Week of September 25

Happy Sunday Panther Nation,

I hope that each of you have enjoyed your weekend and found a little time to rest and RESET. This month is going to be a busy one so tie up your laces and get ready to run! Also, I want to encourage each of you to remain vigilant of our scholars' behavior in the halls, classroom, and cafeteria. If you hear or notice anything out of the ordinary, immediately report it to an Administrator or Officer Johnson. It is equally important for you to enforce the uniform and backpack policies. Remember that as we are reinforcing expectations to be mindful of our actions and tone. It is always a good practice to remember Mr. Scott's presentation from the beginning of the year. Our actions and words can impact a student for life!

Monday and Wednesday we will have mandatory faculty meetings. This is in an effort to get our School Growth Plan completed before the deadline. Most importantly, this time will allow all of us an opportunity to work TOGETHER as we set our school's goals. Our October meeting will be cancelled. I will create a video to share important information. 

In a separate email, I will share a link to my calendar for you to begin signing up for your Pre-Evaluation Conference. Please select a time that is good for you. I attempted to offer a variety of times to allow you some flexibility with your schedule. 

Lastly, as a reminder, please be sure that you are effectively using Collaborative Planning time. If you or your team are experiencing issues or have concerns, do not hesitate to alert (Dr.) Mrs. Hogan.

Just as a little pick you upper, feel free to wear jeans Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. Cheers to a GREAT week!

Ms. Tolbert

Updates from the District:

2018 OPEN ENROLLMENT 

Open Enrollment will begin October 16, 2017 for State Health and CCSD benefits. Please plan to attend an Open Enrollment meeting near you to learn about changes and improvements to your benefits. Visit the Employee Benefits website after Thursday, September 28, 2017 at www.clarke.k12.ga.us to find helpful links to Open Enrollment choices. Open Enrollment ends November 3, 2017. Computer help will be available in the Board Office on October 31 and November 1 from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. These sessions are only for help with the computer and are reserved for those that have limited computer experience and no access to a computer or internet at home or work. Send your questions to openenrollment@clarke.k12.ga.us. 

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

 ● LEA Training - 

The first session was held this 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. 

● Strategies and Techniques for Dealing with the Most Difficult to Manage Students - 

Gary Alderman ○ September 28-29 ○ Northeast Georgia RESA ○ Link to Register ○ This is a great opportunity for beginning teachers and teachers/administrators desiring to improve classroom management practices within their classrooms/buildings 

● 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! 

● Free Parent Workshop - Tuesday, October 10, 10:00 AM-12:00PM at Athens Regional Library. This workshop will provide parents with an overview of IDEA, Child Find, RTI, SST, making a referral, evaluation process, and the IEP process. For more information, contact Jerolee Oschack at 706.546.7721 ext. 65727.

Dinner Dialogue

If you are interested in participating in our dinner dialogue this fall, please complete the form here: Dinner Dialogue Interest Form

From Mr. Lawrence: 

The Hilsman Middle School Chorus are selling Dominoes "Slice The Price" cards for a fundraiser. The cards are $10 and donations are welcomed. The proceeds are going towards the groups Spring events.

HMS Chorus Fall Performance is October 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm.

From Maxey: 

Hilsman Bands Together

From Sunshine Committee: 
Friday Jeans has started! $5 each Friday or $20 for 5 weeks. Don't miss the opportunity to be comfortable.

From Ms. Camp: 

Band Concert:  Monday, October 2 at 6:30 @Cedar Shoals High School Auditorium.

Rockathon Friday, October 6 from 7:00pm-7:00am.  Come have fun with the students!

From Mr. Hussain: 

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, wearing ties, and growing a beard. 

Teachers, please remember to follow with First 15/Last 15 pass rules. 

