Week of January 30

Reminders:

• Each grade level needs to put together a Quarter 2 Benchmark Review packet for our students. Turn these into Hogan by the end of the day MONDAY! 
• Take the CCRPI survey for faculty if you haven't already. 
• Class splits need to be up-to-date. 
• When you are out, please send work to students via Google classroom. This helps your team out greatly, especially when substitutes are unavailable. 
• Q2 Benchmark dates are posted on the Hilsman Events 2016-17 calendar 
• Post IB Grades - See Ms. Johns if you have questions.
• If you are interested in serving on the scheduling committee for the 17-18 academic year at Hilsman, please email Ms. Hogan. 

District Walkthrough Feedback:
GLOWS: 

Prior knowledge utilized

Common spaces are being fostered to communicate learning and understanding

Digital tools and technology are being utilized consistently

Balance of student-centered & teacher-centered instruction (not a lot of sit and get)

Frequent and meaningful feedback on student work

Student choice is evident

Students accessing multiple resources (digital as well)

Evidence of instructional framework in 90% of classes

Teacher purposefully engaging students by tapping into their interests (every single room)

Students on task and engaged

IB: Evidence of things posted and tied into the curriculum (especially in 8th grade)

Students using feedback to reflect on work

ELTs were strong, focused, and engaging (different from last time)

Strong evidence of collaborative planning

GROWS:

Need to incorporate higher order questioning to take instruction to the next level

Truly maximize instructional time

Make connections beyond the obvious and tying in IB more naturally (beyond postings in the classroom)

Use explicit “talk” in guiding the students in their work

The attempt to incorporate the instructional framework is generally present; we need to insure that we are making a concerted effort to include closings each period. This is where we get bang for our buck.

Using technology beyond the substitution model of SAMR
Allowing students to "turn and talk" and dialogue more among each other

Try it out:

•  Reciprocal Learning Strategy (video)
• Instead of Kahoot (which can allow a more passive experience for students) try QUIZIZZ for a more collaborative and participatory experience! 

Valuable Literacy Resource: Common Lit

Monday: B DAY 
*IB Academy #2
8:30 Office/staff meeting

Tuesday:
RTI
4pm - Math teachers with Ms. Huff for DESMOS training

Wednesday:
Collab Planning
WOW session - RTI & Discipline (w/ Tolbert) FIRST PLANNINGS
4pm - Faculty Meeting

Thursday:
*District Spelling Bee
Collab Planning
4pm SILT w/Dr. Gant

Friday:
*Progress reports go home
Be Awesome!

Week of January 23rd

Reminders: 

• Lesson plans are to be submitted each Sunday by midnight.
• Personnel surveys for CCRPI data need to be completed ASAP. Here is the link: http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/personnel.nsf/Survey.xsp
• Ms. Tolbert should have received each teacher's classroom management plan. 
• Since ELT rosters and connections rosters have been adjusted, please adjust your class splits in the shared folder.  If you haven't submitted your class splits EVER, well, your team and admin would greatly appreciate you taking care of that. 

TRY IT OUT: 
A new twist on a familiar strategy: Chat Stations (from Cult of Pedagogy)

Monday: 
*IB Academies
**ELA TEACHERS: Carlyn will meet with you all during 1st planning to discuss Q2 benchmark.
8:30 - office/building staff meeting
9:30  - Admin team meeting
10:30 - Instructional Leaders Meeting
4:00 - SILT

Tuesday: 
RTI Meetings

Wednesday: 
Collab planning (both periods)
4pm - ALL MATH teachers - DESMOS training with Glenda Huff

Thursday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. TILLER!!!
District Walkthroughs beginning at 8:30 
Collab planning (both periods)
4pm - New Panther Cohort with Hogan (Media Center)

Friday:
(1st plannings) Ambrose to review benchmark 2 with ALL social studies teachers

Week of January 16th

Please remember that during collaborative plannings we are documenting our work in the uniform collaborative protocols document Ms. Hogan shared this past week. These should be housed in the content/grade level folders shared with you as well.

IB Academies - First meeting will be Monday, January 23rd.

Monday - MLK Day

Tuesday -
RTI Meetings BOTH plannings
4pm PDSD Coordinating Council

Wednesday -
Hilsman Spelling Bee at 8:30am in the Media Center

Collaborative Plannings BOTH plannings
Vertical Planning

Thursday -
Janet Bauman from Math 180 will visit those ELTS and meet with math teachers.

Collaborative Plannings BOTH plannings
4pm - Black History Program planning committee meeting
6pm - Social Studies Curriculum Night & Geography Bee

Friday -
Hilsman hosts the CCSD Social Studies Fair in the Media Center
Connections Team and ALL grade levels will need to meet during planning with Ms. Moore.

