Dr. Irish's Message for the Week
Quality Plus Instructional Strategies
To Do's
Important Dates
Lilburn Middle School will become a Professional Learning Community committed to working collaboratively to engage students in learning in order to actualize student potential.
Lilburn Middle School is committed to engaging all students in learning the Academic Knowledge and Skills through research-based best practices with mastery being measured by local, state, national, and world-class standards and re-teaching/reassessing students as needed to actualize their potential.
We use research-based best practices to engage students in learning.
We build healthy relationships with our students, parents, and community members.
We provide appropriate interventions to support students in actualizing their potential.
We collaborate with our colleagues toward building a Professional Learning Community.
The percentage of students scoring in the Proficient and Distinguished categories will increase on the math, language arts, science, and social studies District Assessment Post-tests and the Georgia Milestones EOC/EOG Assessments by 2023.
As evidenced by:
45% of all students in grades 6-8 scoring at the Proficient and Distinguished performance levels on the GCPS District Assessment and the Georgia Milestones Assessment for English/Language Arts, and 10% of students will score in the Distinguished range.
50% of all students in grades 6th and 7th Grades and in 8th Grade Algebra scoring at the Proficient and Distinguished performance levels on the GCPS District Assessment and the Georgia Milestones Assessment for Standard Mathematics and Algebra, and 15% of students will score at the Distinguished range.
65% of all students in 6th and 7th Grade Accelerated Mathematics and in Accelerated Algebra scoring at the Proficient and Distinguished performance levels on the GCPS District Assessment and the Georgia Milestones Assessment for Accelerated Mathematics and Accelerated Algebra, and 15% of students at the Distinguished range.
45% of all students in grades 6-8 scoring at the Proficient and Distinguished performance levels on the GCPS District Assessment and the Georgia Milestones Assessment for Social Studies, and 10% of students will score in the Distinguished range.
45% of all students in grades 6-8 scoring at the Proficient and Distinguished performance levels on the GCPS District Assessment and the Georgia Milestones Assessment for Science, and 10% of students will score in the Distinguished range.
50% of all students taking the 9-12 Physical Science scoring in the Proficient and Distinguished performance levels; and 20% of students will score at the Distinguished level on the District Assessment and the Georgia Milestones EOC Assessment in Science.
40% or more of EL students will increase at least one level on the 2022 ACCESS assessment. Additionally, 50% of EL students will demonstrate growth, as predicted by the ACCESS band report.
We will improve our stakeholders' perception of our school as measured by an increase from 3.6 to 4 (weighted average of the theme scores) on the Spring 2022 parent perception survey. Further, we will have no more than 5% of students scoring in the lowest category of student engagement, based on the Spring 2022 SEI.
Lilburn Middle School’s CCRPI score will be in the top 25% of Georgia middle schools in 2021-2022.
As evidenced by LMS performance in the areas of Content Mastery, Progress, Closing Gaps, and Readiness
We will be consistent and pervasive with effective instruction, assessment, and monitoring (aligned with the AKS), by collaboratively planning lessons that implement the Gradual Release Instructional Framework, Balanced Instruction, Formative Instructional Practices, Technology, Critical Thinking, and Literacy.
No one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something ~anonymous
Greetings Mustangs!
The willingness of American veterans to sacrifice for our freedoms and our country has earned our everlasting gratitude. Make sure to thank every veteran you know for their immeasurable sacrifice. To all of our LMS Veterans, we are so proud to have you on our team.
Happy Veterans Day!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Let's remain SAFE, SOLUTION-FOCUSED, and SANE.
***Remember, we have the POWER of ONE!
We are SUPERCHARGED & LASER FOCUSED this school year!
Your Proud Principal,
Dr. Irish
For teachers, by teachers
Each week, we will feature an instructional practice/strategy/tool that our very own LMS teachers are using.
Today's Bite Size PD strategy is featured by Ms. Carolyn Scott.