Monday:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MS. BRINKLEY & MS. MEYER!!!
*Advisement   Morning Activity Schedule
**Grade levels and EXC teachers meet with Holland both plannings today
4pm Called faculty meeting (cafeteria) *Sit by content area.
4:30 Cross country meet at Athens Academy 
5:15 Local School Governance Team

Tuesday:
1-4 Forker @ AP Meeting
4pm New Panther Cohort w/Hogan
Head's of House Meeting during ELT in CAFE. Names of students will be provided to you via email.
4:30 - Volleyball HMS v. CMS @ HMS

Wednesday: 
4pm Faculty Meeting 

Thursday: 
House Meetings - Activity Schedule
UGA Literacy Mentors - Beginning of 6th period
5pm - C-Team Football v. Clarke Central @ Cedar

Friday: Happy FRIDAY!!!

On your radar: 
10/3 FTE Count Day -- ATTENDANCE IS MUY IMPORTANTE
10/9 District PL Day (@ Clarke Central - stay tuned)
10/11-13 Parent Conferences (Thursday is our late evening.) 
10/27 - Fall Holiday -- GO DAWGS! 
10/30 PL Day (here at the HIL)

Week of September 18

Teachers and Staff,

Thank you for a great return back to school. You all did a phenomenal job of ensuring that students quickly refocused on school as well as reinforced the PAWS expectations. Thank you! As we continue to move forward this year, please know that our path is being carefully created by Dr. Means. I will be sharing more information with you all as he continues to share with leadership his vision and mission for CCSD.  In the meantime, please continue teaching and actively engaging our students during your instruction.

The storm has caused us to have to shift some deadlines. SMART Goal Training for selected members of SILT will take place September 19th. Therefore we will communicate stems for goals as well as expectations for TKES no later than Monday. The week of September 25th will be dedicated to Pre-Observation Conferences. Please ensure that you self assessment, orientation, and the familiarization components of TKES is completed as of today. If you are having trouble, please email Ms. Tolbert.

Progress reports should have gone our last Friday. If you had students that failed your class, please contact the parents via writing and phone to make them aware of their child's grade. It is also recommended that you record this contact in Campus. This is important as we work to help our students become successful. In addition, please have a plan of action for the student to recover.

As you are working to meet deadlines, create innovative plans, and provide instruction to students please do not hesitate to contact me if you are feeling overwhelmed. We will work to reschedule the PL with your content however keep in mind that we also have a PL Day coming soon in October. I will work with Mrs. Hogan to provide at least 3 hours of time for you to spend planning and preparing for Fall Conferences. As always, know that your work is appreciated and I stand amazed at your level of commitment to our students and your profession as a teacher.

Thanks,
Utevia

Fundraising

If you are interested in working with Mrs. Skinner as she plans our Panther Prowl scheduled for February 3rd, please see her ASAP! This is a huge responsibility and any help would be appreciated. Also if you or anyone that you know would like to be a sponsor for this event, please see us! We are in need of 2500.00 in sponsorship. Let us make this event a successful one!

September 27th is the deadline for our Cookie Dough Fundraiser! I will instruct students to return the packets to their ELT teacher.  Please turn in the student packets to the front office upon receipt! This is important so that we can get an accurate count as well as confirm our delivery date.

Goodbye or see you later Mr. Hardy!

September 22 is Mr. Hardy's last day at Hilsman! He has been a great asset to our staff, community, and students! Please consider having students write him a letter of appreciation. We are also working on a nice token of appreciation for him as he moves on to higher grounds. He will truly be missed!

Firm, Fair, Consistently Consistent

Please continue to hold students accountable for their behavior and academics. Remember NO hall passes unless it is necessary! Instruction is critical. Unless there is a student in need of an emergency bathroom break, we should not have any movement in the halls the first and last 15 minutes of each class. The first 10 minutes of every grade level's lunch period is to be silent. Lastly, everyone should have silent transitions. Please make sure that every teacher is in the hall during transition and for morning duty. Incidents are occurring during transition time and we need to reinforce order at this time.


