Friday, January 4, 2013

Spartan Blog, Week of January 7-11, 2013


Spartan PRIDE
Supporting our school community core values.

From previous correspondence, you know we have developed the Spartan Learning Lab structure to establish a high level of accountability for student learning.  For example, giving a student a zero failing to turn in an important learning activity is really excusing the learning.  Often times the end result in this scenario is gaps in student learning.  This has been and will continue to be a culture shift and learning experience for our students, parents and staff.  We continue to evaluate process and expectations to ensure success for all students.  Our school has further developed the Spartan Learning Lab to include Early Release and Saturday School. I have included the plan for your review below:  


Have it, Believe it, Live it. 
Spartan Learning Lab
Our fundamental purpose is student learning.  In support of our purpose, the Spartan Learning Lab (SLL) has been developed to provide the time for students to complete class work deficiencies and to gain understanding of necessary concepts required for mastery of content.  A deficiency might include, but not limited to, incomplete or failed homework assignments, projects or any assigned task important to the learning process.  SLL will be available before school (AM), after school (PM), during lunch time and on designated Early Release Days and Saturdays.  The levels of support included in the SLL structure are outlined below:
System of Extra Time and Support

(Optional)
Level 1:  Classroom Teacher:  class time, before and after school (This is an expectation of all students and staff).

(Optional)
Level 2:  Spartan Learning Lab AM/PM:  before school 7:56-8:10 a.m. M-F and after school from 3:20 – 4:15 p.m. M-TH in the teacher’s classroom or the Alternative Learning Center.  *When a student has habitual deficiencies all Spartan Learning Labs are required.

(Required)
Level 3:  Spartan Learning Lab Lunch Time:   (6th grade lunch 12:19 – 12:49 p.m. 7th grade lunch, 11:33 a.m. – 12:03 p.m. and 8th grade lunch, 12:51-1:21 p.m.) 

(Required)
Level 4:  Spartan Learning Lab, After School:  from 3:20 – 4:15 p.m. M-F in the teacher’s classroom or the Alternative Learning & Attendance Center.   Student will assigned to SLL, PM based on habitual deficiencies following participation in the previous levels of SLL. 

(Required)*
Level 5: SLL, Early Release and/or Saturday School:  Students will be assigned by classroom teachers, in consultation with administrative team, to SLL Early Release or Saturday School based on habitual deficiencies following participation in the previous levels of SLL.  

*Early Release and Saturday School interventions are only for students who have habitual deficiencies after participation in levels 1-4.

Note:  If students willfully refuse to engage in SLL in a meaningful way, we will respond with a required meeting involving the student, parent(s), teaching team, guidance and administration.
 
Early Release & Saturday School Referral Process*:  
  •       Submit names of eligible students to Mr. O’Dea three days prior to the scheduled date.
  •       Notify students who are expected to attend.
  •       Compile materials and expected outcomes for student(s) attending the session and turn in t   to Mr. O’Dea.
*If students complete the outstanding deficiencies prior to the scheduled Saturday School or Early Release, they will not be required to attend. 

*When students complete their deficiencies, they will be excused with parental consent.

Early Release SLL:  2:05-4:15 p.m. in the ALAC room or other designated classroom.  The Early Release SLL will be facilitated by designated Educational Assistants.
·         February 6
·         March 6
·         April 3
·         May 1

*Early Release SLL will occur on the designated dates based on student need.

Saturday School SSL:  8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the library or other designated classroom.  Saturday School will be facilitated by one or more classroom teachers. 
       January 19
·         February 2
·         March 2
·         March 16
·         April 6
·         April 20
·         May 11
*Saturday School SLL will occur on the designated dates based on student need.

Academic success is an expectation at Spearfish Middle School.

Faculty Expectations:
  1.   Hold students accountable to high academic standards  
  2.   Communicate with parents by phone and/or email  to inform them regarding  their child’s academic progress
      Student Expectations
  1.  Commit to high academic standards established at Spearfish Middle School    
  2.   Engage in the appropriate level of support necessary to attain good academic standing and high levels of learning.
Parent Expectations:
  1.   Do whatever it takes to help your child learn and succeed.
  2.   Make yourself available to your student, the school and teachers to meet and/or communicate about the academic progress of my child.
This Week:

 Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
3:45-7:00 p.m.

Dear Parents/Guardians:
Parent-Teacher Conferences offers us a great opportunity to engage in important dialog about the progress of our students.  I have included a few things to think about and things you might do to prepare for a successful conference regarding your child’s progress.
Place:  Spearfish Middle School Classrooms.

Suggestion:  Limit your conferences to approximately 10-15 min
General Parent Questions
1. How is my child doing?                                                       4. What do you expect my child to achieve?
2. How do you evaluate the success of my child?                               5. Is my child keeping up with the class?
3. Where is my child headed academically?                            6. What must my child do to improve?

Other Possible Topics of Discussion at the Parent/Teacher Conference
      How we do school…                                                                    Questions regarding…..
Expectations for classroom behavior/participation                 - Academic progress (challenges & successes)
Methods of grading and testing                                             -Ability to follow directions
Policies regarding homework                                                 -Listening skills and work habits
Options for support offered at our school                              -Ideas of how parents can help
Use of planner for organization                                              -Citizenship, attitude and effort
Use planner  for organization                                                  -Evaluation system used
                                                                                                -Available school &community services
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming Activities:
Jan. 14                                   Parents as Partners Mtg.  6-7 p.m. in SMS Library
Jan. 14-18                             School Board Recognition Week
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. 22                                   CC 6-8 Math Meeting, SMS Library, 3:20 p.m.
Jan. 24                                   6th grade Band & Choir Concert, 7 p.m.
Jan.  23                                  Common Core Training: Rapid City, Best Western Ramkota
Jan. 28                                   CC 6-8 ELA Meeting, SMS Library, 3:20 p.m.
Jan. 29                                   Scheduling Meeting, SMS Conf. rm.
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
Jan. 31                                   7th Grade Field Trip, Rapid City
Feb. 1                                    Science Fair, BHSU
Feb. 1                                    Capital Outlay Request Deadline
Feb. 1                                    District Technology Requests Deadline
Feb. 4                                    Parents as Partners Meeting, 6-7 p.m. in SMS Library
Feb. 6                                    8th Grade NAEP Test
Feb. 6                                    PD 2 p.m. Early Release
Feb. 7                                    Faculty Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in SMS Library
                                               


It is good to have an end to journey towards – but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
                                                                                                                                                -Ursula K. Leguin






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