Friday, September 15, 2017

The Middle Update 9/15/17

Two weeks in the books already.  I am thoroughly enjoying the hard-working mentality that our students have brought with them to this school year.  We will continue to foster and grow this mentality towards involvement and achievement for all of our kids.

Hattie's Mindframe Focus

Mindframe #3:  I want to talk more about learning than teaching.
Teachers are adept at talking about their professional skills, but focusing only on teaching can occlude discussions about learning. Having a particular honed teaching skill, such as setting up collaborative inquiry, will always be a benefit for many students. But, there will always be other students in the class who do not learn that way. To be effective, we need to vary teaching approaches to suit a range of learners.
With that in mind, Hattie suggests that we should focus not on the mechanics but on the impact of teaching. We should be asking ourselves “what theories of learning am I using?” and developing our ability to coach and model different ways of learning. This allows us to adapt accordingly when we recognize that a particular teaching method is not having the desired impact.  

Handbook Signature Form 
Each student must turn in a Handbook Acknowledgement Form signed by both students and parents that we keep on file in the office.  Each student should have gotten a copy of the Student Handbook in Homeroom this week.  Students should return the forms to their homeroom teachers.  Once you have received them all, please bring them to the office.

September Message to Parents
You can view the message by clicking HERE.  Click HERE to view the attachment.

School Board Meeting on Monday (9/18)
This month's meeting starts at 7:00 pm on 9/18 in the High School IMC if anyone is interested in attending.  Check out the BOARD REPORT from the Middle School.  If there is an area that you feel would be something that is added to the board report from the middle school, please let me know and I will include it.  We will be looking for opportunities to share great learning experiences in which our students participate with the board for future meetings.  

Opportunities
I sent an email earlier in August about looking for some assistance.  Since that email was sent a number of staff members expressed interest in helping with the events, and a leader for each of the projects has come forward (see below). If you are interested in contributing, contact the leader for more information.

Book Talks/School-wide Literacy Activities - Mrs. Rogness/Mrs. Maurer
Carelli Cup Events - Ms. Pittner
End of Quarter 2 Celebration/Community Building Activity - Mr. Williams
Hallway Bulletin Board Beautification - Mrs. Hendrickson

Article of the Week
A Classroom Full of Risk Takers by Leticia Guzman Ingram

Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 18 - School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm (HS IMC)
Wednesday, September 20 - ELA Dept. Mtg. - 2:50 pm (Rogness' room)
Wednesday, September 27- Science Dept. Mtg. - 2:50 pm (Weckerly's room)
Wednesday, October 4 - PMS Staff Meeting - 2:50 pm (Rogness' room)
Wednesday, October 4 - Community Facility Advisory Committee Mtg. - 7:00 pm (HS IMC)

Duty Next Week
Bus - Gavin

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The Middle Update 9/15/17

Two weeks in the books already.  I am thoroughly enjoying the hard-working mentality that our students have brought with them to this school year.  We will continue to foster and grow this mentality towards involvement and achievement for all of our kids.

Hattie's Mindframe Focus

Mindframe #3:  I want to talk more about learning than teaching.
Teachers are adept at talking about their professional skills, but focusing only on teaching can occlude discussions about learning. Having a particular honed teaching skill, such as setting up collaborative inquiry, will always be a benefit for many students. But, there will always be other students in the class who do not learn that way. To be effective, we need to vary teaching approaches to suit a range of learners.
With that in mind, Hattie suggests that we should focus not on the mechanics but on the impact of teaching. We should be asking ourselves “what theories of learning am I using?” and developing our ability to coach and model different ways of learning. This allows us to adapt accordingly when we recognize that a particular teaching method is not having the desired impact.  

Handbook Signature Form 
Each student must turn in a Handbook Acknowledgement Form signed by both students and parents that we keep on file in the office.  Each student should have gotten a copy of the Student Handbook in Homeroom this week.  Students should return the forms to their homeroom teachers.  Once you have received them all, please bring them to the office.

September Message to Parents
You can view the message by clicking HERE.  Click HERE to view the attachment.

School Board Meeting on Monday (9/18)
This month's meeting starts at 7:00 pm on 9/18 in the High School IMC if anyone is interested in attending.  Check out the BOARD REPORT from the Middle School.  If there is an area that you feel would be something that is added to the board report from the middle school, please let me know and I will include it.  We will be looking for opportunities to share great learning experiences in which our students participate with the board for future meetings.  

Opportunities
I sent an email earlier in August about looking for some assistance.  Since that email was sent a number of staff members expressed interest in helping with the events, and a leader for each of the projects has come forward (see below). If you are interested in contributing, contact the leader for more information.

Book Talks/School-wide Literacy Activities - Mrs. Rogness/Mrs. Maurer
Carelli Cup Events - Ms. Pittner
End of Quarter 2 Celebration/Community Building Activity - Mr. Williams
Hallway Bulletin Board Beautification - Mrs. Hendrickson

Article of the Week
A Classroom Full of Risk Takers by Leticia Guzman Ingram

Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 18 - School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm (HS IMC)
Wednesday, September 20 - ELA Dept. Mtg. - 2:50 pm (Rogness' room)
Wednesday, September 27- Science Dept. Mtg. - 2:50 pm (Weckerly's room)
Wednesday, October 4 - PMS Staff Meeting - 2:50 pm (Rogness' room)
Wednesday, October 4 - Community Facility Advisory Committee Mtg. - 7:00 pm (HS IMC)

Duty Next Week
Bus - Gavin