Weekly Spartan Blog: November 25-29, 2013

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

We celebrated the end of the 1st trimester today with an all-school assembly.  Today was a celebration of a successful 12 weeks of school.  As you know, the school theme for this year is “Run Your Own Race”  It is my hope that each and every student and staff member is happy with his/her effort and performance up to this point in the year.  The race is 1/3 of the way complete.  There is still time to adjust and refocus individual efforts for a strong middle portion of the race and ultimately a strong finish!  My feedback to students for the 1^st 12 weeks:
 

1. Emphasize respect in all interaction with peers and adults.  Treat others as you wish to be treated.  Bullying and disrespectful behavior towards others doesn’t meet our expectations. We have been good, but we strive for great!
2. Prepare to be and do your best every day.  What you do today matters the most. Prepare materials and our minds for the hard work ahead.  We've been good, but we strive for great!
3. Strive for excellence.  Have the courage to reach for high expectations and meet those with hard work and determination.  We've been good, but we strive for great!

The START Time Tug of War activity was a great time.  We crowned three grade level champions.  

-6th Grade, START Time Group Ms. Bartels

-7th Grade, START Time Group Mr. Stewart

-8th Grade, START Time Group, Mr. Haggerty

Happy Thanksgiving to all our students, staff and their families.  Enjoy the much deserved break!  I wish you safe travels. 

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

November 25-29, 2013

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence

Ideal Community:  How many of qualities of our ideal community did you see on display during our end of trimester celebration?  Thank you for preparing students for such an exciting event.  Fun must be part of the journey or many will check out and disengage.   Congratulations and thank you for going above and beyond to help our school help all students reach at high levels of success.  “All” means “all.”  This is no easy task!  That is why each of you plays such a critical role in our school community.  .        

1)     PRIDE Survey:  All students 6-8, Monday, November 25^th.  6-7 grade students report to 1^st period classroom at 8:15 p.m.  8^th grade students report to 3^rd period classroom at 8:15.  (See schedule)

2)     New Teacher Follow-up Breakfast Meeting:  Tuesday, November 26 at 7:30 a.m. in the library.

3)     No School, Thanksgiving Break - Wednesday, November 27- Friday, November 29, 2013

4)     FLEX Time Block 3 begins:   December 2^nd.  Schedules will be posted on the display window at near each grade level entrance on Tuesday, November 6 or Monday, December 2^nd.

5)     1st Trimester Grade Due:  Monday, November 25^th

6)     Office Remodel Project Continues:  Contractors are making good progress.  Taping and texturing is done!  Painting is scheduled to take place over the weekend.  All visitors will need to continue to enter through the north commons doors.

Upcoming Activities December 2     FLEX Block 3 Begins December 3                 Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the Library December 4                 1:00 p.m. Early Release December 5                 Monthly Faculty Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the SMS Library December 9                 SMS Board Report, 5:30 p.m. at the District Office December 9                 7th & 8th Grade Choir Concert, 7-8:30 a.m. in the HS Auditorium December 13               7th Grade Dance (Time TBD) December 14               Spartan Learning Lab Saturday School, 8-noon December 15               7th & 8th Grade Band Concert, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the HS Auditorium

 

Life’s most persistent question is:  What are you doing for others?

                                                                                       - Martin Luther King Jr.

Weekly Spartan Blog, November 18-22, 2013

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

The week of November 18-22, 2013 is a celebration of excellence in education with American Education Week.  Our educators work show tremendous dedication to support the learning our children.  Take a moment to send a thank you note to your child's teacher. 

We are also planning to raise awareness around the topic of bullying.  The theme for the national bully prevention week is "Stand Up!" It is our goal to see that bullying be eliminated from the experience of every child.  There are enough challenges in life without having to deal with disrespect and hurtful actions of a bully.  

We have an assembly schedule for Tuesday, November 19th title, "Listen for Life."  In general, the assembly will  promote the genres of music that are “under-represented” in global media platforms, and the undiscovered musicians of genius and inspiration who are eagerly seeking our help in sharing their gifts and their culture with the world. The Listen for Life group is sponsored by the Spearfish Foundation.

We will end our week with an end of trimester 1 celebration.  On Friday, November 22nd will plan to hold an assembly to celebrate being on time to class. Secondly, we will celebrate the results of meeting our food drive goal.  Mr. Baier and Mr. O'Dea will kiss a goat as a results of the students meeting their goal.  And lastly, the START Time groups will compete in a friendly Tug of War Competition. The goal of these activities is to building community and celebrate excellence. 

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

November 18-22, 2013

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

1)     American Education Week, November 18-22, 2013.  We are thankful for the dedication and sacrifice educators make to support young people.  Everyone in our school plays an important role in impacting the lives of the students we serve.  Let’s celebrate public education and reflect on the amazing contribution of our staff.  Our purpose of student learning.  I see amazing examples every day of the work each of you does to ensure that every child receives a quality education.  Thank you.

2)     National Bullying Awareness Week, Theme: "Stand Up! (to bullying)" November 17-23

-Take the opportunity discuss/incorporate into your lessons this week.

Website resource:  http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org/

3)     Listen for Life Assembly, Tuesday, November 19,  8:35 a.m.-9:15 a.m. (SHS Auditorium)

See link:  http://www.listenforlife.org/lfl-community.html

-See attached schedule

4)     FLEX Time (Start Dates and Deadlines)

A.     Block 3 Registration:   November 18-20^th for grades 6-8.  Please arrange to have your grade level student register by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 20^th.

