#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week 32- April 6th- 9th
Week Two was a success!
Thank you for a great week two! I appreciate everyone's dedication to providing consistency and routine for our students in this time. Spring break will begin Friday. Please reassure students that meals will still be delivered and we will still be here if they need us next week. Thank you to everyone who is serving during the break!
As we move into week three, let us remember our priorities:
1) Students are safe at home. If you have any concerns as you do well-checks, please let us know.
2) Students have basic needs such as food met. I believe this is one of our district's primary missions at the moment.
3) Provide consistency and routine for our students as you work through your daily class schedule. (This week, the district would like an assessment of our participation rates. Plese be prepared to share at the end of the week.)
Thank you for all you are doing. You are making a difference for our students! Please let me know if you need anything!
A couple of pics from virtual spirit week! I think it was great!!
Love the hair Olivia!
Mrs. Hendrix keeping it positive with her current read!
This is a great Throwback Thursday picture of Coach Henderson!
Well Checks With Students
By Wednesday Evening, please enter info into the following sheet- Follow-Up Contact Please go to the appropriate grade level tab at the bottom. Feedback from the prior week's contacts can be seen in tabs.
If students are missing and you have not been able to connect, the leadership team will make well-being calls on Thursday and Friday. Please remember, we are focusing on calling regarding well-being and not work completed this week. The SRO is doing home visits for those we cannot contact.
Virtual Faculty Meetings- Gradebook Meetings Wednesday
This week, we will have virtual meetings on Wednesday to make sure everyone is comfortable with the new grading procedures. Mrs. Masters will be sending an invite for your meeting time.
It is important that we continue to interact and collaborate as we move forward navigating a virtual experience. I look forward to seeing you there!
Our Motivational Monday Video Last Week! (In case you aren't on social media!)
Visiting the Building for Specific Needs Only
In general, it is better if we stay home for now and don't come in if it isn't essential. If and when you have this need please contact me and I will send you a link to a Google Form.
This Week's Agenda-
Everyday (Monday-Friday)- Online Classes
Monday, April 5th-
Virtual Intramurals Begin. (Send in a pic or video of your favorite action or trick shot playing outside.) All will be posted.
Tuesday, March 31st-
Pic Collage for Grade Levels Due if you wish to participate
Intramural Competition (Top Eight Entries)
Wednesday, April 1st-
Virtual Gradebook Meetings.
Tech Drop-Off/Pick Up (8-11)
Personnel listed above may enter the building for essential work. A google form will be sent to you.
Thursday, April 2nd- Admin. Well-checks base on needs assessed by the teachers' contacts.
Friday, April 3rd-
Spring Break Begins!
Gary Roberson is being called to active duty!
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Thank you! Have you ever taken the time to recognize those around you? Now is an especially good time to keep it positive! It feels good to recognize others!
Tracy Lawson- https://www.boem.gov/ Is an awesome website that Tracy shared with me. It is a virtual archaeology museum. Kids can see ship wrecks and explore them virtually!!! This site also explains the importance of renewable energy and taking care of our oceans! It was quite interesting. Our students and teachers can enjoy and learn this cool website! Thank you Tracy!
PMS Teachers and Staff- We are cultivating relationships with our students virtually through this time. One day at a time a great life is shaped ...right? Sometimes it may seem like what we are doing doesn't matter or we are not making a difference, but we know that's not true. In a book I'm reading the author says "Whatever the age, children develop better when they know we will make our time together a priority. People grow close not through monitoring one another's behavior but by working , playing, talking, celebrating, and weeping together. Relationships develop when people are there for each other, and that's as true for parents and children as it is for anyone else." Our students are like us they have "warts" and irritating characteristics but we are building meaningful relationships.... and the key is unconditional love..... I know for a fact I talk too loud and too much. But my teachers, coaches, and principals still showed me love..... and that is what it is all about.
Connie Douglas- Ms. Douglas has worked hard to make her band class fun during e-learning. On Thursday, she played for them the coolest video called "Melon Smash". She said she loved watching the kids faces as they watched him perform. If you need a few minutes of great entertainment, check out this video https://safeyoutube.net/w/n9V3 - complements of Ms. Douglas. Thank you Ms. Douglas for being such a light in this crazy time!
Rikki Owens- Ms. Owens has really made an attempt to engage her students in their learning over the last two weeks. She has done read alouds and outside scavenger hunts. It is so fun to watch her interact with her students. Our students are so blessed to have her as their teacher.
Faith James- Mrs. James is holding individual lessons with her students for e-learning! Wow! Talk about individualizing education. I'm sure these parents and students appreciate this extra effort you are making. You are providing some sort of normalcy for your students during this difficult time. Thanks for all you do for our students at Pickens Middle!
Kay Bridges- Mrs. Bridges is such a great teacher and has not missed a beat. She is moving forward with Webex like a champ! She is teaching her classes and engaging her students in lessons just as if this was how she had taught her whole life. It's impressive to watch her live stream and see students asking and answering questions. Great job Mrs. Bridges!
Click on the link below as you see and hear great things happening in the building. Please let us know about them by filling out the form. You may want to bookmark the link as we will be "Spotlighting" teachers and staff all year. Please note, this is a new link for this school year.
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks