Weekly Spartan Blog: February 2-6, 2015

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin February 2-6, 2015

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity • Determination • Excellence

National School Counseling Week

 National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 2–6, 2015.   The goal is to focus attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within our school and how students are better prepared as a result of what school counselors do.  National School Counseling Week highlights the amazing impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for their future.

1)      Block 4:  February 3-24 (8^th band/choir included)

2/3: Beginning of Block 4

2/24: End of Block 4

2)     7^th Grade Stock Show Field Trip, Monday, February 2^nd

3)     Parents as Partners Mtg., Monday, February 2^nd, 6 p.m. in the SMS Library                \        Agenda:  ·  Middle School Grading and Homework Norm ·  Purpose of START Time and          FLEX Time  ·  School Lunch Program

4)     HS Registration, for 8^th grade students during Encore Classes, Tuesday, Feb. 3^rd

5)     Team Leader Meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 3^rd, 7:30 a.m. in the conf. rm.

Agenda:  A) Follow up on grade level discussion about Grading & Homework Norms, SLL and ICU  B) Budget Process  C) Literacy Skills across the curriculum

6)     PD Early Release, February 4^th,  1:00 Professional Development -brief meeting in the library before work time on PLC Smart Goals, SLO, Assessment Development at 1:15 p.m.

7)     Building Leadership Team Meeting:  , Wednesday, Feb 4^th, 3:25 p.m. in the conf. rm.

8)     Staff Meeting, Thursday, Feb. 5^th,  7:30 a.m. in the library

Agenda:  A.SMARTER Balanced Assessment  B. S4S Student Leadership Program  C. Other

9)     Building Capital Outlay Requests:  Deadline is March 1st.  You must complete the Purchase Order form with appropriate information for your request to be considered.  (Request must be depreciable items (desks, equipment etc…, including software).

10) SMARTER Balanced  Q and A: See link below

http://doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2015/jan/Page1.html

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

Upcoming Events below:

Feb. 12                 NAEP Test, 8^th Grade

Feb 16                   No School, Presidents Day – Teacher Professional Development

Feb. 18                 S4S Student Leader Meeting, FLEX Time in the gym (2:47 p.m.)

Feb 27                   End of 2nd Trimester

March   3              Science Fair Awards Assembly  

March 4              Early Release 1:00 Professional Development

March 6                End of 2^nd Trimester Celebration

March 11            Early Release 1:00 Spring Break

March 12, 13     No School Spring Break

April 2                 Early Release 1:00 Professional Development

April 3-6              No School, Easter Break

April 8                   Peer to Peer Mentor Training, 7^th grade leaders, 8-11 a.m. (tentative date)

April 15                 P/T Conferences Middle School (scheduled)

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance—it is the illusion of knowledge.

         -Daniel J. Boorstin

Make it a great week!

Shane