Hero Headlines HMS Staff News
September 7, 2020
General Announcements
- We discussed attendance & seating chart protocols as a faculty Thursday after school. If you missed that meeting, read THIS DOC. Every staff member that serves Hellstern students MUST read this.
- If parents want the update sent in an email, they use THIS LINK to sign up. Please send home with parents!
- For Social Studies teachers: Commissioner's Memo on Constitution and Celebrate Freedom Day
- To get reimbursed for PPE, you will need to have a detailed receipt. You go here and click on Purchase Order. Then you complete the purchase order and be sure to check the box at the top that is for employee reimbursement. Print the form, attach receipt and put it in Dena's box.
- I recommend that you update your team slides for parents every week, to get them in the habit of looking. If you don't, they will stop looking. What you all have created is awesome - but at least do one new slide a week.
- If we do go remote, faculty & staff should plan on reporting to the building. Please start making arrangements, in the event that this does happen. I need to discourage you from bringing children to work. I know that is difficult for some of you, but you will need to have a plan for kids.
- Conferences are around the corner. I will be getting clarification on how they will run next week. Stay tuned!
Blended Learners
Back to School PD
We aren't yelling at kids.....
Hellstern Professional Development Opportunities
- We do short "huddles" that last approximately 15 minutes. These happen each week and total about one hour a month - so this is in lieu of one faculty meeting. I then ask that each of you participate in six learning opportunities throughout the school year. I will keep a spreadsheet from your sign-in at each PD session.
- If there is a session you would like to offer, please let me know (If you present, this counts as two sessions).
- We have our first five sessions scheduled:
- September 8 - Interactive Digital Classrooms w/Heather Firth: Firth will discuss how to create a digital interactive classroom using Google Slides. Come with links & resources you are wanting to incorporate into your digital space. You are sure to learn at least a few fabulous tips & tricks from her!!
- September 15 - Make-n-Take with Greek & Latin Roots w/ Trina Pergeson: Learn specific strategies and activities to help students read and comprehend better in your content area. We will learn how to make root matrices, create visuals for teaching roots, and spend time learning the roots used in your content area. This is a make and take session, so bring your markers and computer!
- September 22 - Conscious Discipline Ch. 1 w/Afton maybe?? We are launching another Conscious Discipline book study. My goal is to meet as a group once a month and we will cover one chapter each month. If you are interested in signing up please complete this form.
- September 29 - Reading Comprehension Strategies for All Content Areas w/Trina Pergeson: Learn strategies that you can immediately use in your classroom to increase student engagement and understanding of text. Details coming soon!
- October 5 - Learn More Team Building Games w/Rhett Barrett
HERO HOUR
Monday - Advisory: check grades, pass out any forms, organize binder, get ready for the week
Tuesday - Intervention/Enrichment
Wednesday - Intervention/Enrichment (same groups as Tuesday)
Thursday - Study hall
Friday - Character & team building (structured time/games outside is welcome)
Conscious Discipline Corner
Consider giving this survey during advisory. You will want to make a copy of it for your class. The google survey was adapted from this questionnaire - which will explain how to score it.
Lastly, this document gives ideas for how to support students based when executive skills are lacking.
Can we stop telling the 'corona kids' how little they are learning?
Mrs. Tisher shared this blog post by George Couros - 8 Ideas to Consider for Remote Learning (Part 1)
The blog post also includes links with ideas for building relationships with students, empowering students, and meeting the social-emotional needs of students in a remote learning setting.
Adopt a Cow!!
Additional Supports Available from Ozark Guidance
Ozark Guidance has received a grant in collaboration with FEMA, SAMHSA and the Arkansas Department of Health called Promoting Positive Emotions (PPE). This grant is designed to offer support and resources to any Arkansas resident free of charge. Anyone in the community can access a crisis counselor or get help connecting to resources by calling the PPE hotline at 833-993-2383.
Promoting Positive Emotions for Schools Information
Upcoming Dates
September
7 - Labor Day, No School
8 - TTH Blended School Expectations talk w/ADMN (6th @ 8am, 7th @ 8:15am)
8 - Huddle @ 3:30
8 - Interactive Digital Classrooms w/Firth @ 3:45
8 - Volleyball vs. Fulbright - away game (4:30pm)
8 - School Board meeting
9 - MWF Blended School Expectations talk w/ADMN (6th @ 8am, 7th @ 8:15am)
9 - Byford @ Roundtable in the AM
9 - VB vs. Washington @ CJHS (4:30pm)
10 - Football vs. Rogers Kirksey @ HBHS (5:30pm)
11 - IFs out all day @ PDC
12 - XC @ Elkins
14 - VB vs. Oakdale @ CJHS (4:30pm)
15 - Huddle (3:30)
15 - Make-n-take w/Greek & Latin Roots w/Pergeson (3:45)
15 - VB @ Kirksey (4:30pm)
17 - Football vs. Woodland (AWAY - 5:30pm)
19 - XC @ Siloam Springs
Hellstern Middle School
Website: http://hellstern.sdale.org/
Location: 7771 Har-Ber Avenue, Springdale, AR, USA
Phone: 479-750-8725
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hellstern-Middle-School