Thursday, May 15, 2014

This is a Test, This is Only a Test

Cougar Staff:
Things seem to have gone very well with the beginning of state testing this morning at GCMS!  I was out in the building most of the morning and was impressed to see students hard at work and teachers circulating and monitoring the students closely.  Thank you for taking this approach.  The students pick up on whether we take something seriously, and they tend to take it more seriously as well.  I appreciate your efforts and encourage you to sustain this effort throughout testing.  Thanks!

Shout Outs:
I want to give a special shout out to Mark Gary for being here at school today after being involved in an auto accident last night.  He wanted to be here for his kids as testing began today.  I appreciate that sort of dedication. 

Becky Miller came to school despite being sick today, again not wanting to miss being here for the testing. 
I know that there are others who didn't feel well, but were here today anyway.  Thanks for working through it, and doing what you can for the students!

May 20 Staff Day:
As you know, we will be having staff training on Tuesday, May 20.  Mrs. Pearl will be leading a session on Assessment Literacy that morning, focusing on PGES 1f and 3d.  Mrs. Pierce has generously offered to buy pizza for the staff for lunch that day!  We appreciate this greatly!  That afternoon, teachers will be involved in Peer Observer Training.  While only a small number of GCMS teachers will serve as peer observers next year, it should be very valuable for all of us to be trained on the process.  By knowing about the peer observation process, all teachers should be able to gain greater benefit when working with this next school year. 

Good Faith Effort:
Please keep track of students’ good faith effort with the checklist that I sent out earlier.  Students who get 100 percent good faith effort points will be rewarded at the end of the testing with their choice of watching a movie in the auditorium, playing or watching battle ball in the gym, chill zone time in the cafeteria where they can play their electronics, or outside time to play Frisbee or whiffle ball.  Please encourage the students to be here every day throughout testing and to give their very best on the tests!

Quote of the Day:
“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” ~Vince Lombardi

Coming Attractions:
May 15-22…KPREP Testing
May 20…Staff Day, no school for students
May 21…GCMS Site Based Council Meeting, 3:00
May 22…Good Faith Reward, 1:00-2:30
May 23…KPREP Make-up Day
May 20…No school for students – Staff training day
May 26…Memorial Day – No school for students or staff
May 29…8th Grade Awards Night, 6:00
May 30…Students’ Last Day, 8th Grade Commencement Programs, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00
June 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 will be staff training days.
June 7…Closing Day
July 15-17…Sixth Sense
July 29..GCMS PD Day
July 31...GCMS Opening Day and Back to School Night
Aug. 1….District wide day in Grayson County Schools
Aug. 4…Not a required work day at GCMS
Aug. 5…Students' first day of school


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