Friday, May 3, 2019

The Middle Update 5/3/19

Resource of the Week
In our continuous efforts to become the best educators we can be, a source that can help us greatly, may not be an obvious one.  As blogger Jennifer Gonzalez writes, "If you’ve never asked students for serious, honest feedback, you’re missing something. If you ask the right questions and give students the time and encouragement to supply quality answers, student feedback can benefit you in so many ways. Some teachers in our building regularly ask students to give them some feedback about their experiences in the classroom, and it has helped to provide perspective on the experience.  The post this week shines a light on this practice.  If you already give students a survey at the end of the year, I'd love to hear about it.

"5 Reasons You Should Seek Your OWN Student Feedback" - Jennifer Gonzalez

"3 Ways of Getting Student Feedback to Improve Your Teaching" - Vicki Davis

Hallways/Hats/Hoods/etc. etc.
As we review our current practices, policies, and procedures, I think it would be beneficial for a group of us to get together and review our handbook policies and practices.  If you are interested in joining this discussion, please join us on Wednesday (5/8) at 2:55 in my office.

Heading into the Home Stretch
As we head down the stretch, it's important for us all to have the same mindset about how our final weeks of school will go.  Anytime we have a disruption to our routine (Forward Exam week/field trip), we sometimes see an uptick in challenging behavior.  Making the most of our class time every minute, every day, is an essential value that we all must uphold for our culture.  Having strong, engaging lessons right up to the last day of school is going to be an essential part of finishing the school year strong and strengthening a culture of high expectations for ALL, and the high achievement that naturally follows.

Student of the Month Breakfast This Week
Congrats to our students that stood out among their peers!  It was a great morning with our highest turnout of the year.  Thanks to our teachers for presenting this month!


Staff Meeting Recap
I enjoyed our time together on Wednesday afternoon.  Thanks to our Equity Team for sharing their knowledge with all of us, and for your leadership in guiding our school to include more equitable practices for our students.


Ground-Breaking for PES
The ground-breaking ceremony for the new elementary school was Friday.  This signified the start of the work that will begin to unfold over the course of the next year.  You'll start to see ground moving around the site as construction begins.  It truly is a historic time for our school district.

Superhero Run Fundraiser
We will be running our 2nd annual Superhero Run this spring.  The run will be on Friday, May 17th and will follow a similar schedule as last year.  Our students are organizing part of our Wellness Day activities on this day as well.  More details will be forthcoming.

End of Year All Staff Celebration
This year we will be starting a new tradition.  At around 1:00 on the last day of school (Thursday, 6/6) in the High School cafeteria for all staff, we will serve pizza, and other options, for everyone, and have a brief recognition ceremony.  Check-out procedures will start right after we wrap up our celebration.



Upcoming Events
Monday - May 6 - 3:00 - 4:00 - Insurance Informational Meeting

Wednesday - May 15 - 10:45 - 12:10 - Choir Rehearsals for Spring Concert
Wednesday - May 15 - Retirement Open House - 3:30 - 4:30 (HS IMC)
Wednesday - May 15 - School Board Meeting
Thursday - May 16 - Spring Concert
Thursday - May 16 - 7th Graders Field Trip to Mackenzie Center
Friday - May 17 - Superhero Run/Wellness Day

Wednesday - May 22 - 6th Grade Track Meet in the Afternoon
Thursday - May 23 - Home Track Meet
Wednesday - May 29 - PMS Staff Meeting
Sunday - June 2 - PHS Graduation
Wednesday - June 5 - 8th Grade Field Trip/Dance
Thursday - June 6 - Early Release at 12:30 - Staff Reception at 1:00 in HS Commons


Forward Exam Item Review Opportunity for Staff
See below for an opportunity to be engaged in the planning for items on the Forward Exam.

Good day:
DPI’s Office of Student Assessment is looking for a diverse group of educators from all over Wisconsin (including EL and special education teachers) to participate in the Summer “New Item Review” for the Forward Exam.  This is a great opportunity to be a part of assessment development, provide valuable feedback, have detailed input about the items on the Forward Exam, and take knowledge back to the district about the process.
Attached you will find a flyer with more information about the meetings including dates, logistics, and application information.  Please make this flyer available to all Educators 3-8 and 10 in your district. Their input is invaluable during this stage of item development.   


