Friday, August 29, 2014

Weekly Spartan Blog: September 1-5, 2014

Spartan PRIDE
Supporting our school community core values.

 First week of school is complete.  Our students and staff did an exceptional job of establishing routines and getting into the business of learning.  Many our students have taken the Spartan Challenge and are ready take action be strive for excellence. 

Each year we meet with every student individual classrooms to discuss the typical expectations, Spartan PRIDE and policies and procedures.  In addition to the typical communication, we engaged students in an activity to introduce the Expect Respect Curriculum.  The goal is to develop a fully respectful environment where every student feels respected.  As we know disrespectful behavior can lead to bullying and other undesired behavior.  Our student leaders worked with administration to develop a "stop phrase" for disrespectful behavior.  The phrase is to simply say "stop" with or without the palm out gesture.  We've discussed the roles of preparatory, recipient and bystander.  The message is that we all play a role in creating the school environment we desire. 

We have completed class meetings with all 8th grade students and part of the 7th grade class.  We anticipate finishing up with all grades by September 10th.  The video link below was viewed at the end of each session to help students see the power of community. Click here to see video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyCDs5FfRw8

The Expect Respect curriculum was developed by the University of Oregon.



Spearfish Middle School
Weekly Faculty Bulletin
September 1-5, 2014
“Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world.”

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence    

1)       Labor Day, No School, Monday, September1st
2)       ICU Database is ready for use.  Any information added on or after Sept. 1st will go to parents.

3)       STAR reading & math testing window (All students), September 1-15 (Schedule labs or laptop carts)
4)       Writing Team Meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7:40 a.m. in the conf. room
5)       Building Leadership Team mtg.:  Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 3:20 p.m. in the conference room
6)       BHSU Practicum Student Orientation: Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. & noon and Sept. 4 at noon
7)   Staff Meeting in the SMS Library, Thursday, September 4, 7:30 a.m. in the library
Agenda:  a)  Emergency Procedures   b) Writing Team Presentation & Materials  c) Other
8)   Picture Day, Friday, September 5th
-Sheryl will send out the schedule on or before Tuesday.

9)   Teaching with a growth mindset:  see blog post at (scroll down to see “how to learn math”  http://tinyurl.com/kbvkfav



Upcoming Activities

September 8                 New teachers recognized at the School Board Meeting, Monday Sept.8 at 5:30 pm
September 9                 Observation/Evaluation Cycle Meeting: certified staff on evaluation process using        
                                        the Danielson Model  at 7:45 a.m. in the library
September 22               Parents as Partners, 6-7 p.m. in the SMS Library
September. 17              Constitution Day  (Discuss how teams will observe this day)
September 26:              Professional Development Day for teachers, No School
October 1                     1:00 p.m. Early Release          
Oct 1                               1st quarter midterm 26 days
October 6-10:              Homecoming Week & and Dress Up Days! …a staff favorite.
October 10                   Homecoming Pep Rally (Full class periods and No Flex)
Oct 15                             Parent Teacher Conferences 3:45 – 7:00



Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by,                                                                         And that has made all the difference.
                                                                                               -Robert Frost                               

Make it a great week,
Shane

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Weekly Spartan Blog: August 25-29, 2014

Spartan PRIDE
Supporting our school community core values.

Welcome to the 1st week of school for the 2014-15 school year.  We are extremely excited that you are here!  Our teaching staff has been working hard in anticipation of your arrival.  We will begin our day with a welcome back assembly sponsored by the SMS Student Council.  We are ready to take the Spartan Challenge; are you!


The weekly blog serves as a communication tool.  I provide highlights from the previous week and important dates and events to come.  You can also follow me on Twitter @BaierShane. 

Check out the Back to School Newsletter at this link:  http://www.spearfish.k12.sd.us/sms/Fall%20Newsletter%20August%202014%20Final%20Copy.pdf



Spearfish Middle School
Weekly Faculty Bulletin
August 25-29, 2014
“Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world.”

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence     



Teacher Web Pages:  All staff have an up to date webpage including basic information about your teaching assignment, course requirements, & a lesson topics calendar.   
 
1)       1st Day of School Assembly Kickoff, Monday, August 25th at 8:30 a.m.
-See 1st day bell schedule which includes a welcome back assembly. (Bells at 8:10, 8:15 and 3:15 only)

2)       Nice formative assessment graphic:  http://anethicalisland.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/did-my-students-learn-anything/                                                   

Up Coming Events Calendar:  See dates below
Upcoming Activities
September 1                 Labor Day, No School
September 2                 Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the conference room
Sept. 1-15                    STAR reading & math testing window
September 3                 BLT debriefing mtg.:  Wednesday at 3:20 p.m. in the conference room
September 4                 Staff Meeting in the SMS Library, 7:30 a.m.
September 5                 Picture Day     
September 8                 New teachers recognized at the School Board Meeting, Monday Sept.8 at 5:30 pm
September 9                 Observation/Evaluation Cycle Meeting: certified staff on evaluation process using        
                                        the Danielson Model  at 7:45 a.m. in the library
September 22               Parents as Partners, 6-7 p.m. in the SMS Library
September. 17              Constitution Day  (Discuss how teams will observe this day)
September 26:              Professional Development Day for teachers, No School
October 1                     1:00 p.m. Early Release          
Oct 1                               1st quarter midterm 26 days
October 6-10:              Homecoming Week
Oct 15                             Parent Teacher Conferences 3:45 – 7:00

                                                                                   
Make it a great week,
Shane Baier
Principal