UHMS Rising Phoenix
Uplift Hampton Middle School March 2, 2020
"Be Committed, Be Consistent, Be Courageous"
Almost There!
Hello Phoenix Nation,
Yes, it’s true--spring break is one week away! We want to thank you for your relentless efforts to ensure our scholars had a fantastic testing environment in order to perform their very best during testing week. We are sincerely grateful for all you that you do each day. Continue to work hard this final week. As we all know, the days before a longer break, often brings out emotions in others; we know this to be particularly true for our kids. Often these behaviors can be challenging, and it understandably makes it difficult for one to stay focused on school-wide goals. Support one another! Take time to share with and listen to a colleague. As Jimmy Casas, author of Culturize says, "Developing purposeful relationships with colleagues serves as a grain of hope and gives meaning to my work and my life." Let's be that grain of hope for each other! We are full steam ahead to a much-deserved spring break. #TeachersNeedSpringBreakToo
In Partnership,
Priscilla, Chataqua, Chrissy, and Jabez
Getting Ready for Battle
A Warm-Up
The Crowd
Things To Do
Grades: 13 total grades in PowerTeacher for each scholar by March 6th.
End of Year Self-Evaluation: The end of year evaluation window is now open in iShine. Remember there are two components to the EOY process: full observation (teachers and interventionists) and EOY performance review (everyone). Your self-reflections for your performance review due dates were set by your evaluator. (Do not miss the deadline.)
SST: Any scholars that have a possibility of being retained must go through the SST process. Retention is based on attendance and academic achievement as evidenced by scholar work and assessments. Scholars may not be retained based on behavior. By Thursday, March 5th, grade level teams should submit the names of any scholars that your grade level team thinks should begin the SST process for retention to Cynthia. She will then give you the paperwork that must be filled out prior to scheduling an SST meeting. Any scholars not submitted to Cynthia by March 5th will not be considered for retention. This is a lengthy process and we will be unable to complete it if the paperwork is not submitted on time.
March Parent/Scholar/ Teacher Conferences: Wednesday, March 25th is our official half day parent conference day. Scholars will be dismissed at 12:30pm. Conferences can begin at 2:00pm. Do not schedule conferences before 2pm. If you would like to get a head start on conferences, you may start Monday, March 2nd at the earliest. Any scholar who is failing reading and/or math or is a scholar in danger of not being promoted to the next grade should have parent conferences sooner rather than later and the required documentation of that meeting with parent signatures. Parents must sign your in on the Parent-Teacher Conference Log or you must document all phone calls and attempts on the parent log. Make sure that you are preparing in advance to set up conferences with any parents that you have had trouble getting a hold of and reach out if translations are needed. Conferences may NOT be scheduled during the following times:
· Coaching Debriefs (check your calendar and come prepared)
· MYP/Data Meeting
· Grade Level meetings
· Content Planning Meetings
· Professional Development Meetings
· One to One Meetings with your Evaluator
Things to Know
Extra Duty Pay: We are about to start our STAAR bootcamps which will include extra tutoring and Saturday school. All teachers should have received a letter from HR stating they are approved for extra duty pay. This is for Saturday school and extra tutoring. All academic staff should have access to time clock to log their time for extra duty pay. If you are an academic employee and do not have access to time clock, let your evaluator know. Please do not schedule any Saturday schools without approval from Priscilla. Any time logged in without approval will not be honored. This will be an entire school effort. If you are not an academic employee and would like to assist with tutoring middle school scholars, please let Priscilla know as soon as possible.
Professionalism – Ever hear of a “Teacher of the Year” with a bad attitude or a poor work ethic? Be punctual, prepared, friendly, optimistic, dignified, helpful, respectful, and committed to high performance standards. Associate with people who are perceived by all to be very professional. We are professionals and must always deal in a professional way. When things get stressful, be extremely conscious of what we are saying to and around our scholars, parents, and colleagues. Off the cuff comments serve no purpose and can come back to “bite” us later on. You will be admired and revered for your professionalism. Watch how other people go out of their way to associate with you.
