Weekly Spartan Blog: February 9-13, 2015

Spartan PRIDE

Supporting our school community core values.

We are quickly approaching the end of the 2nd Trimester date of February 27th.  Please take the time to visit with your child about academic progress.  Ask the open ended questions that requires more that "nothing,"  "I don't know,"  If you child is anything like my middle school student, they like to share short or one word answers.  Change the question and get a different answer.

We have moving forward with our goal to build leadership capacity in our students.  In early March, current 7th grade students will have the opportunity to play to be academic and/or peer mentors.  The academic mentors will receive training and support other students in tutoring opportunities next fall.  Peer mentors will serve as small group leaders for our incoming 6th grade students.  Look for details in early March.

Spearfish Middle School

Weekly Faculty Bulletin February 9-13, 2015

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

• Preparedness  • Respect  • Integrity • Determination • Excellence

1)     Big Squeeze Blood Pressure Check for SMS and HS Staff, 3-4 p.m. in the MS Commons

2)     NAEP Test, 8^th Grade, Thursday, February 12th

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

2/24: End of Block 4

4)     Math Dept. Meeting (Pearson PD Plan):  Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:45 a.m. in the conf. room

5)     Student February/July Birthday Celebration, Tuesday, February 10

6)     PBIS Committee Meeting:  Wednesday, Feb. 11^th at 7:30 a.m.

7)     District AdvancED Team Meeting, Thursday, February 12 at 3:45 p.m. at the D.O.

8)     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).

9)     SMARTER Balanced  Q and A: See link below

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

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

11)  Bus Supervision Duty:   *Aberle, *Opbroek, Woodard, Lamb ( *East side crosswalk)

12)   Lounge Duty:  Blain, Farley, Syman, Vette, Engesser

Upcoming Events below:

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. 20                 Non-ELA Literacy Standards Reflection is due

Feb. 23-27           Window for 6^th and 7^th Grade Registration (Counselors will set time with each grade level)

Feb. 24                 FLEX Block 5 Course Descriptions are Due (includes 8^th Band/Choir)

Feb. 25                 Scheduling Committee Meeting, 3:25 p.m. in the Conf. Room

Feb 27                  End of 2nd Trimester

March 3                Trimester 2 Grades Due at 3:00 p.m.

March   3              Science Fair Awards Assembly   

March 4               Early Release 1:00 Professional Development 

March 4                MTSS Exploration Meeting (SMS Team) at West Elem. at 2:30 p.m.

March 6                End of Trimester Celebration at 2:35 p.m. in the gym

March 6                7^th and 8^th Grade Registration Forms due back in office.

March 11              Early Release 1:00 Spring Break

March 11               Deadline for Environmental Learning Forms from parents

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)

What we say about others is telling of us.

         -Noah benShea

Make it a great week!

Shane