UHMS Rising Phoenix
Uplift Hampton Middle School November 4, 2019
"Be Committed, Be Consistent, Be Courageous"
Love Everyone
Hello Phoenix Nation,
We hope you are having a wonderful, relaxing, recharging weekend! As we begin to get ready for the holiday season (November-December) and all that comes with it, we want you to know how amazing you are as people, as educators. Thank you to everyone for being focused on continuously learning and growing as educators! We are making progress with scholar achievement every day, and it is only because each of your commitments to excellence and your tireless efforts to plan and deliver rigorous scholar-centered lessons. We understand that there are days when middle school is a difficult place to work. Adolescence is already a challenging time for young people, who have so many changes happening in their bodies. They struggle with wanting more independence and tend to feel nothing can harm them. Many of our scholars are also survivors of traumatic events and at times it can make them feel out of control, even if they act as if they are strong. They tend to act out with anger or resentment, depression, mood swings and irritability. Some scholars will stop doing academic work, skip classes, or participate in risky behavior. It’s during these times that scholars need us most. In holding scholars accountable be firm and kind. Keep an even tone and choose your words with care. It is important that we, as adults, do not become sarcastic or belittle scholars (intentionally or unintentionally). Allow each scholar to have a fresh start each day. Deal with the issue that is happening in this moment. Be mindful about bringing up situations from yesterday, last week, last month, or last year when dealing with a current situation. Allow scholars time to calm down and receive your words. Be patient. Be very open. Be flexible. Love all our scholars. We love all of you. “To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.” Gilbert K. Chesterton
With admiration and love,
Priscilla, Chataqua, Chrissy, and Jabez
Walk-Through Focus
Increasing Rigor: All thinking is driven by questions. To develop our students’ critical thinking skills, we must plan rigorous questions that challenge our students to think critically. The questions that we plan guide our students through a methodical thinking process that deepen their understanding and refine their thinking skills. To plan rigorous questions, we must take the time to engage in the same thinking process that we expect from our students. Therefore, we need to solve the math problems, reading the texts (multiple times), write the responses, engage in the scientific problem-solving, etc. that we expect from students in each of our lessons. When we engage in this thinking during our planning and we take the time to reflect on the process, questions, and/or confusion that we as adults experience, we are better able to plan the questions that will guide our students’ thinking throughout the lesson. As you plan your lessons, reflect on the “Thinking Steps” that you’re taking to successfully analyze a text and/or solve a problem. Turn those thinking steps into questions that will guide your students’ thinking
Things to DO
TELPAS is Coming! We need to make sure we are ready for TELPAS testing. It will be here before you know it. State Training Modules – All Staff are required to complete the STAAR Training Models 1-3. The test admin training modules include active monitoring, distribution of materials, and handling secure material. https://www.texasassessment.com/administrators/training/
Hall Passes – Please ensure that all scholars have passes before the enter the hallway, whether they're going to the bathroom, the office, to their locker, or another teacher. If they don't have a pass, they will be sent back to their teacher to get one
November Attendance Competition:
o Teachers who have 97% or above attendance (during the critical hour) receives a 1-month jeans pass (including Mondays)
o RT, TA’s who supports a grade level with 97% attendance (during the critical hour) or above receives 1-month jeans pass (including Mondays)
o Donut Party- Grade level with highest attendance % and each teacher receives one hour of extended planning
Repeated for Your Convenience
Campus Preview Day: Saturday, November 9 is Campus Preview Day at Uplift Hampton! We need teachers and staff who can come to campus from 8:45 to 11:45 to help showcase all the amazing things that Uplift Hampton Middle School has to offer. This event will target prospective families considering UHMS as well as current families who are deciding whether to continue attending Uplift Hampton for 6th and 9th grades. If you sponsor a sport or a club, please check your availability and consider coming out to show how wonderful our school is! Every grade level/department should have at least one representative.
Incentive for staff: Lunch provided at 11:30am and a one-week jeans pass.
