December 18th and 19th

From Ms. Skinner: 

The Panther Prowl 5K is almost here!! We are still looking for sponsors and runners. If you would like to become a corporate sponsor, let Meganne Skinner or Christina Fassbender know at skinnerme@clarke.k12.ga.us and we will get you the paperwork! Thank you to all those who have already signed up to race with us! Runners, you can sign up at active.com 

You can still sign up at the discounted price until January 26th! 

From Ms. Hughes: 

Family Science Night will be on Thursday, January 18 from 5:00-7:00 pm.

All students, families, staff, and community members are welcome to attend!

​

 Family Science Night Invitation Slide 2018

From Ms. Giannasi: 
Hilsman had an amazing showing in the school science fair. The top thirty scoring projects will go on to the CCSD Science Fair in early January.

Future events: 

Hilsman Social Studies Fair January 10, 2018

Hilsman Spelling Bee January 17, 2018

Hilsman Geography Bee January 25, 2018

From Mr. Heu: 
7th Grade ELA "Soc Hop" Dance on Tuesday, 12/19/17 during 6th and 7th periods. Parents are welcomed to attend and donate food items such as chips, cookies, cupcakes, and drinks.

From Mr. Forker:
On Monday the 18th, we will be collecting students' laptops and chargers in homeroom.   
Please see the linked items below for details:

PLD Video Message

Tech Update Letter

Monday:
We will have afternoon activity schedule.   Please instruct students to return to homeroom during the activity period.  During that time, please plan to collect all student devices and chargers and place them in the laptop carts. Device distribution to classrooms will take place on January 4th, but there may be intermittent times in which you will not have access student devices. Please plan accordingly.
Afternoon Activity Schedule


Enjoy your much deserved break! See you in the new year!

January 2nd PLC Plan

Week of December 11th

Tolbert's Corner-

Happy Sunday! Burrrrr! It is cold outside. I surely hope you all are keeping warm! This is the last full week before the holiday break. Take a deep breath and continue pushing. We can do this, 7 more wake ups! 

As we are preparing to begin the week, remember to continue with instruction. Friday, we will have our 1st focus walk-through. It is important to remember to not "put on a show". Rather continue to deliver academically challenging instruction that is engaging the students in their learning. Ensure that current standards and samples of recent student work is posted in your classroom with feedback. I am assuming that the walk throughs will last no longer than 10 minutes.  We will also continue with observations this week. If you have any questions, please see me.

Students are allowed to be out of uniform this week as long as they did not receive a discipline referral. A referral is considered one that has been processed by an administrator, not at the grade level. I am sending an email to the students to clearly define the dress code to avoid disruptions to the learning environment.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you again for the gift card and kind words. You sure made me feel special. Forker and I are greatly appreciative of the work that you do to make Hilsman a great place. Cheers to a new week!

Tolbert

From Hussain: Mr. Hussain will be buying pizza for everyone who plans after school on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. He will be available to co-plan during this time (and can co-teach during a class if you're interested). Stop by his classroom (room 205) after school to check it out next Tuesday. 

From Maxey: 

• Monday, the 11th will be our Science Fair. Winners will be announced Tuesday morning. The top  30 projects will go to regional.

• Social Studies fair final papers are due before Christmas. The fair will be Wednesday, January 10th.
• The Spelling Bee is scheduled for January 17th.
• Our gifted eligibility team will meet when we return from the holidays. At this point we will decide what students to test for services. If you still have not submitted the names of any students you would like reviewed, please do so before the holidays.
• Please save student work and rubrics from this semester. We WILL be reviewing these during collaborative planning in the new year.
• As you plan for the new year, please feel free to ask me to co-teach or modify assignments in ANY class.
• IB committee will need to meet in January to discuss the MYP self study for the school and district.
• I really want to think you all for welcoming me into the family; I can honestly say this is the most caring, welcoming staff I have ever worked with. Your instructional practices and relationships with our kids are so wonderful. Please know you are very appreciated. Happy Holidays!

From Ms. Ward: 

PSP will be running on Monday (12/11) and Tuesday (12/1) from 3:45 - 6:00.

From Ms. Moore: 

Advisement on Monday. Please continue with the lesson on sexual harassment. Also, we will NOT have advisement during the week of December 18th due to the short week. As you are planning for the new year, keep in mind that advisement will be cut back to every other week when we return from winter break.

COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS. While the holidays can be an exciting time for many students, it can also be a difficult time for others. This is a great resource for educators working with students (http://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Support-Grief-Over-the-Holidays.pdf) and do not forget that we have access to the Employee Assistance Program, if you are interested in counseling for yourself. The contact number is #706.549.6658.

Monday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. DESTEFANI!!!

*Advisement
Please plan to meet with Mr. Forker during your second planning regarding a change in our student computer status 

4pm SILT

6:30 - Band concert at Cedar Shoals

Tuesday: 

7th Grade Reading Inventory - During ELA classes

8th Grade Reading Inventory - During ELA classes

Wednesday: 

4pm School Dance
5:30-8:00 Faculty Holiday Gathering at Blind Pig - East side

Thursday: 

Friday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. TILLOTSON!!!

10:30AM - District coherence visit

PM - Reading Inventory and Math Inventory growth celebrations (more to come from Hogan)  

Week of December 4th

SHOUT OUTS! 

Ms. Skinner, Mr. McCann, and Dr. Jackson have been accepted to present at the National Professional Development Schools Conference in the spring! Give them congrats and ask them what the conference proposal is all about!

Congatulations to Ms. Renee Smith on her recent engagement! She loves showing off her bling. :) 

Our AMAZING UGA literacy mentors under the guidance of Dr. Thompson, wrapped up their mentor sessions for the fall semester this past week.  Mentees were given two books to add to their home book collection.  Seeing them read together and their excitement opening their gifts (Dr. Thompson wrapped ALL of the books) was priceless.  We look forward to continuing this great work in the spring.  

From Ms. Seymour: 

Our next Meals in the Middle fundraiser, featuring a meal prepared collaboratively by all four CCSD middle schools, will be held on Tuesday, December 5th at 6:30 pm at the Athens Community career academy. Tickets are $25 with all proceeds going to benefit the work of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens. Read more about the work of IHN at http://www.ihnathens.org/

The Menu: 

Hummus Tehina with Laffa (Iraqi style flat bread only bigger and crispier)

Beets with Tehina

Spicy Fennel Salad/Caramelized Fennel with Goat Cheese

Root Vegetables Braised in Chicken Fat

Roast leg of Lamb with Rosemary

Honey Cake with Whipped Cream

Drink – Lemonnana

From Ms. G: 

The GAVS Algebra class will be taking their first semester final exam on Wednesday, December 6, during 1st and 2nd periods. This exam has a 90 minute time frame, and students will test in the Media Center. The Media Center will have TESTING signs on the doors. Please do not send students to check out books during those two class periods. Ms. Tillitson will email student names for repaired/ found computers during that time slot. Please do not send a student to "check on a computer" during those two periods, unless she has emailed with the student's name to come to the MC. 

Thank you for your help and patience as these students finish their first semester exam.

Also, we have school level winners for the MLK  Writing & Art  Contest:

Obayemi Blake

Aiden Dowling

Samantha Mifflin

Special thanks to Mr. Hussain who worked with these students in ELT to prepare for their essay submissions. Thanks also to Ms. Maxey who worked on writing conferences with this ELT class.

From Ms. Camp: 

The Hilsman Middle School Band will have our Winter Concert on Monday, December 11 at 6:30pm.  The concert will take place at the Cedar Shoals High School Theater.  Students need to take their instruments home with them Monday after school (except tubas and baritones).  Students should wear khaki pants and the official band shirt (or black polo shirt).  Students can also wear Santa hats.  

From Ms. Ward: 

Mathematics is a science with a key role for a career of the people who deal with technology, finance, IT, banking, engineering – all professions related to analytical thinking. Numeracy skills are some of the vital analytical skills. Examples are:

• Knowlledge of numbers and figures;
• Understanding relationships between numbers;
• Interpreting mathematical information;
• Ability to remember;
• Visual perception of information;
• Ability to organize information;
• Understanding trends

From Hogan: 

You will notice that data cards are posted in the PL room now for each grade level.  As such, faculty and staff only are permitted in the PL room.  Please do not send students to the PL room or schedule to meet with parents in that space.  Gracias! 

Monday: 

*Advisement during ELT - see email from Ms. Moore. 

WOW Session in the PL Room with Micheletti - EVERYONE! Connections planning and 1st plannings for contents. 

