Ram Nation News
Week of January 13, 2020
Vision
#EXCELLENCE, Back At It Again
Monday, we had an opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments from our first semester and we are well on our way in our road to EXCELLENCE. As I mentioned on Monday during our PD, we are in different stages of our implementation of various strategies; however, we must at least try and show that effort of improvement. Refer above to the excerpt from a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt and reflect on how his words are applicable to you.
During our first semester, we had talked about MOTIVATION of our students so that they may do their very best to be and feel successful. We focused on providing a school climate and culture where students and staff feel recognized and valued. We discussed the importance of following the testing procedures shared by Mrs. Mooty. We were very purposeful in our active monitoring of students in order to be on task actively working on their test. Also, we implemented the accommodations that our Special Education, 504, and ESL students have during testing. All of these considerations and recommendations allowed our students to show great results and show their preparation for their next grade level.
- As we looked at the ACP data, we know that we are heading in the right direction continuing to make a difference in the lives of our children and community.
- 94% (6% increase from this time last year) of the staff members believe that, "Overall, my campus is headed in the right direction."
- We outscored the District in 32 out of 36 tests (88%) as compared to 65% last year and 48% the year before.
- We had double digit growth in 16 areas.
- We ranked 9 out of 26 comprehensive middle schools using School Leadership Domain Projections.
- Beliefs and Priorities, Positive Culture and Environment, and Culture of Feedback and Support in our climate survey went up by one quintile.
Let's continue to stay focused and make sure our students understand in which areas they need to improve to ensure there are no gaps in their learning. Let's be very intentional in identifying students who are at risk academically and adjust instructional strategies to better meet these students' needs.
Attendance
- 6th Grade - 94.33%
- 7th Grade - 95.82%
- 8th Grade - 95.23%
7th grade takes the lead!!!
Let's continue to encourage our students to be present and on time on a daily basis. It really makes a huge difference when our students are present learning.
As a reminder, our school attendance goal is to achieve 97.5%; therefore, grade levels will be recognized with a popcorn party or other incentive when they reach this goal on a given week.
Aggressive Monitoring (AGMO)
Strong Exemplar
Pathway
Feedback
Exemplar
Ms. Winton shows and uses her exemplar during her "I Do" and as she aggressively monitors students during independent practice. In order to have a successful implementation of aggressively monitoring and increase the chances of success for our students, we must have our exemplar in hand.
Coding System
to provide feedback to students and show them the level of expectation. Great opportunity to keep students accountable!
Tracker
Collaboration
It is great to see our staff members collaborating and learning during the various opportunities available to us. We have made great strides to grow as a high effective team!!!
Ms. Guerra
Ms. Brunson
Building Trust
Knowing each other
CNA
Climate and Culture
Our goal for our climate survey is to rank in the 4th and 5th quintile in all areas. This means that all of our areas of our climate survey will be green!!!
- We want to provide a welcoming and collegiate working environment for each person who comes to make a difference in our community.
- Our goal is to improve morale knowing that pressure is on and our students must be the priority.
- As we work with each other, it is important to have informal activities that provide a brain break. Our first semester champion in our Rock, Paper, Scissors is Ms. Molla and for Ms. Rendon stepped up to the challenge and walked away victorious. Everyone had a great time and I love the competitive spirit!
Basketball
Soccer
Girls Soccer
Winter Blitz
Cheerleaders
Our Rams Fans!!!
REMINDERS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK
- We must have 100% presence in the hallway during transition times. Our students notice when there is a lack of adult presence in the hallways and will take advantage of it. (TEI 3.3 and 3R Positive Attitude/Enthusiasm).
- It is critical to be prepared with lessons and materials to avoid having issues with students. When we are not prepared, our students can tell and will find their own way of entertainment.
- As we work on documenting the progress our students are making, remember our policy regarding failure rates and the various opportunities needed to ensure our students are successful. EIA (Regulation) (TEI 2.2, 4.2, 4.5)
- Be very consistent in the effective implementation of various practices discussed during our TEI orientation and lesson alignment conversations. With regards to Alignment (learning objective), the proficient rating states: Focuses students at the beginning and throughout the lesson, by clearly stating (TEI 2.1)
- What they are learning
- Why it is important
- What mastery looks like
- How to connect it to prior knowledge and their own lives and explaining to students
- During 8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m., students must be engaged in meaningful activities: homework support, Grade checks, organizing binder, CNN news with reflection sheet.
- Submit lesson plans by Thursday at 8:00 a.m. (TEI 4.2)
DAILY EVENTS
Monday, January 13-
- A Day
- We will be walking classrooms checking for alignment, exemplars, and aggressively monitoring.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 - 6:00 p.m. Staff Meeting - Library.
- Girls Basketball Game at Tasby MS Vs. Tasby - 6:30 p.m.
- B Day.
- We will be walking classrooms checking for alignment, exemplars, and aggressively monitoring.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Parent Conference Night
- A Day
- We will be walking classrooms checking for alignment, exemplars, and aggressively monitoring.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 p.m - 6:00 p.m. Planning session with your team to stay ahead.
- 4:45 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Teacher Leadership session with Mr. Cordoba - room 111
- Remember to clock out at or after 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 16-
- B Day
- We will be walking classrooms checking for alignment, exemplars, and aggressively monitoring.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Counselors and Elective/Selected Clubs will attend the Elementary Parent Conference to promote school programs and recruit students for programs.
- Boys Basketball Game at Tasby MS Vs. Tasby - 6:30/7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 17-
- A Day
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Bowling Band Event.
Saturday, January 18
- Girls Soccer tournament - more details to be announced - Winton/Alarcon
Upcoming Events
January 20
- No School
January 21 - 22
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Preview Day - Elementary campuses will visit our school to learn more about our school/program as well as support 5th to 6th grade transition.
January 21
- Tutoring/After School programs will begin
January 23
- 8th Grade "endorsements" selection through science classes
MAP Middle of the Year Math Testing
- January 21 - 8th Grade
- January 22 - 7th Grade
- January 23 - 6th Grade
MAP Middle of the Year Reading Testing
- January 27 - 8th Grade
- January 28 - 7th Grade
- January 29 - 6th Grade
January 23
- 8th Grade "endorsements" selection through science classes
Great Events for Educators!!!
Talk It Up! Toastmasters
- Confident Communication
- Effective Leadership Skills
- Impromptu Speaking
- How to Give Constructive Feedback
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020, 06:00 PM
9400 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX, USA, Room 300
Happy Birthday -
We want to wish you the best and many blessings for the years to come.
- Ms. Ford 1/2
Ms. Cagle – 1/3
- Mr. Morshed 1/7
- Ms. Cato – 1/9
- Ms. Eddy – 1/13
- Ms. Eze 1/24
- Mr. Thornton 1/24
- Ms. Minter 1/26
- Mrs. Gardner 1/28
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