Weekly Spartan Blog: April 29-May 3, 2013

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

It has been a couple weeks since I have updated my blog post.   I have been busy conducting interviews for new teachers for next year.  We are excited about the possibilities that come with new ideas and fresh perspective.  However, we certainly will miss the years of expertise and service of those that are stepping away to take on new challenges. 

Spring is finally here!  The track team is eager to get out there and enjoy the spring time competition.  The D-Step testing is behind us and the final days of school are in your view.  Please encourage your child to finish strong.  There is much to be learned in the final weeks of the school year. 

You will be hearing from us soon!  We are looking for volunteers to donate food items and time for the end of the year celebration.  On the last day of school we will be hosting a "Survivor Day" themed lunch and outdoor activities.   We'll keep you posted!

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

April 29-May 3, 2013

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

1)     Late Start, Monday, April 29th -All Staff,  Professional Development Activity:  8-10 a.m. in the SMS Library

-Students start school at 10:15 a.m.

Note:  Please bring handouts and notes from the Feb. 15^th Grading & Homework Early Release Day. (Best practice grading and homework packets & ppt.)

2)     Talent Show Dress Rehearsal, Mon, April 29, 3:30pm – 5:30pm, SHS Auditorium

3)     CC ELA Meeting, Tuesday, April 30^th at 3:25 p.m. in the SMS Library

4)     Spring Spartan Shenanigans Talent Show, Tue, April 30, 7pm – 8pm, SHS Auditorium

5)     SMS Track & Field, Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013, RC (Sioux Park) West River Invitational                                     Bus leaves at 6 am

6)     Team Leader Meeting, Wednesday, May 1^st,  7:30 a.m. in Office Conference Room

-Email Agenda Items to Mr. Baier by Tuesday

7)     CC Math Meeting, Wednesday, May 1^st at 3:25 p.m. in the SMS Library

8)     Staff Meeting, Thursday, May 2,  7:30 a.m. in SMS Library

9)     SciGirls, May 2, 3:30-4:30 in Ms. Opbroek’s room

10) All School Dance, Friday, May 3, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

11)  Supervision Duty:   Hemminger, Woodard, Potter, Opbroek

12)  Lounge Duty:  Knittle, Farley, Syman, Vette, Engesser

13)  Looking for Advisor/Advisee Writing Team members: We need 9 teachers to be part of the.  With nine people, each person can write the curriculum for one month. 

Current Team members (as of 4/26/13):   LeAnn Vette, Becky Sukstorf, Kathy Wolff, Paula Farley, Kate Axlund, Ellie Cooch, Michelle Opbroek.

If you are interested, please let me know ASAP.   It is very important that each grade level is represented. 

See Coming Events Below:

Upcoming Activities: May 6                          Parents as Partners Mtg., 6-7 p.m. in the SMS Library May 8                          BLT meeting, 3:20-4:30 p.m. in the SMS Library May 8                          Large Group Contest, Sturgis May 10                                    6th grade balloon launch, 8:30 a.m. May 13                                    7th and 8th Final Band Concert, 7-9 p.m. in the HS Auditorium May 14                                    Staff vs. 8th Grade Basketball Game, 4-5 pm. in SMS Gym (Tentative Date) May 16                                    Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in Office Conference Room May 16                                    7th and 8th Final Choir Concer, Thu, May 16, 7pm – 9pm in the HS Aud. May 21                                    6th grade fishing derby, wildlife presentations, and cook-out -- Iron Creek Lake May 23                                    End of 3rd Trimester - Last Day for Students, Thu, May 23, 1pm release June 3                          Summer School begins, 8- a.m. – noon  (June 3rd through June 25th.)

               

There is as much risk in doing nothing as in doing something.

-Trammel Crow

Weekly Spartan Blog, April 15-19, 2013

Test. April 15-19

Weekly Spartan Blog, April 8-12, 2013

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

We know the end of the school year is near when we reach the time for D-STEP state testing.  Grade levels have created test schedules that are unique to their hallway.  Sixth and seventh grade test in the areas of reading and math.  Eighth grade tests in the areas of reading, math and science.  Testing will primarily take place April 9, 10, & 11.  Make up tests are schedule for Friday through the following Tuesday.  Please make every effort to have your child in attendance.  The best testing environment is with classroom teachers in the classroom setting.

Our school accountability measures include academic proficiency and growth.  Student performance on the D-STEP is used to calculate our overall school performance.  Please ensure your child is well rested and ready to do their best on this very important assessment.  Preparation for this assessment happens everyday in the curriculum and instructional activities planned by classroom teachers.  Teachers are preparing a morning snack for students as well.  

The inaugural Spearfish Middle School Drama Performance will take place Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9th at the Mathews Opera House from 7-8 p.m.  Our student actors have been working hard in preparation for this much anticipated activity.

Be sure to continue the important dialog with your child about "finishing strong."  We have a tendency to coast to the finish when the end is near.  The learning that takes place in the last six weeks of the school year is as important as the first weeks of the year.  I have seen tremendous growth in our students over the course of the year.  We're almost ready to make the transition to high school for eighth grade and to the next grade level for our sixth and seventh grade students.

Enjoy Spring!

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

April 8-12, 2013

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

1)     April School Board Meeting, Monday, April 8^th at 5:30 p.m.  (SMS will be providing board report on PLC’s).

