January 23-25

Monday
MLK Holiday
Consider Participating in Athens's MLK Day of Service

Tuesday
RTI Meetings during planning

Wednesday
Relay for jeans day ($5)
Collaborative Planning

Thursday
Collaborative Planning
HilFit and HilFit+ Check in before 12:11.

Friday
no fight dress down day
grade level meetings

Spelling Bee
Thursday, January 24th. Teachers, please make sure you have given students the list I sent out on previous blogs.

Girls' Soccer 
Tryouts will be Monday and Tuesday, January
 28th and 29th

Hilsman Boys Soccer

Interest forms and tryout information will be in the front office
This year's topic is, "Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?"
More information will follow as soon as UGA communicates with Clarke County. If any students are interested, they may contact Mrs. Marty or Mrs. Fassbender.

The Optimist Oratorical Contest
The topic for this year has been chosen.  "Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?" See Mrs. Marty or Mrs. Fassbender if you have students that are interested.

Black History Month Showcase (February 21st)
If you are interested in performing or helping out, please see Mr. Blake.

Science Fair
Congratulations to our winners and to Mr. Mosley, Mrs. Gianassi, Mrs. Gaertig, and Mrs. Martin for mentoring our students!

Congratulations to our winners who will continue on to represent HMS at the Northeast RESA Science and Engineering Fair.
Ellie Crane, Luna Patterson, Ella Barkdoll, Emma McElhannon, Rion Baine, Luke Skinner, MacKinley Vick, Ella Johnson, Tory  Ratajczak, Princess Gemao, and Rodrico Bradford

Congratulations to our second place winners, Paula Linz, Aaliyah Dawson, Kemterria Jennings, and Jaleah Maxwell, and our third place winner, Tymetrice Rucker.

Gifted
If a Rating Form was placed in your box last week, please return them by the end of the week. Testing will start in February.

Avid
Binder Check Updates
Binder Checks are continuing for the rest of the year. However, beginning this quarter, rather than simply checking for basic school supplies, each teacher will now be checking for materials specific to that specific content area in order to ensure that students are not only bringing their binders and necessary supplies, but are now also keeping up with their notes and assignments for all of their classes. As usual, students who earn enough points by the end of each month will continue to earn a dress down day! If you are in need of supplies for your child or would like to donate supplies, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher.

Upcoming Dates

January23rd Equity Training
24th Instructional Strategies PL during second planning
February4th-SMART Coach Training (Forker, Jones, Tolbert, Skinner, Ward, Fassbender), Holland)
5th and 6th-Math Teachers FNT PL during the planning
6th-Faculty Meeting 4-6 Pizza will be served (Mindset Training)
7th-All Teachers-Critical Reading Strategies PL during the planning
28th-Follow up Mindset Training during plannings

January 14-18

Monday
504/IEP
10:30 Admin Meeting

Monday 1/14- College and Career T-Shirt Day: Students and staff are encouraged to wear a college or career t-shirt and uniform bottoms. Please make sure the college or career is visible on the shirt as solid colors are not permitted. If you do not wish to participate, please be in regular uniform. 

Tuesday
RTI

Wednesday
Content Planning
District Meetings

Thursday
Content Planning
Forker - AP PLC


Friday
No Fight Dress Down Day
Jeans Day for Relay for Life $5

Spelling Bee will be January 24th at 9:30 in the media center. Students will be called around 9:22 to report. We will send out a list of those students. Attached is the word list if your students ask for a list to study.

Optimist Oratorical Contest
This would be a great opportunity to work with some of your strong public speakers during study hall. Please contact Mrs. Marty or Mrs. Fassbender if you are interested.
This year's topic is, "Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?"


Athletics

JV Baseball What: Parent Meeting When: Monday, January,14, 2019 Time: 6:00 P.M. Where: Cedar Shoals High-school

Middle School Basketball Tournament
When: Wednesday-1/16/19
Thursday-1/17/19
Saturday-1/19/19
Where: Clarke Central H.S.
Time: Girls:4:40
Boys:5:40
First Round: Hilsman Girls, Wednesday-4:40
Hilsman Boys, Thursday-5:40

Hilsman Boys Soccer
Interest forms and tryout information will be in the front office on Wednesday, 1/16/19

January 7-11

WELCOME BACK!