B.      Block 3 begins:   December 2nd. 

-Currently we have 12 courses for block 3.  We need approximately 20 course options

*****See attached sample course description format to follow*****  

5)     End of the 1st Trimester, Wednesday, November 20^th

Grade Due:  November 24^th

6)     Office Remodel Project Continues:  Contractors are making good progress.  Painters are planning to be here this week!    All visitors will need to continue to enter through the north commons doors.

7)     Communicate alignment of lesson plans to the curriculum standards on your teacher web pages.  -This is tied to the K12 accreditation process.  Please be sure to complete this ASAP, if you haven’t already done so.  If you need assistance, Mr. Gusso, Ms. Claggett or a colleague in your hall who has already on their way. 

8)     Trimester ONE Celebration Assembly, Friday, November 22,  8:25 - 9:15 a.m.

-See attached bell schedule

      Agenda:

A)    Students will begin in START time: After taking attendance, please follow Mr.O’Dea’s instructions for the Duct Tape Attendance Activity.

B)     The Duct Tape Attendance Activity  

C)    Kiss Hunger Good bye (Goat Kissing)

D)    Tug of War Activity (6, 7, & 8 Grad START Groups)  -See attached brackets and activity info.

9)     Bus Supervision Duty:  Telkamp, Mullaney, DeVall, Case

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

Upcoming Activities November 24            1st Trimester Grades are due November 27-29           Thanksgiving Break - No School December 2                  FLEX Block 3 Begins December 3                  Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the Library December 4                  1:00 p.m. Early Release December 5                  Monthly Faculty Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the SMS Library December 9                  SMS Board Report, 5:30 p.m. at the District Office December 9                  7th & 8th Grade Choir Concert, 7-8:30 a.m. in the HS Auditorium December 13                7th Grade Dance (Time TBD) December 14                Spartan Learning Lab Saturday School, 8-noon December 15                7th & 8th Grade Band Concert, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the HS Auditorium

Brain Rule #12:  We are powerful and natural explorers.

                                                                    - John Medina

Weekly Spartan Blog: November 11-15, 2013

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

There is no school on Monday, November 11th in celebration of Veteran's Day.  The teaching staff of Spearfish School District will take part in professional development activities. 

Schedule
8:00 am – 12:00 noon  Report to High School Auxiliary Gym
 -Danielson Framework for Teaching Training
12:00 – 1:00 PMLunch on your own
1:00 – 3:30 PM   K‐12 Curriculum meetings
o Designated rooms (see below)
o Agendas will be sent by your
curricular area leader
o Groups may be subdivided

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

November 11-15, 2013

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     

1)     The Veteran’s Day Program on Friday was a shining example of our “Ideal Community.”  Much of what we desire for behaviors from adults and students was on display.  A true partnership with the community.  The generation gap closed for a few moments on Friday.  Young people were put in a position to honor and thank the generation(s) before them service to our country.  I believe young people understand the value and sacrifice of others for their freedom.  However, without leaders who are willing to empower young people to voice their beliefs, their commitment often times is silent.  Not today!  The band, choir, and students speakers made a loud statement for veteran’s and families to hear.   Thank you Paula, Kathy, Marile, Don (& Staff) and Abi for your leadership; it matters!

2)     Teacher PD Day, (No School for Students) Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 11th

-See attached agenda

3)     Picture retakes, Tuesday, November 12th.

4)     FLEX Time (Start Dates and Deadlines)

A.     Course descriptions for blocks 3 and 4 need to be Krystal by November 11th

B.      Block 3 begins:   December 2nd. 

-Currently we have 12 courses for block 3.  We need approximately 20 course options

*****See attached sample course description format to follow*****  

5)     Office Remodel Project Continues:  Contractors are making good progress.  The door frames are in and the sheet rocking is underway!  We’re hoping to be in the new office space by the 2^nd week of December.  All visitors will need to continue to 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.  Please be sure to complete this ASAP, if you haven’t already done so.  If you need assistance, Mr. Gusso, Ms. Claggett or a colleague in your hall who has already on their way. 

7)     Bus Supervision Duty:  Moore, Cooch, Bauerly, Sukstorf, Haggerty

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

8)     Lounge Duty:  Mallory, Bartels, Wolff, Hinch, Peters

Upcoming Activities November 17 – 23       National Bullying Awareness Week, Theme: "Stand Up! (to bullying)" November 19               Listen for Life Assembly, 8:35 a.m.-9:15 a.m. (SHS Auditorium) November 18-20         FLEX Block 3 Registration November 20               End of the 1st Trimester November 22               START Time “Tug of War” Activity (SMS gym)  8:20 - 9:00 a.m. November 24                1st Trimester Grades are due November 27-29         Thanksgiving Break - No School December 2                 FLEX Block 3 Begins December 3                 Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the Library December 4                 1:00 p.m. Early Release December 5                 Monthly Faculty Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the SMS Library December 9                 SMS Board Report, 5:30 p.m. at the District Office December 9                 7th & 8th Grade Choir Concert, 7-8:30 a.m. in the HS Auditorium December 13               7th Grade Dance (Time TBD) December 14               Spartan Learning Lab Saturday School, 8-noon December 15               7th & 8th Grade Band Concert, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the HS Auditorium

Brain Rule #11  Male and female brains are different.

                                                   - John Medina