Time Marches On!

Cougar Staff:

January has come and gone, and it has been quite a month!  Between the cold temperatures and the illnesses and health concerns that have hit our staff, we are hoping for a better February.  On a personal note, our son Scott turned 20 this week!  This does not seem possible.  It seems like he should still be the little red headed elementary student riding Moon Smith’s bus over to the high school from Lawler each afternoon instead of being a sophomore at Vanderbilt.  Time marches on.  We are looking forward to a trip to Nashville this weekend to see him and go out for a birthday meal.  We are truly blessed and thankful for our children.  I hope that everyone will stop and be thankful for the blessings in your lives, whether it be a wonderful family, great friends, a job to support your family, or the blessing of good health.  I think everyone, myself included, gets too caught up in the day to day stresses of life.  When something goes wrong, please try to stop and ask yourself “will this problem be a big deal ten years from now or even one year from now?”  If the answer is no, then try to get through it and forget about it.  If the answer is yes, then try to deal with it positively and work for the best results possible.

Personnel:

Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with health problems and have family members with health concerns:  Nena Tucker, Pam Armstrong, Wendy Butler, Paige Lopez, Chris Drake, Stacy Pierce, Cassie Jarboe, Shela Herman, and several others. 

I want to welcome our newest staff member, Emily Hornback.  Mrs. Hornback will be working as a one-on-one aide with a student based in Mrs. Lindsey’s class, taking Mr. Whobrey’s place after he was hired as the new FMD teacher at GCHS.

Good Luck:

I would like to wish good luck to GCMS teams and groups representing our school.  Our GCMS academic team will be competing in Regional Governor’s Cup competition tomorrow.  Our 7^th grade boys basketball team has advanced in the GRVC Tournament and will continue play next week.  Finally, our GCMS Cheerleaders will be leaving for national competition in Florida late next week.  There will be a sendoff for our cheerleaders here at GCMS gym on Monday night at 6:00.  Please come out and show your support!

"Keys to Educating Middle Grades Students in Poverty":

We all know that it is our daily challenge to teach students who live in poverty.  About 70 percent of students in Grayson County are on free and reduced lunches, and many are from families living in poverty.  Between now and our next faculty meeting, I would like for you to view the webinar "Keys to Educating Middle Grades Students in Poverty" with Ruby Payne.  We will follow up on the webinar at our February 17 after school faculty meeting.  Mrs. Miller will set up a Wall Wisher for you to post to as we get closer to the meeting date.  Please look for specific strategies that you can use in your classrooms or with your advisory students.  Here’s the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szncUEECSjc&feature=em-share_video_user.

From Goodness to Greatness? 

Many of you have read Jim Collins’ popular book, From Good to Great.  Collins talks about the notion that many times “good” is actually the enemy of “great” and that we get comfortable and content when we are having good results rather than pushing on for great results.  Looking at a different perspective, have you ever thought about what a terrible thing it is when someone moves from “goodness” to “greatness”?  When someone who shows kindness, morality, and love sacrifices those attributes in exchange for power, position, and “greatness”, it is a truly tragic thing.  Maybe there is another book in that notion! 

Principal Certification Grant:

Have you ever considered getting your principal’s certificate?  Whether you have or not, right now might be the “best deal” you will ever get on the program at WKU.  Their new program does require that you already have your Master’s degree (with a minimum 3.0 GPA for masters coursework) and at least 3 years teaching experience.  GRREC is involved in a grant for four school districts including Grayson County that is helping to pay tuition for the principal program at WKU.  Your reduced rate for tuition would only be $125 per graduate hour!  That is compared to WKU’s regular rate for graduate tuition of $490 per graduate hour!  The program is 30 graduate hours total and could get you your Rank I.  The first of three 20 student cohorts will start in the Fall semester, 2014 with each cohort lasting 18 months.  The tentative application deadline for the Fall 2014 cohort is March 28, 2014.  I have some brochures about this program on the round table in my office.  There will be a recruitment event in late February or early March.  Feel free to grab one if you are interested.  Also, as always, I would be glad to sit down and talk with anyone who might be interested in becoming a principal.

