TO-KNOW

• STOP! Take a deep breath……. Education is a strange business. It definitely has a rhythm or pattern. Many of us live through the pattern every year and we never actually notice it. Others notice it but don’t do anything to keep it from affecting them. Few are the teachers that recognize it and actively combat it. What am I talking about? I’m talking about the fact that each year during February and March everyone gets stressed. Energy levels decrease (all the gloomy weather doesn’t help) and  Morale starts to be a concern. Recall your optimism and enthusiasm from August and September. Tap into that. Try to bring positive thoughts to mind whenever you are feeling overwhelmed. Above all, talk to your colleagues with words of encouragement and support. We are all in this together and you guys are doing great things for students. The work is tough, there is no doubt about that, but we are tougher. Especially when we are working together. Next week is Spirit Week….. Show your spirit.

• Testing Information:

• Testing training will occur on March 12th at 8:00 AM at COH in the MPR.

• Here are the new Math Model Standards (Link) produced by the State of Ohio.

• The Board of education has voted on Make-up days. If we have more than 5 calamity days (we are at 4 right now) then we will have to make-up days. The scheduled make-up days are: May 24,  2018, May 25, 2018 May 29, 2018 May 30, 2018 May 31, 2018

• SAFETY INFORMATION (Review from last week)

• Here is a list of some items for you to be prepared for:

• ALL staff members should wear ID Badges at all times. If you don’t have a badge please let Cyndi or I know.

• ALL outside doors must be locked at all times. District Personnel and Police Department officials will be randomly checking the status of doors. This includes the poolside door in the morning.

• ALL inside classroom doors should be locked during the day. The goal is that a teacher can pull the door closed in the case that there is an emergency.

• Emphasize that students should not allow adults into the building if they are standing at the door. Instead students should direct them to the front door. Also, students should be encouraged to tell an adult if they notice a safety concern or hear someone say something that isn’t safe.

• I am still working on some solutions related to the text message list. Please hold for further updates.  Here is a video about the solution that I would like us to explore (Link)

• I am working with District Office to obtain magnets that can be used on doors to allow student access but also allow quick locking in an emergency. I think that this will happen.

• I have invited the Green Township Police to come and meet with the PTA next month to talk about school safety. Teachers are welcome to attend if they would like (March 13th).

• If you have interest in being part of a Standards-Based Learning Exploratory Committee please let me know. Our first step will be to learn a little bit more about the specifics of Standards-Based Learning and then visit BMS classrooms. From there we will make further plans and share information with staff.

• I am interested in volunteers that would like to be part of the 2018-2019 Theme Committee. If you are interested in shaping our theme for next year please let me know.

Planning Calendar (Yearly Planning Calendar)

TO-DO

• If you have a positive news story that you would like to share let me know. You can also submit the story to Emily buckley for coverage (Link)

TO-READ

If you are inspired, perplexed, or irritated by the weekly reading I’d love to hear about it! Send me an email or grab me in the hallway. Learning never ends!

• I had mentioned a survey that could be given to students to get feedback at the end of the year. A couple of people have asked about it. Here are the recommended questions. Feel free to use them if you are interested in getting this kind of feedback.

Strongly Disagree- Disagree-Agree-Strongly Disagree

• I am Regularly kept informed of my progress. SD   D   A   SA

• My teacher uses different class activities to keep me interested in what I am learning.  SD   D   A   SA

• Class time is well managed with minimal Disruptions  SD   D   A   SA

• My teacher knows my interests.  SD   D   A   SA

• I feel comfortable asking questions in class.  SD   D   A   SA

• My teacher answers all my questions in class.  SD   D   A   SA

• I am allowed to refine my work and correct my mistakes in class.  SD   D   A   SA

You can format them any way you see fit.