Weekly Top for 10-27-17

UMS Staff,

Sign the attendance sheet/s-
Please sign the attendance sheet at Grace's desk.  Thanks!

Thanks-
-  Torrey, Beth, and Amy for organizing Unity Day on Wednesday.
-  Matt for coordinating the staff vs. student volleyball game.  Thanks also to all the participants and fans!  The girls had a great time!  
-  Beth, Craig, Torrey, Amy, Dana, and Dave for their help with getting silent mentoring back going again.
-  Jenna, Amy, and Melissa for organizing a great 8th grade field trip!

1/2 days in November-

Thursday, November 9th - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hours

Friday, November 10th- 4th, 5th, and 6th hours.
The day before Thanksgiving every class for a 1/2 hour.

The high school is running the same schedule.

End of the Marking period is next Friday, November 3rd and Rotation submission-

The first marking period comes to an end next Friday, November 3rd.  Please refer to Sherri's email on submitting on Tuesday, October 24th at 3:46 P.M.

Also, rotation teacher grades are due this Monday, October 30th by 8:00 A.M.

Wizard of Oz leave time for 11-8-17-

Just another reminder that on Wednesday, November 8th we will be going to the high school to view part of the Wizard of Oz.  We will leave right around 8:50 A.M.  At the end of 1st hour we will have students return items to their lockers and only bring their coats.  

Former Olympian Bobsledder & Former Professional Wrestler, Chip Minton, on 11-7-17-

On Tuesday, November 7th at 8:00 A.M. will will have a former olympian bobsledder & former wrestler, Chip Minton, address our student body.  We will then run a one-hour/late start schedule.  It will be in the blue gym.

UPTO-

Our wonderful UPTO will once again be sponsoring Piggin & Grinnin between afternoon & evening conferences.  They also will be starting the remodeling of the teachers lounge after school next Friday (November 3rd) through the weekend.  The lounge will be out of commission for that time.  Last, they also voted to buy new baking sheets for our Foods classes. 

Quote of the week-

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." - Mahatma Gandhi

Have a good one,
Chad

Weekly Top for 10-20-17

UMS Staff,

Professional Growth Goal

October is the month we set aside to capture professional growth goals for the year in iObservation.  If you haven’t gone in yet this year to do so, please take some time before October 31st to add a paragraph to your professional portfolio online outlining what you are focusing on in your classroom. This is likely related in some way to our PLC work.

As a reminder, we worked last year to simplify the growth plan process.  Your paragraph doesn’t need to be elaborate .  Just what professional practices you are focusing  with the why its important to you /what you are hoping to accomplish (rationale) and how you intend to learn more about what you’ve selected.  

You do not need to intentionally connect it the Marzano framework, but DQ 1, 2, 3, and 5 continue to be our areas of focus as a district (communicating learning goals/tracking progress, expert lesson design for active processing of content, and engagement).

*** Wording is thanks to Michelle Allen ***

Hats Off Recognition Ceremony-

Congratulations to 8th graders: Joe Paine, Nick Strickler, Jared Svetlev on being recognized for their scores on the ACT/SAT at Michigan State University.  9th grader, George Weber, was also recognized as well.  Two SJPS teachers also received tributes, and they were our own Kelly Houseal and Dave Leonard.  Congratulations to all!

Science Field trip Reminder-

1/2 the 8th grade out Tuesday, October 24th and 1/2 out Thursday, October 26th at the fish hatchery and the water filtration plant.

Rotations change Tuesday, October 24th-

Rotation 2 will begin next Tuesday, October 24th for all 6th & 7th graders.

Michigan Department of Education Interviews-

The MDE asked Marzano research to interview some teachers in SJPS regarding teacher evaluation, and I would like to thank Ben, Jenna, Kara, and Rachel for participating.  They are interviewing teachers, principals, and central office staff all over the State of Michigan for feedback.  

Wizard of Oz Performance-

We are all going to go to the Wizard of Oz sneak peak performance at St. Joseph High School on Wednesday, November 8th.  This will take all of 2nd & 3rd hours to go back & forth and view the performance.  It will be tight on the buses, but it is only a short ride.  This will be a great chance to see all grades represented in this timeless classic!

Spirit Week-

Monday, October 30th- Pajama Day

Tuesday, October 31st- Halloween

Wednesday, November 1st- Favorite Sports Team

Thursday, November 2nd- Favorite Book, TV, or Movie Character

Friday, November 3rd- Neon & Crazy Hair Day

Thanks again-

A big thanks to everyone on "weathering the storm" from our episode last week.  Fake news grabs headlines as we all know.  You all were professional about it, and moved on with integrity as you always do. 