Teacher Recruitment Season - It’s recruitment time! Our school is scheduled to grow more than 75+ scholars next year. We are currently recruiting teachers for next school year. If you know of a current teacher who is willing to do things differently with very little funding and who are committed to putting in the time and energy that it takes to significantly close the achievement gap for students who may have not experienced academic success before then we need to talk to them. Even if this person is extremely happy where they are, we would like to invite them to learn about us. We are looking for extraordinary people. Ordinary will not do. We are planning a “Get to Know Us” for potential staff at the end of March or beginning of April. Please submit any potential teacher names to Priscilla.
Black History Program
Black History Program
Black History Program
In Review: Black History Program
The black history program was a roaring success! Many parents came out to see “A Tribute to the Roaring 20s” where scholars performed poetry, songs, skits and ballets. Much like the Harlem Renaissance that rose to prominence during the 20s, the black history program was truly a display of intellectual, social and artistic explosion. We hope that more staff members are able to make it to events put on by the Theatre Department. We ask that you bring people so we can showcase the incredible talent that flows through the halls of Uplift Hampton Middle School.
Two Weeks At A Glance
Shout Outs
Tiffinie and Chelsea for cafeteria support
Cynthia and Ranae for testing
Tiffini and Latresa for an outstanding Black History Program f
Lauren and Joe for supporting the scholar by staying for the Black History Program f
Mark and Ryan for going over and beyond to problem solve for the soccer team
Xavier for building and maintaining strong relationships by being joyous in and out of the classroom.
Tasha, Joe and Latresa for assisting scholars who are not in their grade
Laurasia, Ranae and Cynthia for your support of the substitutes on campus during times of need.
STAAR Goals
Phoenix Nation’s Spring Break Challenge
Let's Be A Grain of Hope for Each Other!
Monday - Take a selfie with another colleague. Create a #hashtag that shows your support for one another and/or teamwork.
Tuesday – Participate in another colleague’s classroom. Take a picture with a caption of what you learned while you were there.
Wednesday – Send a picture showcasing students in your classroom supporting our campus goals.
Thursday – Take a picture of a Phoenix showing their school spirit and create a meme for it.
Text your entry to your grade-level dean. Winners for each day will be announced after the break.
March Expectations for Increasing Rigor
Literacy Instruction: Reading and writing occurs in every Core class daily and in Electives at least monthly
· Every period starts with some form of writing. Writing is the most difficult thing you can have the brain do
· All Core classes are using Close Reading Strategies
· Scholars read and use textbooks and other complex readings daily
Teaching Strategies: 100% of teachers will use these 3 strategies to help scholars Interact with New Knowledge
· Compare and contrast
· Note Taking – Identify critical Information
· Chunk content into “digestible bites”
Scholars Show Their Work: Ask scholars to show their work and identify content areas strengths and weaknesses.
Cite Evidence: Have scholars support conclusions with evidence
March Expectations for a Brilliant School Culture
Celebrate: Call out scholars who have their efforts and attitudes dialed inside. Celebrate the scholars who are doing the right thing.
Hero Usage: Teachers are utilizing HERO to track scholar behaviors and habits.
- 100% of UHMS scholars have at least 1 positive HERO recognition
- 100% of UHMS teachers have used the HERO system to give positive praise (Precise Praise)
Classroom Management: Scholars don't respect waffling or inconsistency. Be consistent. It's difficult and it's worth it.
Show Passion: Excitement is contagious! Unfortunately so is boredom. Be excited about what you teach.
Phoneix Nation Rise Up
Here's How to Reach Us!
Priscilla Parhms 469.236.2900 pparhms@uplifteducation.org
Chrissy Cormier 214.326.3002 ccormier@uplifteducation.org
Chataqua Mangum 972.897.4659 cmangum@uplifteducation.org
Jabez Deacon 414.562.7592 jdeacon@uplifteducation.org
8915 S. Hampton Rd. Dallas, TX 75232
(972) 421-1982 https://www.uplifteducation.org/Domain/47