Wildcat Weekly October 11, 2024

Happy Friday Wildcats!

We did it! We made it to Fall Break! This first quarter is the one longest stretches of the school year without a weeklong break and only one long weekend. Way to go everyone!!

I want to thank everyone for pitching in today and making the end of the quarter a positive success. From dodgeball, kickball, or basketball to legos, painting pumpkins, card games/board games, escape rooms, dance parties, water colors, coloring and knitting, knitting, friendship bracelets, games, reading and of course, Bluey, you all rocked it today by making the end of the quarter fun and rewarding for our students. Thank you, thank you!!

This next quarter is only 8 weeks with 5 weeks until Thanksgiving break and then 3 weeks afterwards until Winter Break. Our focus this second quarter is building upon the first quarter in our PLCs by everyone implementing the 15 day challenge, using the Instructional framework to plan daily lessons and continuing to make sure every student belongs at Sagewood by building relationships, and eliminating bullying.

Thank you for the foundation you've laid these last 10 weeks and for the investment you have made in our kids. It matters a great deal. I hope you have time to rest, recharge and unplug this next week. The D'Ardenne crew is headed to Orlando on Sunday for the week!

Have a wonderful Fall Break!!

- Ben

Becky Allums - 10/18

Julie Burkey - 10/23

FALL BREAK October 14-18

Monday, October 21st

• 8th Grade Girls Basketball and Wrestling Starts

Tuesday, October 22nd

• Team Meetings
• School Accountability Committee Meeting 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Room 215
• AVID Site Team Meeting 3:00 pm, Room 215

Wednesday, October 23rd

• PLC Meetings

Thursday, October 24th

• 8th Grade Panorama Picture - Beginning of Wildcat Time

Friday, October 25th

• Lunch with Ben - Come for some homemade treats during your lunch time to the staff lounge
• Halloween Dance 4:00 - 6:00 pm

• AVID Advisory Lesson - Writing your first Academic Smart Goal

• If your pod needs a shorter activity due to the pod talks or the 8th grade panoramic picture, have students create an academic/work habits goal for 2nd semester by filling out this SMART goal worksheet.

• We discussed the Quarter 1 PRIDE Activity
• Nothing else to report!

Becky Allums has been at SGMS for 4 years. She teacher Consumer Family Science. Becky has a twin sister and lived in South Korea for 2 years. She is a single mom of 3 daughters. Abby is a sophomore at GCU, Ali is a junior in high school, and Amelia is in 8th grade. The family has 2 kitties who know how to open any closed door in the house!

As you may or may not know, there are some things we can share regarding the election and bond through staff email and there are some things we cannot.

If you would like additional information about the bond and to find out opportunities how you can get involved or help with the bond campaign, please share your personal email through this google form.

Website link: https://avidopenaccess.org/resource/digital-strategies-and-tools-that-support-live-student-reflection/

As we wrap up the first quarter, now is the perfect time to engage your students in AVID reflection strategies! Encourage them to think critically about their progress, set new goals, and identify areas for growth as they transition into the second quarter. This reflective practice not only reinforces their learning but also fosters a growth mindset that will empower them throughout the school year. Let’s inspire our students to take ownership of their learning journey and embrace the opportunities ahead!

Our PTO is leading the charge with raising funds to update and spruce up our staff lounge. So far they've raised $1,300 through the "Fill the Calendar" fundraiser. THESE STAFF have agreed that if their calendar gets bought out, they will get pied in the face (not by students).

The assembly for this will take place on October 31st at the end of the day. It won't take more than 30 minutes, so we'll adjust our schedule that day and do it at the end of Wildcat time.

PTO will be selling days on calendars on the 31st during lunch.

The 2024-2025 Apple Award Nomination link is LIVE on your school's page on the FoundationDCS.org website.The 2024-2025 Apple Award Nomination window will be open from Monday October 1, 2024 through Sunday November 11, 2024. We invite our DCSD students, teachers, staff and community to join us in nominating their favorite teacher(s), principal, classified employee and department employee. After the Nomination window closes on November 11th we will return the list of nominees to each school for your own selection of this year's school representatives. Each school may submit one educator and one classified representative to be considered for the 2023 Apple Award!