Tuesday: 
*6th grade ELA administering Reading Inventory 

**6th grade social studies curriculum writing in PL room 
4pm Faculty Meeting 

Wednesday: 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. TOLBERT!!!

------------------------------

Basketball vs. BHL

4:30 - Girls

5:30 - Boys

Thursday: *Club pictures - See email from Ms. Hubbard

4pm SILT 

Friday: 
8:30 am Principal's Coffee (Media Center) 

Saturday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. HUSSAIN!!!

Week of November 27th

Hello All,

Wow! We are in the midst of enjoying some much needed time away from school. As you enjoy your families, relax, and not think about work, please know that I am grateful for each of you. Hilsman Middle School is nothing without you. I am thankful that you allow me to serve as your leader. As I reflect daily, I am appreciative of the lessons that I learn from you. This staff has definitely helped me to become a better person and leader. We may not all see eye to eye all the time but we come together during the toughest times. Thank you for your dedication, smiles, words of encouragement, and the endless amount of time that you give to this profession. I am thankful for you!

As we prepare to return to work, please tie up your laces because we are on a run until the end of the school year. Observations will resume Tuesday with the hopes of having the first round completed before leaving for our winter break. This is a reminder to ensure that your content areas are using collaborative time effectively and differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all your learners. Walk throughs are revealing that we need to focus more on instructional strategies. I have asked Mrs.  Hogan to provide PL in this area. Our school walk through will take place on December 15th. Please do not request this date off as your presence is important.

Before we left for break, we  experienced an increase in discipline referrals. This is a gentle reminder that we do not place students in the halls. We also do not call for administration to remove students from a classroom unless it is a tier 4 incident. We should be following the discipline protocol. Please be sure to establish, maintain, and reinforce our school wide expectations. This is a major component of our success. We can do it!

Below are just a few more gentle reminders:

 Be sure that your lesson plans are turned in on time.

There should be evidence of differentiation embedded in your lesson plans (reading strategy, co-teaching model, small groups, choral reading).

Grades should be updated in Campus every 10 days. This is extremely important. Parents and students are constantly emailing with concerns related to grades.

Remember that a parent should be informed if their child is failing by phone, email, or a letter. I suggest all three methods are used and documented in the PLP area of Campus.

All teachers should be actively monitoring the students while delivering engaging instruction. We must be up and moving throughout the classroom.

Our work day begins at 8:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm. If you are late, remember to follow the protocol. You are also encouraged to revisit the section of the handbook that provides details related to requesting time off before and after holidays.

Teach like everyday is your last day. Our students are depending on you! YOU are the DIFFERENCE!

Worth a Read: Social Emotional Competence Starts with Teachers

From your IC: 
The Math Inventory (MI) and the Reading Inventory (RI) windows for testing are open upon our return from Thanksgiving Break.  The MI will be administeBred in math classes and the RI will be administered in ELA classes.  ELA and Math content teams at each grade level will need to determine a date that works best for all of you and your kiddos to administer the RI and MI prior to going home for winter break.  Hogan will touch base with each team to confirm these dates.  

From Ms. Ward: 
MATH FLUENCY is more than memorizing math facts and recalling answers to questions. It is feeling confident and able to take part in math lessons and activities. It’s the ability to complete assignments and activities accurately, without hesitation. 

Here are 5 Facts to Build Math Fluency:

1) Frequency- math lessons and activities should occur daily; students need to be at school daily

2) Students should be provided a variety of assignments, activities, and ways of learning

3) Math should be fun, engaging, and relevant for students

4) Students should use "Mental Math" fluently whenever possible

5) Students need to understand the steps and strategies to solve math problems when presented without hesitation

From Ms. Maxey: 
IB: 
IB report cards will go home with second nine weeks report cards. If you need any help posting grades, please let Mrs.Maxey know. For the remainder of this semester the district will be focusing on the following

1. Strengthening our IB assessments.

2. Conducting school based PL on inquiry-based teaching and learning through the IB framework (global contexts, key concepts, approaches to learning, and assessment objectives). 

