Sunday, January 5, 2020

The Middle Update 1/5/20

2020 is here, and I really enjoyed easing back into the second half of our school year with our two days of school last week.  With two weeks left in the 2nd quarter, there is a lot happening that sure make January seem to go by quickly.  I enjoyed seeing everyone back and hearing about relaxing/enjoyable holiday breaks by all.  As each day passes, we get closer to some big changes in our district.  The process of opening a new building and converting our building to a 5-8 is exciting, but there is always a level of stress associated with change.  Once March rolls around, things around the district will be starting to change.  Construction around our campus will require us all to have some flexibility and creativity in some areas.  It truly is an exciting time for the entire Poynette community.

Resource of the Week
Our resource this week comes from Dr. Matthew Arau.  He is a professor of Music at Lawrence University.  While his message relates connection to music class, as I read it, I think the connections work for all classes.  We'll get the opportunity to hear from Dr. Arau when he visits us in later February.


End of Quarter 2 Details
The last day of Quarter 2 is on Friday, January 17th.  Grades will be due by the morning of Thursday, January 23rd, and we'll review report cards with students in Homeroom on Friday, January 24th.  We will then have our End of Quarter Assembly on the afternoon of Friday, January 31st.  Mrs. Andringa and I met to start planning some of the events for the Assembly, and we are always welcome to new ideas and perspectives and what could be activities/contests/events that could be entertaining for the kids.  Let either of us know if you have some thoughts on this.

Homeroom Plan This Week
Gratitude Theme!  Here is our plan for the week.  The slide deck can be found HERE.

-Show the video (in slide deck) sometime this week (T,W, or R) (IMPORTANT! Pause at 5:15 and resume at 5:30)
-Encourage students to write a letter of gratitude to someone - bonus if they read it to them or send it to them somehow
-Write on a colored slip of construction paper (in your mail box), one person or activity they are grateful for.  Each Homeroom should make a chain and turn it into the office so we can make a bigger chain to display around the school.

Grades
Just a reminder that student progress grades in each standard should be posted and updated at least weekly in Infinite Campus.  We should also be reporting out on at least 2 Puma Pride standards for each class.  

January Professional Development Day
On Monday, January 20th, we'll get the opportunity for professional development.  A more detailed schedule will be released soon, but we'll plan to meet as a district in the morning and then we'll meet as a Middle School team.  In the afternoon, we have some work sessions planned from 1:00 - 3:00.  As we meet in BW meetings in the next two weeks, we'll talk about your specific plan during this time.  

Initial Middle School Play Date is Set
Our Middle School Play performance date has been set.  Our school and community performance will be on Thursday, May 21st.  Mrs. Crawford will be directing the Play for us this year!!

Make it a Great Week!!  Be on the look-out for opportunities to lift someone else up.


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The Middle Update 1/5/20

2020 is here, and I really enjoyed easing back into the second half of our school year with our two days of school last week.  With two weeks left in the 2nd quarter, there is a lot happening that sure make January seem to go by quickly.  I enjoyed seeing everyone back and hearing about relaxing/enjoyable holiday breaks by all.  As each day passes, we get closer to some big changes in our district.  The process of opening a new building and converting our building to a 5-8 is exciting, but there is always a level of stress associated with change.  Once March rolls around, things around the district will be starting to change.  Construction around our campus will require us all to have some flexibility and creativity in some areas.  It truly is an exciting time for the entire Poynette community.

Resource of the Week
Our resource this week comes from Dr. Matthew Arau.  He is a professor of Music at Lawrence University.  While his message relates connection to music class, as I read it, I think the connections work for all classes.  We'll get the opportunity to hear from Dr. Arau when he visits us in later February.


End of Quarter 2 Details
The last day of Quarter 2 is on Friday, January 17th.  Grades will be due by the morning of Thursday, January 23rd, and we'll review report cards with students in Homeroom on Friday, January 24th.  We will then have our End of Quarter Assembly on the afternoon of Friday, January 31st.  Mrs. Andringa and I met to start planning some of the events for the Assembly, and we are always welcome to new ideas and perspectives and what could be activities/contests/events that could be entertaining for the kids.  Let either of us know if you have some thoughts on this.

Homeroom Plan This Week
Gratitude Theme!  Here is our plan for the week.  The slide deck can be found HERE.

-Show the video (in slide deck) sometime this week (T,W, or R) (IMPORTANT! Pause at 5:15 and resume at 5:30)
-Encourage students to write a letter of gratitude to someone - bonus if they read it to them or send it to them somehow
-Write on a colored slip of construction paper (in your mail box), one person or activity they are grateful for.  Each Homeroom should make a chain and turn it into the office so we can make a bigger chain to display around the school.

Grades
Just a reminder that student progress grades in each standard should be posted and updated at least weekly in Infinite Campus.  We should also be reporting out on at least 2 Puma Pride standards for each class.  

January Professional Development Day
On Monday, January 20th, we'll get the opportunity for professional development.  A more detailed schedule will be released soon, but we'll plan to meet as a district in the morning and then we'll meet as a Middle School team.  In the afternoon, we have some work sessions planned from 1:00 - 3:00.  As we meet in BW meetings in the next two weeks, we'll talk about your specific plan during this time.  

Initial Middle School Play Date is Set
Our Middle School Play performance date has been set.  Our school and community performance will be on Thursday, May 21st.  Mrs. Crawford will be directing the Play for us this year!!

Make it a Great Week!!  Be on the look-out for opportunities to lift someone else up.