Week of January 8th

Happy New Year Teachers,

Thank you for a great return to work. I did not send a message last week since we met upon our return to school. Before we begin our weekend,  I want to be sure to highlight some of the things that we spoke about Tuesday.

Tech Initiative- We unanimously decided to deliver instruction using digital technology in a different way for the remainder of the school year. As a result, students will no longer be allowed to take their personal learning devices home. This will call for you to make some adjustments to your instructional delivery. Devices are still available for students through the presence of a computer cart stored in your classroom.  Mr. Forker designed an inventory sheet to help assist you with ensuring devices are accounted for and safe. Please remember to keep your cart or classroom locked at all times. 

Instruction should be designed to engage students from bell to bell. A variety of instructional strategies should be used to help meet the needs of all of your students. As always, students should be actively involved in their learning. Please encourage them to have meaningful conversations with each other to enhance their ability to verbally communicate. It is my belief that by limiting the distractions caused by technology and encouraging face to face communication, students will prevail academically.

It has been clearly communicated and recognized that you will need additional supplies and time as we transition to a more blended model of teaching. I have committed to doing the following:

• Increasing copies from 500 to 1000 a month
• Providing every teacher with a box of paper
• Providing contents with time to macro-plan
• Ordering basic school supplies based on the list provided by Mr. Forker for student 
• Offering supplemental material to help support struggling learners
• Increase teacher feedback in a timely manner

ELT

Each grade level will redesign ELT based on the 4 content areas in an effort to prepare all of our students for the Milestones. As a grade level, you have been given the charge of using the most recent data (RI, MI, CFA, grades) to place your students in the most appropriate ELT. Every student will receive enrichment/remediation in every content area by alternating ELTs every 4 weeks for the remainder of the year. Students that are in a direct or intervention setting will remain in that ELT with no change.

Evaluations

Please ensure that you are consistently delivering high quality instruction to our students. Mr. Forker and I will continue to conduct evaluations for the next several weeks. Remember that if you do not agree with a rating that you can add comments and evidence in the platform. If you have any questions or concerns, please see one of the administrators. 

Professionalism

This is a reminder that YOU are the MOST important factor in your students' education. I want to stress the importance of you being at work. When you miss school, our students miss out! We need you to be present every day in order to make a difference in the lives of our students. If you must be absent, please use AESOP to report your absence. Please refrain from reporting absences late in the morning as it is extremely difficult to find a substitute at the last minute. If you are going to be out for an extended period of time, please take a moment to speak with Ms. Tolbert as well as secure a substitute.  I also request that you review the handbook and the information provided by our HR Department regarding attendance.  With this being said, consider your attendance on Monday and Tuesday! Gooooo Dawgs! 

Utevia

From Ms. Hughes: 

Family Science Night

Thursday, Jan. 18

5-7 pm

​ Family Science Night Invitation Slide 2018

From 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 Maxey:
IB for 2018: Please preview the following presentation. We will go over this during a WOW session within the next few weeks.

IB WOW PRESENTATION

The Gifted Eligibility Committee Meeting will take place after school Thursday, January 11th in the PL room.  Any gifted certified personnel are welcome to attend.

All Social Studies teachers, please read the email Mr. Hussain sent out concerning the Geography Bee on January 25th.

Language Arts teachers, we will be sending out spelling bee lists soon.  The school bee is set for January 17th. Please make sure Mrs. Giannasi has the classroom winners' names by the 15th.

The school's social studies fair will take place January 10th in the library. 

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 Hogan and Maxey:
The week of January 15th we will dedicate time during collaborative planning to analyzing student work. Please think about this in your planning for the coming weeks.  

ALSO, Ms. Maxey has done AMAZING work reorganizing the storage space behind Hogan's office.  There are items up for grabs in that space. Peruse and let us know if you're interested in any of the items before we kick them to the curb. 

Monday: 
4pm SILT
8pm National Championship (ESPN) - Dawgs vs Bama -- GOOOOO DAWGS! SIC 'EM!

Tuesday:
RTI

Wednesday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KASEY BRINKLEY! 
*Social Studies Fair in the HMS Media Center - limit traffic, please! 
Collab planning
4pm Vertical Planning

Thursday: 
Collab planning
4pm Monthly EXC Meeting

Friday: 
8:30am Principal's Coffee
*Hogan out AM for Secondary IC Meeting

SUNDAY, January 14th -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOROTHY JONES!

MONDAY, January 15th -- MLK HOLIDAY 

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!!!

Week of November 27th

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!

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

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 

Week of November 13

Dinner Dialogue 
Come join us for the first session of our dinner dialogue series on race and poverty this Wednesday at 6:00pm in the Media Center.  We are encouraging all to bring a favorite dish.  You can sign up here: 
Dinner Dialogue Potluck Sign-Up      Dinner Dialogue Outline

From Ms. Maxey: 

IB: 

Please plan on bringing student work and rubrics from your most recent MYP project to your collaborative meetings. We will analyze student work to guide teaching and learning practices as well as discuss how to effectively use the MYP rubrics to design and differentiate  instruction.

