Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Weekly Spartan Blog: Janauary 13-17, 2014

Spartan PRIDE
Supporting our school community core values.

We have started our 2nd week after the break; time goes so quickly.  We are already into the second half of the school year.  I hope you are able to make it to 2nd trimester conferences scheduled for Wednesday, January 15th, 3:45-7:00 p.m. 



Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
3:45-7:00 p.m.

Dear Parents/Guardians:
Parent-Teacher Conferences offers us a great opportunity to engage in important dialog about the progress of our students.  I have included a few things to think about and things you might do to prepare for a successful conference regarding your child's progress. 

Place:  Spearfish Middle School


Parents of 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Students:  Conferences will take place in the gymnasium.  Upon entering the gym, you will receive a midterm report for your child.  Individual teachers will be available on a first come first serve basis.  There will be seating available while you wait to see teachers.  Please limit your time to approximately  5 minutes per teacher. 

General Parent Questions
1. How is my child doing?                                                   4. What do you expect my child to achieve?
2. How do you evaluate the success of my child?                  5. Is my child keeping up with the class?
3. Where is my child performing academically?                     6. What must my child do to improve?

Other Possible Topics of Discussion at the Parent/Teacher Conference
How we do school:                                                            Questions regarding the following:
-Expectations for classroom behavior/participation              - Academic progress (challenges & successes)
-Methods of grading and testing                                         -Ability to follow directions
-Policies regarding homework                                             -Listening skills and work habits
-Options for support offered at our school                          -Ideas of how parents can help
-Use of planner for organization                                          -Citizenship, attitude and effort
-PRIDE Behavior Grade                                                        -Evaluation system used
                                                                                         -Available school and community services



9th Grade Student Orientation
Current 8th Grade Students are scheduled to go to the high school auditorium for a initial introduction to high school with Principal Steve Morford on Wednesday, January 15th.  Parents are welcome to attend any of the following sessions:
 Student will attend based on the PE class schedule.  If they have PE 1st period, they will go at 8:40 a.m.   If your child has PE 2nd period, he/she will go at 9:30 a.m.  There is also a session tomorrow night in the HS auditorium at 5:30 p.m.   

Spearfish Middle School
Weekly Faculty Bulletin
January 13-17, 2014
“Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world.”
• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence

1)     Technology Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 14th,  7:30-8:00 a.m.
Committee Members:  Teri Bauerly, JoAnn Claggett, Ellie Cooch, Kate Axlund, Kathy Wolff, Kevin O’Dea

2)     School Board recognition week, January 13-17

3)     FLEX Time Registration, Block 4, January 13-17th  See link on Mr. Baier’s web page

Block #
Course Description Deadline
Student Registration Window
Start Date
4
Done
January 13-17
February 3
5*
February 4th
February 10-14
March 3rd
6*
February 4th
March 24-28
April 14th

4)     STAR Testing Winter Window (Optional), January 1-15           

5)     START Time End of Trimester Celebration Activity:  Paper airplane flying contest.  More details to come.  START Times will have two weeks to establish two representatives for the finals showdown.   Tentative Assembly date is March 6th.

6)     New Teacher Mentoring  Session,  January 16 in the SMS Library from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Agenda:  1) grading, homework and assessment best practice  2) Brain-Based Learning 3) Q and A

7)      Dodgeball Intramural Tournament Student Registration, January 13-17.  See Attachments for more details.  If you interested in helping, please let me know.

8)     Office Remodel Project Continues: We have moved into the main office!    
Counselors are in the following locations until on or about January 15th:
Elaine:  library office space.
Sheri:  6th grade TPC office   
The main doors are back in business.   The public will once again enter through the west doors during school hours.

9) 2nd Trimester Parent-Teacher Conferences:  Wednesday, January 15 from 3:45-7:00 p.m.


10) Reminder to consider application for a Spearfish Foundation Grant.  Go to: http://www.spearfishschools.org/  for more details.
11) Smarter Balanced  (Teacher) Practice Test:  Please click on the green ball icon titled:  “SBAC SecureBrowser”6.0”  on your desktop and follow the instructions to take the practice test.  Please complete the teacher practice test (ELA or Math) by January 20th.
You must close all other programs on your computer before you open the icon.  Plan for 30-45 minutes for this activity.  We will discuss our findings at the Jan. 20 PD day.   This would be a good activity for your students as well to get them familiar with the testing format.

Upcoming Activities
January 20                   Parents as Partners, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the SMS Library
January 20                   Martin Luther King Day - No School - Teacher In-Service
January 23                   6 Band/Choir Concert, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the HS Auditorium
January 23                   Spearfish Foundation, “Three Cheers for our Schools & Community Event”  5:30-7:30 p.m. at
                                    Mathews Opera House
January 24                   All School Winter Dance, 7-9 p.m.

February 3                   Parents as Partners, 5:30 p.m. in the SMS Library
February 5                   1 p.m. PD Early Release
February 7                   Science Fair, BHSU
February 8                   Spartan Learning Lab, Saturday School

What is life for?  It is for you.
                       
                                                                                          -Abraham Maslow

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