From our onsite UGA faculty: 

For the fourth year in a row Hilsman has welcomed Dr. Sujata Iyengar's UGA students to school for "Shakespeare in the Classroom," which brings UGA English and Education majors to Hilsman to work with 8th grade Language Arts teachers and pupils on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Dr. Iyengar teaches literature and writing in the UGA English Department and is the author of several books and many articles about Shakespeare's England, including Shades of Difference: Mythologies of Skin Color in Early Modern England (2005) and Shakespeare's Medical Language (2011). She urges parents, teachers, and Hilsman students to feel free to bring her your questions about Shakespeare, the value of lifelong learning, and the importance of the humanities. She especially encourages Hilsman students to ask her UGA students about learning and life in college. UGA students will pop in and out most days of the week from now until December, but look for Dr. Iyengar and her students especially Tuesday mornings between 8 and 12.

ALSO...

Dr. Kathy Thompson's students meet on our campus Thursday afternoons.  Her group is helping support our literacy efforts here at the HIL by being literacy mentors to a group of 6th graders.  Every Thursday they meet in our media center, and it has been a wonderful success in these first couple of weeks.  Stay tuned for pictures and updates! 

Dinner Dialogue
If you are interested in participating in our dinner dialogue this fall, please complete the form here: Dinner Dialogue Interest Form

From Mr. Lawrence: 

The Hilsman Middle School Chorus are selling Dominoes "Slice The Price" cards for a fundraiser. The cards are $10 and donations are welcomed. The proceeds are going towards the groups Spring events.

HMS Chorus Fall Performance is October 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm.

From Maxey: 

Hilsman Bands Together

Monday
Morning Activity Schedule
8:00am - Bus Evacuation practice. Students may be late to Homeroom/ELT
Advisement Advisement Lesson (linked here) 
4pm-5pm: SILT Meeting 
4pm: C-Team v/s Stephens County @ 5:30

Tuesday
8am- 4pm:  SMART SystemsTraining  Various Staff out of Building
8:30am: Student/Faculty Fall Picture Day 
4:30pm: Volleyball HIL vs. WRC @ WRC

Wednesday
4pm-5pm: 3rd Wednesday District Meetings
6pm-7pm Hispanic Heritage Night

Thursday
Math 180 Coaching Visit (only applies to Math 180 teachers) 
4pm-5:30pm: PDSD Coordinating Council Meeting (Tolbert, Forker, Hogan)
4pm: Cross Country meet at Crow's Lake in Jefferson 

Friday

Week of September 11

Good evening Teachers,

Official word has been sent out from the District that school will be closed Wednesday, September 13th as a result of massive power outages in our area.  Due to uncontrolled circumstances, please expect some changes to our plans. We will NOT have half day PL this week.We will need to reschedule this for early October. In addition, DO NOT worry about posting grades until we return to school. Many of your have completed the TKES pre-observation components, however the due date has been changed to this Friday. Remember you only have to complete the first two components. The SMART Training has been postponed until September 19th. If you are a SILT designee for this training, this is the final date per Dr. Means. We realize that being out for three days will cause for a change in your lesson plans. Feel free to alter your plans to accommodate what you will need to cover in your classes. Be prepared to receive some excited students upon our return to school. They have been home for an additional three days and are probably filled with energy. It will be imperative to hold them accountable and to reinforce the PAWS Expectations. We will not allow unnecessary hall passes, no movement the first and last 15 minutes of every class, implement silent lunch the first 10 minutes of each grade level's lunch, silent transitions, and ensure high quality bell to bell instruction. Again, I hope that you and your families endured the storm and are safe. 

Shout out to Ms. Destefani, Mr. Hussain, Ms. Page, and Ms. Skinner for presenting to our parents at Friday's Principal's Coffee. They provided our families with very detailed information on Google Classroom. 

DOUBLE shout out to our faculty member of the month, Ms. Holland, and our staff member of the month, Mr. Stevie.  

From your AP:
 - Please remember that grade level house incentives will take place on Friday afternoon. Grade levels should work together to plan incentives by house. If you have questions or need support with planning, please email Mr. Forker directly. 

From your IC: 

• Please make sure you have completed a detached duty for our macroplannings on Wednesday and Thursday of this upcoming week. Your subs have already been taken care of. 

