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!!!