2)                Drama Performance, April 8 & 9, 7pm – 8pm at the Mathews Opera House

3)     D-STEP Assessment, grades 6-8, April 9-11.  Make up tests will be arranged to place April 12, 15 & 16

4)     Election Day, Tuesday, April 9

- Provide your conference schedule to the office if you haven’t already done so.

5)     P/T Conferences by invitation only (These are not drop in conferences), 3:45-7:00 p.m.

6)     Track and Field @ Home, Friday, April 12 at 9:00 a.m.

Upcoming Activities: April 15                                  Parents as Partners Meeting, SMS Library, 6-7 p.m. April 24                                  Building Leadership Team Mtg., 3:25 -4:30 p.m. April 25                                  Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in Office Conference Room April 29                                  10:15 a.m. Late Start May 2                                    Staff Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in SMS Library May 2                                    SciGirls, 3:30-4:30 in Ms. Opbroek’s room May 3                                    All School Dance 6:30-9:00 p.m. May 6                                    Parents as Partners Mtg., 6-7 p.m. in the SMS Library May 8                                    BLT meeting, 3:20-4:30 p.m. in the SMS Library May 10                                  6th grade balloon launch, 8:30 a.m. May 13                                  7th and 8th Final Band Concert, 7-9 p.m. in the HS Auditorium May 14                                  Staff vs. 8th Grade Basketball Game, 4-5 pm. in SMS Gym (Tentative Date) May 16                                  Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in Office Conference Room May 16                                  7th and 8th Final Choir Concer, Thu, May 16, 7pm – 9pm in the HS Aud. May 21                                  6th grade fishing derby, wildlife presentations, and cook-out -- Iron Creek Lake May 23                                  End of 3rd Trimester - Last Day for Students, Thu, May 23, 1pm release June 3                                    Summer School begins, 8- a.m. – noon  (June 3rd through June 25th.)

See Upcoming Activities Below:

They can because they think they can.

                                                   -Virgil

Weekly Spartan Blog, April 1-5, 2013

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

I hope you all enjoyed time with family the past few days.  It is feeling more like spring everyday!  As we return for the final 8 weeks of the school year, I encourage all of us to reflect on progress to date.  Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow.  The "Who am I?" assembly held in February should serve as a daily reminder for our students and staff.  All students were asked to answer the question; what are your goals, dreams, challenges and ultimately your level commitment to yourself and others?  Answering the question with full commitment on a daily basis is where the challenge lies.  Encourage your child to take the time periodically to evaluate progress and make the adjustments that will result in excellence.

We are scheduled to meet on April 15th for the Parents as Partners Meeting.  We will evaluate our current plan for parent involvement and review possible needs assessment tools to help us plan for the  future.  Additionally, we will share information related to our new advisor/advisee program at SMS.  We plan to implement it for next school year.  The purpose of an advisor/advisee program is to:
• Promote opportunities for social development.
• Assist students with academic monitoring and goal setting.
• Facilitate positive involvement between and among teachers and administrators and students.
• Provide an adult advocate for each student in the school.
• Promote positive school climate.

Be sure to visit with your child about the upcoming D-STEP state assessment.  Discuss the importance of students' doing their best.  Remind students that preparation for this test in daily participation in learning activities in their classrooms.  This is no reason to be anxious.  The test is simply a reflection of their learning.   The assessment will take place the week of April 8-12, 2013.  All students will be required to participate.

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

April 1-5, 2013

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

                       

1)     No School,  Monday, April 1st

2)     2 p.m. Early Release, Wednesday, April 3^rd

A.    SMART Goals, Teams, 2:10-2:55 p.m.  (meet in grade level halls)

B.    FLEX Time Planning, 3:00-3:30 p.m. (SMS Library)

3)     Staff Meeting, Thursday, April 4, 7:30 a.m. in the SMS Library

A.     Advisor/Advisee Summer Writing Team (team member and parameters)

Note:  If you are interested, please consider joining team)

Teachers who have expressed interest to date (need six):  Kathy Wolff, Paula Farley,

B. FLEX Time Follow-up

C. D-Step Check-in

4)     SciGirls, Thursday, April 4^th, 3:30-4:30 in Ms. Opbroek’s rm.          

7)     D-STEP Team Meetings,  Ms. Bell will be meeting with teams this week to review testing parameters and expectations.

April 8-12 D-STEP Assessment, grades 6-8 in Reading and Math

Upcoming Activities: April 8-12                              D-STEP Assessment, grades 6-8 in Reading and Math April 8                                    School Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. April 8 & 9                            Drama Performance, 7pm – 8pm at the Mathews Opera House April 9                                    Building Leadership Team Mtg., 3:25 -4:30 p.m. (CANCELLED) April 9                                    District Common Core Planning Team, 3:45 p.m. at the D.O. April 9                                    Election Day April 10                                SMS P/T Conferences in classrooms, 3:45-7:00 p.m. (by invitation) April 12                                  Track and Field @ Home, 9:00 a.m. April 15                                  Parents as Partners Meeting, SMS Library, 6-7 p.m. April 24                                  Building Leadership Team Mtg., 3:25 -4:30 p.m. April 25                                  Staff Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in SMS Library April 29                                  10:15 a.m. Late Start May 3                                    All School Dance 6:30-9:00 p.m. May 10                                  6th grade balloon launch May 21                                  6th grade fishing derby, wildlife presentations, and cook-out -- Iron Creek Lake

Progress comes from caring more about what needs to be done that about who gets the credit.

-Dorothy Height