Click here for info on submitting a detached duty

Hilsman Macroplanning Details for Wednesday and Thursday

• We are in the planning stages of a dinner dialogue series with our families and stakeholders guided by the themes in Richard Milner's text Rac(e)ing to Class.  For our new faculty, please see Hogan for copies of the book.  Our whole faculty conducted a dialogue with this text in April of the past school year. If you are interested in joining us for phase two of the conversation please submit the form below:

Dinner Dialogue RSVP

• As you all prepare your TKES platform for this school year, I am available to answer any and all questions you may have.  Your two big "to-dos" BY TUESDAY of this week are: 1) completing the orientation (with video) and 2) completing the self-assessment.  You will receive more guidance on writing your goals after SILT representatives go through the SMART systems training at the BOE.  At this training, we will develop stems that make your goal writing a little less painful. :) Here, again, is the presentation shared at the faculty meeting: 

TKES Orientation

September 11th Memorial Day Resources: 

ELT Presentation

9/11 Resources (links, etc.)

IB reminders:

1. Remember to save student work to collaboratively score.

2. Make sure you have completed the reflection for each unit as you finish the unit.

3. Start talking to your students about our Hurricane Harvey campaign that starts next week. The presentation was shared with everyone this week.

Trash Harvey Campaign Presentation

4. Get with the other teachers in your house to discuss a way to post students' names from your house somewhere in the school.

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, wearing ties, and growing a beard. 

Monday: SCHOOL CANCELLED #irma 

*September 11th Day of Remembrance

TO BE RESCHEDULED: 

WOW Sesssion with Maxey first plannings (including connections team) 

10am GRADES DUE IN CAMPUS

Tuesday: SCHOOL CANCELLED #irma 

Progress reports go home 

Volleyball away vs BHL 

Wednesday: SCHOOL CANCELLED #irma

*We would normally hold vertical meetings after school on this Wednesday of the month. However, verticals will take place during our content macroplanning this week. 

Math AM - Macroplanning/Cancelled

ELA PM - Macroplanning/Cancelled

Thursday: 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. OYEYEMI! 

Social Studies AM - Macroplanning/Cancelled

Science PM - Macroplanning/Cancelled

6pm DC Trip Parent Meeting 

Friday: Afternoon Activity Schedule

Each grade level should have planned for activities on their hallway. Forker will check in with grade level team leaders Thursday for logistics. Any questions or need of support, email Forker directly.

2:30 Grade level house celebrations 

Saturday: 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FASSBENDER!

Week of September 4th

Monday:
Labor Day - No School!!

Tuesday:
RTI (first plannings)
Tolbert @ Mindset Training

Wednesday:
Collab planning:
- 1st plannings: ELA
- 2nd plannings: S. Studies
Tolbert @ Mindset Training
C-Team Football Away @  Madison County @ 5:30
4pm Faculty Meeting 

Thursday:
* Progress report period ends*
Collab planning:
- 1st plannings: Math
- 2nd plannings: Science
Volleyball - HMS @ CMS @ 4:30

Friday:
Principal's Coffee 8:30am In Media Center
Hogan at BOE (AM)

Week of August 28th

Greetings Staff,

Another great week is recorded in the books of Hilsman Middle School. A huge thank you again for your effort and dedication to moving forward together. In a a like manner, thank you to all that participated in the meetings after school last week. Remember your voices are important to the improvement to our structure and academic programs. After visiting several classes this week, I want to praise you all on the level of rigor that was observed in your classes. Many of our students were actively engaged in the activities. Keep up the great work! Continue working together during collaborative planning, it is evident that team work is impacting instruction. Below are a few announcements and reminders for the week. Cheers to a great week!

