July 29-August 2

#DMSLevelUp

Red Raider Nation

Shout out to everyone who helped out on the Schedule Pick Up Days: Chassity Smith, Aubrey Shields, Donna Califf, Anya Davis, Jessica Shipley, Brigida Foote, Mary Cooper, and the entire custodian staff.

We received many compliments about the friendliness of the staff, cleanliness of the building, and organization of the process. This is the result of an efficient and effective team! Thank you!

First staff day - August 2nd

8:30am - Teacher Institute, AJHS Auditorium, refreshments begin at 7:30am

Wear (at least) business casual -- no jeans, t-shirts

We will sit together. I will arrive early to save us seats.

12:00 - 3:30pm Beginning of the Year Faculty Meeting (STIPD# DEC0002870), DMS Cafeteria

(lunch will be on your own before the meeting)

scan_jenniferspringer_2019-07-17-06-47-58.pdf

STAY INFORMED

An organization can only operate successfully with effective communication.

I will use weekly newsletters to keep you informed. Please be sure to read these thoroughly. I also try to deliver reminders via morning announcements, emails, staff calendars, and more.

Instructional time is sacred, and I do not like to make intercom announcements during the day. In the event I need to deliver a time sensitive communication I will use the Remind app. Please take a moment to sign up using the instructions provided.

To join my DMS Remind group....

Text this message @748kg6

To this number 81010

Decatur Middle School Staff Calendar

I will keep this calendar up-to-date of all of the events and activities specific to the teachers and staff of DMS. Please keep an eye on this calendar to stay informed.

Decatur Feeder Pattern Athletics Calendar

This calendar is kept up-to-date by Watt Parker, our district Athletics Director. This calendar will keep you informed of all DHS and DMS athletics events.

Reminders and Announcements:

Summer Flex Days

If you did not complete your 2 summer flex days during A+ College Ready E3 Training you will need to complete 10 hours during the District PD Days on July 31 and Aug 1.

Monday, August 5: Student Orientation

Student Orientation will be Monday, August 5

7/8th Grade Session - 11:00 am

6th Grade Session 1 - 1:00 pm

6th Grade Session 2 - 5:30 pm

Teacher are expected to attend the orientations for their grade level. Sixth grade teachers are not expected to attend the 5:30 session, but are certainly welcome.

Tuesday, August 6: Plan Together Achieve Together PD

DMS Cafeteria, 8-11:30am, STIPD# DEC0002869

Upon the conclusion of the professional development, the rest of the day will be a teacher workday.

Wednesday, August 7: First Student Day Back!

For all of the GREEN people that have started planning the first days...

1. DCS Middle School Grading Policy

2. Lesson Plan Submission

3. Student Chromebook Distribution

1. DCS Middle School Grading Policy

Decatur City Middle Schools are adopting a uniform grading policy pertaining to the weights of assignments. Mary Cooper will be sending out a video of how to adjust these weights in iNow. She will also be happy to provide a little Tier III intervention to teachers needing one-on-one support.

Grade Categories percentages for 6th and 7th grade:

60% Assessment

30% Daily classwork

10% Homework

If a teacher doesn't do homework there will be only to categories 60% Assessment and 40% Daily classwork

Grade Categories percentages for 8th grade:

70% Assessment

20% Daily Classwork

10% Homework

If a teacher doesn't do homework there will only be to categories 70% Assessment and 30% Daily classwork

2. Lesson Plan submission

We will continue to submit lesson plans on Canvas.

Initially, all I am asking for are the following components: Standard, Objective, Activity, Assessment

3. Student Chromebook Distribution

Mrs. Shipley, our media specialist, will handle all things technology.

We will distribute chromebooks to students in the library during Math classes on the following days:

8th grade - Thursday, August 8
7th grade - Friday, August 9
6th grade - Monday, August 12

Teachers, as I have been getting to know each of you one thing is evident -- DMS is a family. We have quite a few new teachers this year and I invite you to be their marigold. Please take a moment to read the article below on what it means to "be a marigold." Each new teacher will be assigned a mentor teacher (marigold) to nurture and support them as they become a lasting member of the DMS family.

Find Your Marigold.pdf

NEW

TEACHER

ACADEMY

The New Teacher Academy will be held July 29-30, 2019 at Leon Sheffield Magnet School from 8:30-3:30 each day. The New Teacher Breakfast will be held on July 31, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church. The new teachers will immediately leave the "New Teacher Breakfast" and go to Austin High School for the Summer Learning Institute on July 31, 2019. This is for all teachers new to DCS for the 2019-20 school year.

Teacher Non-negotiables

Teach the standard
Bell-to-bell instruction
Provide Tier II instruction
Own the data
Love all kids

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS TO GUIDE DECISION MAKING

Does the activity align to our mission?
Does the activity align to grade-level content standards?
How will this lead to higher student achievement?
Does the activity align to grade-level content standards?
Is the the best use of instructional time, or a good use of instructional time?

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