Quote of the Day:

“Training teaches people what to do; education teaches people what to be.” ~Nido R. Qubein

Coming Attractions:

Feb. 3…GCMS Cheerleader Sendoff, 6:00 pm

Feb. 10..Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:00-6:00

Feb. 11..7th/8th Grade Back to the Future Day

Feb. 17..Makeup Day, School will be in session.

Feb. 17..after school faculty meeting

Feb. 18..Team 4 Showcase Lesson Day

Feb. 28..Please do not spend any 920X classroom funds after this date

Mar. 26..Reward Assembly for all students with no office referrals, 1:45

Mar. 28..Battle for Heart, AHA Event

Mar. 28..Makeup Day, School will be in session.

Apr. 18..Makeup Day, School will be in session.

Here in the Polar Vortex of Grayson County

Cougar Staff:

Most of us have added some new vocabulary this year.  Polar Vortex, circumpolar whirl, and Arctic oscillation are common banter in the halls of GCMS right now as we continue to shiver our way through this winter season.  The past two mild winters had us quite spoiled, so the weather has been something of a shock to our systems.  Bundle up if you have to be out.  I hear that long underwear stock is really soaring this year!

Personnel:

Please remember those who are dealing with health concerns, those who have family members with health issues, and those who have recently lost loved ones.  I know that Susan Higdon’s mom has a surgery coming up.  Stacy Pierce is having her second chemo treatment today.  Chris Drake has a back surgery coming up in the near future.  It is good to have Tracie Johnston back with us at GCMS.  Wendy Butler is still recovering from her recent surgery.  Pam Armstrong is here but still recovering as well.  I appreciate so many of you asking about my Dad.  He is still struggling with some issues but is going to get to go home this morning after being in the hospital the past six days.  At 91, he constantly amazes me with how well he does.  Thanks for the prayers.

Great Job, Team 5!

I enjoyed spending a few minutes in each of the Team 5 classrooms this morning.  I observed students and teachers who were highly engaged.  I also noticed some very effective questioning going on!  I want to encourage all teachers to please continue to work on the engagement and questioning pieces…our students are the beneficiaries of these efforts!

Afternoons/Check and Connect/Possible Loitering:

We have noticed recently that more and more students are out of classrooms from about 2:30 until the end of the day at 2:40.  Part of this is undoubtedly our Check and Connect students going to check out with their mentors.  Please double check anyone who says that they are going to see their C&C mentor to make sure that they are on the list and that they are getting to where they are supposed to go.  Let’s not let our C&C students go until 2:35, and keep everyone else in the classrooms.  I will send you the update C&C list so you can double check it.

Scheduling Survey:

An overwhelming 92 percent (45 out of 49) of those who responded to our recent GCMS schedule survey question said they would prefer having the core schedule the same five days a week, with a 30 minute class to start the day, then six 55 minute classes. CSI would be from 7:30-8:20 once each week. Advisory would be during the 30 minute first period once each week. RTI and CCR would also be scheduled during the 30 minute first period the remaining days.  With this in mind, I am working on a draft daily schedule and hope to share that with you in the near future.

Good Luck!

Good luck to our GCMS teams competing in the near future.  Our GCMS academic team has advanced to Regional Governor’s Cup competition in both quick recall and FPS!  Our GCMS boys basketball teams will compete in the conference tournament starting this Friday night.  Our GCMS dance team will be in regional competition on Saturday.  Our GCMS Cheerleaders have made it to nationals and will be competing in Florida in early February.  GCMS band had 20 students to qualify for All District Band.  GCMS volleyball season starts next week.  Busy, busy times!

ILP Reminder (from Mrs. Sims)

The ILP completion date for this school year is May 2nd.  Please make sure to remind students to get as many entries in as possible under the “Organizations and Activities” and “Awards and Recognition” sections of their ILP.  Remind them that all GCMS clubs, academic team, sports, etc. need to be listed, as well as any academic awards, attendance awards, sports awards and recognitions.  8th Grade Teachers- please make sure that your students get their freshman class choices entered into the “Education Plan” section of the ILP after they register for classes.  The counselors are working with the high school to get a date set for freshman registration, and will let you know as soon as it is set. 

