Friday Memo
January 20, 2023
Important Dates
January 23 - Late Start Day
January 26 - Vogt OOTB for to work on 23-24 master schedule
January 26 & 27 - NWEA Test
February 1 - 7 Integrity to Junior Achievement
February 2 - 7 Bravery to Junior Achievement
February 3 - 7 Unity to Junior Achievement; GFA Field Trip; Grades & Newsletter updates due
February 13 - Late Start Day
February 16 - Vogt OOTB for to work on 23-24 master schedule
February 24 - 8th grade Glow Party; Vogt OOTB; GFA Field Trip
February 27 - Department Meetings, 3:35 pm to 4:35 pm
March 1 - Growth Plans due
March 6 - Faculty Meeting, 3:35 pm to 4:35 pm
March 8 - 3rd quarter grading window opens
March 10 - 3rd quarter ends
March 14-15 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm to 8pm
March 15 - 3rd quarter grading window closes
March 17-24 - No School due to Spring Break
March 25 - School resumes, Late Start Day
Instructional Focus - Reflection
PTO Getting to Know You Series
create a post for you? Do not feel like you need to answer every question....just a few so that we can write a little biography about you. And send a picture because everyone loves putting a face to the names we hear about over the dinner table. Thank you so much!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-hPdR98I-mZHgtAN44dbc7Bi2v40FWzomG9o-TSpuAlO_4Q/viewform
PTO Teacher Mini Grants
ITEF
ITEF’s Innovator Grant cycle is quickly coming to a close! The deadline to apply is January 31st, 2023. We are very excited to see what innovative classroom ideas educators from your school submit! Please share this email with your school’s teachers as a reminder for those who need to finalize and submit their applications!.
The Innovator Grant funds projects that are innovative and which elevate learning and exploration. Although we see “innovation” as a mindset, we understand that the definition of innovation is relative and dynamic. We look for projects that engage students, push teachers, and generate excitement and enthusiasm for learning. Eligible schools are those with a qualifying zip code in our service area.
This is a great opportunity for both new and veteran educators alike to offer their students opportunities to innovate that encourage fresh and creative thinking. On our website you can check out the kinds of innovative projects we have funded in previous years.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at csmith@Innovteched.com.
MRTF Certified & Support Staff Grants
Attached is an application for $500 grants for teaching staff and support staff provided by MRTF, which is the tax exempt entity of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA). All certified and non-certified staff members are eligible. Please note that there are two separate applications, one for certified staff and one for support staff. Certified staff includes teachers, counselors, school social workers, administrators and support staff includes school nurses, teachers' assistants or aides, secretaries, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, custodial staff, etc. There will be a total of one hundred and twenty-six $500 teacher grants awarded (nine in Region 8) and twenty-eight (28) PEERS grants awarded throughout the state. The focus of winning grants should be on programs that would enhance student learning, enhance student well being, or in general provide a better learning environment for students. Recently, a nurse won a grant for a program she was initiating in the health room.
Please note that both of the applications have two pages, one of which is the cover sheet that must accompany the grant application. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2023. However, applications may be submitted at any time prior to the deadline. .
Thank you for your attention!
Sincerely,
Dr. John A. Pohl, Retired Principal from Holman Middle School, Pattonville School District and MRTA Past Presiden
Emergency Training
Please see the message below from Mr. Hazelton regarding a review of our emergency procedures next week.
We've created a video that gives an overview of emergency procedures. Included in the video is information about intruder procedures.
On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, we will preview a video detailing the response to different emergency scenarios.
Social studies teachers are asked to play the short video and collect any questions the students may have and forward to me. We will then create a FAQ document to send back out for you to address with your students.
On Wednesday, all teachers should take a few minutes during each class to talk about your plan for your classroom. For example, what are the escape routes for evacuation? Where do you seek cover if there is a tornado? What are some intruder scenarios that you would need to address, specifically, if you can escape or what would you do if you have to barricade the door? If you have any questions about that, please ask and we can address those specifically.
PE teachers should do another walking unit to remind the kids where the rally points are in the area, should we have to evacuate. (Goodall Manor, Wrenwood Cr., Entrance to the Webster Rec. Center at Glendale).
If you do not know where the rally points are, we are more than happy to go on an excursion and show you in person.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out and ask. Please don't respond all to this email, direct them to me specifically.
Click HERE for the video. Feel free to preview it. I would suggest you download it in advance so that everyone isn't trying to access it at the same time. Everyone should watch it, but the kids will only watch it in Social Studies.
I've also attached the screenshots of the rally points. (Please refer to Mr. Hazelton's email to access the screenshots.)
Budget Timeline
NWEA - January 26 & 27, 2023
Since our second NWEA testing window is quickly approaching (January 26 & 27), I wanted to share some wording with you again about how to talk about the importance of the test with students. It is extremely important that we are talking about the test with students in a positive way that helps them understand its purpose.
"The NWEA test is important because it helps us determine what you are doing really well, and what additional academic support you need to be successful. As a staff, we look at the results from the test and decide how we are going to support you. This is why we ask you to do your very best on the test. If you rush through it or don't do your best, then we could end up trying to help you with something that you already know how to do. We realize that the test takes a lot of time and that some parts of it may be hard for you, but we definitely appreciate you doing your best and showing what you know! The NWEA test helps us better serve you."
8th grade Glow Party
Morning, Hallway, and Lunch Supervision
Staff Input for 23-24 SY
Reminder about Field Trip Procedures
Chromebook Collection
We will begin the collection of the Chromebooks on May 11th and will finish up collections by May 19th. Below is the schedule for collection. This year's collection will take place during ELA classes. More detailed information will be rolled out closer to the time of collection. We wanted to share this information with you now so you can make plans for the second semester.
If you have a need for Chromebooks in your class after collection has begun please submit a technology request well before the month of May so Jason Heisel can plan accordingly. The request should have a minimum and max need.
Example: Need at least 3 Chromebooks and would love to have 15 Chromebooks available for the following dates: May 12-May 15th to allow learners to finish up submitting late work
Please keep in mind that a team of people worked to create this schedule based on feedback from last year and this year as well as working around major events that are on the calendar and testing schedules.
If you have any questions please let Jason P. Heisel, our building technology specialist, know via email.
Preparing Your Classroom for Summer Break & Summer School Classroom Use
- Please clear your teacher desk of everything, including drawers and surfaces.
- Remove all personal belongings from the classroom.
- Mark all things that are trash with a noticeable, legible sign.
- If your classroom has a tile floor, then the bookshelves have to be emptied. We will have boxes available. Please be mindful of how heavy you make the boxes. The saran wrap idea at the end of last year didn't work as well as I thought it would.
- We will be using the 6th grade wing for summer school.
Please don't hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.
Hixson Middle School
Email: mayes.shenita@wgmail.org
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Hixson
Location: 630 South Elm Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6450