3. Including more students in the 10th grade personal project.

4. Working with Shannon Herrington and Eve Embry regarding IB progress reports to be sent home mid-year. 

5. Beginning work on our partnership self studies

Next semester the district will focus on the following

1. Incorporating service in the MYP

2. Interdisciplinary unit development

3. The IB report card to be sent home in May

4. Completing much of our IB self studies.

Gifted:

We are gathering an Eligibility Team in order to discuss testing in the spring. We will meet one day after school in the fall and one day in the spring. If you are interested in serving on the team, please email Mrs. Giannasi or Mrs. Maxey. 

Many of you have contacted us concerning schedule changes for students. Please be patient while we complete data digs for these students. 

Other: 

Hilsman Science Fair will take place December 11th. We would like for any teacher willing to do some judging to participate. Please contact Mrs. G or Mrs. Maxey if you are willing to volunteer.

Mrs. Maxey would love to come collaborate in any classroom in order to provide differentiated instruction.

From Mr. Hussain: 

Mr. Hussain will be buying pizza for everyone who plans after school on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. He will be available to co-plan during this time (and co-teach during a class if you want). Stop by his classroom (room 205) after school to check it out next Tuesday!

From Team Gora: 
Hilsman Fruit Sale has been extended to November 28. Please contact Mr. Dorsey for more information - dorseyr@clarke.k12.ga.us. 

Saturday, November 25th -- Happy birthday, Mr. Gaertig!

Monday 
Happy birthday, Mr. Forker!
*Advisement during ELT 

Tuesday
***We will have a sever weather drill today*** 
RTI

Wednesday
Happy birthday, Ms. Floyd!
*District social studies curriculum writing in PL room (7th grade)

Thursday 
*Counselors collaborative AM
4pm New Panther Cohort 

Friday 

Week of November 13

Dinner Dialogue 
Come join us for the first session of our dinner dialogue series on race and poverty this Wednesday at 6:00pm in the Media Center.  We are encouraging all to bring a favorite dish.  You can sign up here: 
Dinner Dialogue Potluck Sign-Up      Dinner Dialogue Outline

From Ms. Maxey: 

IB: 

Please plan on bringing student work and rubrics from your most recent MYP project to your collaborative meetings. We will analyze student work to guide teaching and learning practices as well as discuss how to effectively use the MYP rubrics to design and differentiate  instruction.

Make sure that your IB unit posters are up to date and on your walls and that you are referring to them during instruction. This is also a great way to relate learner profiles and concepts to PAWS.

In your teams, be thinking about your interdisciplinary unit in order to support literacy and numeracy across the contents.

Enrichment:

Science Fair is set for December 11th. We have some UGA professors and students who will stop by for scoring. On that day, we would also like for Science teachers to stop by to help score other grade levels. Projects can be done digitally or on a board; however, students need to provide their own supplies if the are using a board.  We need to have abstracts done by Friday, the 8th.

The MLK writing competition is due in January. See Carlyn's email on the specifics.

We have been meeting with some of our students. Some  have check in check out sheets starting this week. I sent the 6th grade names out on Tuesday.  As soon as we meet with the other grade levels, you will receive an email.

Mrs. Maxey would love to collaboratively teach; please contact her for IB or enrichment co-teaching.

From Gonzalez: 
"Sixth graders will be treated to a Jake Burt Author Visit thanks to Avid Bookshop and Feiwel & Friends Publishers at 9:00 AM Wednesday, November 15th! Jake Burt will talk to students about writing and his new book, Greetings from Witness Protection. The Hilsman Media Center will have a BIG book drawing for 40 copies that winning students will receive the morning of the drawing so they can have their copy signed. (If students would like to purchase their own copy, the total cost is $18.18 for the hardcover version.) Parents are welcome to the event!"

Mr. Hussain will be buying pizza for everyone who plans after school on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. He will be available to co-plan during this time (and co-teach during a class if you want). Stop by his classroom (room 205) after school to check it out next Tuesday! He'll be showing an activity called an Unfailable Quiz that builds immediate remediation into a lesson (here's a tutorial to whet your appetite).

7th Grade News: November 13-17, 2017

Orchestra Concert

Thursday November 16th at 6:30  HMS Old Gym

Your students have been hard at work and are excited about our upcoming concert!   All grade levels will perform. Family, friends, and any guests are welcome to attend.   

From Mr. Lawrence: 
The Hilsman Middle School Chorus will be performing December 12th at Cedar Shoals High School Auditorium for a Winter Holiday Musical Event. The program will begin at 6:30 pm.

