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 use 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 3 - Stuff the Bus @ Walmart
August 5 - We are going to try and do a welcome back video at 9:00. Be there if you can.
August 5 - Meet and Greet @ The Elks Lodge - 3:00-5:00
August 6-9 - New teacher training begins @ 8:00 in the board room. Agenda
August 7 - Palace of Praise Prayer Service - 4:30 dinner & 6:00 service
August 12 - Convocation at the Black River Coliseum - Agenda - Seating Chart
August 12 - Faculty Meeting @ PBMS
August 12 - 6th grade open house @ 4:30-5:30 (Drop in)
August 12 - 5th grade open house @ 5:30-6:30 (Drop in)
August 13 - Faculty Meeting @ PBMS (cafeteria)
August 13 - 4th grade orientation @ 5:00-6:15
August 14 - Collaboration Day
August 15 - 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:
1. Review and comply with Board policies, regulations, and procedures as well as related building rules and practices.
2. Properly prepare for student instruction.
3. Fully utilize instructional time for learning activities.
4. Maintain students under active supervision at all times.
5. Assess student performance in a regular and accurate manner.
6. Modify instructional goals to meet the needs of each student.
7. Comply with administrative directives.
8. Communicate with students in a professional and respectful manner.
9. Communicate with colleagues, parents and District citizens in a professional manner.
10. Properly operate and maintain district property.
11. Utilize district technology solely for school district business.
12. Maintain required records and submit requested reports in a timely manner.
13. Comply with all safety guidelines and directives.
14. Refrain from the use of profane and obscene language.
15. Dress in a professional manner.
16. Attend to all duties in a punctual manner.
17. Maintain student confidentiality pursuant to state and federal law.
18. Follow and implement student Individual Education Programs (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or plans under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
19. Maintain and account for District funds in the staff member’s possession and control.
20. Maintain professional relationships with students. With the exception of students who are immediate family with the staff member, this requirement also includes avoiding situations that could lead to allegations of inappropriate relationships with students, including, but not limited to:
a. Being present in any setting where students are provided or are consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.
b. Inviting students to be alone with a staff member at a staff member’s residence, on staff member’s private property, or in a staff member’s motor vehicle without the prior consent of the building principal.
c. Communicating with students, electronically or in person, about the student’s sexual activity or concerning the staff member’s sexual or romantic conduct.
d. Being present on District premises alone with a student in a room where the door is closed, the door is locked, or the lights are off, unless required temporarily due to emergency circumstances. Counselors, administrators, and nurses/nurses aides are exempted from this prohibition in performance of professional duties. Policy 4630 – Staff Conduct Page 2
e. Covering the interior window(s) of instructional space and offices with any material that blocks or obscures outside vision into the space, unless required temporarily due to emergency circumstances.
f. Communicating with students about sexual topics outside approved District curriculum unless done as part of a District investigation into sexual abuse or harassment.
g. Utilizing students to attend to personal errands for the staff member.
h. Allowing students to drive a staff member’s vehicle.
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".
The board policy on Bullying can be found here: 2655
School board policy 4334 regarding Staff Absences and Tardiness
Refer to pages 19-25 in the certified handbook for more information.
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:
- Placing the needs and welfare of students above all else.
- Providing safe and caring environments for learning.
- Holding high expectations for the growth and achievement of each student.
- Developing meaningful relationships with students and families.
- Respecting and understanding the diversity of the students and families we serve.
- Engaging students, parents and community members as partners in the educational process.
- Promoting involvement and empowerment.
- Demonstrating a strong service orientation to students and parents.
- Encouraging creativity and innovation to attain the vision.
- Improving the organization continuously by being a positive, contributing member of my team.
- Fostering a desire for lifelong learning, achievement and service to others through self discipline, self motivation, and commitment to excellence.
- Demonstrating our belief and expectation that every student is capable of learning and should be held accountable for his/her performance and citizenship.
I'm looking forward to another great year at Poplar Bluff Middle School.
I couldn't decide on a great video clip to put in this blog, so you are getting two. They are both good:)
The first is Joe Sanfelippo in his one minute walk to work series. This one is about how one comment can make a huge impact.
The second is by Jimmy Casas. It is about how every kid has a story that we may not know about.
Looking forward to the coming year!
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