Friday Focus #1: 8.24.12

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." 

Albert Einstein

It's been a great FIRST week of the school year.  The positive energy and attitude in the building makes me excited for a new year.  Keep up that energy and attitude as we go on through the year and I am certain this will be a good one!
Thanks also for your patience as we continue to hold class meetings and have other various interruptions.

It was great to see the Cheerleaders & Band as they marched the hallways this morning.  Thanks to everyone for getting your kids into the hallways to support those students.  School Spirit has such a direct impact on our school culture... it helps us create a close knit community, bonding us together as we celebrate our school.  This truly can make a difference in the classroom when students are excited to come to school in the morning!


ACT Scores
The ACT score report was released earlier this week...  CONGRATS to all of you on a job well done!  We increased our average score from the previous year in all 4 areas (English, Math, Reading, and Science) and on the composite score.  In English and Reading, we had our highest score in 5 years and in Math, we had our highest score in 4 years.  This truly is a testament to a job well done in the classroom.  KEEP IT UP!


Open House
Don't forget that Open House is next Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.  Parents will follow their child's schedule.  Class periods will begin at 6:45 and will last 5 minutes each.  Please post an idea or something you do in your classroom during Open House to the comment section below...


Pep Assembly

Remember... pep assembly schedule today!  Please only release your students AFTER we call the students down!  You will have announcements to play first...


Netbooks
All Freshmen should have netbooks by the end of the day today -- as long as they have turned in their contract.

Sophomore netbook distribution will take place on Wednesday 8/29 during advisory.  If you are a sophomore advisory teacher, you should have distributed netbook contracts to your students earlier this week.  Please plan to come to the lecture hall on Wednesday with your students and help in the distribution process.  Remind the students that if they don't turn in the contract, they won't receive their netbook.

AUP's & Emergency Med
Students should be turning in their AUP (front page in the handbook) and Emergency Medical form to their advisory teacher.  Please remind your advisory class of this and ask them to have them in by next Wednesday.


Tech Tuesday
Remember that Tech Tuesdays will begin on September 4th.  Click on the tab at the top of the page to find the calendar and to request a topic or offer to present for Tech Tuesday.  Please share your knowledge with your colleagues!




Calendar of Events
Remember that Calendar Info can be found on the right hand sidebar of the blog... updated regularly...



Happy Birthday
8/30    Derek Wenning

Friday Focus #6: 9.30.2011

We are almost halfway through the 1st trimester (27 out of 63 days).  So far, it has been a great year.  We have had very few disciplinary issues (please knock on wood right now) and overall attitude and morale seems high!  Please continue to do what you do best!  Keep up the great work and have a wonderful weekend!

• There will be a Child Abuse Prevention Training held on Wednesday, October 12 from 4 - 8 PM in the Media Center at CHS.  Anyone wishing to attend in order to complete your 4-hour requirement, please email Paula Klosterman.  If you are unable to attend this session, but still need your training, see Jason... there is another option that carries a $30 fee. 

• Last night, a sub-committee of the Race to the Top team discussed the teacher evaluation tool.  As part of ODE and RtTT requirements, we are in the process of revising this tool.  Part of the requirement is to use student growth as part of the measure used to evaluate teachers and administrators. This is still in the very early stages of development and we will keep you posted as we progress. 

• A Thank You Card was received from Matt & Kathy May and family expressing their "sincere appreciation for all [our] thoughtfulness and support in so many ways".  The card is posted across from the mailboxes on the bulletin board. 

• Netbooks are begin rolled out next Thursday to all Freshmen during 2nd period.  Students should report to 2nd period and will be CALLED DOWN after attendance.  They will be gone most/all of the period.  The freshmen have received a copy of the user agreement.

• Tech Tuesday next week: "Organizing all of those GREAT online resources & SHARING them!"
• I am looking for interested staff members to present on Tech Tuesdays... its very easy and low pressure.  Any tech topic of interest to others is welcomed.  Post ideas & needs below!

