Weekly Spartan Blog: January 5-9 2015

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

Happy New Year!  Is it really the year 2015?  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season.  The time with family during winter break is such an important tradition in our culture.  As we return to school, we hit the ground running with winter sports seasons, science fair projects, a world cultures lyceum funded by the Spearfish Foundation and most importantly student learning in the classroom.

Please be sure to keep an eye on the middle school activities calendar for important events and activities.  You'll find the state testing dates schedule for this Spring, athletic, music and grade level activities.  Be sure to schedule appointments around our testing calendar in March and April.  We look forward to working with you in the new year!

Parent Teacher Conferences are right around the corner!  Please plan to visit with teacher's about your child's progress on Wednesday, January 14 between 3:45-7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at sbaier@spearfish.k12.sd.us or by phone at 717-1215.

Looking for a convenient way to stay informed?  The Smart Phone and Kindle APP for Spearfish Schools is ready use!

The APP is a free download and includes: Push Notifications, Calendars, Newsletters, Breakfast/Lunch menus, Staff Directory, Infinite Campus link, Daily Announcements, High School and Middle Schedules, Handbooks, GroupWise link, Moodle link, and "Contact us" capabilities.

There are several ways to access and download the APP - See below

Apple iPhoneIn the App Store, search for Spearfish School District (there are lots of keywords, this is just an example)      

iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spearfish-school-district/id933688346?mt=8&uo=4
App link HTML embed code for main website (optional):
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spearfish-school-district/id933688346?mt=8&uo=4" target="itunes_store">Spearfish School District - Spearfish School District</a>

Google AndroidOn the device app store, search for Spearfish School District
Android Market website link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.spearfishmobile&hl=en

Kindle Fire
On the device app store, search for Spearfish School District

Appstore link: http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Cole-Enterprises-LLC-Spearfish/dp/B00P7X7MLA/ref=sr_1_1?s=mobile-apps&ie=UTF8&qid=1415185845&sr=1-1&keywords=spearfish

Web App
Open the Internet on the iOS or Android phone and browse to www.spearfishmobile.us
On iOS, click the bottom center button and then click "Add to Home Screen"

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin January 5-9, 2015

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity • Determination • Excellence

1)     Daily Pledge of Allegiance:  As the New Year begins, re-establish the routine of reciting the pledge on a daily basis during START Time.    

2)      Optional STAR Reading & Math Winter Testing Window, Jan. 5-19, 2015

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

1/17: Block 4 Course Descriptions Due

1/20-1/23: Register for Block 4

2/3: Beginning of Block 4

2/24: End of Block 4

5)     Rainforest and Maya Ruin Lyceum:  January 8 at 8:30 a.m. in the HS Auditorium.

(See attached schedule)

See Link:  http://www.imagesoftheworld.com/rainforests/rainforestshome.html

6)      Technology Request Deadline:  February 1. None will be accepted after that date.  No software requests will be accepted. That is a curriculum item.

7)     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).

8)      SMARTER Balanced Practice Site:  http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/

9)       Newspapers in Education: Pick up your papers on Wednesday morning from the Lounge.

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

11)  Saturday Spartan Learning Lab, Sat, January 10, 2015, 8am – 12pm (If needed, Let Mr. O’Dea know by Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.)

Upcoming Events below:

               

Jan. 12-16            School Board Recognition Week

Jan 13                    8^th Grade Transition to HS (two sessions:  8:30-9:15 and 9:30-10:15)

Jan 19                    No School, MLK Day & Teacher Professional Development Day

Jan. 20                  Team Leader Meeting, 7:30 a.m.

Jan 14                    P/T Conferences, 3:45-7:00 p.m.

Jan. 16                  2^nd Trimester midterm

Jan 20                    6th Grade Band/Choir Concert, 7pm – 8pm in the SHS Auditorium

Jan. 21                  SMS Technology Committee Meeting, 3:25 p.m. in the conf. rm.

Jan. 22                  January Staff Meeting, 7:30 a.m.

Jan 23                    All School Dance, Fri, January 23, 2015, 6:30pm – 9:30pm in the gym

Feb. 2                    Parents as Partners Mtg., 5:30 p.m. in the SMS Library

Feb. 3                    HS Registration for 8^th grade students during Encore Classes

Feb 4                    Early Release 1:00 Professional Development

Feb. 12                 NAEP Test, 8^th Grade

Feb 16                   No School, Presidents Day – Teacher Professional Development

Feb 27                   End of 2nd Trimester

March   3              Science Fair Awards Assembly  

There is only one way to succeed in anything and that is to give everything.

         -Vince Lombardi

Make it a great week!

Shane

 
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