I use Microsoft Translate Conversations or I add translated subtitles using MS Office 365 or Canva. I also use Google Forms for gathering small group data, which also provides an opportunity for built-in reteach/reassessment opportunities. Using technology to tackle these needs is more efficient and allows me to reach more students at one time.
The QPTS helps to keep us grounded in our instructional practices. For more information, resources, articles, and tools, please click on the "Quality Plus Instructional Strategies link embedded within the "Teacher Resources" Heading on the portal.
Congratulations to Ms. Jermel Byrd for being chosen as one of our new leaders in the 2021-2022 LEAD CTAE class. LEAD CTAE is a leadership development program designed for CTAE classroom teachers who wish to gain valuable skills and knowledge in the areas of team building, leadership, priority management, business engagement, legislative advocacy and policy, communication, instruction, economic development, and more through participation in five program sessions culminating at the annual GACTE summer conference. There were only 20 people chosen (representing 20 schools in 16 systems and 15 program areas from across the state).
Let's shout out Ms. Kalwathoo and Ms. Singh for testing our first round of gifted candidates this past week. 49 students were tested. Whoo Hoo!!!!
Thank you to Mrs. DeCambre for leading our schoolwide Reflections Contest. As a result of leading this program at LMS, many students had the opportunity to participate in this Gwinnett Council PTSA competition. Thank you to our classroom teachers who supported these efforts. Our students did very well! We had two 1st place (Gabrielle Fraser-7th Literature and Kyla DeCambre-8th Literature) and one 2nd place winner (Elease Brand7th-Visual Arts)! Way to go!
Thank you to Mr. Doyne for sponsoring the field trip to the Latino Youth Leadership Conference at Emory University!
Thank you to Alison Weber for hosting the GMEA Solo & Ensemble Competition @ LMS!
Want to share good news or thank someone at our upcoming faculty meeting?
Use the link that is on our LMS eCLASS Training page to submit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8wFI-e0A95J4CGMyPdmur-Je79b27hYdiAd679XgBAUCbZw/viewform
Peak: We have launched our fall intervention programs (MMIP, iSUCCESS, Saturday School, as well as other efforts that teachers have offered to students individually. We have had several student take advantage of these efforts.
Valley: Unfortunately, many students who are invited do not attend and attribute transportation concerns as the cause. As a result, we will host some in-school opportunities for students to make up missing assignments. As we near the end of this semester, we want to extend every opportunity for students to restore their academic standing to passing (70+). Please be on the lookout for additional information about this.
New Items are in Bold
NEW:
Tuesday's Schedule:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1giCX225xtsZW_cn8OlcAj08fdic4rFrY/view?usp=sharing
Please see the link for our schedule on Tuesday. Here are some things to think about:
1) To provide you with time to work independently, most SD will occur before lunch.
2) Please plan a live team session to support students (time is included on the schedule).
3) Please work within the times that are allotted for each activity.
4) Your content AP will communicate the expectations for the content planning that is scheduled following lunch.
5) Content planning will occur in each grade level content captain's classroom unless otherwise specified by the content AP.
Read this briefing to learn more about vaping and prescription drug use- stay in the know! https://drive.google.com/file/d/11-KBQM-jWEeOsx3nDg3IahDDand_54bS/view?usp=sharing
STUDENT AGENDA BOOKS (COMING SOON):
Thank you our Health and PE Coaches, Coach Crawford, Coach George, and Coach Winters for facilitating our school-wide health initiative, Health MPowers. Through this program, each student will receive an agenda book. The Health MPowers program agenda book distribution will conclude on Monday, November 8th. The program kick-off will take place Wednesday, November 10, during the morning news show. Beginning Monday, November 15th, ALL students would be expected to utilize the agenda book as a hallway pass. The pass must be signed.
REMIND:
Please sign up to receive messages through Remind. This will be used in case of emergency, or if there is a need for urgent communication. Text @f637g3 to 81010.
There is no more frustration with signing up for the various meeting locations in the building. Here is our LMS room reservation protocol:
If you need to reserve the Media Center, Cafeteria, Collaboratory, computer lab, etc., all you need to do is to go to our LMS Training page and you will see the sign-up links for those locations.
