Weekly Spartan Blog: December 17-21, 2012

Spartan Pledge

Supporting our school community core values.

In the wake of the horrific tragedy in Newton Town, Connecticut this past Friday, we morn for the families and the community.  It was an unthinkable act that leaves us all to wonder why this would happen to our precious children.  On behalf of the Spearfish Middle School Community, I offer our condolences to the families and the community for their loss.  May God grant them the strength to support each other, the courage to stand strong in the face of tragedy and peace in their heart during this difficult time.



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Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

December 17-21, 2012

“Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world.”

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

  

1)    7^th Grade DARE Graduation, Monday, December 17 at 2:30 p.m. in HS aud.

2)    Parent/Student meeting for Drama, Dance and Boys’ Basketball, Monday, Dec. 17 @ 6 p.m. in SMS gym.

3)    Team Leader Meeting, Thursday, December 20^th, 7:30 a.m. in conf. rm.

-Please send agenda items to me by Wednesday.

4)    1 p.m. Early Release, Friday, December 21^st Holiday Break

5)    Bus Supervision Duty:   Mallory, Bartels, Wolff, Thompson, Peters

6)    Reminder to consider application for a Spearfish Foundation Grant.  Go to: http://www.spearfishschools.org/ for more details.

7)    Holiday Break , December 24-January 1^st

Looking Ahead to the 1st week in January                                                                             -School resumes, January 2nd                                                            -2 p.m. Early Release for Professional Development  -Staff Meeting, January 3rd, 7:30 a.m. in SMS Library                                                                                                                                  Upcoming Activity: Jan. 9                             Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:45-7:00 p.m. Jan. 10 & 23                  Common Core Training:  Social Studies/History, Art,                                            Music & World Language Training Dates:                                           Rapid City, Best Western Ramkota Jan. 11                          6th grade Dance, 3:45-5:45 p.m. Jan. 14                          Parents as Partners Mtg.  6-7 p.m. in SMS Library Jan. 16                          Building Leadership Team Mtg., 3:15-4:30 p.m. in the                                       Library Jan. 21                          No School, Professional Day for Staff, SMS Library Jan. 24                          6th grade Band & Choir Concert, 7 p.m.                                 Jan. 30                          Building Leadership Team, 3:15-4:30 p.m., SMS Library Jan. 31                          Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in Conf. rm Feb. 1                          Capital Outlay Request Deadline Feb. 1                          District Technology requests due by Feb. 1st.

It’s not the amount of time you devote, but what you devote to the time that counts.                                                                                              -Edge Keynote

Weekly Spartan Blog, December 10-14, 2012

Spartan Pledge

Supporting our school community core values.

We are quickly approaching the holiday break.  This is an important time of the year for our students to reflect and recognize the importance of giving and sharing with those in need.  Many of your teaching teams create authentic conditions for students to give to those is need.  Whether it is taking a field trip to the store to buy gifts for needy children or the Jazz Band playing at a near buy retirement center, helping our young people to see the importance of giving of their time, talents and resources is a value community lesson.  

Activities This Week:
There are two activities this week that our students and staff are looking forward to.  First, the 7th and 8th grade band concert is schedule for 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium on Monday, December 10th.  To end the week, we are hosting a 7th and 8th grade dance from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, December 14th in the Middle School Commons.

Coming Soon!  Parents as Partners Presentation/Discussion:  "Common Core, What is it and Mean For My Child?"
On Monday, January 14th, we will have a presentation and discussion focused on the Common Core Implementation.  Common Core is a national movement support by all South Dakota Schools to increase the rigor and relevance of curriculum in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics.  Additionally, there are literacy curriculum standards included in all curriculum areas.  We will discuss the impact for our students, teachers and the implementation plan and the changing assessment model.   The Parents as Partners Meeting will take place from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, January 14th in the Middle School Library.

Check out Links Located in the Spartan Blog:
I have included links that may be of interest to you on the right-hand side of this blog.  Simply click the link and it will take you to the website of interest.  If you have other educational sites to share, please let me know and I will post it.  