Ms. U. Tolbert

• The True North Logic Platform will be ready as of Monday, August 28th. Mr. Forker and I will renew our certification at which time, I will share an orientation video to all teachers from Mr. Jarboe. It is mandatory for every teacher to view the video. I will send an email with more details regarding the process when we are done with our  re credentialing. 
• SILT will meet to develop stems to be used for you as you begin developing your goals. Every teacher will have three goals. One in the area of literacy, numeracy, and SEL. Your content area can decide to have individual or content goals. Much like last year, your goals will be based on the School Growth Plan (formerly known as SIP). WOW sessions will be held next week to provide you with professional learning in this area.
• Remember to take attendance in EVERY class. This should occur no later than 15 minutes after the start of class.
• As of Friday, every teacher should have updated their grade book. It is mandatory to enter grades every 7-10 days. Parents are aware of the policy and we must do our part to properly inform them about the progress of their child. After reviewing the report, many teachers had not completed this task. If you need assistance, please see Mrs. Brinkley or Mrs. Hogan.
• Remember that our workday begins at 8:00 and our need to be professionally dressed. Every staff member should sign in using the jiffy pass using the front office computer.
• There was an increase of discipline referrals this week. It is important to remain firm, fair, and consistent in our practices. Transitions are looking better! Continue to hold students accountable and remember to practice the expectations with them repeatedly.
• Please continue to monitor the behavior of students in the cafeteria. Teachers will need to go though the line with students. The cafeteria staff reported that students are throwing food at them as well as being extremely disrespectful. This will not be tolerated. Please revisit PAWS expectations for the cafeteria. 
• Committee meetings are mandatory. Minutes should be completed and shared with the administrators. 

A couple of gentle reminders from your IC:
- Emergency lesson plans are past due: please submit through the PLC site here under the Beginning of the Year page: Panthers PLC Site 
- Class splits need to be completed in the event a sub is a no-show.  Submit this to a grade level/team folder and share with Hogan, Tolbert, and Forker. 
-Math Inventory and Reading Inventory make-ups should be completed no later than Tuesday.  See Fassbender if you need assistance with make-ups.  
- Hilsman Events Calendar: Check it out to keep up with all the great things going on! 
- NOMINATE A FELLOW PANTHER -- Teacher of the month and staff member of the month nominations are due by the end of the week - Friday, September 1. Click HERE for the nomination form. 

From Skinner: 
The 5K is set for February 3rd this year! If you would like to be a sponsor, we would greatly appreciate that! You can email Meganne Skinner, or Christina Fassbender if you would like more information. More details coming about when and how to sign up to run. 

Monday:
WOW session first planning (not connections) with Ms. Golden

Tuesday:
Connections: Moore will meet with you re: 504s at 8:30am in PL Room

RTI

Wednesday:
Collab planning

Thursday:
Collab planning

Friday:
Happy birthday, Ms. Hughes! 

Sunday: 
Happy birthday, Ms. Jaquis (formerly Messick)! 

Week of August 21

Quote of the Week:

Hilsman is Eclipse Ready!!!

Good afternoon,

Thank you for another great week of school. I realize that the schedule changes caused some frustration but I do appreciate your willingness to remain positive. This week the schedules should be more stable and allow for you to truly begin teaching expectations as well as the curriculum. Remember to be firm, fair, and consistent. If you have not made a positive phone call to parents, please be sure to do so this week and log it into Campus. You all have received many compliments from parents regarding the positive school climate. Keep it up! A smile goes a long way!

A few reminders for the week:

Please come out to the Annual Title 1 and PTO meeting! The T stands for teacher! It would be great to have you present as we work with PTO to support our initiatives and students.

Your voice needs to be heard in the designing of the new building. Consider joining us Wednesday as we look at a few plans from the architect! 5:30 in the Media Center.

Remember that our workday begins promptly at 8:00. Be sure to arrive to work on time and sign in at the front desk. If you are running late, please text or email Ms. Tolbert and your team leader.

We have had several students go home sick with stomach and headaches. Be sure that you are taking care of yourself and washing your hands frequently to avoid getting sick. 

Your attendance is importance! When you miss school, the students miss out, and we all miss you! We have been in school for two weeks and have had a high number of teacher absences. You are the key to a child's academic success. If you must be out, it is understood. However, please make every effort to be present at work. 

Great job with transitions this week! Your presence in the halls is noticeable and is definitely impacting our students' behavior.