Don't forget to let your AP, Mrs. Markitan, and Mrs. Curry know that you plan to use the room.
Email Dr. Dillard with the date of the event and she will add it to the calendar.
If your event is on the weekend or during the week after the custodians are scheduled to close the building (7:45 PM), you will need to email Dr. Irish to ensure there is a plan for securing the building.
Please reference the updated Grading Checkpoint tool to make sure that you're on track:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_cOx-B7xuaLOpa2mx98v9xAn_RyxBgx0/view?usp=sharing
Safety and Security
We care about the safety and security of all of our Mustangs. Please help to ensure the following:
All visitors need to wear a VISIBLE name badge. Please remind visitors to sign in and out.
Guest speakers, volunteers, and full-day visitors must be approved by an administrator prior to the visit
Classroom doors should be locked, but open
Windows on classroom doors should be kept unobstructed
Make sure that all exterior doors are locked during the day- no “propping”
Feedback Needed:
Please complete this brief survey to let me know how the year is going https://forms.gle/D1WtA9h51koEXbQQ9
Attendance and Punctuality
Timely and regular attendance is an expectation of performance for all LMS staff. It is so difficult right now for us to get substitute teachers and support to fill in when you are out, I am asking for everyone to do their best in being at work and arriving on time each day.
COVID Safety Protocols
Complete a health assessment before leaving home. If you are not feeling well contact your grade level AP as soon as possible (Special Education Teachers contact Ms. St. James). If necessary, follow the absence/sub protocol immediately.
Wear masks in the classroom with students and throughout the building. The current recommendation is to use the medical grade masks (not mesh masks).
Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
Remember to social distance as much as possible.
After eating lunch, students should put their masks back on before engaging in conversation with their classmates.
Sub Request
Please remember to request a sub as soon as you know you will not be at work on a given day.
All grade level teachers should submit their leave requests to their grade level AP (Special Education teachers will send the request to Ms. St.James). All requests for a Friday or for a leave request "blackout day" must be approved by Dr. Irish.
Personal leave requests must be submitted 5 days in advance.
If you are having trouble requesting a sub, please contact Sonia Curry as soon as possible.
If you are going to be out in an emergency situation, send your grade level AP or myself a text message as soon as you know along with your grade level
Safety and Security
Classroom teachers: Please stand at your door to greet students and monitor the hallways during each class change.
Remember to use your classroom sign-out sheet when students are leaving the room. This helps to keep track of where students are during the day.
Please monitor your class when they are traveling through the halls. It is always best to develop a procedure that allows you to keep your class within your sights. It is not advisable to send them ahead because they are in middle school and may seize the moment of being unsupervised to make a poor choice.
Transitions: Please remind students about safety in the hallways. We are spending these first few days setting the tone for the rest of the school year. It is always easier to be highly consistent in the beginning, with the expectations that students will adopt the expectations on their own as the year goes on. Constant reminders and practicing are very normal at this time of year. Teachers should be in strategic locations to observe students in the hallways. Remember to communicate with your grade level administrator if there is ever a time that you cannot make it to your duty spot.
Please adhere to your grade level's lunch start and end time to ensure we protect our instructional time.
Students should not be bringing backpacks into the restroom, or stopping into restrooms in between classes
COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive:
Recently, Gwinnett County Public Schools announced it is offering a one-time, $500 incentive to eligible staff members who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. To receive the incentive, eligible employees will follow a two-step process attesting to their vaccination status and providing proof of vaccination.
Step 1: Using the link provided in the Employee Portal, complete the form attesting to the employee’s eligibility. This link (which will be available beginning Sept. 10) appears in the top right-hand section of the portal above the Technical Support box/information. The form will be available from the 10th to the 20th of each month through the end of the school year.
Step 2: Prior to the 24th of the month, your school or department contact will communicate information on your location’s process for Step 2, which involves verification/proof of vaccination. If Step 2 is not completed by your location’s deadline each month, your incentive payment will not be processed until the next pay period. Please note that proof of vaccination can be verified with a hard copy or photo of either the employee’s COVID vaccination card or record of vaccination.
