FMS @ a Glance
APril 24-28, 2017
Great Professional Development opportunities:
Tools & Strategies for Creating Thoughtful, Engaging Social Studies Instruction at the Middle Level
Presented by Michael Yell
Wednesday, April 19, 2017, 4–5pm ET
Join AMLE, NCSS, and Michael Yell (National Board Certified middle school teacher extraordinaire) for this great webinar, during which we will examine 10 engaging, thought-provoking strategies for creating a different kind of middle level social studies classroom.
Impactful Teaching: The Power of Inquiry and Authentic Assessment
Presented by Dave Weber
Tuesday, May 9, 2017, 4–5pm ET
Join AMLE, TIBS, and Dr. Dave Weber as we explore engaging ways to increase the level of inquiry in your middle grades classroom and how to ensure that assessment of learning is authentic!
Early Warning Indicators in the Middle Grades: Supporting All Students
Presented by Linda Hopping, Gail Heinemeyer
Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 4–5pm ET
Join AMLE and Leadership Institute faculty members, Linda Hopping and Gail Heinemeyer, as we examine the world of EWIs (Early Warning Indicators) and how to reach every student in our middle grades programs.
Middle Level Leadership Essentials and More!
Presented by Juan Rodriguez
Wednesday, May 17, 2017, 4–5pm ET
Join AMLE and Leadership Institute faculty member, Juan Rodriguez, as we examine what it takes to be an effective middle grades leader—and more!
iPad collection dates -Note the addition of the 8th grade schedule:
701 - 5/30/17 am
601 - 5/30/17 pm
702 - 5/31/17 am
602 - 5/31/17 pm
Any 8th grader not keeping the iPad over summer:
6/1/17:
801- 8:00 am
802 - 8:30 am
Legislative Update:
Legislative Update April 21, 2017
The Legislature came back from one of the longest breaks in memory on Tuesday. Ten days at home however, didn’t appear to change much. The process of “digging in” on both sides is beginning. The Governor’s commissioners blasted Republican budget proposals. Leading the charge was Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Franz calling the Republican budgets “fuzzy math”. The Republican response was “you’re the one with fuzzy math”. Moving in opposite directions at the moment.None of this is surprising. It is the same every year. The Republicans have put together a budget package serving the interests of their constituencies. The Governor has done the same. The problem is the budget proposals and the constituencies are remarkably different.
As the majority party, the committees are dominated by the Republicans. (Eight Republicans and two Democrats constitute the conference committee on the K12 Omnibus bill.) House Conferees are Representatives Loon, Erickson, Kresha, Bennett and Murphy M. Senate Conferees are Senators Nelson, Pratt, Weber, Eichorn, and Wiger.
Starting on Wednesday, the conference committees on tax, budget and miscellaneous issues met to review the House and Senate bills. This is a longstanding process where staff reads through a summary of every provision in each bill. Every provision. Slowly. Huge stacks of paper are set out with detailed comparisons called “side by sides”. Lobbyists line up for copies and nestle into their seats. Meetings start with cordial introductions of committee members and staff. Generally, no questions are asked during these presentations. Rarely is public testimony taken. After the walk through, the committees schedule another meeting to adopt “same and similar” provisions. This part of the process takes at least a full week while members basically get in shape for the big decisions that are to be decided. It’s not substantive but it is progress. The room is packed with lobbyists and individuals with an interest in the omnibus bills. It is a legislative spring ritual that has been practiced for decades.
No money issues are decided at this point. In fact, the committee lacks any authority to decide money issues until House and Senate leadership establish “targets” and communicate the same to the chairs. Rumors are currently circulating that we may have targets by next Friday.
Rumors are a common part of the process this time of year. We look for little signs. Were the chairs talking in the hallway? Did the Speaker go to the Governor’s office? Did the Commissioner talk to the chairs? When we’ve got little else to do, it’s time for rumors and the passing along of largely useless information.
At this point, everyone should contact their legislators with a message that we should fund education at the level established by the Governor, $700 million. Pretty easy message. But legislators need to hear from members. Fund schools and fix TRA.
Your individual contacts matter.
Weekly Calendar
Monday, April 24
2:00 pm PST meeting
4:30 pm Jefferson Community School FMS presentation
Tuesday, April 25
Wednesday, April 26
Special Ed. site visit
Administrative Assistant Day
7:30 am Academic Seminar meeting
Thursday, April 27
SOAR Assemblies
9:00 am Principal PLC with Colleen C.
Friday, April 28
1:00 pm District Principal meeting at D.O.
Upcoming Events:
Science MCA5/1 mid-quarter week
5/1 Advisory Committee meeting
5/1 District Staff Development Committee meeting
5/2 District Technology Committee meeting
5/2 PBIS Team meeting
5/3 Para meeting
5/3 Team PLC
5/3 Academic Seminar Committee meeting
5/5 Falcon Fun Friday
5/5 FMS Technology Committee meeting