Jennifer Teasdale
Education Program Specialist
Office of Student Assessment

Images from the Week


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The Middle Update 5/3/19

Resource of the Week
In our continuous efforts to become the best educators we can be, a source that can help us greatly, may not be an obvious one.  As blogger Jennifer Gonzalez writes, "If you’ve never asked students for serious, honest feedback, you’re missing something. If you ask the right questions and give students the time and encouragement to supply quality answers, student feedback can benefit you in so many ways. Some teachers in our building regularly ask students to give them some feedback about their experiences in the classroom, and it has helped to provide perspective on the experience.  The post this week shines a light on this practice.  If you already give students a survey at the end of the year, I'd love to hear about it.

"5 Reasons You Should Seek Your OWN Student Feedback" - Jennifer Gonzalez

"3 Ways of Getting Student Feedback to Improve Your Teaching" - Vicki Davis

Hallways/Hats/Hoods/etc. etc.
As we review our current practices, policies, and procedures, I think it would be beneficial for a group of us to get together and review our handbook policies and practices.  If you are interested in joining this discussion, please join us on Wednesday (5/8) at 2:55 in my office.

Heading into the Home Stretch
As we head down the stretch, it's important for us all to have the same mindset about how our final weeks of school will go.  Anytime we have a disruption to our routine (Forward Exam week/field trip), we sometimes see an uptick in challenging behavior.  Making the most of our class time every minute, every day, is an essential value that we all must uphold for our culture.  Having strong, engaging lessons right up to the last day of school is going to be an essential part of finishing the school year strong and strengthening a culture of high expectations for ALL, and the high achievement that naturally follows.

Student of the Month Breakfast This Week
Congrats to our students that stood out among their peers!  It was a great morning with our highest turnout of the year.  Thanks to our teachers for presenting this month!


Staff Meeting Recap
I enjoyed our time together on Wednesday afternoon.  Thanks to our Equity Team for sharing their knowledge with all of us, and for your leadership in guiding our school to include more equitable practices for our students.


Ground-Breaking for PES
The ground-breaking ceremony for the new elementary school was Friday.  This signified the start of the work that will begin to unfold over the course of the next year.  You'll start to see ground moving around the site as construction begins.  It truly is a historic time for our school district.

Superhero Run Fundraiser
We will be running our 2nd annual Superhero Run this spring.  The run will be on Friday, May 17th and will follow a similar schedule as last year.  Our students are organizing part of our Wellness Day activities on this day as well.  More details will be forthcoming.

End of Year All Staff Celebration
This year we will be starting a new tradition.  At around 1:00 on the last day of school (Thursday, 6/6) in the High School cafeteria for all staff, we will serve pizza, and other options, for everyone, and have a brief recognition ceremony.  Check-out procedures will start right after we wrap up our celebration.



Upcoming Events
Monday - May 6 - 3:00 - 4:00 - Insurance Informational Meeting

Wednesday - May 15 - 10:45 - 12:10 - Choir Rehearsals for Spring Concert
Wednesday - May 15 - Retirement Open House - 3:30 - 4:30 (HS IMC)
Wednesday - May 15 - School Board Meeting
Thursday - May 16 - Spring Concert
Thursday - May 16 - 7th Graders Field Trip to Mackenzie Center
Friday - May 17 - Superhero Run/Wellness Day

Wednesday - May 22 - 6th Grade Track Meet in the Afternoon
Thursday - May 23 - Home Track Meet
Wednesday - May 29 - PMS Staff Meeting
Sunday - June 2 - PHS Graduation
Wednesday - June 5 - 8th Grade Field Trip/Dance
Thursday - June 6 - Early Release at 12:30 - Staff Reception at 1:00 in HS Commons


Forward Exam Item Review Opportunity for Staff
See below for an opportunity to be engaged in the planning for items on the Forward Exam.

Good day:
DPI’s Office of Student Assessment is looking for a diverse group of educators from all over Wisconsin (including EL and special education teachers) to participate in the Summer “New Item Review” for the Forward Exam.  This is a great opportunity to be a part of assessment development, provide valuable feedback, have detailed input about the items on the Forward Exam, and take knowledge back to the district about the process.
Attached you will find a flyer with more information about the meetings including dates, logistics, and application information.  Please make this flyer available to all Educators 3-8 and 10 in your district. Their input is invaluable during this stage of item development.   


Jennifer Teasdale
Education Program Specialist
Office of Student Assessment

Images from the Week