Panther Press
for the Week of Apr 22 Plus
FUN Friday Adjustments Due to Weather
WE WILL FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE BELOW FOR FUN FRIDAY Activities. This week will be last Fun Friday Activity Week.
For the week of April 22, the schedule will be as follows:
- Wednesday, April 24 - 7th Grade at 2 PM to the gym or Football Field (weather permitting).
- Thursday, April 25 - 8th Grade at 2 PM to the gym or Football Field (weather permitting).
- Friday, April 26 - 6th Grade at 2 PM to the gym or Football Field (weather permitting).
April 24, 25 & 26 - this will occur during normal schedule with all students going to 7th period for FUN FRIDAY activities.
The activity and location may be adjusted on a case by case basis based on student behavior and field conditions, i.e., if the weather allows we will go outside.
Reminders from the Principal
Make sure you are reading the Panther Press each week and planning accordingly. Visit the Google Classroom to ensure you know when things are due. Lesson Plans are next due in the google classroom May 3.
All teachers should be reviewing expectations and class rules with every class at a minimum of once a week. When doing group or partner work, expectations and group norms should be revisited.
The forms for submitting Parent Contacts are in the Google Classroom. Make sure these are up-to-date. It is the expectation that parent contacts are entered when they are made not at the end of the nine weeks or days/weeks/months later. It is imperative that these contacts are made prior to the end of the Nine Weeks. we cannot have any surprises. All students who are failing your class must be contacted before the end of the semester.
All teachers will be required to administer a minimum of four assessments every nine weeks: two before progress reports and two after. The two Unit Assessments count towards the total minimum assessments required: One unit assessment must be before progress reports and one after. Plan accordingly so that required RTI activities can be completed prior progress reports and report cards going home. Progress reports were sent home this week and we will be checking grade books to ensure the minimum number of assessments have been administered.
I need to remind ALL staff members of a couple of things: 1) all staff members are required to remain on campus during the work day unless they have permission from an administrator to leave for school related business (teachers must sign out in Mr. Anders' Office and classified must clock out as well), 2) All staff are responsible for electronic communications and items shared through the google platform. We will be adding additional documents as the year progresses. "I did not read my email" or "I did not know how to access the google folders" is not an acceptable excuse.
Spring Testing Incentives and Exam Exemptions
If the 6th Grade shows an average of 60% growth in Math and Reading then Mr. Powell will take a pie in the face on Field Day May 3.
If the 7th Grade shows an average of 60% growth in Math and Reading, then Dr. Foster will take a pie in the face on Field Day May 3.
If the 8th Grade shows an average growth of 60% in Math and Reading, then Mr. Anders will take a pie in the face.
The grade level team that has the highest average growth over 60% in Math and Reading will earn a duty free lunch and a catered lunch later in May.
Exam Exemptions
There are currently four ways available for students to try and exempt semester diagnostics. Exemptions are a privilege extended to the student body as a whole and may be revoked at the discretion of the school. The exemption requirements and deadlines are listed below and will be announced in morning announcements and on social media as well as in weekly school broadcasts prior to the dates. These are hard deadlines and students and parents should plan accordingly to ensure all requirements are met by the posted due date. Late submissions will not be accepted.
1. Pride of the Panthers - Must have an "A" average for the semester in every class, no unexcused attendance (includes absences, check-ins, check-outs & tardies) and no discipline referrals
2. Panther Passes - 30 Panther Passes and a "C" average in the class for the semester
3. Math Scantron Exemptions - to use Spring Math Scantron Scores to exempt a semester diagnostic (either Math or Science) the student a) must meet or exceed their learning target in Math, b) must have no unexcused attendance in the testing window (includes absences, tardies, check-ins/outs) , c) have no Class IIs or IIIs on testing days and d) must have a clear balance in the lunchroom, library and front office.
4. Reading Scantron Exemptions - to use Spring Reading Scantron Scores to exempt a semester diagnostic (either English/Language or Social Studies) the student a) must meet or exceed their learning target in Reading, b) must have no unexcused attendance in the testing window (includes absences, tardies, check-ins/outs) , c) have no Class IIs or IIIs on testing days and d) must have a clear balance in the lunchroom, library and front office.
Testing Window: April 8 - May 3
Submission Deadlines for Exemptions:
- Deadline to sign-up for Scantron Exemptions - 3 PM. May 3 with Mr. Anders
- Deadline to sign-up for Pride of the Panthers - 3 PM, May 10 with Mr. Anders
- Deadline to sign-up for Panther Pass Exemptions - 3 PM, May 10 with Dr. Foster
The dates and times listed above are hard deadlines and late submissions will not be accepted.
Lunchroom
All teachers will be required to sit with their students during lunch. Lunch is not duty free. All teachers are responsible for the students they take to lunch whether the students are in the hall on the way to lunch, in the line to get their food, at the lunch table, taking their trash to the garbage and in the hall on the way back to lunch. Supervision of students assigned to the teacher is one of the primary professional responsibilities of the teacher. Teachers are required to ensure their table and areas are clean when they leave the lunchroom.
Important Reminders for the Week of Apr 22 Plus
Apr 8 - May 3 - Spring Testing Window (follow link for schedule ) All teachers should be reviewing expectations for testing in the hallway and in the testing rooms with their students.)
Apr 22-May 2 - Spring Football begins (M-T 3:30-5:30 PM)
Apr 22-25 - Volleyball Tryouts
Apr 22 - Timecards approved by 3 PM
Apr 23 - NO FACULTY MEETINGS
Apr 23 - Spring Art Show
Apr 24 - Student Council Meeting in FACs classroom after school
Apr 26 - Grades due by 3 PM
Apr 26 - HMS Spring Play
Apr 29 - Timecards by 3 PM
Apr 30 - No Faculty Meetings
May 1 - MEDC in Conference Room
May 1 - FCCLA Meeting in FACs classroom
May 2 - NJHS Induction in the main gym
May 2 - PLUS Day AM: Social Studies; PM: Math
May 3 - Field Day for eligible students
May 3 - Last day for students to sign-up for Scantron Test exemptions with Mr. Anders - sign in up in the lunch room during lunch at any point this week.
May 3 - Grades posted by 3 PM
May 3 - Lesson Plans due in Google Classroom by 3 PM
May 6 - End of Year Diagnostic Schedule to be released
May 6-7 - Girls Basketball Tryouts in the Practice Gym
May 6 & 8 - 7th Grade Boys Basketball Tryouts in the Competition Gym
May 6 - CCR Prep in 6th Grade Math Classes
May 6 - CAMP Presentations in in 6th Grade Language Arts Classes
May 6 - Timecards by 3 PM
May 7 & 9 - 8th Grade Boys Basketball Trouts after school in Competition Gym
May 7 - Faculty Meetings in Conference Room
May 7 - FBLA Meeting in Bus Tech Lab after school
May 8 - CCR Prep in 7th Grade Science Classes
May 8 - CAMP Presentations in 7th Grade Math Classes
May 8 - Student Council meeting in FACs classroom after school
May 9 - Special Ed Graduation in the Lunchroom
May 9 - PLUS Day: AM-Science; PM-English
May 10 - Last day to sign up for Pride of the Panthers with Mr. Anders by 3 PM - see Mr. Anders during your lunchroom to sign up.
May 10 - Last day for teachers to upload evidence into Educate Alabama
May 10 - Grades due by 3 PM