Ram Nation News
Week of March 19, 2018
Vision
#AlltheWayUp
Welcome back remarkable Rams!!!
I trust you had a chance to enjoy your well-deserved break sharing with family, friends, or pets, were able to catch up with your favorite Netflix series, started your spring cleaning or other rituals, or just "did nothing." While I was able to spend quality time with my family, I normally use this down time to stop and reflect about the progress we have made so far. I trust that each one of us had an opportunity to renew one's energy to help our children have a great end of the school year as we continue to prepare them for the next grade level.
I can't help but think about how our kids have "Sprung Up!" It has been awesome to observe the growth our students have made this school year. I have watched leaders emerge and take on roles they would never have thought possible before this year. Our students are now thinking about their various options for high school, attending collegiate academies, where they will attend college, and how they can make the world a better place. This is awesome!!!! We know our work is impacting lives.
As you may have experienced, returning from spring break is hard for faculty and students; however,
- getting back on track and regaining momentum are essentials for successfully completing the semester.
- Motivation is a factor that both students and faculty must nurture. Each one of us has a role in producing motivation. In Thinking about Teaching and Learning (p. 74), Robert Leamnson says: "Motivation is something that students must initiate. Fortunately, the initiation is not impervious to outside influence. Some teachers manage to do something, or be something, that persuades students to read about, talk about, and write about content, and so learn it."
As we come back full force to making an impact in the lives of our kids, let's make sure that we....
- map out what needs to be covered to maximize student learning in the final half of the semester; three weeks before the 8th grade reading/math and 7th grade writing assessments . Remember to focus on quality learning and avoid the error of thinking that learning happens simply through “teaching by mentioning it.” (Wiggins and McTighe, Understanding by Design, 21.)
- greet students and inquire about their spring break – Reconnecting with our students after break shows that we value our kids as people increasing the likelihood that they will in turn show interest to the course materials.
- vary our Teaching Style to tap in students' interests and learning styles.
- congratulate accomplishments to help students sense their mastery of the materials and to encourage further learning. A sense of mastery is a major motivational issue in learning. Students who sense achievement perform better than students who feel lost or overwhelmed. Spend some time getting students to recognize what they already have mastered and emphasize its importance. Encouragement goes a long way. Good teachers influence student performance.
Parent Portal Registration
THANK YOU
8th Grade Field Trip to North Dallas HS
Ms. Brown and Ms. Carroll
Mr. Patel
Campus Needs Assessment
AVID
Mr. Proctor
Ms. Rendon
DAILY EVENTS
Monday, March 19-
Open Transfer application is available through March 30. See below for more specific details.
Extended Observations and SPOTs continue
TELPAS Listening and Speaking Online - 7th grade
Deadline to input the language and supports request for general education students in MyDataPortal. See memo for more details.
Planning Meeting with CIC/AP - 6th Grade SS, 7th Grade Math, Science follows schedule communicated by Ms. Guerra, and 7th / 8th Grade RLA. Refer to the Planning Expectations to ensure your IPC and LP have the components to reach proficiency
- 4:40 - 5:30 Campus Needs Assessment (CNA) - We will meet in the library to share the first draft of the CNA based on teacher input. This will be an opportunity to provide your input in committees in which you may not have participated or if your department did not have a CNA session.
- 6:00 - Baseball game - Ms. Michael / Mr. Harris.
- 9:00 - 2:00 Special Olympic Track & Field at Loos Field House - Ms. Martin
- TELPAS Listening and Speaking Online - 8th grade
- Planning Meeting with CIC/AP - 7th Grade SS, 6th/8th Grade Math, Science follows schedule communicated by Ms. Guerra, and 6th Grade RLA.
- 4:30-6:00 Tutoring sessions continue
Wednesday, March 21-
- TELPAS Listening and Speaking Online - 8th grade
- Planning Meeting with CIC/AP - 8th Grade SS, 7th Grade Math, Science follows schedule communicated by Ms. Guerra, and 7th / 8th Grade RLA.
- 12:00 p.m. CAB meeting - Mr. Cordoba - Main office conference room.
- 3:00 - 6:30 SMG Field Trip - A Wrinkle in Time - Ms. Buchannon
- 4:30-6:00 Tutoring sessions continue
Thursday, March 22-
- TELPAS reading make-ups in the morning
- TELPAS listening and speaking make-ups in the afternoon
- ARD - All Day - Ms. Maloy Room 103
- PLC - Math
- 4:30 - 6:00 After School
- 5:00 Lesson Plans Due
Friday, March 23-
- TELPAS reading make-ups in the morning
- TELPAS listening and speaking make-ups in the afternoon
- Weekly PLC
Saturday, March 24
- 8:00 - 1:00 Saturday School. Anyone doing Saturday School must submit the extra duty pay request in Oracle before able to use the code.
Upcoming Events
Monday, March 26
- TELPAS reading make-ups in the morning
- TELPAS listening and speaking make-ups in the afternoon
Wednesday, March 28
- 6th Grade Science Field Trip - Ms. Cooray
Friday, March 30
- Inclement Weather Day - No School (as of March 19)
April 4 -
- DISD MS Band Pre-UIL Concert at Ann Richards MS
April 13
- Positive Coaching Alliance in collaboration with NDHS - Athletic workshop. Auditorium 2:30-4:25.
April 19
- MS Non-Varsity UIL Concert at Cedar Hill HS
Open Transfer
Summer School Teacher Application
Please, see Mr. Cordoba if you have any questions or need clarification about summer sessions.
Rusk Middle School
Email: jcordoba@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/rusk
Location: 2929 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-925-2000
Twitter: @RuskAllTheWayUp