#sparkinfo. Weekly Update
Week #6 September 23rd-27th
Fall is here!
Let's enjoy the last week of September and the first week of fall as we celebrate Spirit Week! Please remember to keep the positive relationships growing with students and each other. There is so much negative in the world. Let's make sure that our school is a great place to be on a daily basis. Keep the good news going out, and the excel cents flowing for great things. We will officially begin a year-long spirit competition in October but the data is already coming in. Grade levels will receive spirit points for good news, excel cents, participation in various events, etc.,. Students will lose points for their grade level with lunch detentions and referrals.
Thank you for all that you do to make Pickens Middle a great place to work and learn! As always, if I can support you in any way, please let me know!
Why it is essential that you as the teacher are a leader! (PLC's and Beyond)
Instructional Update- Our Refinement Plan
As we work to help students grow and improve, we need to commit to a consistent, and sustainable plan. As a reminder, from our data day meeting, the following is our refinement plan which reflects our commitment to higher student acheivement:
Refinement Plan
Disproportionate amount of students not meeting basic state standards of assessment.
Get the right people in the right seats.
Leadership Teams (Collective Leadership)
New services model for special education.
Implement PLC’s with a focus on inclusive practices. (More than special education students may need an IEP.) Scaffolding, External Support
Tiered Intervention (How are students recovering the skills that they need?)
Daily Read Alouds
Spark Forward Cohort
Teach for mastery. Students are already very good at knowledge that is a mile wide and an inch deep. Help them go deeper. Grades should reflect mastery.
Caring means high expectations. (We will not accept students choosing to fail.)
10. Goal-setting for students was noted as a need from engagement survey data.
Intramurals are Underway!
Just For Inspiration!!
Photos from last week!
Dr. Murphy bringing real-world applications to Ag. Class!
Talk Like a Pirate Day was Arrrr-some!
The Literacy Team Sports New Shirts!
This Week's Agenda- Spirit Week!!!
Mon., Sept. 23rd-
Disney Day
A team Volleyball @ Palmetto
Tues., Sept. 24th-
October Afterschool Leadership- Please Attend around flu shots.
FLu Shot Clinic (2:45-3:30)
Dress Like a Teacher Day
A & B Team Volleyball-Riverside
ALICE makeup training 1st period
Wed.. Sept. 25th-
Tourist Day
Th., Sept. 26th-
Inclusive Practices PLC (PM Planning)
School Colors Day
Pep Rally (PM Activity Schedule)
Football- Gettys
Fr., Sept. 27th-
Mathlete/Athlete Day
Spirit Week Dance (PTO)
Happy Birthday!!
Birthdays This Week!
September 22nd- Zach Getsinger
September 23rd- Stephanie Merck
September 25th- Janet Chastain
SPARK SPOTLIGHT!!!!
A shout out from your colleague!
Here are last week's spotlights! Have you done one before? It feels good to recognize others.
Bryan Lively- Even though Bryan had never seen a Sparks Celebration Day, he did a great job with it. He handled it well, and the kids had a good time! Thanks for a being a great leader!
Libby Tye- Libby works so hard for our Special Education students. She makes sure the Special Education Department is running smoothly, and helps put out whatever fire is burning at the time. Thank you!
Cindy Whittemore- Cindy is helping this year with student council and this week she helped me plan my very first field trip! Who knew all the prep/paperwork that went into planning a field trip!? Cindy was there to answer all my questions and I appreciate her being so willing to help this "newbie"!
Susan Martin- A big thanks to Susan Martin for always baking delicious cookies for the 6th grade PD meetings! I must say that this weeks chocolate chip cookies were the best I have ever tasted! We are so lucky to have her on our hall and we appreciate all she does for us!
Laurel Mitchell- For being awesome and helpful! I love working with her! She always finds great resources to help our students be successful!
Click on the link below as you see and hear great things happening in the building. Please let us know about them by filling out the form. You may want to bookmark the link as we will be "Spotlighting" teachers and staff all year. Please note, this is a new link for this school year.
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://pms.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC, 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=85865011
Twitter: @pmssparks