Make Up Days:

With Grayson County Schools having missed 5 days of school already, the following dates have been set as make up days:  Feb. 17, March 28, and April 18.  Again, students will be in school on those three dates.

No "Vote for Bubba" Shirts:

With this being a county election year, I need to remind you early on that school employees are not supposed to wear election campaign shirts, hats, etc. while on duty at school.  Thanks, and good luck to Bubba!

Quote of the Day:

“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend on who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think.” ~Dale Carnegie

Coming Attractions:

Jan. 29..Team Leader Meeting, 7:15 am

Feb. 10..Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:00-6:00

Feb. 11..7th/8th Grade Back to the Future Day

Feb. 17..after school faculty meeting

Welcome Back!

Cougar Staff:

I want to welcome everyone back after our extended Christmas break!  I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and restful time these past two weeks.  The frigid weather has come, but hopefully we have seen the last of sub-zero temperatures for this year!  As we start the New Year, I know that many of you have set personal resolutions to make improvements in certain areas of your lives.  Some, like me, have decided to lose weight and improve health.  Some may have chosen to kick some bad habit.  Some may have resolved to make financial improvements this year.  I wish you the very best in the coming year, no matter what areas of improvement you are focusing on.  Regardless of personal resolutions, let’s all make the professional resolution to make a positive difference in the lives of our students each and every day.

Personnel:

Please continue to remember those GCMS staff members who are having health concerns, who have family members with health issues, and who have lost loved ones recently.  Cassie Jarboe has a surgery coming up on Tuesday.  Pam Armstrong and Wendy Butler are both recovering from surgeries right now.  Stacy Pierce had her first chemo treatment this past week.  Continue to remember Ellen Thomas, whose husband passed away during the break.  Also, please continue to remember Lisa York’s father, Howard, who is in serious condition in Norton’s Hospital in Louisville.

Congratulations to Brittany Watson on becoming engaged to be married!

GCMS Scheduling Survey:

I would like for all GCMS teachers, counselors, and other certified employees to respond to the following survey about next year’s schedule.  We have tried doing a “different” schedule on Fridays for the past two years, and I want your input on whether to continue or move a different direction with our schedule.  As always, we want to think about the schedule that would most benefit our students.  Click on the survey link to take this one question survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2N29Z3R.

PLC Day on January 17:

Our next PLC Day is scheduled for Friday, January 17.  We will be examining PGES 3 B that morning focusing on effective questioning strategies.  That afternoon, Ron Hurley from GRREC will be here to share with us about the Framework for Teaching and how the framework guides PGES.  We will plan to do a potluck lunch at school that day.

School Board Appreciation Month:

If you see one of our school board members, please take time to thank them for the hard work that they put in on behalf of our schools, our students, and our staff.  We sincerely appreciate Carolyn Thomason, Valeria Hayes-Hicks, Mona Fulkerson, Anna Majors, and Charlotte Gower for their service on the Grayson County School Board!

Emergency Drills:

As you know, state law requires schools to have at least one of each emergency drill during the first month of school and again during January, plus monthly fire drills and other drills at various times during the school year.  We did not do our tornado drill that was scheduled for Wednesday because of our delayed school day, so we will plan to conduct our tornado drill near the end of 2^nd period on Monday, January 13 instead.

Quote of the Day:

“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Coming Attractions:

Jan. 10...Critical Vocabulary Assessments in all core classes

Jan. 16…Club/Team/Group Pictures

Jan. 17…PLC Day (no students)

Jan. 20…MLK Day (no school)

Jan. 27…After school faculty meeting

Jan. 29..Team Leader Meeting, 7:15 am

Feb. 10..Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:00-6:00

Feb. 11..7^th/8^th Grade Back to the Future Day