CLASSROOM APPEARANCE: Ensure that your classes are clean, data walls are current, you have a word wall with words, and your board is updated each day. If you need help with this, let us know so we can help. Cynthia will continue culture walk-throughs this week
Staff Culture Committee: Donate to the Staff Culture Committee. They are asking for $10 donation (optional) for the semester. See Trenese or Tiffani for more information
Two Weeks At A Glance
Things to Know
Election Day: Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th. For more information on polling locations, acceptable forms of photo identification, or a list of candidates on your ballot, please visit www.votetexas.gov. Dallas County has adopted a new countywide polling place program. On Election Day, eligible voters may case a ballot at ANY Vote Center location they choose. Please exercise your right to vote!
We All Face Challenges: We know that there are times that everyone can use a little extra support. This is why at Uplift Education we provide you an easy-to-use Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Whether you need legal assistance, someone to talk to, or even a wellness coach, the Employee Assistance Program is there to help you every step of the way. For more information please review the LifeKeys Services, EmployeeConnect Services, & TravelConnect Services fliers.
To register for the free Employee Assistance Program, simply go to the Guidance Resources website and use the following login information:
User Name = LFGsupport
Password = LFGsupport1
To contact the EAP by phone, call 888-628-4824.
You will need to contact Guidance Resources via telephone to request free, in-person counseling sessions.
MOY Observation Window: Timeline at Uplift Hampton Middle School
Part 1: Oct 30 to Nov 22 - Classroom observations with a debrief meeting. Expect to see your
coach/manager observe for a minimum of 45 minutes of the class period. They will complete a Full Observation form on iShine, and they will schedule a debrief meeting with you to discuss the observation. The observation will be scheduled unless a reschedule has to happen. At that point, the observation will be unannounced.
Part 2: November 11 - All teacher self-assessment forms are due. Complete the self-assessment in the Mid-Year Performance Review 2019-2020 form on iShine. These forms are available now and can be completed at any time. Part 3 of this process cannot take place until you complete your self-assessment form! Mid-Year Self-Evaluations must be completed in iShine by November 11, 2019 @ 11:59pm.
Part 3: Dec 1 to Dec 15 - Middle of year evaluation meetings held with your manager. After receiving your self-assessment form, your manager will fill out the same form. You will meet with your manager to discuss your mid-year performance review. If you have read all of the above email Priscilla for a treasure.
Please reach out to your manager if you have any questions about this process! This is a formal checkpoint in the evaluation process and applies to all staff members regardless of role.
Thank You for Doing What You Do!
Ranae for organizing and being at school on Saturday for Code Slam!
Cynthia and Daniela for making sure the UHMS Book Fair was a huge success
De’Onna for putting on a very classy banquet for the UHMS Girls Volleyball team
Brenda G for teaching outstanding lessons during ELT to 8th grade
Tammy and Stedmon for teaching an outstanding hands-on Science lessons
Coty for his flexibility and versatility on the 7th grade team
Lauren for the cool scholar quote wall about the character Alex (text evidence)
Kelly Anna for the way she led her scholars through tracking their own data for in class assessments
Xavier for his positive scholar relationships and keeping scholars engaged during clubs
Ryan for always being willing to step up and step in when needed
Brenda S and Javetta for ensuring Fall Fun Time was a success
STAAR Goals
Teaching and Learning @ UHMS
UHMS Girls Volleyball Banquet
Science with Tammy and Stedmon!
UHMS Code Slam!
Thankful Thursday
Phoenix Nation!
Here's How to Reach Us!
Priscilla Parhms 469.236.2900 pparhms@uplifteducation.org
Chrissy Cormier 214.326.3002 ccormier@uplifteducation.org
Chataqua Mangum 972.897.4659 cmangum@uplifteducation.org
Jabez Deacon 414.562.7592 jdeacon@uplifteducation.org
Website: https://www.uplifteducation.org/Page/13790
Location: 8915 South Hampton Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-421-1982