The Falcon Files
Your Weekly Falcon Updates
August 23, 2019
Words of Inspiration
“While successful culture can look and feel like magic, the truth is that it’s not. Culture is a set of living relationships working toward a shared goal. It’s not something you are. It’s something you do.”
Daniel Coyle in The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Effective Groups (Random House, 2018)
A Special Applause To....
I am grateful for you all. You have done an amazing job right out of the gate but I have a couple shout outs:
- Rachel for making it through her first two weeks of schedule changes (still happening), new students, and for jumping into her discipline role.
- Special teachers for the first day of school whose schedules right off the bat were compromised. Thank you for your patience.
- Janie and Sharri for working through the study hall/makerspace piece. AND Janie for being so flexible with the new arrangements for study hall.
- Sandra and Becky for having everything ready for the start of school and for being so accommodating these first few weeks.
- Jill for making sure my mistakes aren't so apparent!
- And again YOU! Things wouldn't have run so smoothly without you all. Thanks again for your help and guidance.
Professional Learning On The Go
This week I was reflecting on the positive vibe that I felt our first two weeks of the school year. I have been so impressed on how present and patient you all have been with me, new students, and just adjusting from our summer schedule to the new, EARLY school schedule. I came across this article by Thomas Guskey. He talks about the importance of the first two weeks of the year.
In this article, Guskey states, "This means that teachers must do everything they can to ensure students’ success during the first two weeks. At every level and in every class, teachers must do whatever is necessary to help students experience success in learning during this critical period. And not fake success, but success on something meaningful and challenging. It should be something that makes students feel good about what they have achieved and confident in their abilities as learners." Think about the first impressions you allow students to make on you, academically. Enjoy!
https://medium.com/inspired-ideas-prek-12/the-importance-of-the-first-two-weeks-336de8213bfe
For The Week of August 26, 2019
- Jen Molitor is in the building.
- Jen and I will be visiting TBTs today
- Have students log into Final Forms and sign the Responsible Use Form during Falcon Time.
- David Moss and I are offering some time for parents to come into the Middle School to fill out their Final Forms. We will be located in the MakerSpace from 5 until 7.
Tuesday August 27th
- Keep encouraging those that have not completed their Responsible Use Form on Final Forms to do that. I will be pulling kids during lunch to complete that.
Wednesday, August 28th
- Fall Sports Assembly will be today! We will meet in the gym at 2:10 and the assembly will begin at 2:15. We will introduce the teams, sing the fight song, do a cheer or two and then release them to get their things and get to the bus. This is a spirit day. Spirit wear and Jeans are appropriate.
Friday August 30th
- Spirit Day (Yes Jeans!)
- Pictures on Tuesday next Week
Please Announce to Students
All Grades
*Snap-On Cases MUST be on computers at all times. If they do not have them on, warning first, then an after school detention, then up the discipline matrix. Why? The cases protect our warranty which is void if they are not on. This is new policy for us all. Please help me spread the word. If you have questions, please ask Rachel or myself.
*Pictures are September 3rd. Please pass out forms during Falcon Time.
*Reminder to sign Responsible Use Form.
*Fundraiser starts September 11th.
*Shirts should be in near the end of next week.
The 8 grade with Mr. Brady!
Making working windmills, 4 wheelers, and other contraptions using tear aparts, batteries, wires, and their imagination! I saw some fails but witnessed resilience.
#fuelthepositive
6th grade ELA with Ms. Collett and Mrs. Fankhauser!
Info For The Staff
Pictures are on September 3rd, the day after Labor Day.
Patriot Day - September 11th from 8 to 11. All students stay with their 1st bell teacher. Wear class t-shirts. More info to come.
Please ask Tammy about the #StrongAsMudd shirts! I think we will have a day we will wear those in support. Supporting the Mudds and Jeans! Couldn't ask for a better day! Buy your shirt!
Don't Forget About Our Gold Standards - I would like to have these done by next week. We need to create our statements using these words: Respect, Community, Fun, Positive, Empower, Engaged, Communication, Family, Support, Safe. I would like to have 4 or 5 statements by next week. An example would be: Take time to create meaningful relationships or Smile, laugh, have fun….know you are appreciated. Please help me. I believe these are all of our standards....not mine. The link is above and you have editing rights.
Social Media - We are on social media just FYI. I am a fan and have shared a few things going on around here. If you have anything going on you would like me to share, let me know! Text me a pic along with a description. I will be glad to post for you. If you are on here, please tag! Our instagram is @clintonmassiemiddle . Our Twitter is @cmfalconsmiddle . We are on Facebook too. Search Clinton-Massie Middle School to like our page and follow. I would also like to develop our school webpage this year. Any way we can share our story is powerful! Our district hashtag is #fuelthepositive so please use that when posting about our school! I am a huge Twitter fan. I learn, share, and network here. Feel free to ask me about my Professional Learning Network!
What's New?
Our Library
Our Gold Standards
Email: lorinda.ottaway@cmfalcons.org
Website: cmfalcons.org
Location: 2556 Lebanon Rd, Clarksville, OH 45113
Phone: (937) 289-2932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clinton-Massie-Middle-School-169983643627883/
Twitter: @CMFalconsMiddle