Comments:
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Spearfish Middle School Weekly Faculty Bulletin December 10-14, 2012 “Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world.” • Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence      1)      7th & 8th Grade Band Concert, Monday, December 10th  7-8 p.m. in HS Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 2)      School Board Meeting, Monday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m. -SMS Council will present.  The topic School Community through Spartan PRIDE 3)      District Technology Mtg., December 11 at 3:45 p.m.in HS DDN rm. 4)      Building Leadership Team Mtg. December 12, 3:15-4:30 p.m. 5)      7th & 8th Grade Dance, SMS Commons, December 14, 4-6 p.m. 6)      Bus Supervision Duty:   Holben, Huxtable, Jeffery, Capp 8)      Reminder to consider application for a Spearfish Foundation Grant.  Go to: http://www.spearfishschools.org/ for more details. Upcoming Activities: Dec. 20                       Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in conf. rm. Dec. 21                       1 p.m. Early Release, Christmas/Holiday Break Dec. 24-Jan. 1            Christmas/Holiday Break Jan. 2                           School resumes    (2 p.m. Early Release)            Jan. 3                           Staff Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in SMS Library Jan. 9                            Parent/Teacher Conferences Jan. 10 & 23                 Common Core Training:  Social Studies/History,                                        Art, Music & World Language Training Dates:                                           Rapid City, Best Western Ramkota Jan. 14                         Parents as Partners Mtg.  6-7 p.m. in SMS Library Jan. 16                         Building Leadership Team Mtg., 3:15-4:30 p.m.                                         in SMS Library Jan. 21                         No School, Professional Day for Staff, SMS                                       Library Jan. 24                         6th grade Band & Choir Concert, 7 p.m. Jan. 10 & 23                 Common Core Training:  Science & Technical                                        Subjects Training Dates:  Rapid City, Best                                              Western Ramkota Jan. 30                         Building Leadership Team, 3:15-4:30 p.m., SMS                                        Library Jan. 31                         Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in Conf. rm Feb. 1                          Capital Outlay Request Deadline   We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems.                                                                                                                                      -John W. Gardner

Weekly Spartan Blog, December 3-7 2012

Spartan Pledge

Supporting our school community core values.

Spearfish Middle School is committed to partnering with parents to link families to the their school and their child's learning.  The research is really clear and the correlation between in involvement and achievement is strong.  So how do we get families connected in meaningful ways?  I believe it begins with open communication and platform for continued dialog.  The Parents and Partners monthly meeting is way to open up dialog.  It is not however, the only answer to engaging parents.  I am hopeful that we are able to develop healthy opportunities for parents as a result of increased dialog through Parents as Partners.   There are many ways parents are already contributing and partnering in our school.  One very important role parents have played is serving as chaperones and parent drivers for field trips.  This is an incredible service that allows teachers to engage students in learning beyond the four walls of the classroom.  I am hopeful that we can find ways for parents and teachers to partner in the classroom as well.  Examples might include:  guest speaker, tutoring in our Learning Center, assisting in the classroom, and helping with special projects like science fair.   We will continue to be guided by the work of the Parents and Partners group.   The meeting on Monday night includes the following activities:

• What do I want to be when I grow up?  A 20-30 minute presentation by middle school and high school counselors.  They will discuss and share some activities and tools we are using with students to get them thinking and planning for high school and post-secondary options. 

• "Spartan Table Talk" 20 minutes of topical discussion related to adolescents, middle school years and parenting in the middle years.  ( We are prepared to discuss technology, school safety & discipline, SMS as a professional learning community or other topics parents would like to discuss. 

I have included the 16 characteristics of effective middle schools.  The Association for Middle Level Education is an excellent research-based organization that supports middle level educators and parents.  I hope to see you on Monday night!

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Bulletin

December 3-7, 2012

“Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world.”

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

1)      SMART Board Training:  Monday, December 3^rd, AM & PM sessions for pre-registered staff.  Be sure to verify sub arrangements with Mariah.  The training will take place in the Library.

2)      Parents and Partners Meeting, Monday December 3^rd, 6-7 p.m. in the SMS Library

-Please send grade level rep.  (The meeting end a few minute early for the Choir concert)

3)      Choir Concert, Monday, December 3^rd, 7-8 p.m. in HS Auditorium

4)      NWEA mtg w/ Consultant:  Tuesday, Dec. 4^th in the office conference room at 8 a.m. (Designated staff will attend).

5)      Professional Development 2 p.m. Early Release:  Wednesday, December 5^th in the HS Auditorium.  Presentation begins at 2:10 p.m.  Topic:   Danielson Evaluation Framework

6)      December Faculty Meeting:  Thursday, December 6^th, 7:30-8:00 a.m. in the SMS Library

Upcoming Activities: Dec. 10                       7th and 8th gr. Band Concert, 7:30-9:30 p.m. in                                     SHS Auditorium Dec. 11                       District Technology Mtg., 3:45 p.m.in HS DDN                                         rm. Dec. 12                       Building Leadership Team Mtg. 3:15-4:30 p.m. Dec. 14                       7th Grade Dance, SMS Commons, 4-6 p.m. Dec. 20                       Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in conf. rm. Dec. 21                       1 p.m. Early Release, Christmas/Holiday Break Dec. 24-Jan. 1             Christmas/Holiday Break Jan. 2                           School resumes

 Faith and doubt are both needed, not as antagonists but working side by side

 to take us around the unknown curve.

                                                                                                                                      -Lillian Smith

Make it a great week,
Shane Baier