From Principal Tolbert

Good afternoon Faculty and Staff!

I hope that you are doing well and had a moment to refresh, relax, and recharge! It is a new year. As with any new year, we make commitments to either begin something new, stop something old, or become more consistent with something that we want to continue! Tomorrow we will return to Hilsman to continue doing the work to make a difference in the life of a child. I want to ask that you take a moment and reflect on your "why". Your "why" is the purpose, cause, or belief that drives each one you! After revisiting your "why", think back on the commitment you made at the beginning of the school year related to the one thing that you pledged to do extraordinarily different to transform learning at Hilsman. Whatever your "why" is or that thing you pledged to do differently, please allow it to drive you into 5th gear as we plunge into the 3rd quarter of the year. WE must recommit to our "why" and take our teaching and professionalism to the next level. Pledge to do something new, remove the negativity, and continue being driven by your "why". We have 4 months left to do our BEST work! We can do it! Grab on and let's run the third leg of the race with all that we have! You deserve to see the fruit of your labor and most importantly, our students require our BEST work! 

Thank you to those that reported to work on December 21st! It was a peaceful work day and I appreciate the extra effort that you put in to prepare for the return of our students. It was good to work alongside many of you to review the collaborative planning protocol as well as to review the expectations for delivering rigorous and engaging instruction. The macro plans that I have reviewed are a great reflection of your work. Thank you! Remember if you reported on December 21st then you are not required to work tomorrow. However, if you did not report to work on December 21st, you are required to be present at work. I will send a copy of the presentations delivered for you to review. You are required to review the presentations. If you have any questions or concerns, please see Mrs. Holland or you are welcome to see me. 

As you work tomorrow, please be reminded that your grades are due no later than Tuesday at noon. This will allow Ms. Navarro and I time to a run the missing grade report as well as print the report cards. The date that report cards will be sent home will be provided to you by noon tomorrow. I will also include the date in my weekly blog for parents. Macro and weekly lesson plans will be reviewed over the weekend. Please ensure that they are completed and ready for review by 6:00 Friday afternoon. Standards, EQs, and daily presentations should be included in your lesson plans. Additionally, plan to reteach expectations to our students. They have been absent from the school structure and will need to be reminded of the expectations. Take the time to review and practice the PAWS Expectations with all of your classes every day next week. This will be important as we shift our gear for the remainder of the year! Remember they have to run the race with us and actually need to beat us to the finish line!

Lastly, I want to thank each of you for your work! I appreciate you and your commitment to teaching our students. I trust you to make decisions that are in the best interest of our students. Additionally, I will continue to hold us accountable for successfully finishing the race as we celebrate collectively along the way! I look forward to our return to Hilsman and a great rest of the year!

Monday
504/ IEP
Admin Meeting 10:30

Tuesday
RTI/ Branching Minds


Wednesday
Collaborative Planning
Gifted PL Makeup during second planning

Thursday
Collaborative Planning
Biggum's BBQ Food Truck 
Basketball:   BHL @ HMS


Friday
School Climate Survey for students and teachers during lunch period
No fight Friday dress down
Fire Drill - 9:45am

Agriscience
Tuesday and Thursday: Agriscience Practice 7:15-8:00 and 4:00-5:00. Let Mrs. Martin know which practices you plan to attend. 

Panther Prowl 5K
Panther Prowl 5K has been scheduled for April 7 (More infot to come out soon)

I know it is far out...Maybe a good goal for those with fitness as a New Year's 
Resolution/Goal! 

Basketball

Our last home game of the season will be Thursday, January 10, 2019.  If anyone is available to help with the last game of the season,  please sign up on the google spreadsheet. For everyone that as already volunteered your time, The basketball coaching staff as well as I greatly appreciate all your time and hard work. 

Soccer

December 17-21

Happy Holidays! Enjoy jeans all week!

