Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Weekly Spartan Blog, January 2-4, 2013

Spartan Pledge

Supporting our school community core values.

Happy New Year!  It is time for the New Year's Resolutions to take root.  I am going to be a better parent; spend more time with my kids.  I am going to commit to being healthy.  In other words I am going to jump on the exercise wagon.  And finally, I am going to re-commit to serving the students, parents and staff at Spearfish Middle School at the highest level.  I hope you take time to reflect on the year, 2012 and spring forward with great intentions and a strong plan for success in 2013.

2012 ended with all of us thinking about school safety and the importance of relationships.   Relationships at school, in the neighborhood and in the community at large.  We must commit to supporting each other to maintain a healthy and thriving community.  At Spearfish Middle School we are like other schools in our district and schools across the country.  We have procedures in place to minimize risk.  We practice the drills, remain visible and reflect, evaluate and make adjustments on a continuous basis.  The most important thing we do everyday is make every attempt to know our kids.  We build relationships that support a positive, safe and healthy community.  In review of procedures,the following adjustments have been made and will be effective immediately:

  1. All parents, guest speakers, etc... visiting our school and classrooms must check in at the office and have a visitor sticker visible. All staff will have a keen awareness of adults in the building as visitors and approach those without a visitor sticker.
  2. The bus door will be locked at 8:15 a.m. (It had been open until 8:30 a.m.)
  3. The front door will not be open until 7:30 a.m. (It had been unlocked at 7:00 a.m.)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at sbaier@spearfish.k12.sd.us or 717-1215.

This Week at SMS: 

 No School:  December 3, 2012 and January 1, 2013


Early Release, 2:00 p.m, Wednesday, Jan. 2nd
Agenda:
A.     Common Core Draft Implementation Plan  Review
B.      Team Time (SMART Goal Implementation)

3)     Faculty Meeting, 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3rd in the SMS Library
Agenda:
A.     Pyramid of Intervention  (Spartan Learning Lab)
B.      Parent-Teacher Conferences

4)     Midterm grades are due, Deadline is 3:30 p.m. on January 3rd



Things to Come:

  •  Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, January 9 from 3:45-7:00 p.m. at Spearfish Middle School.  We look forward to seeing and working with you to support your child's learning needs.
  • Parents and Partners is scheduled for Monday, January 14th from 6-7 p.m. in the SMS library.  The main topic of discussion will the transition to the Common Core Standards.  What does it mean for your child?   
  • School Board Recognition Week is scheduled for January 14-18, 2013.  I encourage you to take a moment to express your appreciation for their leadership.  They provide guidance and leadership for our most precious resource, our children.
  • Professional Development Day, No School on Monday, January 21st.  The time is valuable for teachers as we continue to take steps in the transition to the Common Core Curriculum.  
Upcoming School Events:




Jan. 8                                     Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in SMS conf. rm.
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. 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. 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
Feb. 1                                    District Technology Requests Deadline


                                           “Why not.” Is a slogan for an interesting life.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                      -Mason Cooley




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