Weekly Spartan Blog: October 7-11, 2013

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

Welcome to Fall!  My Minnesota friends are getting the first laugh of the season.  I have never seen so much snow!  As a result of the blast of winter, we have many cancellations.  I have included those I am aware of in the bulletin below.  

This week marks the midterm of 1st trimester.  Be sure to check on your child's grades via the Infinite Campus Portal.  Additionally, I will be mailing reports later this week to parents who's child is at risk of failing.  We want to engage our students in our intervention and support system to ensure they are meeting our learning expectations.  Please don't hesitate to send an email or call us if you have any concerns about your child's school performance.  We've had an excellent first 6 weeks of school, but we want to be sure all students stay focused on their learning.

The first three week FLEX time enrichment and support block begins this week.  8th grade band and choir student will continue in the respective band/choir class at this time.  Other students either signed up for an enrichment class or have been assigned to get extra time and support in math during enrichment block 1.  There will be five additional blocks for students throughout the year.

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

October 7-11, 2013

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

1)      Cancellations: 

-No School, Monday, October 7^th due to SNOW!

-6th Gr. Mammoth Site Field Trip, Southern Hills Mammoth

-Parents and Partners Meeting,  Monday, October 7th cancelled.  (Next Meeting will be Monday, November 4th at 5:30 p.m.)

2)      Team Leader Meeting, October 8, 7:30 a.m. in the SMS Library Computer Lab.  

3)      FLEX Enrichment Block begins October 8^th:  FLEX Time Schedules are located in teacher mailboxes.  Additionally, all course lists are posted on the display windows near the entrance of each grade level hall.    

4)     AdvancED Surveys to begin:  The survey links will be posted on Tuesday, October 8^th (Original plan was October 7^th).  Deadline for completion is November 8^th.

-Parent Survey:  A link will be placed on the SMS website,

5)     Office Remodel Project Continues:  Contractors are making good progress.  Students accessing the band and choir rooms may encounter construction in the hall connecting the commons to the music area.  A rug will be placed over the area to allow continued access.  The main doors to the west will be off limits until further notice.  All visitors will enter through the north commons doors.

6)     Communicate alignment of lesson plans to the curriculum standards on your teacher web pages.  -This is tied to the K12 accreditation process.

7)     8th Grade GPS/Ropes, Wednesday, Oct 9, 2013 at BHSU Ropes Course & City Park

8)     1^st Trimester Midterm, Thursday, October 9^th.  We will be mailing midterms from the office to the following students:  1) Those who don’t have access to technology at home.  2)  Students who are at risk of failing.  (Any student with a D and/or F will receive a mailed midterm.   A solutions conference may be an appropriate next step.

9)     Faculty Meeting,  Thursday, October 10^th, 7:30 a.m. in the library (moved due to homecoming week)

Agenda:  Infinite Campus Update and  PBIS Update

10) Teacher and Classified Growth Plans: I have extended the deadline to Thursday, October 31^st.

-Submit your plans to Mr. Baier for review and signature.

11) Bus Supervision Duty:  Aberle, Woodard, Lamb, Opbroek

      Note:  Two staff to the east side of school and two staff to the west side bus area.

12) Lounge Duty:  Moore, Cooch, Baurely, Sukstorf, Haggerty

Upcoming Activities: October 16                   Parent/Teacher Conferences at Middle School, 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm October 16                   Student Birthday Celebration during lunches for Oct. b-days. October 21                   Winter Parents Meeting, 7pm – 8 pm, in  the SMS Gym for Wrestling and GBB October 24                   7/8 Halloween Dance, 7pm – 9pm in the Multipurpose Room at SMS October 25                   NO School November 5                 Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. Library Computer Lab   November 6                 1 PM Early Release, Professional Development Time November 7                 Monthly Faculty Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the SMS Library November 11               Veteran’s Day, No School. Teacher professional development day November 20               End of the 1st Trimester

Brain Rule #5:  Repeat to remember.

                                     - John Medina