Happy Thanksgiving from GCMS!

Happy American Education Week and Happy Thanksgiving!

It seems like we hear more and more criticism of public education and public school teachers every day.  Whether it is coming from “school choice” voucher advocates, charter school advocates, those supporting separation of church and state, those criticizing separation of church and state, the Democrats, the Republicans, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Federal Department of Education, or any number of other sources, public schools and teachers seem to be constantly under fire.  This seems so ironic, since the public school teachers that I know and work with are some of the most caring, hardworking, dedicated professionals anywhere.  As you crunch on an apple donated by our local American Legion Ladies Auxiliary for “American Education Week”, I want to thank you for what you do for kids and for your community each and every day.  This world is a better place now and in the future because of the work that you do with kids!  Thank you! 

I am planning to take a couple of days off during the Thanksgiving Break, so there will not likely be a Cougar Notes blog next week.  I hope that each of you enjoys the Thanksgiving holiday and gets to spend some quality time with your families.  We all have so much to be thankful for in this country and in this community.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Great Job Team 4!

Thank you to Team 4 for hosting showcase lesson day today!  I was reading an article in Education Week that described how beneficial it is for teachers to receive feedback from other teachers.  Our showcase lessons are a great way for this feedback to happen, and our new peer observation process is another great opportunity for teacher to teacher feedback.  I appreciate our teachers being open to feedback from colleagues and always working to improve your professional practice!

Back to the Future:

We had just over 50 parents here yesterday for Back to the Future Day!  Combined with the parents who attended our 6^th grade BTF Day earlier this year, that makes close to 140 parents who attended this year’s Back to the Future Days.  I heard many positive comments from parents about the lessons that they participated in, the work that our teachers were leading, and the good behavior shown by our students that day.  Thanks for making this year’s BTF Days a big success!

Dress for Success:

In a recent article that made the KSBA headlines page, Christian County Middle School is featured for having “Dress for Success Day” every Tuesday at their school.  All of their boys are encouraged to dress professionally, including wearing a tie on Tuesdays.  We all know that we have an issue with our boys at GCMS underperforming our girls, and I would like for us to try something similar to what CCMS has done.  Let’s start thinking about this and talking to our Friday Advisory classes about the importance of appearance and how that can affect mindsets.  Through promoting professional appearances, perhaps we can have a positive impact on the mindsets of our boys and a subsequent carryover to their success in school and beyond.  Several staff members have already offered to donate neck ties to have on hand for those boys who do not have one.  Let’s start collecting ties in each team and get this initiative going when we return from Christmas Break.  Here’s the link to the article I mentioned:  http://www.ksba.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=50UGP2&dasi=3G32

PGES Reminder:

Mr. Whitmore emailed our teachers yesterday with a reminder about gathering evidence for domains 1 and 4.  Please be mindful to collect evidence/artifacts throughout the year to support what you are doing in those two domains. 

Mr. Whitmore’s message from yesterday:  It is hard to believe we are almost half way through our first year of PGES, but most of the observations and evaluations are still ahead of us. As we get used to our new system it is important to remember to keep artifacts and documentation of Domain 1 (Planning and Preparation) and Domain 4 (Professional Responsibilities). Domains 1 and 4 are not typically observed during a lesson and require documentation on your part. The attached document [in yesterday’s email] gives examples of the types of evidence you can start saving for Domains 1 and 4, either in a paper file or uploaded as artifacts into CIITS. We want to make the transition as seamless as possible and I know most of you already have the types of evidence recommended to show progress in these domains. I also put a paper copy in your boxes. All non-tenured teachers and all eighth grade teachers will be evaluated on Domains 1 and 4 this year, so please remember to start collecting evidence. All other teachers can start collecting evidence as well. Let us know if you have questions or need assistance.

Quote of the Day:

“Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” ~William James

Coming Attractions:

Nov. 20…Academic Team at Knowledge Masters (TV Tournament)

Nov. 22…Cougarbots Team at WKU Robotics Competition

Nov. 24…Hooked on Science Program (6th grade science)

Nov. 26-28…No School, Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 8…Staff Christmas Dinner at GCMS, 6:00 (sign up in the office)

Dec. 11…Christmas Breakfast provided by GC Board of Education, 7:15-8:15

Dec. 15…Santa Hat Day

Dec. 15..GCHS Chorus performs at GCMS, 10:00-10:30

Dec. 16…Reindeer Day

Dec. 16…Staff Potluck in the GCMS Library

Dec. 17…Elf Day

Dec. 17…Drama Club Christmas Play (7th grade at 8:15, 8th grade at 9:45, 6th grade at 1:00)

Dec. 18…Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Dec. 19…Cougar Bucks Award (see school calendar for details)

Dec. 20-Jan. 4…Christmas Break