Quote of the week-

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." - Earl Nightingale

Dates around the corner:

PTO- Thursday, October 26th at Noon

End of the 1st MP- Friday, November 3rd

Former Professional Athlete to address the Student Body- Tuesday, November 7th at 8:00 A.M.

Take care,

Chad

Weekly Top for 10-13-17

Thanks!-
-  Thanks to Ian Brown for coming up with a student accountability pilot for anyone interested.  The whole 6th grade is going to do it for sure every Tuesday morning during recycling time.  I would like to encourage everyone to do this.  It may later be something we 100% do, but for right now we will call it a pilot.  I will have Ian share it out today.
-  The cat is out of the bag on changes to the staff lounge. (I wanted it to be a surprise, but it just didn't work out.) I really want to thank Becky Heaps and Cindy Igoe for their leadership.  Many changes are coming.

Wonderful Choir Concert-
Last evening the 6th-8th graders performed for the first concert of the year for UMS.  Beth as always had the choirs ready and sounding good! 

Technology Choices-
Please read Amy's email from last evening regarding your technology choices.  I can't wait to read about your choices.  You are doing great things!

DLT Reps at Ruby Payne-
The representatives of the District Leadership team and I will be at Ruby Payne PD on Monday in Niles.  The framework for the PD looks at the obstacles and hurdles that students of low-SES face and how to help them be more successful.

Facebook Photo-

Friday is the facebook photo day for Upton Middle School.  If you have a great picture please share it with me, so that I can send it to Central for the SJPS Facebook page.  Today I am going to try and get a few photos of the Socratic Method in Chris G's room and maybe a 7th grader giving a speech in Cathy G's room.

Rotations coming to an end-

The first rotation will be over on Monday, October 23rd.  The second rotation begins on Tuesday, October 24th.

Around the corner-

Don't forget 8th grade science students will be out Oct. 24th (1/2) and Oct. 26th (the other 1/2) at their annual fish hatchery and water filtration plant field trip.

Quote of the week-

"Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction."  - Margaret Thatcher

Have a good one,

Chad 

Weekly Top for Oct. 6th, 2017

Folks,

Thanks-
-  To The Guidance Department for starting a parent blog and the what makes me smile bulletin board!
-  To J.B. for starting the Bear Pride Shout Out (Lets keep it going!)
-  The SPED (Anne, Karen, and Melissa) department for helping inform teachers about our new students.
-  To Teri for our new UMS phone extension pdf.
-  To everyone for your diligence with attendance.

Come on down and sign-
Please come down sometime today to sign your accurate attendance Count day signature by Grace's desk.  We will be doing this for the entire Count window. (4 weeks)

IEP's-
Copies of IEP's can't be given to teachers.  This is not a new law, but maybe something some of you may have not known or forgot.  The SPED teachers will provide all the information you should need.  Remember the SPED teachers provide you with the accommodation documentation worksheet.  A copy of the IEP is in the CA60, but this (CA60) should never leave the office area.

Welcome to Candy Stem-
Candy will now be joining us full time as a paraprofessional for a 7th grader.  Please help us welcome Candy to UMS!

Staff Meeting Monday-
We will have a meeting after school in the media center.  I would like to begin at 2:55 P.M.

Guidance Department Blog-
Please check out the guidance department blog:
https://umsguidance.weebly.com/

United Way-
We will have a United Day hat day next week Tuesday.  Anyone wanting to wear a hat may contribute $1 to their first hour teacher.  We will throw the money in the United Way jar.  1st hour teachers will collect at the end of announcements.  

Patty Winger-

For those that missed the last meeting Patty Winger has made a $2,000 donation in honor of her sister, Dolores Coyne.  Dolores subbed at Upton Middle School for several years.  Patty shared that her favorite staff to work with was the Upton Middle School staff.  We will be purchasing two new drinking fountains that have filtered water and water bottle filling stations.  One will be in the 7th & 8th grade hallway (Across from Walsworth & Leonard) and the other in the 6th grade hallway. (Across from Gressley & Reck)

New Maintenance/Custodial Director and Phase 2-

SJPS has a new maintenance/custodial director, and his name is Mike King.  Mike and his wife, Jenny, have a 5th grader at EP Clarke and he also has a stepson in college.  

Phase two of the cleanup around Upton officially started yesterday.  It will include some mulch, a few plants, and a few trees. 

Board of Education Meeting-

We have a board of education meeting this Monday, October 9th at 6:00 P.M. at Central office.

Quote of the week-

"Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest." - Mark Twain

Thanks,

Chad