News4You
Information for you, your class, your students, your parents
News4You
Door Decorating Contest
Ugly Sweater Contest
Upcoming Blood Drive
New Items
December 8th Plan Time Meeting Follow Up
wow!!! what a great day of collaboration and sharing. Thank you for your honest and transparent conversations today. Like we noted during the PTMs, today was an opportunity for everyone to offer ideas and suggestions for what a possible Master Schedule could look like for the 2016-2017 school year. Thanks for all of the ideas. We will type up the lists of suggestions and ideas.
Also, to determine which route we want to take (i.e. Traditional RtI schedule or the Howell Middle Hybrid Intervention Schedule), we will send out a survey early next week (Instead of meeting before school to vote on Friday). You will have one question to answer: What type of Intervention schedule do you want to implement for the 16-17 school year? You will have two options to choose from (like we discussed today). This survey will be sent out via Remind.
December 11th 7:45 a.m. meeting cancelled.
Finals and Movies
Some classes will be taking exams/finals on December 21 and 22, some finals taking place on December 20 and 21. We need to be mindful and maintain an academic focus during those two days.
Movies during the CCC celebrations is something we do each year. Taking academic time on Dec 21 and 22 to show a movie (that is not connected to a curriculum based assignment) should not be considered. If you want to show a movie (aligned with curriculum), simply complete the movie form and let me know why you want to show the movie.
Blood Drive December 18th
Alumni Sarah Fick is hosting a Blood Drive on Friday, December 18th. As a nursing major at Truman State University, Sarah is coordinating this Blood Drive as part of her degree program. More information to follow.
Teaching the Character Connection Class (CCC):
Just a reminder... Our CCCs are designed for relationship building, community service, and service-learning. CCCs should not be used as a Study Hall time. Having said that, it should be understood that during times when teachers are evaluating goals with students, the other students in the class can be working on school assignments. Just remember the focus of the Character Connection Class is to build those relationships with our students.
Building Climate Survey
The building climate survey was sent out yesterday (December 7th). I apologize for the typo in last Friday's smore that noted an incorrect start date of (Dec 14). Although this is a District-wide survey, please remember the questions are based upon the FHMS climate. The survey closes this Friday (December 11th). The link will be sent to you by Central Office but remember it is a building climate survey.
Important Information
Master Schedule
Here is the Master Schedule. It is also available via the online version.
Color Coded Version
https://drive.google.com/a/g.fhsdschools.org/file/d/0B8R3Bwu9z8-JYlhfdlMzS3lIZlk/view?usp=sharing
Black and White Version
https://drive.google.com/a/g.fhsdschools.org/file/d/0B8R3Bwu9z8-JX084dE1TY2p5T1k/view?usp=sharing
The District Professional Development Committee is seeking input from certified staff members as we begin to develop plans for the 2016-2017 district-planned professional development days. Input will also be solicited from building principals, content leaders, teacher leaders, and student data. The DPDC will review survey results, by level, when developing the final PD Plans for 2016-2017.
The survey will be available until Friday, December 11.
K-12 Library Media Specialists Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16-17PDInput_LMS
K-8 Gifted Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16-17PDInput_Gifted
K-12 Counselors/ESC Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16-17PDInput_CounselorsESC
(Library Media Specialists, K-8 Gifted teachers and Counselors do not need to respond to level surveys below.)
Secondary Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16-17PDInput_Secondary
For Your Information...
Teaching Bell to Bell
Classroom instruction should be taking place using the "Bell to Bell" practice. Students are not to "pack up" and line up at the door at the end of class. If there is time at the end of class (2-3 minutes), the students can remain seated and read until the class period ends. If you have questions, please see an administrator.
Entering Grades in Infinite Campus
Remember to enter grades in to Infinite Campus in a timely manner.
Technology
Tech Fest '16 will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2016. There will be a Sodexo Boxed Lunch option available.
Curriculum
Instruction
To the classrooms that we were able to visit on Monday- "Thank You". Great visits. QFIC Objectives and Feedback are alive and well here at Francis Howell Middle School. Follow-Up feedback will be forthcoming. We apologize for not being able to visit all of the intended classrooms.
Assessment
Our next window of Blackout Dates will be next week (December 14-18). If you have questions about these dates please see Dr. Huff, Mrs. James, or Dr. Lee.
Birthdays
December Birthdays
2 Admir Muhic
3 Debbie Simmons
7 Lisa Davis
10 Debbie Melcher
15 Keely Abeln
23 Laurie Fontanini
Upcoming Dates
December 11: Social Hour at Hog's Haus after school.
December 14-17: Teacher/Support Staff voting takes place
December 18: Locker Clean-out during CCC
December 18: Blood Drive (Cafeteria) 4:00 p.m.
December 21: Half-Day (Hours 1-3-5-7) and Chili Cook-Off
December 22: Half-Day (Hours 2-4-6-CCC) with CCC Celebrations