Make sure that your IB unit posters are up to date and on your walls and that you are referring to them during instruction. This is also a great way to relate learner profiles and concepts to PAWS.

In your teams, be thinking about your interdisciplinary unit in order to support literacy and numeracy across the contents.

Enrichment:

Science Fair is set for December 11th. We have some UGA professors and students who will stop by for scoring. On that day, we would also like for Science teachers to stop by to help score other grade levels. Projects can be done digitally or on a board; however, students need to provide their own supplies if the are using a board.  We need to have abstracts done by Friday, the 8th.

The MLK writing competition is due in January. See Carlyn's email on the specifics.

We have been meeting with some of our students. Some  have check in check out sheets starting this week. I sent the 6th grade names out on Tuesday.  As soon as we meet with the other grade levels, you will receive an email.

Mrs. Maxey would love to collaboratively teach; please contact her for IB or enrichment co-teaching.

From Gonzalez: 
"Sixth graders will be treated to a Jake Burt Author Visit thanks to Avid Bookshop and Feiwel & Friends Publishers at 9:00 AM Wednesday, November 15th! Jake Burt will talk to students about writing and his new book, Greetings from Witness Protection. The Hilsman Media Center will have a BIG book drawing for 40 copies that winning students will receive the morning of the drawing so they can have their copy signed. (If students would like to purchase their own copy, the total cost is $18.18 for the hardcover version.) Parents are welcome to the event!"

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! He'll be showing an activity called an Unfailable Quiz that builds immediate remediation into a lesson (here's a tutorial to whet your appetite).

7th Grade News: November 13-17, 2017

Orchestra Concert

Thursday November 16th at 6:30  HMS Old Gym

Your students have been hard at work and are excited about our upcoming concert!   All grade levels will perform. Family, friends, and any guests are welcome to attend.   

From Mr. Lawrence: 
The Hilsman Middle School Chorus will be performing December 12th at Cedar Shoals High School Auditorium for a Winter Holiday Musical Event. The program will begin at 6:30 pm.

From Ms. Smith: 

November 30th: Poinsettia ($5) and Houseplant ($5-$10) Sale 4:00-6:00
Hilsman Greenhouse- Stop by during this time to see prices and what is for sale! It is first come first serve as we have limited plants!

*Sunday: 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. PAGE!!!

Monday
Grades DUE by NOON!!!
*Advisement during ELT

Tuesday
*Progress reports go home!
RTI
Jean Day

Wednesday
Collab planning
8:30am - 10:30am 6th Grade Author Visit
6:00-7:30 Dinner Dialogue   Dinner Dialogue Outline

Thursday
Collab planning
5:30 DC Parent Meeting
6:30 Orchestra Concert
Jean Day

Friday

Week of November 6th

Staff,

Thank you for your amazing strength last week. I know that it was a tough week. As mentioned in my last email to you, I will be as transparent as I am allowed to be as we are going through this situation. At this time, there is nothing further to share. Please continue to support each other and if you are in need of any counseling, please contact EAP. Mrs. Moore provided everyone with the contact information in an email that she sent earlier today. 

It is important that we understand that the trust with our students and community has been weakened. We must move forward and show our students that we can be trusted and are here because of them. With this in mind, be careful with the way in which you are communicating. Be mindful of your tone, body language, and vocabulary. This does not mean to lower your expectations. We will continue to hold students accountable for their actions and their learning. As we continue to hold them accountable, remember that we must hold each other accountable too. 

I would like to hold town hall meetings during the morning connections for all grades tomorrow. It is important to address the students about a number of issues. Hopefully this will redirect their attention to what is really important, their academic and behavior achievement! 

We will be performing walk-throughs and observations this week. Make sure that you are delivering academically challenging instruction through the use of instructional strategies that yield high student engagement (Hint). In addition, remember to incorporate our PBIS plan into your classroom management system. 

As always, thank you for being a phenomenal group of teachers. You make tough days a little easier to get through with your jokes and smiles. Together we can move our CCRPI another 6 points! Continue being great, continue to support each other, continue to recognize the purpose for what you do on a daily basis! Your students appreciate you more than you know and your administrators do to! Here is to a great week!

Principal Tolbert

Monday
Morning Town Hall Meetings during Connections (Old Gym)

Advisement during ELT

4pm SILT 

Tuesday

RTI
Suicide Prevention Training for 8th Grade Teachers-2nd Planning

UGA Shakespeare class students collaborating with 8th grade ELA 

Wednesday

Collab planning

4pm Vertical Planning

5:30 Building Committee Meeting 

Thursday

Collab planning

Friday

*Progress Report Period Ends

8:30am - Principal's Coffee

8th Grade to Cedar for Midsummer Night's Dream

6:00-8:00 Moonlight Madness 

Saturday

Happy Birthday, Mr. Engelsen!!!