Week of January 9th

Greetings,

Thank you for a great return to work. There was a lot of positive feedback provided regarding the PL presented Monday. Dr. Love definitely did a great job of disturbing our culture by reminding us of "who we teach, what we teach, and where we teach". Although her presentation was somewhat controversial, it is something that we all need to think about as we continue to educate students in a world of change. As we move forward and keeping with the motto of being firm, fair, and consistent, please remember that we must all work together as a team to teach to reach every student. Below are a few reminders that we all need to review to ensure that we finish the race!

• Personal leave must be submitted via AESOP 7-10 before the requested date. In addition, Mrs. Brinkley is not allowed to enter employee absences. If you are having an issue with your sign in, please contact Teisha Echols at the BOE.  
• Remember that staff is not allowed to take the day before or after a holiday or break unless it is an emergency. Documentation must be provided or you will receive leave without pay.
• Both periods on Wednesdays and Thursdays should be used for collaborative planning. This is the case even if you are not meeting with Mrs. Hogan. Minutes should be documented in the form that has been provided to your by Mrs. Hogan.
• You are mandated to take attendance EVERY class period. This is crucial as we need this information to identify students that are chronically absent or skipping classes. We also use this information when we meet for attendance panels and court hearings. Please be sure to adhere to this mandate.
• If you are going to be late, please text Ms, Tolbert and send an email. 
• We should expect to be professionally dressed daily.  Remember NO jeans unless you are participating in the fundraiser or told by an administrator.
• Our work day begins at 8:00 and ends at 4:00. Please arrive to work on time and check in at the front office. Teachers should greet students at their doors and help monitor the halls in the mornings and during class changes.
• No students should be sent to the front office for disicipline issues unless it is a fight or use of extreme profanity (disrespect). 
• BE CONSISTENT with your practices and routines. Our students are hungry for structure. 
• Use the school wide PBIS plan with fidelity.
• Remember to watch what you say and how you say it to our students and parents. Communication is the key to our success in so many ways! Guard your tongue.

Science Fair UPDATE: 
Science Fair has been rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 14th at Cedar Shoals. Set up will be Friday from 3:45-6:00 pm. The same schedule will be followed.
Science Fair Schedule

Social Studies Fair: 
Will be held January 20th at Hilsman.

Social Studies Curriculum Night:
Thursday, January 19th at 6pm

Spelling Bee:
January 18th at 8:30 am in the Media Center

Bullying Prevention Essay Contest: 
Check your email from Ms. Autumn Moore regarding this contest. We want all students to participate!

Monday 
* REPORT CARDS GO HOME
**Map training for 7th grade Social Studies teachers
Office/Instructional/Admin Team Meetings
ADVISEMENT
Grade level/Team Meetings
4pm PBIS Meeting

Tuesday 
8am - Middle School Instructional Council (Tolbert, Hogan, Dalton, Crenshaw, & J. Holland)
RTI

Wednesday
Collaborative Planning - ALLcontents BOTH plannings
4pm SILT

Thursday
Collaborative Planning - ALL contents BOTH plannings
*fire drill

Friday
9 am: Principal's Coffee in Media Center

Birthdays:
K. Brinkley (1/10)
D. Jones (1/14)

Week of January 2nd

An article and a video that echoes Dr. Love's professional learning with us: 
Stepping Up to Teach in Turbulent Times

PBS Newshour Jacques Pepin - Following a Recipe can Lead to Disaster

***Reading Inventory and Math Inventory make-ups will take place during ELT Wednesday and Thursday of this week. 

Monday: PLC DAY AGENDA

8:30 am - Faculty Meeting 

9:30 am - 12:30: PL with Dr. Bettina Love -- Check out her phenomenal work: http://www.bettinalove.com/

12:30-2:00 pm Lunch 

2:30-4:00 pm - SILT 

Tuesday:
RTI Meetings 

Wednesday: 

ELA & Soc. Studies collab w/Hogan 

Thursday: 

Math & Science collab w/Hogan 

5pm - Family Science Night (click here)

Friday: 

Be awesome! 

Week of December 12th

Social Studies Fair: 
Setup and judging will take place this week.  Here are the details: 
Monday, Dec. 12, Set Up; Tuesday, Dec. 13, Judging; Wednesday, Dec. 14, Break Down (and deliver back to ELT classrooms). Social Studies teachers are asked to come at first planning TUESDAY for school level evaluation/judging.

HOUR OF CODE: 
Hilsman students will participate in the International Hour of Code for the third year in a row next Wednesday (8th grade) and Thursday (6th & 7th grade) during ELT. You can even see us on the map right here: https://hourofcode.com/us/map. The goal is to introduce students to the world of coding in a fun and supportive environment. Learn more about the initiative here: https://code.org/. 

