Spartan PRIDE
Supporting our school community core values.
Every Student Learning Everyday
I am proud of our students for their efforts early in the school year. Teachers have establish clear expectations for learning in their classrooms and students have responded. There will be times, however, when students need additional time and support. The Spartan Learning Lab is the structure that will support students. A teacher may assign or students can make the decision for themselves to get extra help before school, after school, and during lunch time. Additionally, FLEX time can and will be utilized to support student learning needs. Students with habitual/chronic late work issues may also be assigned to stay for help on our 1 p.m. early release dates and/or designated Saturday school. Student learning is our purpose. We desire to see every student learning everyday. To accomplish this it will require a team effort among students, teachers, parents and administration.
Parents as Partners
The first Parents as Partners meeting was held last Monday night. The minutes were shared through an email message. If you did not receive a copy of the minutes, please stop or give me a call. We had a great discussion about the back to school open house, 6-8 transition, the new schedule and the inverse power of praise. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting scheduled for Monday, October 7th at 5:30 p.m. in the SMS Library. Note the time change to 5:30 p.m. The primary topic at the next meeting: The purpose of homework and the role parents can play.
Spartan Learning Lab, (system of support)
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,
during flex time, and on designated early release days and Saturdays. The levels of support included in the SLL
structure are outlined below:
Level
1: Classroom
Teacher: class time, before and
after school (Expected of all students and staff).
Level
2: Optional Spartan Learning Lab AM/PM:
before school 7:56-8:10 a.m. M-F in the
teacher’s classroom and after
school from 3:20 – 4:00 in the teacher’s classroom or the ALAC room.
*When a student has habitual deficiencies all
Spartan Learning Labs are required.
Level
3: Lunch
SLL: (6th: 11:48-12:18, 7th:
10:59-11:29; 8th: 12:37-1:07) in the ALAC room. Students are to report to the ALAC room at
the beginning of their lunch period.
They will be excused to retrieve their lunch and will return to the ALAC
room. If students complete their missing
work satisfactorily prior to the end of their lunch period, they will be
dismissed.
Level
4: Afterschool
SLL: from 3:20 – 4:00 p.m. M-F in the teacher’s classroom or the ALAC
room. Student will assigned to
afterschool SLL, based on habitual
deficiencies following participation in the previous levels of SLL.
Level
5: FLEX
Time (SLL) –The primary purpose of flex time is teacher and/or student
initiated time to re-visit classroom specific learning outcomes to ensure
master of skills outlined in the curriculum.
Utilization of FLEX time for homework/assignment completion is an
appropriate intervention only after other levels of SLL have been attempted.
Level
6: Early Release and/or Saturday School
SLL*: 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.
Required)
*Early Release, Saturday School
are only for students who have continued deficiencies even after extensive use
of levels 1-5.
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 to develop a plan.
SMS Remodel Project Set to Begin
This letter is
written to inform you of the Spearfish Middle School pre-construction meeting
outcomes established on Wednesday, September 18, 2013. The pre-construction
meeting provided an opportunity for the school district staff to meet with
contractors and define expectations and timelines for the project. The following plans were made to support
successful completion of the project by January 2014:
·
Phase I of the project is
scheduled to begin on September 25th.
·
Construction staff parking will be
designated to the west side of the main office parking lot near the storage
shed.
·
A large trash bin will be located in the
southeast corner of the parking lot.
·
All construction staff will be required to
sign in/out and wear company shirts for ease of identification.
·
The work requiring demolition and
significant noise will take place during non-student contact time. We will make every effort to minimize the disruption
to our school day.
·
The main doors located on the west side of
the school will remain accessible throughout the first phase of the project.
·
The north doors leading into the commons
have been designated as the alternate access doors to the school when Phase II
of the project begins. (Please pay
attention to signage.)
Changes
completed by September 25th:
·
Ms. Doll-Dunn, Guidance Counselor, will be
relocated to the main office (formerly the principal’s office).
·
Ms. Potter, Guidance Counselor, will relocate
to an office in the main hall across from the library.
·
Mr. Baier, Principal, will relocate to an
office in the library.
·
Construction area designated with a
temporary plastic wall to minimize dust from keep others out of the area.
Project
will be completed in four phases:
1.
Phase I construction includes a complete
redesign of the former guidance office.
The space will be re-purposed as the main office. (Scheduled for completion six weeks from
start date.)
2.
Phase II construction includes a re-design
of the main entrance vestibule.
Scheduled for completion 2 weeks after the start date. (approximate start date is Nov. 15th)
3.
Phase III construction includes remodel of
the current main office area. Office
space will be re-purposed to include a testing room and two guidance offices.
Schedule for completion is 2 weeks from start day. (approximate start date is Dec. 1th)
4.
Phase IV construction includes redesign of
the space to include a conference room and supply closet in the current main
office area. Scheduled for completion 2 weeks from start date. (approximate start date is Dec. 20th)
We will strive to keep families informed
as this process unfolds and to minimize any disruptions to our primary purpose,
student learning. Once the project is
completed, we will have a more efficient, safer school. The physical structure and layout are
important parts of a safe school environment.
Additionally, we know the best way to create a safe school is to build a
caring, connected community of students, families, and teachers. Thank you for your support and patience
during the construction period. If you
have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 717-1215.
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Upcoming
Activities:
Sept.
30-Oct. 4: Homecoming Week (Includes modified
schedule for Friday)
October 2 1:00 p.m. Early Release
October 4 Homecoming assembly at
10:50 a.m. and Parade Release at 1:45 p.m.
October 8 Team Leader Meeting, 7:30
a.m. in the conference rm. (moved due to homecoming week)
October 7 1st Enrichment
Block Begins
October 7 6th Gr. Mammoth Site Field Trip,
Southern Hills Mammoth Site
October 10 Faculty Meeting, 7:30 a.m.
in the library (moved due to homecoming week)
October 16 Parent/Teacher Conferences
at Middle School, 3:45pm – 7:00pm
October 16 Student Birthday
Celebration during lunches for Oct. b-days.
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Brain Rule #4: “We don’t pay attention to boring things.” (Neither do kids) -Brain
Rules, John Medina
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