Weekly Spartan Blog: October 6-10, 2014

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

Good Morning-

Homecoming Week!  Yes, it affects the middle school too.  Our students get excited to dress up and show some Spartan Pride.  The middle school participates in only parts of the activities.  Middle School students will participate in the dress up days and a pep assembly schedule for Friday at 8:30 a.m.  The 8th grade band will be playing at the pep assembly. 

Parents as Partners Meeting Highlights:  September 22, 2014
We hosted 20 parents, teachers and and students for the first Parents as Partners Meeting of the year.  The main topic was Building a Culture of Respect and Excellence.  Our two student leaders, Mr. O'Dea and I shared strategies we are using to help our school be a great place for learning.   We plan to meet again on October 20th from 6-7 p.m. in the middle school library.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  



Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, October 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 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. 

*Parents of 6th Grade Students:  Conferences will be prescheduled with your child's teaching team over the next two weeks.  Please contact your child's teaching team if you do not have a scheduled time established.  Your conferences will be approximately 10-15 minutes in length.

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

*6th grade parent/teacher conferences are scheduled with your child's teaching team and will take place over the next two weeks
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school at 717-1215.
Sincerely,
Shane Baier

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin

October 6-10, 2014

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity  • Determination  • Excellence    

1)       Homecoming Week & and Dress Up Days! …a staff favorite, October 6-10, 2014

Monday- Hawaiian Day

Tuesday-Ancient Greece

Wednesday, Movie Character Day

Thursday, Class Color Day  (6^th gr.- lime green, 7^th gr. hot pink, 8^th gr. tie dye & Staff- animal print)

Friday, Maroon and White Day

2)       FLEX Block 2 Course Description Due: Monday, October 6^th (email description to Krystal)

4)       Midterm grades are due. 3:30 p.m., October 8^th  Remember – PRIDE grade is required courses except directed study, START and FLEX.   

6)       PBIS Team Meeting, Wednesday, October 8, 7:30 a.m. in the conference room,

7)       Homecoming Pep Rally, Friday, October 10th, 8:30 a.m. in the gym  

8)       1^st Trimester Midterm, Friday, October 10th

Upcoming Activities October 15                         Parent Teacher Conferences 3:45 – 7:00 p.m. October 15                            SLO due date  (and growth targets for non-teaching staff) October 17                            Scholastic Book Fair at SMS October 18                            Spartan Learning Lab Saturday School, 8-Noon October 20                            Parents as Partners, SMS Library, 6-7 p.m. November 5                          1 PM Early Release November 6                          Staff Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the SMS Library November 11                       Veterans Day Program at SMS November 11                       Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m. in the conference room

“One cannot lead a life that is truly excellent without feeling that one belongs to something greater and more permanent than oneself.”

Make it a great week,                                                                  -Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Shane

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