Week of October 16th

Photo: Courtesy of Gerry Brooks

Teachers,

Thank you for hanging in there this week. I know that it was long but you got the job done! The parents praised many of you for the work that you are doing in the classroom. Additionally, they were extremely impressed with the student led conferences. I observed several conferences and the students did a phenomenal job of communicating their data to their parents. If you still have conferences to host, please attempt to complete them by Friday. I realize that there were parents that did not show up, please see Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Callahan, or Mrs. Kelly to seek help. Our goal is to have 100% conference participation. We can do it!

Be sure to schedule your pre-evaluation conference before Wednesday. I have opened up more dates on my calendar. It is imperative that we are done with conferences Wednesday so that we can attack the walk throughs. Remember, you can meet as a content area. A soft reminder to be sure to take attendance everyday during every period. Have a great weekend.

Thanks,
Utevia


From the District:

TEACHER REPORTED ABSENCES AND FILL RATES 

As we strive to reduce the number of teacher absences, please read the information below:

Tesha Echols is our HR Specialist who works with employee leave. She monitors AESOP each day for employee absences and fill rates. Currently, we have over 200 active substitutes, and we add new substitutes to AESOP each month. This number fluctuates because we remove substitutes each month as well. Substitutes who do not sub at least 4 days per month in our schools are removed from the list once they have received a warning. Recently, we have noticed an increase in faculty and staff absences and a decrease in fill rates. For the month of September, CCSD had 1339.5 days of absence for teachers and 381 days of absence for our paraprofessionals. These numbers include all reasons for absence. We know that this is challenging for our schools both from the aspect of students not receiving expert instruction from one of our teachers and because of the disruption it causes when other teachers must give up critical planning time to cover.

Special Education Professional Learning Opportunities

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES LEA TRAINING: The first session was held last week with 6 schools participating. Additional training dates: October 16, December 11, January 22, and February 26. Elementary training times: 3:00-4:00 Secondary training times: 4:00-5:00. All trainings are held at the Whitehead Road Annex, Room 29. LEA Training Sign-Up

GEORGIA ASSOCIATION FOR POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT CONFERENCE (GAPBS): ○ November 28-29 ○ Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA ○ Link to Register ○ This is a great opportunity for your school-based PBIS Coach or your entire PBIS team!

6th ANNUAL SAFE & WELCOMING SCHOOLS CONFERENCE, UGA: ○ Respectful and Equitable: Building Strong School Communities ○ October 16, 2017, 9:00 am-3:30 pm, Graduate Hotel, Athens, GA ○ Link to Register

MINDSET DE-ESCALATION AND RESTRAINT TRAINING (INITIAL TRAINING) ○ October 23 & 24th ○ Whitehead Road Annex ○ Use CCSD Evaluation System link on CCSD Start Page


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.

We are looking for teachers to volunteer during their planning on Thursday, October 19th. The 7th grade students will be making presentations to the EPA. We need adults to volunteer to represent the EPA.

Our Hilsman Bands Together campaign has had a small response. I am going to end the campaign Friday, October 20th. Please consider contributing! Remember, teachers in the winning house get a dress down day and duty free lunch!

It is very important that you communicate with your gifted collaborators on low grades. During parent conferences we found low grades for gifted and advanced students that we were not aware of. We need to collaborate together to help our gifted students be successful.

From Mr. Dorsey & Team Gora: 

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 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: Close and Critical Reading (across contents)
Numeracy: 
SEL: Ways to Integrate SEL Throughout the Day

Monday: 
*Advisement 
IB WOW session w/Maxey in PL room (first plannings - connections included)
4pm SILT 

Tuesday: 
RTI Meetings
Middle School Instructional Council AM 

Wednesday: 
Collab planning
4pm - Faculty Meeting - Media Center 
Silver Head of House Meeting with Mr. Forker

Thursday: 
Collab planning 
UGA Literacy Mentors working with 6th grade mentees, 1:50-2:25


Friday: 
Agriscience Fair Open House :  4:00-5:30
Everyone is invited to come and view the Agriscience Fair Boards before Nationals. 


UPCOMING: 
Red Ribbon Week - The Week of the 23rd 
October 26th - Fright Fest
October 27th - Fall Holiday
October 30th - PLC day at Hilsman - 8:30 am Faculty Picture