Remind students to be respectful in the cafeteria and to take care of our building. Both the custodians and cafeteria staff work hard to serve all of us. Let us be sure to be respectful and mindful of their work. They too play an important role at Hilsman. 

Keep up the great work! YOU are ALL working to move to higher grounds and I want to ensure you that it is noticed by your Administrators. Continue to lift each other up and hold everyone accountable for the work we do at Hilsman. It is not easy but an encouraging word from your peer feels good on a tough day. To the new teachers at Hilsman, hang in there! You got this!

Week at Glance - 

Monday - 21st
Staff may wear shorts (appropriate length, khaki/black) and a spirit shirt to work.

Click Link: Solar Eclipse Day at HMS

SILT Meeting following Dissmissal

Tuesday - 22nd
6th Grade - IB Learner Profile During ELT
SRI during ELA classes
RTI Meetings During Planning

Title I Meeting 6:00pm
PTO Meeting 6:30pm

Wednesday 23rd
Collab Planning
Emergency Sub plans Due
Committee Meetings 4pm -5pm
P-BEST!!  Meeting 4pm - 5pm
Building Committee - 5:30pm

Thursday 24th
Collab  Planning
SMI during Math classes
New Panther Cohort  4pm -5pm
Washinton DC Parent Meeting - 5:30

Friday 25th
Spirit Shirts

House Ceremony - Afternoon activity schedule

Week of August 14th

Greetings,

I know that I have said this several times, but THANK YOU FOR A GREAT FIRST WEEK! Your patience with schedules, transitions, unexpected moves, and other changes is greatly appreciated. If this is any indication of where the year is headed, we are going in the right direction. As I visited classes today, I was overwhelmed by your level of enthusiasm while teaching. It is evident that we have all committed to "renewing our saltiness".  All of the students were actively engaged during instruction.  Below you will find a few reminders to keep in mind as we move forward:

Reminder that our work day begins at 8:00 am. Please be sure to arrive to work on time and sign in at the front office.

Lesson plans are due on Fridays at 6:00 pm.

Remember to establish your classroom rituals and routines for the next several weeks. In addition, make positive contact with parents before Wednesday of next week.

Please continue teaching PAWS expectations throughout the week! Let Ms. Hogan know if you still need a PAWS matrix for your classroom.

Transitions are looking good. Please continue to practice the expectations with the students.

Send your course syllabus home with students and be sure to provide me with a copy. I have had several parents to ask for a copy.

Encourage EVERY child to read daily! We must push literacy as a building.

As we are working to settle schedules, please document attendance. The district is asking that we take attendance in Campus for the next 10 days. I realize that this may have been difficult this week due to incorrect rosters. Beginning Monday, it is imperative to take attendance every day in every class.

Lastly, enjoy your weekend, RESET, and prepare for next week!

Week at a Glance

(SUNDAY)
Books for Keeps Teacher Giveaway -- FREE BOOKS for classroom libraries.
www.booksforkeeps.org

Monday:
**SOLAR ECLIPSE LETTERS MUST GO HOME VIA HOMEROOMS**
RTI WOW Sessions with Scott Emard in PL room during 1st plannings

Tuesday:
RTI Meetings - Scott Emard will be here to assist during the day with RTI meetings.

Wednesday: *Uniform Day*
Collab Planning
4:15 - Mentors/Mentees meet in PL room for district-led Adobe Connect session

Thursday:
Collab Planning
6pm World Language Parent Meeting

Friday: Spirit shirt


UPCOMING: 
Monday, 8/21  -- SOLAR ECLIPSE EVENT
                        -- SILT Meeting (following delayed dismissal)


Tuesday, 8/22 -- 6pm Title I Meeting
                       -- 6:30 pm PTO Meeting

Wednesday, 8/23 -- 4pm Committee Meetings
                            -- Emergency sub plans due

Thursday, 8/24 -- 4pm New Panther Cohort in PL Room
                         -- 5:30pm Washington, D.C. parent meeting

Friday, 8/25 -- Housing Ceremony (more to come)