BAMS Staff Newsletter
October 12, 2014 - Volume 2, Issue 6
It's a Great Day to Be Great!
Bessie Allen Middle School - SLO
Opinion Writing
By June of 2015, 80% of students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will show growth in their opinion writing sample rubric score from the September 2014 writing benchmark based on the school developed writing rubric (adapted from the Smarter Balanced writing rubric).
News and Notes
- We have seen some great gains from many students in our Intervention 6, 7, and 8 classes. Great work Adam, Julie, and Theresa! Reading Plus is working really well for us at this point. We will continue to evaluate this program throughout the year. Please talk to these teachers if you want to see the gains first hand.
- The RtI Team is taking a 1/2 day work day on Oct 24th to work to review data and determine what movement we will have in our Intervention 6, 7, and 8 classes.
- Thank you for your flexibility with the scheduling change for Homecoming Week. I felt it was a fun week for our students. I don't foresee us changing block days for a week anytime soon. There might be a need to change block days for our Spring assessments at the MS and HS. This wouldn't be until March or April.
- If you feel driven to donate money or items for the Team Room, donations can be given to Kim Broten or Jenny Stahl. Do what feels good! Thank you to anyone that donated funds. We were able to restock some items for the Team Room.
- Tech-Free Friday -Our first day for this will be October 17th. I'll announce this to students
Out of the Office
- October 13th - 9am - Admin Team Meeting, DMR
- October 13th - 1:45pm - Honors Study Hall, Nest
- October 17th - 1st and 2nd hour - teaching Intervention 6 and 7
- October 20th - 1:45pm - Honors Study Hall, Nest
- October 22nd - 8:30am - BCT Meeting, Team Room
Oriole Way - Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Safe
- Discipline = To Maintain Safety, To Teach, and to Build Relationships
- Thank you for taking time to complete the Self-Assessment Survey (SAS). This survey is taken by all staff to reflect on our PBIS model. After taking the survey, we'll have information about what is working well and what are areas for improvement. These results will help to drive action steps for our PBIS Team.
- NEXT Meeting - October 15th, 7am
OASYS and Teacher Effectiveness
- Surveys Students - Due by October 15th
- SLO Selection and Approval - Due by October 31st
- 2 Classroom Visits - Due by End of the Year
Click Here for a link to Teacher Effectiveness Info from CESA 6
Click Here for a Teacher Effectiveness Calendar for EDUCATORS/SPECIALISTS
2014 WKCE Schedule
Monday, October 27th
- WKCE Science Testing - Hours 2, 4, 5, 7 - Brandon
- Students with special needs - accommodations (Sarah)
Tuesday, November 4
- WKCE Social Studies Testing - Hours 1, 4, 5, 7 - Theresa
- Students with special needs - accommodations (Sarah)
November 5-7
- Make-ups - lead by Kim and Jenny
*The testing would occur in the classroom unless a student's IEP says otherwise.
*Adam, Kim, and Jenny will transport materials to and from rooms for security purposes.
*No snacks needed for this year.
Dates to Remember
- October 13 - PT Conferences 3pm-7pm
- October 15 - STAR Reading Window I - 6th Grade
- October 15 - PT Conferences 3pm-6:30pm
- October 15 and 16 - STAR Reading Window I - 7th and 8th Grade
- October 16 - Complete Second Set of STAR Videos
- October 17 - Mosquito Hill Field Trip, 7th Grade, 9am-1pm
- October 17 - Cave of the Mounds Field Trip, 8th Grade, 7:30am-3:15pm
- October 22 - PTO Fundraiser - Buffalo Wild Wings - 10% of sales to PTO.
- October 31 - Complete scoring of writing samples
*See Google Doc titled "2014-2015 BAMS Yearly Calendar" for a look at events for the entire year.
Staff Meeting Agenda
Staff Meeting: October 22 - 2:50-3:30pm - DMR
Agenda:
- ???
Next Meeting: November 14 - 12:50-1:15pm - DMR
Blackboard Connect Messages
Messages sent this week:
- PTO Fundraiser - Buffalo Wild Wings Night Out(Oct 22) - sent on Oct. 14
- PTO Fundraiser - Buffalo Wild Wings Night Out(Oct 22) - sent on Oct. 21
*New messaging system (ParentLink) tentatively coming in December.