A Keen Perspective
It's pure madness!
Hey Team!!
What a week back!! And it's MARCH MADNESS!! I love this time of year and all of the excitement. I love watching the #16 upset the #2 and everyone's bracket being busted on day 2. Those "Cinderella" teams show true grit and resilience, a real life David and Goliath, and they don't back down. They work as a team and get the job done. They play together for a cause greater than themselves. The deck is stacked against them, but all they see is another team and go to work. It's incredible to watch these stories unfold and the pure joy as the final buzzer sounds is magical!
Just like this place. We are in the time of year where we have to show true grit and resilience, work as a team and not back down when push comes to shove. We have to remember who we are and what we stand for. We have to BEE the good, BEE the light, and continue to BEE wise to what is good. Remember to stay committed to yourself, our kids, and each other. BEE the best version of yourself, everyday.
I love yall and am PROUD to be your principal!
Keen
Week of 3/25-3/29
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. PERRY ON SATURDAY!!!!
Monday
Professional Dress
Track Meet @ Anna
Tuesday
Professional Dress
Band UIL @ Plano
IB Parent Meeting-6pm MMS Cafe
Wednesday
Jeans and college, career, or military t-shirt
Band UIL @ Plano
Thursday
Jeans
Work Day 8-4
Faculty Meeting 12pm
Lunch Provided
Friday
Good Friday
No School
SAVE THE DATE!!
Save the date!! The Harlem Wizards are going to be in town and taking on a team of our Melissa ISD teachers at the middle school on April 11th, 2024!
Get your tickets now and be ready for a night you won't forget!
Local businesses - looking for a way to give back to our schools and share your name? Reach out the the Melissa Middle School PTO at melissamiddleschoolpto@gmail.com for our Sponsorship Opportunities!
https://pretix.eu/harlemwizards/melissatx04-11-24-07-00pm/
A Few Housekeeping Items
1. Double check the duty roster. We have added duty stations to the morning and the afternoon. Please pay attention to it! Be on time and be present. If you will miss your duty, it MUST be covered!
2. PLEASE TAKE ATTENDANCE. Don't automatically assume every student is present. Take attendance with fidelity.
3. Food is allowed during 3rd period for the first 5 minutes ONLY. Otherwise, food is to be eaten in the cafeteria only.
4. Cell phones are NOT allowed. Students should leave their phones in the classroom when they are using the RR. Please adhere to the cell phone policy if a student is on their phone. It is located in the Student Expectation Guide.
Testing Non-Negotiables and Reminders
MUST READS!!!
1. ALL staff needs to check the testing information sent by Mrs. Singh. Communicate with your classes if they are being relocated and inform them of their lunch period.
2. ALL cell phones, watches and any other electronic devices are to be turned OFF and turned IN. If you would like a bucket to store them, ask Mrs. Singh. All students must also sign the electronic oath page.
3. ALL backpacks and belongings, aside from snack, water and book need to be at the front of the room.
4. Use post-it notes to identify seats for students. Their testing tickets are a secure document and should NOT be handed out until it is time to test.
5. All non testing rooms need to keep noise level to a 1 or a 0. Several testing rooms are located next door to a regular operating classroom.
6. All access points for the building are 100 and 300 hallways. The 200 hall entrance and exit is off limits during testing.
7. ACTIVELY monitor. You MUST move around the room to properly monitor students.
8. If you are a testing room, you MUST plug in your Chromebooks at the end of the day. This is imperative.
9. Limit your breaks during testing. Our relievers are limited in comparison to the number of test administrators.
10. Be on time to pick up testing materials. Mrs. Singh will be available in the library until 8:10am.
If you have questions regarding our grading practices, academic dishonesty, discipline or any other daily operations, please check here as reference.
ESL TidBits
Other thoughts...
Mrs. Birmingham, our copy mom, is here every Tuesday. If you would like copies made, please have your instructions in the front office by 8am on Tuesday morning.
Make sure you are reading the ESL TidBits. They provide great resources for us to better support our English Language Learners.
Thank you Mrs. Starkovich, Mr. Graham and Mrs. Buhr for helping to make our first annual CultureFest happen! Our students were SO excited to share a piece of themselves with us. They put so much effort into it, their parents were beaming and my heart was filled! Thank you, thank you! It will only get better from here!!!
Other, other thoughts
I was reading an excerpt from "Success is a Choice" by John C. Maxwell and several things stood out I wanted to share:
1. Success is a choice-it's a deliberate decision that individuals make
2. Take responsibility of your own success-focus on what you can control and take action to move towards goals.
3. Develop a positive attitude-a positive attitude is crucial for achieving success. This allows you to approach obstacles with resilience and determination.
4. Surround yourself with the right people-they can have a significant impact on your success
5. Continuously strive for improvement-success is not a destination but a journey
6. Set clear goals and prioritize-identify what you want to accomplish and make a plan to get there
7. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity-it is inevitable; view as a chance to grow and improve.
New Middle School Progress Update
We have a name!!!! **drum roll**
EAST CARDINAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
The crews have been busy laying electrical lines in the dirt and here in a few weeks (weather pending) they will begin pouring concrete!!
Drill Information
Fire Drill:
Take emergency folder
Follow students outside and shut door behind you
Stand in identified section (refer to emergency folder)
Take attendance
Hold up red card ONLY if there is an emergency or you are missing or have extra kids
Wait for instructions
Lockdown:
Shut and lock door and pull curtain
Turn off lights
Staff and Students huddle on wall closest to the door
SILENCE
Take attendance
Remain in lockdown until Admin or PD unlock your door and tell you all clear
Lockout/Secure:
Take Attendance
Lock doors
No students leave the room
Business as usual
Remain in lockout until an announcement is made for all clear
Shelter in Place:
Relocate to interior room if applicable (refer to emergency packet)
Take attendance
Sit close to wall and prepare to take cover
MMS Duty Rotations
Please make sure you are at your duty when you are scheduled. We have created these stations in order to get students to and from school safely. If you are absent, your duty must be covered. This is a non-negotiable!