Needs for Adaptive PE: 
Ms. Luthi and Team Gora are asking for any sporting equipment donations for our adapted pe class.

21st Century Program Updates:
21st Century Evaluation Results that we have been asked to share with staff and families. 

Links to Full Reports

Summer

2015-2016 School Year

21st Century Evaluation Presentation

Weekend Birthdays: 
Happy birthday, Ms. Destefani! (12/11)

Monday: CAN-A-THON Ends TODAY!
Happy birthday, Ms. Postero!
**Advisement** See email from Ms. Moore
8:30 - Front office staff meeting
9:30 - Admin meeting
10:30 - Instructional leaders meeting
4pm PBIS
7pm Band concert

Tuesday:
**Pre-Bee Spelling Bee elimination rounds during lunch
RTI meetings
4pm SILT 

Wednesday: HOUSING CELEBRATION! (More to come from Mr. Forker)
ELA/SS Collab Plannings w/Hogan
4pm Vertical Meetings


Thursday:
Happy birthday, Ms. Tillotson!

Math/Sci Collab Plannings w/Hogan

4:30 pm - Holiday Bash at Blind Pig Eastside 
Friday:
And the tradition continues...Wear your tackiest, most festive holiday sweater. 



During 6th & 7th Periods - 7th grade will host a "Sock Hop," dance to culminate our study of The Outsiders.  Students will be in costume (Greaser or Soc).  Teachers are invited and encouraged to dress in your favorite '50s attire and come rock around the clock together.


Birthdays over the winter break: 
Happy birthday, Ms. Callahan! (12/19)

When we return: 
Professional Learning Day, Jan. 2nd at Hilsman
We will kick off the new year with Dr. Bettina Love. Read more about her: http://www.bettinalove.com/. 

Family Science Night will be held on Thursday, January 5.  Drop in anytime between 5:00-7:00 pm. All students and their families can attend.  

Area businesses and organizations will be present hosting fun, interactive science activities and student science fair projects will be on display.

Family Science Night Presentation

District Science Fair - January 7 

Week of December 5th

Panther Family:

We are in the final stretch until winter break. This week we will be administering the Reading Inventory and the Math Inventory. Please encourage all students to do their absolute best and remind them of our high expectations for these assessments.  We will be celebrating all of those who show growth.

This week during collaborative plannings we will focus on creating assessments that address the low performing standards on the first benchmark.  Thankfully the performance bands have been adjusted. As is to be expected there are areas in which our students outshone the other middle schools, and there are areas that are in need of growth.  Please continue to embrace the instructional framework and be mindful of its advantages for student achievement.  Hogan will be conducting walkthroughs on the instructional framework throughout the week. So, when you see her, don't be concerned. These are purely for constructive feedback and to get a pulse on the full implementation of the framework.

Across contents, grade levels, and connections courses, we must be mindful and intentional in our approach to literacy. Please take time to check out this article, "It Takes a Village..." .  We need all hands on deck when it comes to improving the literacy of all of our students. This is a fixable problem when we all work together for our kids, and it is our moral obligation to do whatever it takes. We will be having focused conversations on literacy in our classrooms during plannings this week. Please think about your approaches to teaching reading, writing, and speaking in the classroom and bring your thoughts, ideas, celebrations, and struggles to the table.

Hopefully, this week will be a little more predictable and smoother than last week. :) Hilsman is one phenomonal village for our students and their families.  It's an honor to work with you all each day.

So, here we go!

Monday:
*Ambrose to meet with Social studies teachers during plannings to discuss literacy initiatives
**Advisement** See email from Ms. Moore
8:30 - Front office staff meeting
9:30 - Admin meeting
10:30 - Instructional leaders meeting


Tuesday:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. TOLBERT!!!!
7th and 8th grade: Extended Homeroom -- RI (formerly the SRI) presentation linked here
6th grade will administer SRI in the ELA classes.
RTI meetings

4:00pm Tech Leaders Meeting

Wednesday:
*Carlyn to meet with ELA during collab plannings
Math Inventory will be given in the math classes throughout the day.
ELA/SS Collab Plannings w/Hogan

4pm Faculty Meeting (meeting in the cafeteria)
Basketball game vs CMS

Thursday:
Math/Sci Collab Plannings w/Hogan

Basketball game vs BHL
6pm - Sip & Talk (with Hilsman parents)

Friday: Happy Birthday, Mr. Hussain!
*Jeans if you donated to sunshine committee


Upcoming:
12/12 - Social Studies Fair
           PBIS @ 4pm
           Band concert @ 7pm
12/14 - Vertical Meetings