#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week 8 October 7th-11th
The little things make a difference!
I don't report this so that you will feel sorry for our students dealing with potential trauma, but just to remind that it is a sad reality for some. Instead, let's love them, build them up, and encourage them to a better life. Couple relationships with high expectations.
I was so proud of our school on open house night as families, and faculty and staff came together. Truly, thank you for all that you do for students every day!!
My heart also grew as I read the many Spark Spotlights featured this week. It reminded me that the little things we do to show kindness to each other truly make a difference. Our jobs can be challenging, especially this time of year. But I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! We are blessed!
Thank you for all that you do to make Pickens Middle a great place to work and learn! As always, if I can support you in any way, please let me know!
Open House Was A Success!
Mrs. Anderson presented with students at open house!
Community Members were able to experience morning assembly!
Thanks to Mr. Ashley for organizing our OLWEUS presentation.
Instructional Update-
As we approach the end of the 1st nine weeks, please remember to have a recovery plan for your students. We want to set the expectation that students cannot simply choose to fail. If you are trying to recover and students are still not being successful, please let leadership know who the individual students are. We will support your efforts.
Congratulations to Susan Martin!
Making a Difference!- This reminds me of many of you!
Photos from last week!
Our 8th Graders represented us well on a visit to the Career Center!
Our robotics teams are in good hands!
Volleyball is still undefeated. The shirt says it all!
This Week's Agenda- (Please note the kindness rally has been delayed until next week.)
Mon., Oct. 7th
A Team Volleyball-Walhalla
MAP - Math 8; Alg CP
MAP - ELA7
Tues., Oct. 8th-
Inclusive Practices Strategy PD (Mastery Connect- Novice AM Planning/ Already Using PM)
A& B Team Volleyball-Edwards
MAP - ELA 7
Wed., Oct. 9th-
Manufacturing Cohort (8th Grade)Field trip to Greenville Tech and Velvet Drive Transmissions
Student Council Meeting (3:15-4:00)
ASL Club (3:15-4:00)
Th., Oct. 10th-
Inclusive Practices PLC (PM Planning)
Football-Powdersville
MAP - 6th Math
Fr., Oct. 11th-
MAP - 6th Math
Happy Birthday!!
Birthdays This Week!
October 11th Erin Allen
October 12th Sarah Chastain
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Here are the last two week's spotlights! We have many!!!! :) Have you done one before? It feels good to recognize others.
Coach Morris- He reminded me today that I really make a difference. Even when I don’t think I am or it seems that the students aren’t getting it. I make a difference.
Gail Edwards- She showed me yet again a great way to teach the layers of the atmosphere using candy! You are a science rockstar.
Laura Anderson- She took up money for science club T-shirt’s. This lady is truly the energizer bunny. I don’t know where her energy or drive comes from but it sure is inspiring!
Susan Hilyer- She came to my room with a students chrome book and did me the favor of explaining to him the importance of keeping up with his chrome book and what a privilege it is to have one! She is the queen of “love and logic”!
Coach Roberson- When those football players stood up to cheer, you could feel the energy! That was the best chant! Way to get the school pumped up and encouraging athletes to lead the way!
Penny Mellett- She is my role model! Her expectations are high and she doesn’t let slackers be slack. She raises the bar and they rise to it. Thank you Penny!
Marion Lawson- Any time I ask him how he is doing I always get “Oh I’m having fun”! He didn’t get mad at me for volunteering him to be the facilitator of our PLC’s either! We are so happy you chose to come teach along side of us!
Justin Bramblett- I deleted all my grades in schoology!!!Justin patiently helped me and then kindly told me that it was not a big deal. The man has the patience of Job and he never makes you feel incompetent!
James King- He is always telling us to love the kids and keep up the positivity. So thankful for admin who know what matters most!
Bonnie Moody- Bonnie is always so helpful and will do whatever possible to help our students and teachers. Whether it is assisting in class, covering classes, checking in with students, or handling whatever need arises, she is a true asset to our school and we couldn't make it through the day without her!
Shelley Searcy- Shelley has been a huge help to me in so many ways. She is always so helpful and patient when dealing with all of my deposits, answering all of my questions, reassuring me during my moments of panic over field trip- related issues and doing whatever it takes to make our field trip happen!
Selena Fogle (Fogal ;))- Selena's classroom is such a positive environment where students are thriving! She always engages her students and connects with each one. We are so blessed to have her at Pickens Middle, and I consider it a privilege to work with her!
Sarah Chastain- I sold volleyball tickets with her recently and she is absolutely amazing! She made every person who came through the door feel welcomed and happy to be there supporting the Sparks. I swear it felt like she knew every one of them and loved them all. She exudes joy, happiness and positivity and just makes everyone around her feel better. I really enjoyed getting to work with her and I sure do wish she could give me just a little bit of her energy and enthusiasm!
Ashleigh Wilkins- Mrs. Wilkins came to my rescue Wednesday! I asked her to be the person to write meeting minutes for me, last minute. She not only came during her lunch time, but wrote those minutes with some smooth, professional and really efficient sentences! She is juggling being a parent, a master's student, a teacher, AND helping her fellow teachers! Super Woman! Glad we have her to help save the day.
Lizzie Fela- What second-year teacher signs up for her first observation on pep rally day/special schedule/7th period? Lizzie Fela! She wasn't nervous at all today and came to the pep rally like nothing even happened! Lizzie rocks! I am so proud of her!
Shana Dalton- 1) Shana did a great job presenting lessons this week in the Media Center. She adjusted them for each class and gave out helpful information. The kids really enjoyed it. Thank you!
2) Shana amazes me with all that she does for our school! She is such a team player and willing to help out anyone she can. Whether it is taking care of Chromebook issues, helping out with the needs of our students, encouraging kids to read, helping students find the perfect book, or the many other things she does, she is invaluable to our school. It seriously couldn't run without her! To top it off, her emails always have personality added to them and they make me smile!
Jennifer Hendrix- Jennifer is always willing to work with the needs of her students. She is constantly trying to figure out the best way to present her lessons to the different learning styles of her students. She is a great team player!
Justin Bramblett- I had just ran out of tissues in my classroom the day before and hadn't had a chance to go and get some from Walmart yet. Then all of a sudden Justin knocks on my door with a brand new box of tissues in hand and says "I heard you needed some tissues!" I have no clue how he knew that I needed tissues but it made my whole day! Thank you so much Justin!
Charlsie Duncan- Charlesie is a great addition to our school! She is willing to help everyone and make sure our students are cared for quickly and efficiently. We are so lucky to have her on staff!
Misty Patnode- Misty is a great help and resource for anything that is needed. She is always willing to offer a helping hand to make sure everyone is taken care of! She is a great asset to Pickens Middle School!
Stephanie Merck- Stephanie is always so kind when answering my many questions and attending to any issues I have. She is eager to help in any way that she can and does it with a smile on her face!
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