staff: Update on Current Trends in Pediatrics
Location: Pediatric Specialists of Foxboro/Wrentham-155 South Street-Wrentham, MA 02093
Presenter: Dr. Olivia Kim
Special Education
All Staff: Attend subject specific curriculum team
Location: HS Auditorium
Teacher Assistants & Therapists
New TA’s (1-3 years): Current Trends in Data Collection for New Teacher Assistants
Location: HS Room 137
Presenter: Pat Dennis
TA’s (3+years): Executive Functioning Challenges
Location: HS Room 135
Presenter: Stephanie Sweeton and Barbara Shapanus
Guidance
MS & HS:School Counseling Programming Assessment
Location: HS Guidance Office
Presenter: Dot Pearl
Psychologists
MS & HS: RTI process and interventions
Location: HS Guidance Office
Warrior Weekly Newsletter (for KPMS Parents/Guardians)
If you'd like to see what I shared with KPMS Parents/Guardians this week, please see the November 16-17 edition of the Warrior Weekly.
Upcoming Important School Dates for Faculty/Staff
- Monday, November 18 - (2:15 PM) Term 1 Final Grades Available for Parents/Guardians
- Tuesday, November 19 - Boda Borg Trip, Grade 7 Yellow
- Wednesday, November 20 - Early Release, Teacher Professional Development
- Thursday, November 21- Boda Borg Trip, Grade 7 White
- Wednesday, November 27 - Amazing Race; Early Release, Thanksgiving Break
- Thursday-Friday, November 28-29 - No School, Thanksgiving
- Tuesday, December 3 - Last day for Trimester 1 Classes (Unified Arts)
- Wednesday, December 4 - Start of Trimester 2 Classes (Unified Arts)
- Tuesday, December 10 - MS Band Concert, 7 PM (High School Auditorium)
- Thursday, December 12 - Early Release, Teacher Professional Development
- Thursday, December 12 - MS Choral Concert, 7 PM (KPMS Auditorium)
- Monday, December 23 - Wednesday, January 1 - No School, Winter Break
- Thursday, January 2 - School Resumes
Please follow King Philip Regional School District on Social Media!
King Philip Middle School
Website: https://www.kingphilip.org/MiddleSchool
Location: 18 King Street, Norfolk, MA, USA
Phone: 508-541-7324
Twitter: @KingPhilipMS