LAST Sunday Night Memo, 5/19/19

May 19, 2019

4.5 days!  We are definitely in the final countdown as we wrap up school, maintain order and continue to teach despite summer fever that has officially hit the kids.  Thanks for a great year and I hope you all have a relaxing summer recharging.  I will be taking some vacation days in June but will be available to you by phone of email if you need anything.  Please don’t hesistate to reach out or stop by!

POPS Concert, 5/21

Join our talented bands for their final concert of the year down on Moss Field at 6pm.  This is a great show full of great sing along songs and really geeked out MC’s.  Bring your family and come out for a great evening of music!

Retirement Luncheon, 5/21

Social Courtesy will host its annual luncheon honoring our retirees during lunches in the library.  Please stop by and wish our friends well as they embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives.  Please sign up for a dish or see Gail to contribute.

Six Flags, 5/23

The all school field trip to Six Flags is Thursday.   Please see Mike or Aimee for any questions with chaperoning or for the list of kids staying back at school.

Last Day of School, 5/24

After kids depart at noon, we will have our annual end of year wrap up in the cafeteria.  Lunch will be provided by the Tamale Man (tamales, chips, salsa and guacamole).  After we are done with lunch, you are free to begin checking out.

End of Year Social, 5/24

Remember our end of year social is after school and is family friendly!  Join everyone for an afternoon of relaxing after a full week with kids!

Summer School, 5/30

Summer school will begin on Thursday, 5/30.

New Hixson Family

We’ve had some farewells but we also have a bunch of welcomes.  Here is our official list of folks joining the Hixson family in the 19-20 school year:

·       Adam Vorel-8^th grade Science

·       Brennen Wells-PE/Health

·       Jake Norman-Spanish

·       Leah Lynch-Spanish (.6, sharing w/HS)

·       Jodie Hintze-Reading and Math Instructional Aid

·       Alka Woodard-Gifted Social Studies

·       Emily Bardot-Counseling Instructional Aid

·       David Kraus-German (.4, sharing w/HS)

·       Sarah McGruder-Admin Assistant to Principal

·       Jenn Crisp-Receptionist

Kathy will stay on for the 19-20 school year in part time capacity to oversee our building budget so you will still see her a couple of days a week.

Sally Nahmensen is shifting from part time to full time Library Aid in the 19-20 school year.

Have a wonderful last week connecting with your kids!

With gratitude,

Grace

Sunday Night Memo, 5/12/19

May 12, 2019

Thank YOU

I hope you felt the appreciation we have for you every day this last week.  In a profession that is becoming increasingly tougher with various dynamics propelled at us each day, you are appreciated for your commitment to kids.  Thank you for loving kids.

Thank you also for the principal’s appreciation gift.  I’m grateful to be on this leg of my journey with each of you and wake up excited each day for the ways we will transform learning for all kids.

8^thgrade Celebration Rehearsal, 5/14

On Tuesday, the entire 8^th grade will be with their assigned teachers for Celebration rehearsal during 7^thhour.  Information has been shared by Aimee but if you have any questions, please don’t hesistate to let us know.

District Staff Appreciation Night, 5/14

On Tuesday, at 4pm in the HS Commons/Cafeteria, the district will host its annual Staff Appreciation Night. Please join us in honoring Bettye, Sharin and Kathy on their years of service to Webster and celebrate their retirement! 

Fine Arts Festival, 5/14

Our building Fine Arts Festival will be held at Hixson at 6pm.  This is a great evening to interact and see all the amazing talent we have in our building.

7^thGrade NWEA, 5/15

All 7^th graders will be NWEA testing on Wednesday.  Makeups will be held on 5/16.  Please let Mike or Hope know if you have any questions.

8^thgrade Celebration, 5/16

8^th grade Celebration will take place on Thursday at 7pm in Roberts Gym at the HS.  Please let Aimee know if you would like to attend and we will have a VIP seat reserved for you!

OUTS for this Week

Aimee, Mike, Grace out for DLT meeting on Thursday from 8-12ish.

Have a great week!

With gratitude,
Grace

Sunday Night Memo, 5/5/19

May 5, 2019

MAP Test

Our annual MAP testing finally begins this week on Tuesday.  Please make sure to test each of your Chromebooks to ensure they are working and on the TSM.  Jason sent out instructions on how to get your device back onto the TSM if it drops off.  Please make sure to add them back on if it has dropped off.  A hard copy of instructions was also placed in your packets.

To help make the days of testing smoother please do the following:

·       Check each device prior to testing day (Tuesday) to make sure they are on the TSM

·       Charge each device the night before

·       Practice using the text reader before Tuesday so you are familiar with the tool

·       Let Hope know if you need any more headphones

o   Air pods are not allowed because they need a wireless connection

·       Do a final check and let Hope or Jason know if you need any assistance or have any questions

The day of testing, please do the following:

·       Encourage kids to do their best

·       Encourage kids to use the lower part of their testing tickets for scratch paper

·       Walk around periodically throughout the testing periods

·       Cover up anything academic on the walls

Please be on the lookout for final MAP testing information tomorrow!

Substitutes

We are in the final stretch with 15 days left to go before the end of the year.  The district is experiencing high sub days and having a hard time filling all the requests.  I know sometimes you won’t know until the morning if you are sick.  Please, if at all possible, put your sub request in the evening before.  During our MAP Testing week, we are using Jodie and Jamie for testing so they will not be available to sub. Thank you to all the folks who volunteered to cover on Friday to help us with the shortage.

Teacher Appreciation

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  To honor you, next week we will:

Monday-Farm Truk Food Truck during lunches, hosted by PTO

              *Come out during your lunch to grab a delicious lunch!

Tuesday-Donuts and Custard

              *Donuts served by CO staff and Ted Drews from your admin team

Wednesday-PTO Sweet Treat

Thursday-Thanks for being Dip-endable!

                  *Buffet of dips and carbs to break up all the sugar from your admin team

Friday-PTO lucky lottery ticket gift and Social Courtesy gift

Congratulations to our Resident Authors!

Congratulations to Leslie Creath on the release of “Stories of Change, Vol. 3.” Leslie wrote a chapter in this book called “Connecting with Our Kids.” The book release is open to the public. Here is the link for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-3-release-party-learning-focused-environments-tickets-60347611330

Congratulations to Amy Arnason on the upcoming release of her children’s book, “Mixed Up Mabel”. Her book will be making its debut at the New York Book Expo at the end of May.  We look forward to hearing more details!

Retirement Game

A moment of silence for the following retired teachers:

·       Trish Powers

·       Wilma Slaughter

·       Sharin Davis

·       Sonsere White

·       Ashley Porter

·       Jamie Young

·       Randy Taylor

·       Linda Peterson

·       Earline Banks

·       Stacey Hill

·       Dacia Stewart

·       Eric Hayes

8^thGrade Dance

Looking for some excitement next weekend? Join the 8^thgraders on Friday from 6-8pm for their 8^th grade dance.  It’s sure to be a great time J!

Outs This Week

Grace:  Monday @ CO for Assistant Superintendent Interviews

              Thursday and Friday @ Columbia, MO for DESE State Meeting

Have a great week!

With gratitude,
Grace