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!
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
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
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