BAMS Staff Newsletter
April 17, 2016 - Volume 3, Issue 29
Be Awesome Today!!
Bessie Allen Middle School - SLO & Goals
Building SLO:
By June of 2016, 80% of students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will show growth in their opinion writing rubric score from the September 2015 opinion writing rubric score.
***Mid-Year Update: 62% of our students are showing growth. Grade levels noted that students have shown improvement in "citing and using evidence" in their writing. "Knowing the audience" was a skill that the data showed our students needed improvement in.***
Building Goals:
- Have Patience and Courage
- Purposefully Use Learning Targets/Lesson Goals for Every Lesson
- Have Solution Based Discussions
- Be an Award Winning School - DPI School of Recognition/PBIS School of Merit
Driving Question for 2015-2016:
What have we changed with our instruction to prepare all our students for higher level thinking opportunities?
News and Notes
- Wisconsin Forward Exam - I really like the start we are off to. When talking to students, they are telling me that their is more reading than in the past and that they feel they did really well. Things have gone very smoothly with this assessment considering this is year one. Keep thinking about how you will speak about this assessment and what you will say to your students prior to, during and after the test. What you say and how you say it matters!
- We are on pace for historic student Honor Roll Numbers. We are on pace to have 44 more students make the Honor Roll this year!! Really good stuff!!
- As you are in the halls and around the building, please observe our students bathrooms. Last week I have received a couple emails from custodial staff about messes in the girls and boys bathrooms. This has not been anything major (paper toweling on ground, sandwich in toilet) or consistent. We are at the monitor stage right now. I will utilize the cameras if needed. We typically have a solid track record with our students bathrooms.
- Recess is BACK!!! - We will start letting students outside after lunch on days that we have adult supervision. I'll make some reminders this week about the guidelines (stay away from classroom windows, this side of bridge, stay away from creek and PE equipment).
- Staffing Update - I'm hoping to be able to make an announcement on our next PE/Health teacher very soon. The process has been slowed down by uncontrollable events (reference check call backs, candidates returning calls). Stay tuned...
- Another Staffing Update - We will be posting for our full-time 6th grade teacher position this week. You will see that information coming from the district office soon. I will work with the 6th Grade Team and the School Improvement Team with this hire. My plan is to have a candidate to recommend to the Board at the May 23rd meeting.
- Another, Another Staffing Update - Interviews for the new Bessie Allen principal will be on Wednesday night. I think we have a great representation of staff, parents and students on this team. We have our pool down to 4 candidates. Aaron is taking the lead on this hire.
- Attendance Reminder - Thank you for helping to keep our students safe by taking accurate attendance.
Out of the Office
- April 19 - Admin Meeting, 9-11am, DMR
- April 20 - Oriole Way Meeting, 7-8am, Team Room
- April 20 - EPIC Training, all-day, CESA 6
- April 26 - Admin Meeting, 9-11am, DMR
- April 27 - BCT Meeting, 8:30-10am, Team Room
- May 4 - District EL Meeting, 8-9am, Cafe
Oriole Way - Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Safe
Minor Behavior form link - here
Major Behavior form link - here
- Our school has met the self-assessment requirement for PBIS School of Merit Recognition. The next step is to submit our written narrative. This document talks specifically about how we use our framework to support students (use of data, etc.). PBIS is about all of us; great work everyone!!!!!!
Next Meeting - April 20th, 7am - Team Room
OASYS and Teacher Effectiveness
To Do List
- Complete Documentation Log - Due on May 1st
- SLO Reflection and Evidence - Due on May 15th or when data is available
- Make 2 Professional Visits to Another Classroom - Due by End of Year
Click Here for a link to Teacher Effectiveness Info from CESA 6
Click Here for a Teacher Effectiveness Calendar for EDUCATORS/SPECIALISTS
Dates to Remember
April 19 - 7th Grade WFE - modified schedule
April 19 - Band Clinic, 12:30-2:30pm
April 20 - 8th Grade Writing Sample #3 in SSR/SSW
April 20 - Staff Meeting 2:50-3:30pm
April 21 - 6th Grade WFE 4th Hour
April 25 - 8th Grade WFE - modified schedule
April 25 - School Board Meeting 7pm
April 26 - 8th Grade WFE - modified schedule
April 27 - 7th Grade WFE in SSR/SSW
April 27 - Secretaries Day
April 27 - Jazz Band Chili Supper 6pm
April 28 - Jazz Band Performance 8:30am - BAMS Cafeteria
April 29 - District Inservice - no students
*See Google Doc titled "2015-2016 BAMS Yearly Calendar" for a look at events for the entire year.