Week of October 3rd - can you believe it!

MM WEEK OF OCTOBER 3^RD, 2016

This week we will continue to work on hallway “etiquette” – stay to the right, don’t block traffic flow, keep instruments and book bags out of the middle of hallway, try not to bump into others.

Saturday, 10/1        HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA BENSON GENNARI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, 10/2           HAPPY BIRTHDAY FERDINAND MCGUIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, 10/3         NATIONAL CUSTODIAL APPRECIATION DAY – THANK YOU…

Herman Townsend, Beverly Galey, Ferdinand McGuire, Michelynn Hunter, Willie Bates, Keith Clair, Michael Moore, Sulejman Sehovic!

 

New a.m. time at Hixson – Students may not be on campus until 7:50 a.m.  If needed, our families can use the Rec Center’s RECFEST program.

Welcome PJ Malinkrodt the permanent Spanish teacher sub! 

Tuesday, 10/4         HAPPY BIRTHDAY EARLINE BANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, 10/5  HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY EDWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11:15 Pam meets w/Electives teachers 

 

Thursday, 10/6

Friday, 10/7             HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEVERLY GODLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOCIAL JUSTICE TRAINING

 

NOTES:

The latest p.m. dismissal is working much better with us getting the bus students and bike riders on their way before the walkers and vehicle riders.  If someone comes down early – I send them back to 7^th hour. Thank you for your help with dismissal. 

 

Congratulation Terri Hobold – she was selected to write EOC math assessments for DESE!!!   Terri is so excited for this opportunity. 

 

Copy machines – we are losing 2 machines.  So we will no long have the one in the library.  But, we will receive a brand new high volume machine that will go in the workroom across from the Tech Lab.  We don’t have a date yet – just wanted you to know. 

 

Student advisory was a good conversation.  We discussed:

Sharing who are the reps. on the advisory again

Hallway problems – people stopping, talking, items in the middle of the hallway

New dress code – they think that’s going fine.

Added to p.e. dress out discussion – why can’t they wear jerseys or have numbers on their shirts? 

Phones – can they have their phone in their pocket – yes as long as you’re not using it in the hallway. 

They like the recently revised dismissal – suggested more time for bikers to leave – if needed. 

They wanted to talk about the end of the year teacher surveys – they didn’t think the right questions were asked – I asked them to give me a list of what makes a good teacher and they could develop a survey – we’ll see where this goes!  Here are their descriptors of a good teacher….

Doesn’t get mad easily, sense of humor, fair in treatment, just be cool, enforces the rules fairly, can get your attention without yelling, good attitude, good approach with children, treat you like a young adult, take time to help students, respect us, pay attention to us, don’t penalize a whole class for individuals. 

Next meeting for Advisory – last week in October.  

 

Week of September 26th

MM Week of September 26 2016

This week we are focusing on walking in the hallway and on the stairwell – right side!

Monday, 9/26                    HAPPY BIRTHAY SCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8:45 a.m. Principals meeting

3:30 p.m. Faculty meeting – see agenda from Aimee

5:00 p.m. - District Wellness Committee

 

Tuesday, 9/27                    HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2^nd hour – Student Advisory to the Principal – meet in Café – students will receive reminder notes and an email from Sally.

Data meetings w/Hope – see schedule

END OF DAY – BAND FUND RAISING STUDENTS WILL NEED TO BE DISMISSED AT 3:00.  STUDENTS WILL GO TO THE BAND/CHOIR ROOM AND GET THEIR FUND RAISING ITEMS.  THOSE TEACHERS WILL HOLD THE STUDENTS UNTIL DISMISSAL. 

 

Wednesday, 9/28

 

Thursday, 9/29                  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON H. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Data meetings w/Hope – See schedule

Friday, 9/30

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR BEGINS!

 

NOTES:

Another set of teacher meetings are complete and we are on track with our work!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MEETINGS…

 

The a.m. schedule recently revised to bring the 7^th upstairs at 8:20 is working on so many levels.  The 7^th grade teachers did a great job of teaching the students what to do prior to 1^st hour – thank you.  Those students who are not able to handle the independence may wait with a principal until 8:30, then we will send them to 7^th grade 1^st hour. 

 

Please be diligent with your attendance.

No electronics in the hallway does include earbuds!

Skateboards and roller blades need to be carried on and off campus

IEPs – We will attend, contribute and represent our team.  The before and after school times can fit within our day with some adjustment.  If you need to leave by a certain time – ask the parents prior to the meeting.  I’m sure SSD is working to accommodate the most staff members and of course the parents in their scheduling.   Team times are still available. 

 

One more week and our arrival time will change for students to 7:50a.m. w/cafeteria supervision – 8:00 students move to auditorium or gym.   The Rec Center hours will be 7:15-8:20a.m.  We will be watching our students walk over from the Rec Center.   The RecFest flyer and registration is located on our blog.

 

Question regarding dismissal at recess – I’ll make sure everyone has the schedule.