Monday
College and Career T-Shirt Day: Wear your college or career t-shirt. Please make sure that the college or career is visible on the shirt.

Forker - MAP Skills Webinar 3pm


Fire Drill - 9:45
IEP/504

Gifted Testing 1st-3rd periods

Tuesday
Faculty and Staff- Pick out your best Ugly Sweater and wear it with Jeans on December 18! FFA members will be voting on their fave and the winning teachers will be announced on December 19!

RTI

Gifted Testing 1st-3rd periods

Wednesday
Differentiation PL during 2nd planning

Food truck during teacher lunch

Gifted Testing 1st-3rd periods

Thursday
Collaborative Meetings

Schoolwide house party 7th period
   Please provide details about what you are planning to do on this spreadsheet
             House Party Sign Up

Friday
teacher work day
Student holiday

MAP Assessment Data Update

There is now a new guide to the MAP website on how to use the Achievement Status & Growth reports, which will be very useful in analyzing your GROWTH data from Fall to Winter 2018.

The Quadrant charts, in particular, are more modern and intuitive.

Check them out here.

21st Century
21st Century will NOT meet after school on Thursday, December 20. 21st Century will meet every morning this coming week and in the afternoons, Monday-Wednesday.

ELA Teachers
Submit Spelling Bee names to Marty before break

Avid
I have just received our AVID library. If you are interested in reading up on AVID instructional strategies and practices for you content, please stop by and check it out. Also, don't forget to check out the AVID folder on the PLC page to learn about new WICOR strategies you can incorporate into your classrooms.

December 10-14

Monday
Hilsman Band Concert @ 6:30 in the Cedar Shoals Theater. We will be selling hot dogs, soft drinks, and chips for $1.00 each. Support our band!

504/IEP

New Panther Cohort Meeting 4:00-5:00

MAP Make-up testing be on the lookout for email details Tuesday

RTI
6th Grade Parent
Pact Game Night 6:00-7:00pm

Wednesday

Collaborative Plannings

SET Fundraiser Night at Fatz Cafe 5-8

Vertical Team Meetings after school

Thursday
Students and parents: The last art club of this semester will be held on Thursday, December 13th until 5:30. If your child is interested, please have them see Mrs. Garland for a parent permission form. Thank you!

SMART Training-Skinner, Fassbender, Aqui, and Forker out

Collaborative Plannings

Avid Site Team Meeting 4:00-5:00

Basketball at HMS 4:30

Friday

IEP/504

Grade Level Meetings

Friday no fight dress down day

Fire Drill 9:45

Art
Don't forget! Follow @hilsmanmiddleart on Instagram to see student work!

21st Century
21st Century will meet in the mornings during the weekdays, December 3-20.
21st Century will meet in the afternoons during the weekdays, December 3-19.21st Century will not meet in the afternoon on December 20.

ELA Teachers
Please have your spelling bee names to Mrs. Marty before the break

Girls' Soccer
Forms due to Mrs. Marty by December 17th. Please complete teacher recommendations by then.


Looking Ahead

Faculty and Staff- Pick out your best Ugly Sweater and wear it with Jeans on December 18! FFA members will be voting on their fave and the winning teachers will be announced on December 19!

Grade Level House Parties December 20th

December 3-7, 2018

Binder Checks

You should have received a new binder score card for December binder checks. Due to the break, we will only have 3 weeks of checks. Also, you will notice that Spanish is no longer on this month's score card. Due to special circumstances, this content will not perform checks. Due to the break, we will also modify our date for our December dress down day to happen towards the end of break.

Science and Energy Team

Fatz Cafe on Lexington Road will host a Spirit/Fundraiser Night for the Hilsman Science & Energy Team on Wednesday, December 12.

21st Century

21st Century will meet in the mornings during the weekdays, December 3-20. 21st Century will meet in the afternoons during the weekdays, December 3-19. 21st Century will not meet in the afternoon on December 20.

