Monday, September 2, 2019

The Middle Update 9/2/19

School Starts Tomorrow!  We are ready.  I'm looking forward to working alongside a positive, persistent team that works hard to build connections with students, and works to help students solve problems as they come up.  We drive the culture in our school!

Morning Plans for 1st Day
7:15 - 7:26
-Students will arrive on the playground before school starts.  Teachers should be out on the playground, greeting students and welcoming them back.
-Some students will need schedules, so it would be helpful if teachers split the schedules up to help hand them out to students who are looking for them.
-Students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:26.
7:30 - 7:45
-Students should put their materials in their locker and head to the gym for the Opening Assembly.  At the assembly, we will welcome the students, welcome the 6th graders, welcome the new staff, and welcome students who are new to the district.  We will then listen to an awesome message from Mrs. Hendrickson.  After Mrs. Hendrickson, I will direct students to find their Homeroom teacher in the gym, and then groups will proceed to Homeroom.  This should be about 7:45.
7:45 - 8:10 - Students will then go to their Homeroom class with their teacher.  During Homeroom, teachers should follow the plan below.
-A quick greeting or share activity to either get acquainted or reconnect
-Distribute chrome books and review the following bullet points:
     -Students should only use their assigned chrome book
     -Chrome books must be plugged in at the end of each day to charge
     -Chrome books should not be taken home (only used at school)
     -Chrome books should not leave the building (stay in lockers while at HS)
     -Chrome books should not be be brought into the bathrooms
     -If damage occurs, the details must be reported ASAP, with a form filled out (forms can be found in the IMC or the office)
     -Students are liable for any damage to their assigned chrome book
     -Be sure to log off if you leave it in the locker or move away from the device
     -Cell phones/Ipods are not permitted to be used outside of the morning and lunch periods.

I think those are the main points.  I will share the Guidelines with parents to review with students as well.  

As of right now, we'll plan to dismiss to students to their first class at 8:10.  We will follow our normal schedule the rest of the day.  The first 8th grade elective will end at 8:40.

 Student Schedules/Class Rosters
We are very close to having solid rosters for each class.  We had a student register on Friday, and there are typically mistakes noticed, or small schedule adjustments for some students during the first day or two of school.  I appreciate your flexibility as these things happen.  After the first couple of days it is probably safe to print out that blank spreadsheet or seating chart.

IE Time
For the first week of school, we will meet in Homeroom groups during IE time.  Starting next Monday (9/9), we will meet in IE groups.  I will let you know when the IE rosters are ready to be shared with students.

Staff Leadership Group
I am once again looking for staff to serve on our Leadership Team.  Our team should be comprised of a representative from each core grade level team, a member from our Applied team, and another member or two that is interested.  Please let me know if you would be willing to serve.  Our first meeting will be on Thursday (9/5) at 2:55 in the 1-8 Conference Room.

Presentations from Inservice Meetings
I have attached the slides from our MS Staff Meetings from Last Week
Monday Afternoon
Tuesday Morning
Wednesday Morning

Plans for Next Year
As the year gets started, and moves on, we will be working on our plan for next year's transition from being in 1-8 Building to being Poynette Middle School.  There will be some renovations, moves, and other changes as a result.  I plan to communicate to everyone regularly and those things get ironed out.  I will be seeking input and feedback to some of the natural parts that will change as a result of this move.  It is an exciting time!

Pumas Are Ready to Pounce!
We have a bulletin board in the downstairs hallway near the front entrance that is devoted to pictures of staff and students enjoying their time at our school.  The caption is "Pumas are ready to pounce!"  Feel free to take pictures of students in confident poses with smiles on their face, email them to Robin, or post them on the board.  We want the whole board full of the happy faces of the people in our school.

A Post From Your Instructional Coaches
We have great resources available to teachers to help take your instructional practices to the next level.  An elite culture is made up of people always looking to get better and learn more!  Our coaches are here to help!
Check out what is available HERE.




Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

The Middle Update 9/2/19

School Starts Tomorrow!  We are ready.  I'm looking forward to working alongside a positive, persistent team that works hard to build connections with students, and works to help students solve problems as they come up.  We drive the culture in our school!

Morning Plans for 1st Day
7:15 - 7:26
-Students will arrive on the playground before school starts.  Teachers should be out on the playground, greeting students and welcoming them back.
-Some students will need schedules, so it would be helpful if teachers split the schedules up to help hand them out to students who are looking for them.
-Students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:26.
7:30 - 7:45
-Students should put their materials in their locker and head to the gym for the Opening Assembly.  At the assembly, we will welcome the students, welcome the 6th graders, welcome the new staff, and welcome students who are new to the district.  We will then listen to an awesome message from Mrs. Hendrickson.  After Mrs. Hendrickson, I will direct students to find their Homeroom teacher in the gym, and then groups will proceed to Homeroom.  This should be about 7:45.
7:45 - 8:10 - Students will then go to their Homeroom class with their teacher.  During Homeroom, teachers should follow the plan below.
-A quick greeting or share activity to either get acquainted or reconnect
-Distribute chrome books and review the following bullet points:
     -Students should only use their assigned chrome book
     -Chrome books must be plugged in at the end of each day to charge
     -Chrome books should not be taken home (only used at school)
     -Chrome books should not leave the building (stay in lockers while at HS)
     -Chrome books should not be be brought into the bathrooms
     -If damage occurs, the details must be reported ASAP, with a form filled out (forms can be found in the IMC or the office)
     -Students are liable for any damage to their assigned chrome book
     -Be sure to log off if you leave it in the locker or move away from the device
     -Cell phones/Ipods are not permitted to be used outside of the morning and lunch periods.

I think those are the main points.  I will share the Guidelines with parents to review with students as well.  

As of right now, we'll plan to dismiss to students to their first class at 8:10.  We will follow our normal schedule the rest of the day.  The first 8th grade elective will end at 8:40.

 Student Schedules/Class Rosters
We are very close to having solid rosters for each class.  We had a student register on Friday, and there are typically mistakes noticed, or small schedule adjustments for some students during the first day or two of school.  I appreciate your flexibility as these things happen.  After the first couple of days it is probably safe to print out that blank spreadsheet or seating chart.

IE Time
For the first week of school, we will meet in Homeroom groups during IE time.  Starting next Monday (9/9), we will meet in IE groups.  I will let you know when the IE rosters are ready to be shared with students.

Staff Leadership Group
I am once again looking for staff to serve on our Leadership Team.  Our team should be comprised of a representative from each core grade level team, a member from our Applied team, and another member or two that is interested.  Please let me know if you would be willing to serve.  Our first meeting will be on Thursday (9/5) at 2:55 in the 1-8 Conference Room.

Presentations from Inservice Meetings
I have attached the slides from our MS Staff Meetings from Last Week
Monday Afternoon
Tuesday Morning
Wednesday Morning

Plans for Next Year
As the year gets started, and moves on, we will be working on our plan for next year's transition from being in 1-8 Building to being Poynette Middle School.  There will be some renovations, moves, and other changes as a result.  I plan to communicate to everyone regularly and those things get ironed out.  I will be seeking input and feedback to some of the natural parts that will change as a result of this move.  It is an exciting time!

Pumas Are Ready to Pounce!
We have a bulletin board in the downstairs hallway near the front entrance that is devoted to pictures of staff and students enjoying their time at our school.  The caption is "Pumas are ready to pounce!"  Feel free to take pictures of students in confident poses with smiles on their face, email them to Robin, or post them on the board.  We want the whole board full of the happy faces of the people in our school.

A Post From Your Instructional Coaches
We have great resources available to teachers to help take your instructional practices to the next level.  An elite culture is made up of people always looking to get better and learn more!  Our coaches are here to help!
Check out what is available HERE.