Blaze Bulletin
Edition 26 - February 27
Greetings...
Dear teachers,
This semester, I started off the inservice day with a challenge question to myself and you: what would it look like if 2017 was the best year ever? Well, a multitude of things have happened to make this a pretty great year so far (and I already know that I've left things off, so fill in with other accomplishments)!
Bowling - state and international success
Cheer National Champs
Wrestling State Champion and medalists
Boy's basketball District Champs and on a roll
Record 148 BCA applicants and will host a full class for each grade level next year
Online registration is simplifying things for students
DECA - tons of state qualifiers
District Teacher of the Year - Holder
State Assistant Principal of the Year - Connifey-Marlin
National Merit Finalist
Band gets best uniforms in the land
Chorus "Superior"s
Swim Team success
1st medalist in BHS Speech Tourney history
JROTC successes in competition
Some other things have happened that are not as happy or fun. But, as we all know, life sometimes throws us things that seem insurmountable but are - in the end - opportunities. That's because it's what we do with difficulties that defines us. And we all know that even in the most difficult circumstances, a silver lining often emerges.
So, here's another daily challenge to myself and to you: What will I do today that might help make 2017 the best year ever?
To help us remember to ask ourselves this question every day, you will find a BHS key chain in your box!
#2017BestYearEver@BHS
lj
Instructional time....
MUST READ....
Grade books must be updated weekly. Remember, an average of 2 grades per week should be recorded. Parents and students must have a current view of their students progress.
Reminder....
Please be mindful that the following content areas get priority on the following days:
M - Math
E - English
S - Science
S - Social Studies
Y - your choice
If a student is not called to Primetime by the priority subject on any given day, you may call them.
Just around the corner...
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION - MARCH 7th - 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Black History Month....Speaker Series...
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.
BHS is pleased to have had a variety of community leaders volunteer to participate in our Speaker Series this month. Thank you to Dr. Andrew Marshall, Dr. Maria Lynes, Mr. Howard Gentry, Mr. Mark Gwyn and Mr. Marcus Currie.
Look what's new....
The new band uniform looks awesome!
Congratulations Barry Wortman....Boys Basketball Coach of the Year
Blaze Football Banquet.....
Ready for another great year....
It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.
Bear Bryant, University of Alabama
MUST READ - Employees covered by the RC Health Insurance...
Attention all Employees who are covered by the RC Health insurance: The biometric screening ( blood draw) and health risk assessment (survey on the CIGNA site) must both be completed before 9/30/17 to avoid a $30 per month penalty to be assessed in 2018.
Please contact Daniel Puckett at 615-898-7715 for questions.
Professional Development Updates:
· Monitor your in service records on Schoolstation. Your required 12 hours, including your 2 hour focus requirement, are due by May 12, 2017. Please call if you have any questions.
· After sending in an independent in service form at least 10 days prior, please remember to send in documentation of attendance to receive credit.
· Required Ready Math content sessions will be posted later in the spring.
· Note changes this year that are posted on RCS website:
MTSU webinars are not approved in service credit.
Coaching clinics are not approved in service credit for content area teachers.
2017-2018 zone exemption applications now available; deadline April 15
Rutherford County Schools is now accepting zone exemption applications for the 2017-2018 school year. You can find the application online.
The deadline for priority consideration is April 15, 2017. Remember, those who turn them in early get an answer within a few days while those who wait until the deadline may have to wait up to a month for an answer because of high volume.
As a reminder, classified employees must reapply each year to maintain a zone exemption so we can verify your continued employment. Certified employees must reapply when it is time for their children to change schools, i.e. from elementary to middle school.
Please contact James Evans at evansj@rcschools.net if you have any questions pertaining to zone exemptions.
Technology Tuesday--2/28
Have you completed your observation of a colleague?
Are you interested in learning about a technology tool?
Then, you should observe a fellow teacher on Tech Tuesday -- 2/28!
- Review the schedule and information at this link: http://www.bhs.rcschools.net/apps/pages/techtuesday
- If you want to observe a colleague during your planning period, just show up!
- If you want to observe a colleague during a class period (not your planning), contact Holly Hunter. She will send a sub to your room on that day during the appropriate class. (Slots are limited, so sign up quickly!)
Notes: You can observe a class for the entire period or for part of the period (see the notes on the schedule). If you want credit for observing a colleague, please plan to stay for most or all of the class period.
Questions? Contact Holly Hunter!
Technology Minute
Do you use OneNote? Learn about the Class Notebook add-in by watching this week’s Technology Minute. This free feature for OneNote desktop is designed to help teachers save time and be even more efficient with their Class Notebooks. Installing_Class_Notebook Add-In
Online Inservice Sessions - March
Sign up for each of these online sessions through School Station. If the session is full and you are very interested in participating, email the facilitator directly.
March 1-15 BYOD and Me!
March 6-17 The Flipped Classroom
March 13-24 Advanced Excel for Data Analysis
March 13-24 Motivating Students with Digital Badging
March 13-24 Mining for Information: Digging into Your Research Standards
Club Webpage Spotlight
Check out the BHS National Honor Society webpage! They are using links and have embedded a Twitter feed. If you would like to update your club’s page, follow these instructions to get started: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/473e3329-4d02-4298-a45a-7c196adafecf?list=studio
Teacher Webpage Spotlight
Check out Col. Spry's webpage! He has uploaded important documents, created a gallery, made use of subpages, embedded a twitter feed and more. Wow! Way to go! http://bhs.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=689790&type=u&pREC_ID=1087695
Watch Announcements LIVE on YouTube
You can watch the daily announcements streaming LIVE on YouTube. There is only a 30 second delay. Go to this link. When the announcements begin, the We Are Blackman video will be replaced by live, streaming announcements.
https://www.youtube.com/user/BSPN32
BHS PICTURE DATE
Junior Orientation (Senior Portrait Meeting) – April 11th: Primetime - Auditorium
Let's play who is that? HIGH SCHOOL YEARS REVISITED....
New to BHS & Administrative Meetings
March - Wednesday, Mar. 8, 7:45am Connifey-Marlin/Reed
May - Wednesday, May 3, 7:45am Lawless
IN THE KNOW...
Sign up for Remind by texting @drjstaff to 81010