Hampton Bays Middle School
Monday Memo #28
Powerful Learning at HBMS this Week!
Let's keep sharing and celebrating the great things happening in our classrooms and school.
Celebrate 325 years of Southampton Town
Bravo Middle School Performers!
St. Patrick's Day Musicians!
NYSMLL
Dear T.E.A.M.
Last week I was fortunate to have been provided the opportunity to attend the Statewide Network of Middle Level Liaisons (NYSMLL) Conference in Albany. Among the topics covered during the two-day conference were state education department regulations including everything ranging from AIS to APPR to RTI and testing. As one of the NYS Middle School Principals in attendance, I was eager to learn of the changes we can expect to come as well as collaborate with my colleagues from upstate NY, Nassau County, and Western Suffolk County. I realized, our circumstances were all at once common and unique. But it was especially inspiring to be among others who are pushing ourselves, one another, and our schools to be great...for our students. I was able to also listen to our new Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia, speak, addressing her audience of middle school principals with a blend of purpose, drive, and compassion. She was a teacher for many years, and her tenacity in wanting what's best for students certainly showed that day.
Another segment of the conference provided principals time with one another to collaborate, around best practices in middle level education. I was fortunate to be among principals willing to share the good work happening in their schools and their hopes and dreams for their students, moving forward. This experience for me was both validating and a healthy reminder of the great things to come for our students, because of our work together.
For your consideration, please see the following link: http://www.eestw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/eeposter.pdf .
Some of us have started conversations around the Essential Elements this year, and I look forward to unpacking our collective work around these ideas. If you have the chance to take a look at this or have some ideas for us, moving forward, please see me. I'd love to hear your ideas about what you'd like to see for our students and our school in their years to come.
Thanks for your dedication to our students and our middle school program. Let's work together to make this week great for our students!
Dennis