Miner Minutes
August 21, 2015
First Day of School on MONDAY!
As if you didn't know... but we truly wanted to thank you for an awesome opening week for staff. Your positive attitudes and "can do" spirit are contagious. Open House was AWESOME, and you have already captured many hearts of one another. We just now need to keep it all up!!! Remember how much most of our children are looking forward to school starting again. They desire structure, love, attention, improvement, and social interaction. Consider how you will provide this to them. Also remember how our staff meeting didn't start with a syllabus and rules for the year. We spent time connecting with one another. This can help you make significant gains with your students if you provide this same time on the first few days of school.
Getting ready for a rockin' staff pic!
8th grade science PLC
ENCORE
Attendance - CRITICAL
Our Miner enrollment is currently 854 students. We must expect there will be issues with PowerSchool in the first week of school. This is a given. The system is the issue; not the people. Please keep our "f" word in mind - FLEXIBILITY!!!! Also, with keeping this F word in mind, Ms. Wallace will provide you with paper copies for attendance ONLY IF NEEDED. CCS Accountability requires that you use PowerSchool first. If it does not work, then you use the papers for attendance. Taking accurate attendance in the beginning of the school year is the most critical time of the school year due to the need to make sure our ADM (average daily membership) is accurate for funding purposes! As a "just in case", there will be key personnel in the grade level hallways during the first 15 minutes of the school day to assist with any late buses and attendance questions.
Team Talks on Wednesday
Each grade level will have a Team Talk with select administrators during Miner Time on WEDNESDAY. These Team Talks will take place in the auxiliary gym. Please prepare for this as you consider your Miner Time lessons, and Ms. Brewer shared that it should be easy to flex with this. Exact transition times will be shared by Tuesday afternoon, but we wanted to be sure you could plan forward.
What up, open house? So thankful for all our volunteers!
Supt. Dr. Lowder carrying water to the MP Band on Football Friday Night!
Shout out to Ms. Gillis for going big!
Educator's Handbook Training
We are excited about the usage of Educator's Handbook this year! Ms. Davis will conduct a brief staff training (because it's that easy!!!) during planning periods during the day on Tuesday. Location will be in one of our computer labs, and will be confirmed ASAP.
PLCs do start up this week!
Please remember that PLCs will meet on Wednesday and Thursday of your planning time (pending which PLC you are in). Please plan appropriately and come ready to collaborate and work together!
Yearbook for Concord Middle School
We are currently in need of a yearbook advisor or co-yearbook advisors! This is such an important memory maker and leadership opportunity for our kids! There are several staff members, and recovering yearbook advisors, willing to help answer any questions. Please let me know directly ASAP if you are interested!
ASPIRE program
The ASPIRE program will be starting as an after school STEM program for our students in late September. Teachers do get paid their hourly rate (based on their salary). It is every day from 4-6pm. Good money and creative lessons! Please let me know if you're interested!
Teacher Webpages
As we discussed this week, all teachers should have individual webpages. Ms. Redmond will be offering some work time on webpages during planning, so stay tuned for that info. Our goal is to have them all complete by the end of September. You will want to include items such as your class description and outline, how parents can get the most up to date information for your class, and some biographical information.
CMS Spirit Wear
Staff, remember, the CMS spirit wear is also for you, too! I'm currently sporting a fashionable and spirited black t-shirt with "Concord Miners" splashed in big and gold and confidant print! Whoohoo! There are also sweatshirts available for that lovely AC we have! T-shirts are 12$ and sweatshirts are 30$. Please see Ms. Headrick or Ms. Foster if you're interested!
Calendar Reminders
Tuesday, August 25 at 7:30am: School improvement team meeting at 7:30am
Tuesday, August 25 during planning: Educator's Handbook training
Wednesday, August 26 (during planning): PLCs- ELA, SS, Enhancement classes
Thursday, August 27 (during planning): PLCs- Math, Science, CTE, health/pe
September 1 at 7:30am: School Leadership Team
September 3 at 7:30am: School Improvement Team meeting
September 8 at 7:30am: Faculty Meeting
September 11: School pictures
September 11 6-8pm: Back to school dance
September 18 at 7:30am: Wes Moore book study
September 23: Progress reports
Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students!