• Don't forget... parent-teacher conferences are next Wednesday from 4:30 - 7 PM. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
10/4   Wally Ellinger

Upcoming Events

10/5    My College Options Survey during Advisory (details later) 

10/5    Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:30 - 7 PM
10/6    Netbook Distribution 2nd period

10/7    Spirit March

Friday Focus #5: 9.23.11

• On Wednesday morning, we are going to have a brief meeting for those teachers involved in the Freshmen Netbook program.  The meeting will be held at 7 AM in the Media Center.  ALL ARE INVITED to attend!  On the agenda: Deployment Timeline, Expectations, User Agreements, Ideas for Implementation, etc. 

• Please remember to be checking grades during advisory.  Refer to Friday Focus #1 or #4 for details.  We would like some sort of documentation from all advisory teachers on the September 30th of your grade checking methods during advisory.  Turn in to the office at the end of the mailboxes in the labeled bin. 

• I am looking for someone to do Tech Tuesday this upcoming week.  I will be out of the building, so unless I have a volunteer, we will cancel this week and start up again on October 4th.

That's it this week!  Hope to see you at the game!  Have a great weekend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

9/27   Jon Clouse

9/29   Matt Miller

Upcoming Events

9/23    Spirit March

              Pep Assembly

9/28    Netbook Meeting, Media Center, 7 AM

9/30    Spirit March

10/5    My College Options Survey during Advisory 

10/5    Parent Teacher Conferences, 5 - 7:30 PM

10/7    Spirit March

Friday Focus #4: 9.16.11

• NWOET is hosting a fall technology conference on October 10th.  I have approval to take a handful of teachers (1st come, 1st serve).  Email Jason or comment on this blog post and you will be added to the list.  For details on the conference including sessions, click here.  I think we would leave around 7 AM and return by 5 PM. 

• Tech Tuesday next week is 'Microsoft Live' with Keith Gudorf.  

Remember, Tech Tuesdays are from 7 - 7:20 AM or 2:30 - 2:50 PM and are always optional.  CEUs are available!

• Our Technology Coach, Betsy Crites, is available for coaching on Monday & Fridays.  To schedule an appointment for technology coaching, email Betsy.Crites@CelinaSchools.org.  Betsy can help with a number of things and is best at helping you come up with ideas for integrating technology into your classroom. 

• Next week is Spirit Week and we will have many different dress-up days and other activities, including a Pep Assembly on Friday.  I know this sometimes is distracting to the classroom environment, but we will work to keep interruptions to a minimum.  

When we have any Assembly, please continue to help us monitor students before, during, and after.  If your room is near an exit, please help guard the door so students don't leave!  If your room is near a restroom, please check it for students before heading down!  Thanks for the great job you all do in supervising these events!

• Next week we will have a brief staff meeting on Wednesday @ 7 AM in the Lecture Hall.  We will have a short meeting and then will have a staff picture taken.  Please plan to attend!  Donuts or Fruit or both?  Do you guys want coffee?  Comment below please!

• Study Sessions will begin next week.  Feel free to recommend and advertise these to your students.  The structure will be slightly different than past years.  Here are the times: 
• Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 2:30 - 3:00 (location based on teacher scheduled)
• Tuesdays from 2:30 - 3:30 in the Media Center
• Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30 PM in the Media Center

• The Special Ed staff is going to discontinue their practice (that was trialed this school year) of giving EVERY teacher EVERY 'IEP at a glance' for the entire building.  It was too much paper for them and for the regular ed teachers.  Instead, we will go back to the old way of giving each teacher the 'IEP at a glance' for students in their room.  Their will be a 'master list' in the teacher workroom in the office.  

• Referrals for struggling students are starting to roll in... As always, this is a team approach.  Ideally, all teachers are monitoring grades in their classroom and will attempt several interventions (including, but not limited to parent phone calls, before/after school help, study sessions, etc.) before referring a student from their classroom to the office.  If a student does not respond to your interventions, please fill out the guidance referral sheet (found under the documents tab on the staff blog), submit to the office, and either a counselor or administrator will meet with the student and take further steps. 