Girls Soccer

Any girls interested in playing soccer need to pick up a packet in the front office

Monday

MAP Session Roster Checks - am planning 6th & 7th grade
       - See slides 9-11  MAP Test Training 

Binder Check Dress Down Day- Students with 250 or more points are able to participate. Please make sure students are following our school dress code.

Tuesday

MAP Test Training - am planning 6th & 7th grade

Wednesday

Building Wide - Testing Schedule
MAP Testing - LANGUAGE - 6th & 7th grade
8th Grade - SMI

HMS vs. Coile Basketball at Hilsman- girls 4:30, boys 5:30
Faculty Meeting in Media Center

Thursday

Building Wide - Testing Schedule
MAP Testing - MATH - 6th & 7th grade
8th Grade - SRI

Friday

Building Wide - Testing Schedule
MAP Testing - READ - 6th & 7th grade
8th Grade - ZAPP Zeros, Make-up, Extension

No Fight Dress Down Friday!

Upcoming Dates:

12/14 Fire Drill & No Fight Dress Down Friday

12/20 School Wide House Party 
12/20 Biggums BBQ Food Truck

12/10 6:30 Band Concert at Cedar Shoals 

November 26-30

Good Sunday Panther Nation!

I sure hope that you enjoyed your family and got plenty of rest over the break. It was much needed but now it is time to return back to the business of teaching our young people. I did not send out any correspondence as I wanted our team to truly unplug and enjoy the time away from work. Well, today is officially the return of the emails! The next few weeks are going to be packed with many observations, professional learning, and school activities. Please plan accordingly. Several members of our team will be out this week. It is important to be sure you are on time and present at work.

Teachers, it is important that you read your emails and adhere to any deadlines set by the administrators or the district. I also want to remind you that your grade book must be updated every 7-10 days. This week I am expecting grade books to be updated no later than Wednesday, November 28th by 4:00. In order for us to hold parents and students accountable for grades, we must provide them with the necessary information in a timely manner. If you have students that are currently failing your class, please contact the parents and ensure that you have provided students with remediation opportunities. 

I do want to thank you for the quality instruction that was observed prior to our break. I performed several walk-thrus and the instructional delivery in the classes was at an all-time high! Students were engaged and it was evident that the AVID instructional strategies were being implemented with fidelity. Keep up the great work! Remember you are the most important factor in the education of our students. Professional Learning will resume this week. Be sure to arrive at your collaborative plannings on time and prepared to engage in the training. 

Lastly, let us continue to hold students accountable for their behavior and learning. Stay firm, fair, and consistent with our expectations. There is to be NO movement during the first and last fifteen minutes of every class. Do not continue to allow students to come to the office for ice or to make phone calls unless there is an emergency. Also, please be reminded that we have a NO cell phone use rule. Students are being permitted to use phones to listen to music and play games. If you want to create a relaxing environment in your class, you are encouraged to play music from your computer. Allowing students to use their phones is unacceptable and must not be allowed an ANY class. Instruction should be provided from bell to bell. Again, I have observed some great lessons, keep it up! Be consistent! I look forward to our return to school tomorrow. Get ready!

Announcements

Yearbook
We are in need of a teacher to help with the yearbook. Please consider helping out so that we can have another great yearbook!

Girls' Soccer
Any girl interested in trying out for soccer should see Mrs. Marty

ELA teachers
Please submit your names for Spelling Bee before the holidays

Binder Checks
Due to Thanksgiving break, we will need to modify the points required for dress down. Teachers need to make sure they have been consistent with checking binders. Remember this is an expectation and not an option. Consistency is the key!

The Week at a Glance

Monday
IEP/504s

Tuesday
Enter data into Branching Minds
Forker out for training (9-12)
Math FNT PL during plannings

Wednesday
Collaborative Plannings
Forker out for training (all day)
Equity Training 
PL Walk-thrus

Thursday
Collaborative Plannings
Sport: Basketball HMS vs. BHL (Girls-4:30, Boys-5:30) at BHL


Friday
IEP/504


Upcoming Dates

Map Training  Dec  4 am plannings

MAP Testing   Dec 5-7

RI - Dec 5-7
Coherence Visit January