From Ms. Smith: 

November 30th: Poinsettia ($5) and Houseplant ($5-$10) Sale 4:00-6:00
Hilsman Greenhouse- Stop by during this time to see prices and what is for sale! It is first come first serve as we have limited plants!

*Sunday: 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. PAGE!!!

Monday
Grades DUE by NOON!!!
*Advisement during ELT

Tuesday
*Progress reports go home!
RTI
Jean Day

Wednesday
Collab planning
8:30am - 10:30am 6th Grade Author Visit
6:00-7:30 Dinner Dialogue   Dinner Dialogue Outline

Thursday
Collab planning
5:30 DC Parent Meeting
6:30 Orchestra Concert
Jean Day

Friday

Week of November 6th

Staff,

Thank you for your amazing strength last week. I know that it was a tough week. As mentioned in my last email to you, I will be as transparent as I am allowed to be as we are going through this situation. At this time, there is nothing further to share. Please continue to support each other and if you are in need of any counseling, please contact EAP. Mrs. Moore provided everyone with the contact information in an email that she sent earlier today. 

It is important that we understand that the trust with our students and community has been weakened. We must move forward and show our students that we can be trusted and are here because of them. With this in mind, be careful with the way in which you are communicating. Be mindful of your tone, body language, and vocabulary. This does not mean to lower your expectations. We will continue to hold students accountable for their actions and their learning. As we continue to hold them accountable, remember that we must hold each other accountable too. 

I would like to hold town hall meetings during the morning connections for all grades tomorrow. It is important to address the students about a number of issues. Hopefully this will redirect their attention to what is really important, their academic and behavior achievement! 

We will be performing walk-throughs and observations this week. Make sure that you are delivering academically challenging instruction through the use of instructional strategies that yield high student engagement (Hint). In addition, remember to incorporate our PBIS plan into your classroom management system. 

As always, thank you for being a phenomenal group of teachers. You make tough days a little easier to get through with your jokes and smiles. Together we can move our CCRPI another 6 points! Continue being great, continue to support each other, continue to recognize the purpose for what you do on a daily basis! Your students appreciate you more than you know and your administrators do to! Here is to a great week!

Principal Tolbert

Monday
Morning Town Hall Meetings during Connections (Old Gym)

Advisement during ELT

4pm SILT 

Tuesday

RTI
Suicide Prevention Training for 8th Grade Teachers-2nd Planning

UGA Shakespeare class students collaborating with 8th grade ELA 

Wednesday

Collab planning

4pm Vertical Planning

5:30 Building Committee Meeting 

Thursday

Collab planning

Friday

*Progress Report Period Ends

8:30am - Principal's Coffee

8th Grade to Cedar for Midsummer Night's Dream

6:00-8:00 Moonlight Madness 

Saturday

Happy Birthday, Mr. Engelsen!!!

Week of October 30, 2017

Happy Thursday,

I bet you are all are super excited about departing school today! I know that I am elated to have an extra day to sleep a little while longer. You are encouraged to take some time to rest and recharge. The last three weeks have been challenging but the silver lining is that we made it! Thank you for staying alive in the fire.

Upon your return to work next week, please be prepared to move forward. Monday is a PL day. I have instructed Jamie to allow time for macro-planning. Please understand that although students are not present, your attendance is expected Monday. The work that you will do and the conversations that you will hold should help better guide your planning time. I caution you to use your time wisely and effectively plan. Walk-throughs and observations will be well on their way. We will focus on Standards 4, 7, and 8 for the first half. Followed by Standards 3, 5, and 6. You are encouraged to review the Observable Practices if you have questions about what is expected or to see an administrator for clarity.

As we continue our conversations around equity in our district and school, please be mindful to not allow the work that must be done to impact your relationships with our stakeholders as well as with each other. Collectively, we are ALL responsible for teaching EVERY student in our building. At times the task is daunting but keep in mind that ALL kids can learn. How we get them to this point depends on our mindset and passion. The work that you do and have done is important. Again, thank you for your commitment to teaching specifically at Hilsman.

Ms. Tolbert


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From your AP:
ATTENTION 8th Grade Teachers:

Please see the details and timeline for the Milestones Fieldtest that we will conduct at Hilsman. Please plan for regular schedules to be adjusted as indicated below. 