In addition, as noted in Friday Focus #1, we are asking all advisory teachers to do weekly grade checks for students in their advisory.  The form you use is up to you... samples are found under the documents tab.  If you notice that a student begins to struggle, please fill out the referral sheet (as noted above).  While you may not know specific classroom interventions for your advisory students, you can still fill out the referral sheet.  When we receive these, we will talk with the classroom teachers as well as the students. 

The BOTTOM LINE is this... we want in place a safety net to help catch ALL kids before they fall through the cracks.  It never hurts to have many people watching out for the same students!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

none

Upcoming Events

9/19   CHAMP Meeting, 7 PM, Media Center

9/20   Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Live, room 117

9/23   Spirit March

          Pep Assembly, alternate schedule
          Tailgate Party before the football game

Friday Focus #3: 9.9.11

Now that we have gotten through some super hot weather followed by very frigid and rainy weather, we can handle it all!  I know this is a crazy time of year with lots of 'extra' activities like Spirit Marches, Pep Assemblies, extra long announcements, meetings, etc., but remember... its the 'extra' stuff that sometimes hooks the student.  We have a very positive school culture and demonstrate in many ways that we are student focused.  Keep that in mind as you prepare lessons and sometimes deal with interruptions.  Students need to connect with their school in some way in order to be successful.  You guys as teachers, counselors, secretaries, aides, and custodians do a great job of this already... connecting with students.  KEEP IT UP!  It's why we're here!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

• We would like for every teacher/staff member to participate in the Words of Wisdom.  If you have not yet recorded yours, please stop down and see Megan.  No pressure, but Brad Siebert memorized his!

• A big thank you to Keith Gudorf for doing this week's Tech Tuesday.  If you don't know how to do World Client now, you should have come to the meeting!  

Tech Tuesday CEU's from last year and this year will be placed in mailboxes by Tuesday morning.  If you think any of them are incorrect, let Jason know. 

Next week's Tech Tuesday will be titled "Why Google Chrome Rocks".  We will be covering some quick tips on how to make Google Chrome the best web browser you have ever used... including how to play ANGRY BIRDS from your computer!  Remember... Tuesday mornings from 7 - 7:20 AM and afternoons from 2:30 - 2:50 PM.  CEU's available. 

• Just a reminder about the procedure for Special Ed testing... if a student has the accommodation "tests read", then we must read the test to the student.  Standard procedure is that the student takes the test in the regular classroom and will then have the test read to them (regardless of whether or not the student completed the test) either during intervention (if they have one) or during advisory.  If they are having the test read during advisory, the regular ed teacher should write the student a note to report to room 105 during advisory.  There, the test will be read to them... even if it is already completed.  The only exception to this rule is if the test is read to the student in the classroom.  Regular ed teachers should follow up with the student the following day to verify that they were in the testing room.  THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP WITH THIS PROCESS! 

• We will be starting a new personal leave request process -- going paperless!  Megan has set up an email form that you need to complete.  When you send the email, it will automatically be sent to Megan, Jason, and Sue Cook.  As long as you send the email at least 2 days prior to the requested date, there is no need to call the sub hotline.  If it is within the 2 day time frame, you WILL need to call the sub hotline.  We hope this will streamline the process (and save paper in the meantime!).  A Google Doc with instructions for sending the email is under the documents tab on the staff blog. 

• Parent-Teacher conferences are quickly approaching... October 5th from 5 - 7:30 PM.  Megan has already placed conference cards in your mailboxes.  Please have these returned to Megan by September 23rd.  Every teacher needs to complete 8 cards.  I will have an electronic version of the conference report each teacher turns in after conferences are completed.  The link to that will be put out later.  

• Be sure you know how to send your lockdown email.  We will be doing a drill very soon (probably next week).  We will send out an actual date/time later. 

• If you are able, stop in at a sporting event sometime.  The students appreciate this more than you might think.  They especially like it when you mention it the next day! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
Randy Baker (9/16)


Upcoming Events...
9/9   Spirit March
        Pep Assembly -- ALTERNATE SCHEDULE (view under the Schedules tab)
        REMEMBER TO UPDATE GRADES IN PROGRESSBOOK
        PAY DAY!


