Friday, January 8, 2016

Happy New Year from GCMS!

This Week at GCMS:
Welcome back!  I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and holiday season this year!  As we each make our New Year's resolutions, let's all set the goal to do everything in our power to help students be successful at GCMS and beyond.  We had a smooth first week back after the break, and it was good to get back to our normal routines.  I have just a few notes to share with you as the week winds to a close.

Staff Concerns:
We have several staff members and staff members’ family with health concerns right now.  Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations!
Hats off to the GCMS Beta Club.  These students raised over $3,000 to support Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville through the “Piggies for Preemies” program!
Congratulations to the GCMS cheerleaders for placing as 3rd Runner Up in the state competition in December!

Student Voice Survey:
Our student voice survey will be given during the window of January 27-February 10 this year.  Becki Pearl is working on the schedule and will be sending that out soon.  All students should have received the passive consent form to take home.  This form should be signed and returned only if the parent does not want their child to participate.  Becki participated in a lync session this week and will be sharing information through PLC groups in the next couple of weeks.

Observations:
As you know, all formal classroom observations must be completed by the end of March.  That sounds like a long way off, but it will be here before we know it…and we obviously prefer not to do 60 observations all that last month.  Our 7th and 8th grade teachers just need one mini-observation this year.  Our 6th grade teachers, unit teachers, and Title teachers are in the summative year, so those will need a full observation and show evidence of progress on Domains 1 and 4.  I do not want anyone to complete a huge portfolio for 1 and 4, just an example of how you are meeting each of those 12 components of D1 and D4.  Non-tenured teachers have two minis and a full (unless you were hired later in the school year) and evidence of the 12 components of D1 and D4.  Please review your lesson plans and decide when you would like for your assigned administrator to observe. 
  
Quote of the Day:
“Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly…until you learn to do it well.” ~Steve Brown

Coming Attractions:
Jan. 8…Due date to have distributed parent permission (passive consent) forms for student voice survey
Jan. 15…Due date for 2nd mini-observation for non-tenured teachers
Jan. 15…Due date for all peer observations
Jan. 27-Feb 10…Student Voice Survey Window


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