It's a New Year!
Summer time is drawing to close and we are gearing up for another school year. We have lots of new faces this year. If you are new, welcome to your new work family. If you have questions, just ask. I included a list of links for our new teachers on this hyperdoc. Most of these links are used often. Bookmark them on your browser so you have them.
Back to school is an exciting time of year. For me, it's a time of New Year's Resolutions. My goals this year are to be more visible in our building. I started a couple of years ago and part of last year, visiting every classroom in the mornings to greet our students. Look for me to do that again. I like to try and learn names while I do this, so you might pick a student each week that can greet me and tell me their name. I'm not promising I will be able to remember it (I honestly have trouble with my own children's names), but maybe some will stick.
I also hope to be a better communicator this year. I plan to keep up with this blog a little better as well as the SIS bulletin. As a building, we are going to be using ClassDojo as a communication tool. I plan to set up a group for staff in case there are emergency situations that need to be communicated. Communication is a two way street, so if you have questions, send me an email or stop me and ask. Many times I am guilty of thinking that since I had a conversation in my head, that everyone else heard it:)
My goal for our building is to use more data based decision making. While I don't mind looking at data, I find it excruciating to try and find the data and put it into a useable form. Our PLC process is working very well. Our collaborative teams are functioning well, but we are going to focus more on student data and our intervention process this year. I'm not sure what that will look like just yet, but it is one of my goals this year.
Here are some dates for you to remember:
August 4 - Stuff the Bus @ Walmart
August 6 - We are going to try and do a welcome back video at 9:00. Be there if you can. I know that Junior High is working on one and, if you will remember, we were given a challenge last year, so the more the better.
August 6 - There will also be some painting going on.
August 7 - New teacher training begins @ 8:00 in the board room.
August 8 - New teacher/mentor training at central office.
August 8 - Meet and Greet @ The Elks Lodge - 3:00-5:00
August 8 - Palace of Praise Prayer Service - 4:30 dinner & 6:00 service
August 9 - First year teacher training at central office.
August 10 - First year teachers and mentors at Poplar Bluff Middle School (library)
August 13 - Convocation at the Black River Coliseum - Agenda
August 13 - Faculty Meeting @ PBMS
August 13 - 6th grade open house @ 4:30-5:30 (Drop in)
August 13 - 5th grade open house @ 5:30-6:30 (Drop in)
August 14 - Faculty Meeting @ PBMS (cafeteria)
August 14 - 4th grade orientation @ 5:00-6:15
August 15 - Collaboration Day
August 16 - Go Time!
Our back to school meeting can be very overwhelming because of all of the policies and procedures that we have to cover. Below is a listing of several policies, handbooks, and a slideshow that you can preview before we meet.
Please review all of the policies and procedures described below.
The certified handbook can be found here: Certified
The classified handbook can be found here: Classified
A complete list of board policies can be found here: Board Policies
Please review the following policies specifically.
The board policy on Sexual Harassment can be found here: 4810
- It is important to note the section on reporting sexual misconduct. It must be reported immediately to a district official.
The board policy on Confidentiality can be found here: 2400
- We will discuss this more at our meeting, but this policy outlines the things considered confidential under FERPA as well as the District.
The board policy on Harassment can be found here: 2130
- This one is pretty straight forward although we may touch on it briefly at our meeting.
The board policy on Staff Conduct can be found here: 4630
- Pay special note to the 17 items on the following list:
2. Fully utilize instructional time for learning activities
3. Maintain students under active supervision at all times
4. Assess student performance in a regular and accurate manner
5. Modify instructional goals to meet the needs of each student
6. Comply with administrative directives
7. Motivate students to achieve learning objectives
8. Communicate with students in a professional and respectful manner
9. Maintain relationships with students in a professional teacher-student model
10. Review and comply with Board policies, regulations, and procedures as well as related building rules and practices
11. Properly operate and maintain district property
12. Utilize district technology solely for school district business
13. Maintain required records and submit requested reports in a timely manner
14. Comply with all safety guidelines and directives
15. Refrain from the use of profane and obscene language
16. Dress in a professional manner
17. Attend to all duties in a punctual manner
The board policy on Seclusion and Restraint can be found here: 2770
The board policy on Student - Staff Communication can be found here: 4650
- Pay special attention to the section on electronic communication because it is an area that many of us blur the lines on.
The board policy on Internet Usage can be found here: 6320
- Pay special attention to the section titled "Privacy".
You should have received an email about our online sexual abuse training. Follow the link and watch the 39 minute video in it's entirety. Print your certificate if you are able. If you can't, just save it as a PDF and email it to Nancy or Me.
Please watch the presentation in its entirety. It is done in slides and has links to the same board policies and handbooks as the info above.
Our Mission: Provide a safe environment to promote learning so all students can be successful in today’s society.
Our Vision: We envision a school that is safe, energetic, and friendly; where staff, parents and members of the community work collectively to ensure academic and personal success of each and every student. We put our students first, and demonstrate positive attitudes, creative thinking, a commitment to learning, compassion for others, and pride in everything we do.
Our Values:
- Students first
- Work together
- Positive attitudes
- Commitment to Learning
- Compassion
- Creative
- Pride
I'm looking forward to another great year at Poplar Bluff Middle School.
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