9/10 ACT


9/12 Freshmen Ring Meeting during Advisory


9/13 Tech Tuesday -- "Why Google Chrome Rocks"


9/14 Blood Drive -- ALL DAY 
        Department Chair Meeting @ 2:30


9/16  Spirit March

Friday Focus #2: 9.2.11

Here goes round 2 of the Friday Focus.  You can easily find archives of the Friday Focus by looking at the 'Labels' section of the blog found under the advisory calendar on the right hand side.  Click on the label 'Friday Focus' and it will bring up all of the Friday Focus posts (English teachers -- help me figure out how to make Friday Focus plural please!).

• What a great start to the school year.  There seems to be such a positive energy and focus in this building... one that has always existed, but seems even more prevalent this year.  Thanks for your individual contributions to this culture.  I continue to hear great things from the students about our teachers and their class time!  Keep up the great work!  

• On that note, I also heard some really great feedback from parents about Open House.  Thanks to everyone for meeting with parents and investing time in the process!  My only wish is that we could get more parents to attend.  If anyone has ideas, please let me know!

• If you haven't already (and as of 11:30 AM on Thursday, that would be everyone), please sign the card in the office for the May family.  We were able to purchase $200 in gas cards from last week's Jeans Fund donations.  Remember that Matt is a teacher at the Middle School (see Friday Focus #1 for more info).  The card will be with the Jeans Fund envelope on Friday. 

• Next Wednesday, we will have a a faculty meeting @ 7 AM in the Lecture Hall to review our Safety (lockdown) Drill procedures.  The meeting will end by 7:20 AM and is mandatory.  Please make arrangements to attend (refreshments will be provided). 

• Tech Tuesday next week will cover 'World Client' and will be hosted by Keith Gudorf.  Keith will go over how to navigate the new email program, including notification of new messages, creating distribution lists, and other tips & tricks.  Tech Tuesday is open to everyone and is held from 7:00 - 7:20 AM or 2:20 - 2:50 PM in room 119.  As always, TT is optional and CEUs are available. 

• Teachers... please turn in a set of your classroom rules and/or expectations to Phil by the end of next week.  This will aide us in dealing with disciplinary incidents from your classroom.  

• We are always looking for teachers/advisories to participate in the Week in 3 Words.  If you, your advisory, or your class would like to film clips for Week in 3 Words, let Megan or Jason know and we will come record. 

• Remember, we are still looking for teachers to read Project Wisdom announcements.  Stop down anytime to see Megan...

• The 'Healing Fields' are back in the area.  About 5 years ago the Healing Fields were organized in Maria Stein in honor of the 9/11 tragedy.  The Healing Fields will be hosted this year in Bryant, Indiana at Bearcreek Farms.  For more information, click on the links below.  If anyone would like to take a group of students, please see Jason.  We will not be taking large groups like we did last time. 

About the Healing FieldsHealing Fields Schedule of EventsHealing Fields Pamphlet

Stay cool today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
Lisa Sorrell   (9/7)


Upcoming Events...
9/2   Spirit March
9/5   NO SCHOOL
9/6   Tech Tuesday -- "World Client"
9/7   Faculty Meeting -- 7 AM in the LH
9/9   Pep Assembly

Friday Focus #1: 8.25.11

Trying something new this year... the Friday Focus (a [semi]-weekly communication to the staff) on Thursday or sometime before school starts on Friday!  So here goes... this year's 1st edition, distributed simultaneously via email and the infamous (and, to some, mysterious) staff blog!

• We are nearly done with the 1st week of the 2011 - 2012 school year... thank goodness its a short one!  So far all has been very smooth.  Thanks so much to all of you for your efforts in making this a smooth transition into the year! 