Test Name:  Milestones Field Test  (REBW)

Monday 10/30 (School Based PL Day):

    PL regarding test administration with 8th grade teachers only

Tuesday 10/31 :

  Day one of testing (+/- 60 min) in extended homeroom 

Wednesday 11/1:

   Day two of testing (+/- 90 min) in testing schedule

Thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility!

From Mr. Pratt: 
Coile visited Hilsman Wednesday and their top 10 chess players competed against ours in a tournament. After 6 rounds, Hilsman finished with 32.5 wins and Coile finished with 27.5 wins. Mark Gemao earned a silver medal for overall wins from an individual.

For students that did not make the top 10 from both schools, we had an individual tournament. Tom Martin earned the gold medal. 

A big thanks to Ms.Gonzalez and our administrators for helping to make the tournament happen. Mr. Barton, Mr. Scott, and I are very proud of our kids. Please congratulate them when you see them.

From Ms. Ward: 
Pathways to Success will start November 6.  Applications will be available October 23rd and must be returned by October 26th

From Mr. Watkins: 
Hilsman's Annual Moonlight Madness will be held on November 10, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Please volunteer and come and support our students, not only will I appreciate it but they will as well. 

Sign up here: Moonlight Madness Sign-up

From Ms. Maxey: 

Please make sure you are completing the reflections in your MYP units during collaborative planning.

From Team Gora: 
Team Gora would like to thank all the Hilsman families , staff , and community members for supporting our Pumpkin Patch. We still have some pumpkins left.  Please come and visit our Panthers Patch! Room 520.

Hilsman Fruit Sale -- October 16 thru November 15

Fruit will be delivered the week of December 11

Please see Team Gora (Dorsey, Gaertig, Picha, Zabetakis) or Ms. Seymour (FACS) for more information! All money raised will support student community based instruction and classroom activities.

From Mr. Hussain: 
Mr. Hussain will be buying pizza for everyone who wants to plan after school on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. He will be available to co-plan during this time (and co-teach during a class if you want). Stop by his classroom (room 205) after school to check it out next Tuesday! His strengths include technology integration, smiling, and growing a beard. 

Sunday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. MOORE! 

Monday
October 30th PLC Day AGENDA

Tuesday
****8th Grade Milestones Field Test****
Connections: Suicide training with Ms. Moore during planning (8:30 am)
* RTI 1st plannings with Scott Emard for assistance with Branching Minds
** 2nd plannings: Mandated suicide training with Ms. Moore 

Wednesday
****8th Grade Milestones Field Test****
District Social Studies Currriculum Planning in PL Room *** Collab planning will take place in the media center today only. 

4pm Faculty Meeting 

Thursday
1:45 - UGA Literacy Mentors with 6th graders

Friday 

Silver House Party During 7th Period

Week of October 23rd

Happy Sunday,

Please look for a calendar invite to schedule Pre-Evaluation Conferences on Monday and Tuesday. If you have finished your conference, please know that we will visit you this week! Thank you to everyone for your help last Thursday and Friday. In addition, thank you to all that were present at school. Remember attendance is not just important for our students but for staff as well. When you miss school, students miss out, we miss you, and learning is out. Jeans all week!  See you in the morning.

Faculty shout-outs: 
Mr. Hussain & Mr. Oulevey for representing the HIL and capturing the attention of leaders in the social studies field at the GCSS conference. 
Mr. Naughton & Mr. Pratt for sharing their love of culturally relevant teaching - specifically in mathematics - at GCTM. 
Mr. Forker for dropping his knowledge at the TESOL conference. 

Keeping current on the research in education and being active members in educational organizations keeps us all one step above and in the know - both of which are good for our kiddos.  If you're unsure of the organizations related to your content or education in general, please touch base with Hogan.  Get involved!
From Ms. Moore: 

Advisement:

Advisement on Monday. After meeting with SILT, we have decided to run on a regular schedule and have advisement in our ELT classes. We hope this will make the day run more smoothly and help build relationships with students you see outside of homeroom.

Red Ribbon Week:

WE ARE CELEBRATING RED RIBBON WEEK AT HILSMAN! This is the time each year when schools across the nation plan activities that promote alcohol and drug awareness and prevention. For more information, visit redribbon.org. The theme this year is "Your Future is Key, So Stay Drug Free!"

Here is what we have planned for the week:

Monday-Sock it to drugs and wear crazy socks! All students will receive an advisement lesson related to Red Ribbon Week.