 

Teachers are asking for the Daily Announcement broadcast to be emailed to them the day/evening before – If you are a teacher with “kid time” prior to 1^st hour, feel free to show the announcements then.   

 

Dismissal staggering of students is the most effective way to move all 730 students; and we’ll continue that process. We’re doing a great job of keeping the students as safe as we can and making sure they are on their way….   Thank you

NEW TIMES:

3:15   Bikers and bus riders.  Bus riders must show their pass.  Bus riders leave through the

library exit.   Anyone leaving early – easy to spot since they either have a bus pass or a helmet in hand.  Those trying to leave early will be sent to the office and will be the last

to leave.

                3:20   Vehicle riders and walkers leave through the front entrance. 

On ASA days – these students are then dismissed.  If you are an ASA teacher and a student shows up – send them back to 7^th hour. 

 

Shout out to all the teachers who loaned their chrome book to a student for 2 weeks!  They should all be back in your hands again.

 

Big shout out to all of you who contributed to the staff showcase of pictures – looks great!  (I know there are a few coming in and I’ll make room when the pictures arrive).   

 

Suggestion to use the Discipline referral available through SIS (puzzle piece).  Easy to follow format that could be coded according to our PBIS information. 

 

FYI – DESE has set the MAP testing window for April 3 – May 26^th.

 

 

All for now, have a fabulous week!

 

MM Week of September 19

MM       Week of September 19, 2016

This week we will continue to work on our transitions and hallway behavior so everyone

can keep learning!!!

 

Monday, 9/19                    HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE ALEXANDERS & SHALAY HUDSON!!!!!!

Aimee to training

 

Tuesday, 9/20

Aimee to training

8:30 Pam to DLT meeting

3:45 District Calendar Committee

 

Wednesday, 9/21

6-8^th ELA Vertical team

9:00 Dr. Wiley to visit w/Admin.

5:30 Pam to PTO/BOE/Admin mtg.

 

Thursday, 9/22                  HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOPE STRASSER !!!!!!!!!

3:45 Parent Advisory w/Pam

 

Friday, 9/23                        HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT DONER!!!!!!!!!!!!          

TERM 1 ENDS

 

NOTES:

Student advisory to the principal:  Great group of kids willing to work and share their thoughts.

                Approved dress code and asked many questions along the way.

                Have concerns with – a.m. hallways (clog near the gym) (some solutions)

                Bus riders – walking around the building (they proposed solutions ie. bus pass to get out the

                                back door)

                Seating in the lunchroom – some students are not following rules – moving chairs, crowding

                                tables

                Dismissal – bikers and walkers having to wait.  Most walkers walk in the same direction as the

                                car riders (to Moss field lot) but have to leave 10 minutes later.  

                Phones – they know students are on phones in café -  pictures, inappropriate games are a

                                problem. 

                Dressing out in p.e. – lots of questions

                Next meeting, Tuesday, 9/27, 2^nd hour -  we’ll start generating lists of solutions to some of their

concerns.  For now, dress code accepted.  We will move to a once a month format after

this meeting. 

 

IEPs – The intention of IEPs before or after school is to provide an opportunity for the time needed for certain IEPs; and there can be IEPs during plan time.  If you are asked to attend – know that a team representative is adequate as long as you have notes from your team mates.  We can also fit the IEP within the a.m. time slot of 7:50 a.m. and still end your day by 3:30. We can be creative in making those meetings and SSD will keep us informed as to what time period they are looking at for the meeting.  Please be prepared with data and evidence to share.  The gen ed. Teacher contributions can happen within the first 20 minutes.  As I said last week, Marybeth is working with SSD staff to provide agendas that are to the point and focus on the student and his/her learning.  Questions – please see Pam.

 

Get those pre-k to birth pictures to Pam.  And no I don’t believe you when you tell me cameras were not yet invented… when you were a toddler! 

 

STAFF HIGHLIGHTS – to help us and the students get to know everyone at HMS, we will be highlighting 1 or 2 staff members every week on our announcements.  You will be contacted for information and some taping time!  Thank you Dana for this great idea – Dana has volunteered to go first!

Subs must be paid for a minimum of four hours. If you are only going to be out for only an hour or two, please enter in Aesop as no sub needed and let us know ASAP so that we can work to find coverage. We don’t need to pay a sub for four hours of work when they will be here for less time. Thank you!

FYI - We have a student group that is volunteering to pick up trash at recess – student initiated, student run group.  They’ve posted flyers and are working with Mr. Townsend on trash bags and gloves.  If you see them, please thank them.   

Welcome to our Sub Maintenance Tech Tony Williams!  I’ve known Tony for years and he’s wonderful!

I will input the newly revised dress code in our Student Handbooks this week.  I’ll include that information in my Sunday message for our families to review.  Any questions or concerns on the dress code and/or student attire, email one of the principals or counselors. 

I have completed Principal talks with all teams – thank you for granting me time within your meetings.  You are a fabulous group of people and I’m honored to work with you all. 