• This Friday will mark the 1st Spirit March of the new school year.  For everyone new to the building, the Spirit March began last school year.  It goes like this... we begin 1st period Friday morning like any other morning.  Then, shortly after the Pledge of Allegiance, the Marching Band will begin making their way to the west end of 3rd floor hallway.  At that time, they will begin playing the fight song and will march down the hallway.  They travel from 3rd west to 3rd east, then to 2nd floor (east to west), then first floor (west to east), then down south senior hall toward the science wing and back down north senior hall, finishing with a left turn toward the choir room. 

Even though it involves lost class time (but not much time), please consider sending your class into the hallway to cheer them on!  

The Spirit March truly is like nothing else... gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!  THANKS TO THE CHS BAND for participating in this!

• Also on Friday morning, we will be taking the Senior picture... Seniors should follow the band as they march by... eventually we will just walk out the doors by the CAPT building to the track to take their class picture.  Following the picture, we will hold their class meeting in the lecture hall.  Plan to have them out of class almost the entire period.  

• If anyone would like to participate in this week's version of 'Week in 3 Words', please stop by the office prior to 4th period on Friday.  The theme this week is '1st week in 3 words'.  

• If you have not yet heard, Matt May's wife, Kathy, has been diagnosed with cancer.  Matt is a teacher at the Middle School and the High School swimming coach.  Matt & Kathy along with their 5 children need all the prayers and support we can give them.  We will be purchasing gas cards for the May family with the jeans fund this week (for new teachers, the jeans fund is a $1 donation made by staff on Fridays for wearing jeans... money is turned in to Megan or CJ).  In addition, the Mays have set up a webpage on the Caring Bridge website to share their story and Kathy's progress.  The web address is: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathymay1.  

Here is a message from Jenny Dippold (East Elementary Guidance Counselor): 

We are also going to be setting up a schedule to bring in meals.  We are going to organize it using mealtrain.com.  Other than lots of prayers, having meals brought in something Kathy would like.  However, she wants to wait until after her appts. at Ohio State this week.  (She goes on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.)  If you are interested in being a part of the "meal train", let me know and I will contact you once we have it going.  THANK YOU! 

• Next week, we will begin Tech Tuesdays.  

Tuesday's topic (8/30): Navigating the Staff Blog

Please consider attending if you are unsure of how to login, maintain access, comment, or have any other general questions about the staff blog and its use. 

Tech Tuesdays will be held in room 119 from 7:00 - 7:20 or 2:30 - 2:50.  They are optional, but CEUs are available.

• Please remember that we are asking that all advisory teachers check on student grades weekly.  We would like for you to use some sort of tracking sheet.  I have included the link to a grade tracking sheet Erika Draiss created.  I know others of you have created/used similar documents.  Anything is fine, but please use something.  We would like to collect these (or get a copy) at the halfway point and at the end of the trimester (9/30 & 11/22).  If you have another grade tracking sheet that might be shared with others, please email it to me and I will add it to this list.  

http://goo.gl/Tqkqg 

 Also, the 'Guidance Referral' form is still an active document.  Please use this to let the office staff know if a student continues to struggle.  Here is the link: 

http://goo.gl/086mh  

• Remember that our 1st fire drill of the year will be on Monday 8/29 around 9:45 AM.  We will be distributing an attendance sheet that we will ask everyone to use to take attendance during the drill.  We would also ask that you assemble your class in a line outside (to help keep order and to take attendance).  

• From the Guidance Staff: 
• Thanks for your patience in schedule changes.  Most changes are completed... the only changes that might occur now will come from mistakes or misplacements.  
• The counselors will be scheduling Advisory period meetings soon with various grade levels for beginning of the year information. 

• Don't forget Open House is next Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.  Schedule can be found in Opening Day information, under the schedules tab on the staff blog, or by clicking here. 

• Also next Wednesday, Student Council will be holding a Welcome Back Assembly during advisory period.  Schedule to be released later in the week.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

Lisa Brunswick (8/21) -- belated... sorry!

Derek Wenning (8/30)

Upcoming Events

8/26   Spirit March

8/30   Tech Tuesday, room 119

8/31   Welcome Back Assembly during Advisory Period

8/31   Open House from 6:30 - 7:30 PM

9/2     Spirit March

9/2     Senior Night

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!