Tuesday-District RED OUT Day. Wear a red shirt in support of Red Ribbon Week. Students must still wear uniform bottoms. Students will also enjoy a RED OUT menu for lunch.

Wednesday-Hilsman is also celebrating National Bullying Prevention Month. Wear an orange shirt in support of Unity Day to show that we are united against bullying. Students must still wear uniform bottoms. For more information, visit pacer.org/bullying.

 

Thursday-Put a lid on drugs and wear a hat! 

In addition, The Healthy Brain Campaign will have a table set up at lunch to provide more information about drugs and making healthy choices. Students can sign the Red Ribbon Week Pledge at lunch and commit to being drug free.

From Ms. Ward: 
Pathways to Success will start November 6.  Applications will be available October 23rd and must be returned by October 26th

From Mr. Watkins: 
Hilsman's Annual Moonlight Madness will be held on November 10, from 5:30- 7:30. Please volunteer and come and support our students, not only will I appreciate it but they will as well. 

Sign up here: Moonlight Madness Sign-up

From Ms. Maxey: 

Please make sure you are completing the reflections in your MYP units during collaborative planning.

From Team Gora: 
Team Gora would like to thank all the Hilsman families , staff , and community members for supporting our Pumpkin Patch. We still have some pumpkins left.  Please come and visit our Panthers Patch! Room 520.

Hilsman Fruit Sale -- October 16 thru November 15

Fruit will be delivered the week of December 11

Please see Team Gora (Dorsey, Gaertig, Picha, Zabetakis) or Ms. Seymour (FACS) for more information! All money raised will support student community based instruction and classroom activities.

From Mr. Hussain: 
Mr. Hussain will be buying pizza for everyone who wants to plan after school on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. He will be available to co-plan during this time (and co-teach during a class if you want). Stop by his classroom (room 205) after school to check it out next Tuesday! His strengths include technology integration, smiling, and growing a beard. 

From the IC: 
Each week, Ms. Ward and I will be sharing tips and strategies for the focal areas of our school growth plan.  Please let us know if you come across some good material to share out with our colleagues as well! 

Literacy:  Anthem or Nah (article) - We will explore this further on Oct. 30th PLC day.
Numeracy: Numeracy Tidbits & Strategies
SEL:  13 Powerful SEL Strategies

From your AP:
ATTENTION 8th Grade Teachers:

Please see the details and timeline for the Milestones Fieldtest that we will conduct at Hilsman. Additional details will follow next week.  Please plan for regular schedules to be adjusted as indicated below. 

Test Name:  Milestones Field Test  (REBW)

Thursday 10/26 :

   Distribution of parent letters from 7th period

Monday 10/30 (School Based PL Day):

    PL regarding test administration with 8th grade teachers only

Tuesday 10/31 :

  Day one of testing (+/- 60 min) in extended homeroom 

Wednesday 11/1:

   Day two of testing (+/- 90 min) in testing schedule

Thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility.

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We currently have three UGA courses taught on our campus this semester. I have included the times and titles of these courses on this week's schedule for your reference (marked by an asterisk*). 

It's RED RIBBON WEEK! (See above from Ms. Moore.)

Monday **ADVISEMENT DURING ELT with your ELT students - NORMAL BELL SCHEDULE**
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. BEVIS! 
WOW Session first plannings w/ Tolbert for RTI
WOW Session second plannings w/ Destefani for Moby Max 

Tuesday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OFFICER JOHNSON!
Silver Head of House Meeting with Mr. Forker in the Art Room
RTI Meetings 
* 8:00 - 10:45 am ENGL 4330/6330S: Shakespeare in the Classroom

Wednesday
Collab planning
*12:20-3:20 pm ESCI 4440/6000: Teaching Physical Science in Middle School
4:00-4:30pm - Committee Meetings


Thursday
Collab planning
*1:00 - 3:30pm EDMG 4000/6000: Community Contexts in Middle Grades Education
1:45 pm - UGA Literacy Mentors 

6:30-8:00pm FRIGHTFEST! Please come help out. Ms. Griffith does a fantastic job with this each year and it raises quite a bit of money that we can then use to help support teachers and our students.  If you have any questions, touch base with Ms. Griffith. 


Friday

ENJOY YOUR MUCH DESERVED FALL HOLIDAY!!!