 

Week of September 12th

MM  Week of September 12, 2016

This week we will include the pledge in our announcements

Monday, 9/12                    HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN CAHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IDEA retreat – CO

7:30 a.m – Principals meeting

7^th Hour PAM MEETS W/PRINCIPALS ADVISORY IN CAFÉ – REPRESENTATIVES & ALTERNATES –

Students received an email from me (Mrs. Nahmensen) regarding the Advisory meeting.

3:30 Faculty meeting – Intruder training

 

Tuesday, 9/13

Wednesday, 9/14

PAM MEETS W/ELECTIVES TEACHERS – 4^TH HOUR

Pam will be out of the building in the p.m.

Thursday, 9/15

SSD Dept meeting. Rm 123

 

Friday, 9/16

 

Saturday, 9/17                   HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE STEVISON & LANA TETERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

NOTES:

Thank you all for your hard work in developing your growth plans for the year.  We are almost there and I’m sure we’ll meet the district deadline of September 30^th.    Revisit your goal and check that you have 1 action plan per goal element.  I know most of you have that in place but just make sure as we proceed.

Todd, Aimee and I will begin doing walkthrough observations this week.  Once an observation is complete it will be sent to you.  You will only receive a notification that you have an observation waiting to view if you clicked that button in iObservation. 

Still looking for a representative for the Wellness Program – if you need more information on this committee, please contact Jennifer Davis in Central Office.

Clarification regarding printers/copiers in your classroom.  According to Bill K., it is ok to have your personal machine in your room.  But you may not request, ink, paper nor maintenance for the machine. 

I will be sending home a survey this week regarding a.m procedures and the use of the Rec Center in the a.m. The director is interested in working with us on a solution to our a.m. needs. 

SSD/IEP clarification… Some IEPs will be held during plan time and some will be held before or after school.  Team teachers may attend or you may send a rep.  We must have one gen. ed. Teacher at an IEP.  If you are not attending – you may send your notes with your rep.  Gen ed teacher/rep must stay for the entire IEP unless he/she is excused prior to the start of the meeting by the parent.  IEPs may still be held during team time if it works for the parents and it appears to be the best time frame (40 mins.) for the entire process.  I am still thinking about what this means to your work day hours.  I hope this helps to clarify information.  If not, please let me know.  

Have a great week!

 

Week of September 5th

MM Week of September 5, 2016

Can you believe we're in September already!

Monday, 9/5      Labor Day – No School

 

Tuesday, 9/6

K-12 - A state law was passed at the end of the legislative session in May, requiring schools to say the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis. However, we cannot force a child to participate in the pledge in any way.   We will include the pledge in our a.m. broadcast. 

 

After School Activities begin today – be sure to take attendance at the beginning of the activity and walk your students out of school at 4:00 p.m.  Pam and APs will be walking the halls making sure everyone is where they should be.  Once a student is in an ASA that is where they stay.    

 

Pam meets w/Andromeda at 9:30 and Orion at 3^rd hour, Hickory at 1:35. 

 

Wednesday, 9/7

Congratulations Eric Conners – Opening Night for "Miss Julie, Carissa & John", Black Repertory Theatre!

 

Thursday, 9/8

SSD Aimsweb testing today

12:30 – Aimee to meetings out of the building

Pam meets w/Oak at 2:30

 

Friday, 9/9

PICTURE DAY – SMILE!

Growth plans due to Pam – if we need another week – we'll make that work.  I want to make the 9/30 district due date.   I'm glad to help any way I can.  Thank you Jill Right for all your help and support.   

Hixson Music Fundraiser ends

8:45 am Hixson PTO meeting in the café – Guest Speaker – Tim Brown "Internet Safety and the Middle School student"

Pam meets w/Willow at 6^th hour and Hickory at 7^th hour

 

NOTES:

FYI – See Gail T's email on library copier availability. 

3 copier locations, 2^nd floor across from the Tech lab, in between the FACs rooms, library.  I will be happy to print something for you.  Just send it to me in a word document. 

 

Leslie Bennett and Rob Rambach will be our Reps. For the WGSD Foundation!  Thank you Leslie and Rob!

 

I appreciate all of the teachers for stepping out in the hallways during transitions and end of day – your presence makes a world of difference. 

 

Please look at your classroom expectations and implementation – If your students are not following the expectations for the classroom and hallways, please teach and practice. 

 

If you would like a printed copy of the Staff Information "handbook"– please let me know.

 

We are distributing the spread sheet that lays out the evaluators and cycle information which is as inclusive as we could get for this school year.  Please let a Principal know if you have any questions. 

 

Please get any conference feedback to Dr. Vogt as soon as possible.  She will be putting together a PTC FAST sign up for our families. 

 

The dress code parent meeting went well.  We are currently looking at a combination of Clayton and WGHS dress codes. 

 

Thank you to those who presented information regarding Innovation Hour!  Great job!  Thank you all for your active participation in learning and sharing.

 

Congratulations Kaitlyn Kraushaar for receiving a grant from the WRTA! 

 

Enjoy your week!