FMS @ a Glance
October 3-7, 2016
From the desk of Maria Hanson:
Staff,
Please take a moment to review the short video below. We have made some recent changes to print options to resolve some of the printing issues that have been occurring in our district.
One of the major changes is that all users should choose Printer and not copier when printing.. we will be removing the copier option from all computers. All staff and student will have one option for all printing.
Please send me your feedback and any other printing problems you are having so that we may resolve any additional issues. Thank you..
from MMSA:
Nominate an Educator of the Year!
Do you have 3 minutes to spare? Nominate a colleague you believe represents the best of what middle level educators bring to our students. Fill out the on-line form (follow this link). The winner will be recognized at the 2016 MMSA Conference and at your school!
Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da........batgirls.
The true definition of wacky!
Homecoming excitement.
Smore provides feedback on newsletter views. (see below) Thank you all for taking the time to stay current and following along with our weekly newsletter. This could be useful if you use Smore as a classroom learning tool.
"SIMPLE GOALS"
Minnesota Middle School Association presenters needed.
Share Your Ideas !
Many of our presenters are teachers just like you who have found some lessons or strategies that just seem to work. Why not share your ideas with other teachers? Bonus: Presenters are offered a discount to the conference!
Become a presenter! Click here!
iPad apps:
The technology dept will be looking at app requests starting next week. Many of you have requested apps that are missing from last year (at elementary sites) or new ones that are wanted for this year. The techs will be working at re-adding apps from last year at the Elementary sites and McKinley this week.
App Request Procedures
Here is the google form for requesting apps. https://goo.gl/6Gr5Ox
A copy will be placed on the Schoology Tech Support Page under IPADS APPS for future access. If you have not signed up for this group see information in green below.
This form is for free and paid apps that need to be added to the self-service option on the student iPads. Paid apps will need to be reviewed and approved by the technology committee and/or administration.
Every attempt will be made to complete requests as quickly as possible. All apps should be requested 1-2 weeks before anticipated lesson.
Please note we must follow the format of pushing apps by grade level only. This will be the quickest and easiest process to deliver apps to students. There will be very few class exceptions where apps are installed for a single classroom/group. We will not be installing apps per student.
Some Guidelines for App Requests
- Test the App on your teacher iPad first.
- Make sure there are no ads or personal information collected by the app from the student .
- Make sure the app meets your instructional goal.
- Make sure it does not require an ongoing subscription. If it does, a building funding source may need to be provided.
- Must qualify for VPP program. The technical dept. will check this. Apps that do not qualify can not be distributed.
A copy of the iPad app request link will be placed on the Schoology Tech Support Page under IPAD APPS for future access.
If you have not signed up for this group see information in green below
New Technology Schoology Support Group!
I have created a new group in Schoology for Technology support. I will post updates and news items to the resources in this group throughout the year.
If you select "Resources" you will see different categories as they relate to technology. The goal is to have one place you can go to throughout the year to review tutorials, get how to's or just find info you can use throughout the year.
The code to join is:
BVRZ5-VSTC4
Students without iPads:
A reminder from Colleen Cardenuto:
Hello,
Just a reminder please let staff know that the Digital Learning Coach posting is out. Please keep the following dates tentatively open: October 11th and 13th. Once we know the applicants we will identify the interview window specific to your building.
Thanks,
Colleen
ALC referrals: (form is available on the FMS weebly site)
Attached in the form needed to refer students to the ALC Resource (ie Study Skills) class. I run this class 6th and 7th hour. My goal in this class is to help students to connect to school and create a positive atmosphere for learning. Much of my time in this class is spent helping students navigate through the written and unwritten rules of school. I help them get organized and help them to understand what is expected of them in order to "do well" in school. They are required to set goals, both quarterly and daily for what they hope to accomplish.
I do my best to advocate for all of my ALC students since many of them don't have the support outside of school to do so for them.
Please be as specific as possible when filling out the form. It can be completed by either a team or classroom teacher. I want to know exactly what you expect students to accomplish in the class.
Please talk to be before or after school if you have questions about the program and what can be accomplished. Students can be in the class for one quarter, or the entire year depending upon the need. Please remember that this class does replace one of their class hours so they will most likely be taken out of an exploratory class and have a schedule change.
Sorry for the long email, but as my shirt reads today: Wordy by Nature
- Jodi Swenson
ALC Language Arts & Resource Teacher
Faribault Middle School
507-333-6335
Weekly Calendar
Monday, October 3rd
2:00 pm PST meeting
3:00 pm Middle School Model meeting
6:00 pm PTO meeting
Tuesday, October 4th
Grading Workshop
3:30 pm District Technology Committee meetingWednesday, October 5th
Early Out
Grading Workshop
8:05 am Para meeting
Thursday, October 6th
10:00 am SSST meeting
3:30 pm District Office Open House
Friday, October 7th
Fundraiser Kickoff during Homebases
Upcoming Events:
Oct 9-12 Meihak, Sheehy, Harman attending AMLE National Convention
Oct. 10 EL Workshop - MDE
Climate Team meeting
Oct. 11 Vision and Hearing testing
District Staff Development meeting
Oct. 12 Cyberbullying Assembly
Department PLC
Oct. 13 Middle School Model meeting
MS Principal PLC with Colleen C.
FMS Tech Committee meeting