Patriot's Pen
Faculty 411
A Message from Mireles
This week has been an interesting one, lots of analyzing and reorganizing of the "unstructured times" (ie: hallways, courtyards, AM/PM, lunch etc.), wish I could say we've got it all perfectly laid out but as with any major changes, these things take time.
We've received numerous parent emails, phone calls and even hallway kudos praising the work we've done so far, my only response is, "your teachers are to thank, they are the people enforcing the right things for the right reasons."
Keep up the great work and thank you!
DEAN'S DESK
Starting Friday September 7th, you may go into Frontline to write your TPG/SLO goal. Remember to use the following structure:
I want to ____________ so that my students can______________.
Due Date: September 17th
RMS Master Calendar: (located in google calendars)
- Tuesday meetings have been added. Please mark your calendars!
- Leadership Team meetings have been added. (Our first meeting is Thursday September 27th from 8:30-11:00. Coordinators, please arrange for a sub that morning. Thanks!)
- GLL (grade level leaders) Lunch and Learn monthly meetings have been added for the year. Grade Level Leaders will attend during their lunch period. (Our first meeting is October 17th in the Library Classroom.
GOAL SETTING Quick Reference Guide
Department Meetings 4-5pm
Wednesday, September 12: Football Scrimmage vs. Folks, 7th away, 8th home; Fire Drill by announcement @9:05 am
Thursday, September 13: Mobile Clinic on campus 2-5:30, front parking lot; Red Wagon 4-5; Volleyball Scrimmage vs Folks 7th home, 8th away.
Monday, September 17: T-TESS Goals Due in Frontline, Formal Observations begin
Tuesday, September 18: Faculty Meeting, Shane Allard
Wednesday, Sep 19: Football Game vs Garcia 7th Home, 8th Away; Vision & Hearing Mass Screening
Thursday, Sep 20: Volleyball Game vs Garcia 7th away, 8th Home; Vision and Hearing Mass Screening in Library
Friday, Sep 21: Individual Pictures through P.E. classes
Fall Picture Day will be Friday, September 21st, during all P.E. classes!
SPED SPOT
Hi Patriots! Every now and then I will take a minute to feature a campus resource:
This week’s focus is BASE…
When a Special Ed student is upset, anxious, or even shutting down, it is important that you know the procedures to follow to give our students needed support.
WHO can access BASE?
Any student falling under the special ed. umbrella may utilize the program but there must an educational need in which the program is suitable. The following special education eligibilities are the most common:
ED (Emotional Disturbance)
OHI (Other Health Impairment, usually ADHD/ ADD)
AU (Autism)
WHAT is BASE?
BASE is a ‘safe place’ that students can access throughout the day. Students can be referred to BASE by the classroom teacher or, they can self-refer. Either way, the goal of BASE is to process with the student and get them back into the academic classroom for instruction.
All BASE student’s have been provided a HOT PASS and have been given instruction on how to access the BASE program. Please help us to limit their access to emergency situations. Do not allow it to become a place for ESCAPE or AVOIDANCE.
HOW DO I, AS THE CLASSROOM TEACHER, REFER A STUDENT TO BASE?
If you see that a SE student is becoming irritated, anxious, or even emotional, please call the BMC/BASE classroom at EXT 3105. Limit what you share over the phone (confidentiality). A staff member will walk down to your room to process with the student. Staff will either come into the classroom or we will ask the student to leave with us. If the student is able to continue in your classroom, they will be expected to stay.
If no one answers in BASE, please call the front office. If ANY situation seems like it will escalate, you should use your white button located on the wall near your door so that the appropriate Administration or the Officer can be notified.
WHAT IF A STUDENT SELF REFERS?
You are the professional! If you feel that the student has an immediate need and can walk independently to the BASE classroom, allow them to leave the room and call EXT 3105 so we can anticipate their arrival.
If you feel that they are wanting to avoid an assignment, escape, or just get away, encourage them to stay and assure them that you will call EXT 3105. Someone will be there shortly!!
BMC/BASE is here to support both you and our students! #Unitedwebehave
--Christine Russell
THE VPO
- Thanks for creating systematic, common expectations and commitments on Tuesday at our Faculty Learning. Please remember to submit your individual commitments to Ms. Hart in the VPO before she leaves at 3:45 on Friday, 9/7.
- In creating order, predictability and safety, we ask that you consistently stand at your doorways during passing periods this way we help supervise the hallway, don't hesitate to correct behaviors you spot, the more the merrier when it comes to eyes on our kids!
- ELA teachers, in an effort to minimize hallway traffic and unnecessary socialization during passing periods, let's try not letting them out during the passing period between your block, let's give individual breaks before or after all other students are in their classes. If you need to give kids some wiggle room or a brain break you can walk your kids down to the nearest bathrooms together.
- All students should know their way around campus, start counting tardies effective Monday, September 10th. Any tardies accumulated prior to Monday should be negated.
Counselor's Corner
Dr. Abigail Baird discusses the science behind why teens do some not so smart things. Watch the video and think what the "Haley effect" is driving your kids to do. Given that understanding, does that change the way you react to the things kids do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTnUzueR_7I
Tentative--Friday, January 25th
We will be hosting our first annual Career day for 8th graders, tentatively on January 25th! The idea is to give students an opportunity to explore many different career options.
Speakers will present to small groups, be thinking of anyone you believe would be of great value for our students.
(ie: Medical field, business, IT, Military, Police, Education, Politicians, Lawyers, Firefighters, Editors/authors/Journalists etc.)
Further information will be coming from the Counseling department in the next few weeks.