Note that this incentive is being provided to the following staff members who meet eligibility requirements:
All benefit eligible, full-time employees
Contracted cafeteria staff (If the employee is a SPUR employee they will get information through SPUR)
Contracted speech language pathologists
Retirees (This group will receive .49% of incentive to reflect their .49 work schedule.)
Substitute Teachers (Eligible substitutes will receive an email once they have met the eligibility requirement of working a minimum of 45 days this school year.)
PREVIOUS REMINDERS:
Go to the link to see the previous updates
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bZaE9jK7tN-2uhKUsDG1JaRZ8YyOnCzKULlaOw8xzvY/edit?usp=sharing
Upcoming Professional Learning:
Adobe Training for November
Any level teacher, administrator, or support personnel may sign up for these virtual training opportunities meant to accelerate the use and proficiency of the Adobe Creative Cloud applications. All learning opportunities are virtual via Zoom and can be signed up for via PD&E (Course #28285).
What: Become a Creative Cloud Educator
When: November 9 @ 4:30PM (Section #47537)
What: Learn Adobe Rush
When: November 16 @ 4:30PM (Section #47538)
Ready, Set, Science Bootcamp
This professional learning provides an opportunity for teachers to grow in their understanding of the Science AKS and Phenomenon Driven Science Instruction. Participants will engage in activities to help support their understanding of the science AKS, science and engineering practices, science formative assessments, and our newly revised small group lessons.
What: Ready, Set, Science Bootcamp
When: September 23, December 9, February 3 (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Where: Discovery High School
Required Online Training Videos (PD & E):
1) All staff members are required to read and sign off on the LMS handbook. You can access the handbook and the sign-off by navigating to the LMS Training Page (Due September 2)
2) Test Administration and Security (DUE - August 31)
3) Safety and Security Compliance Training (DUE-September 25)
4) HR Compliance and Ethics (DUE - November 1)
5) Security Awareness
Who - All Staff
Time - 60 minutes
Start Date - July 29
Due Date - November 21
1) Monday, November 8
ELT (Period 1)
Local School Council Meeting 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Readers Rally 4:30 p.m. Media Center
2) Tuesday, November 9
ELT (Period 2)
Chess Club - Room 8.193 8:15 am to 8:45 am
GoSTEM 4:45-6 p.m.
Tutoring Connections 8:10 a.m.-8:50 a.m.
Digital Learning Day # 3-online learning for all students
3) Wednesday, November 10
ELT (Period 3)
Tutoring MA & SS
LYLA Club meeting- 5:45
Make-Up Picture Day
PTSA Chick-fil-A Spirit Night 5 - 7 PM
AP Professional Learning at the ISC
4) Thursday, November 11
ELT (Period 4)
Tutoring ELA & SC 8:10 a.m.-8:50 a.m.
13.5 week LCA ELA & SC
Counseling Advisory Council 4 45
Veterans Day
McClure HS Parent Information and Tours @ McClure HS- 6PM
5) Friday, November 12
Advisement Reteach/Reassess and Make-Up Work
Connections B
13.5 week LCA Math & SS
Advisement Goal Setting Progress Check
Family Engagement Committee
6) Saturday, November 13
Mustang Mastery Intervention Program
Basketball vs. Hull (@ Meadowcreek High)
District 13 Middle School Honor Orchestra
Shiloh MS JLC Raider Meet @7:30 a.m.
Rest and Relax!
Coming up next week:
American Education Week, Informed with Irish, Basketball Games, 13.5 Week Reteach/Reassess
Technology Newsletter (D.Brown):
https://sites.google.com/g.gcpsk12.org/techteamnewsletter/home/vol-ii-sept-2021
PBIS Newsletter (Maresh):
https://sites.google.com/g.gcpsk12.org/lmspridepackpbis/pride-pack-post-newsletter_1
Connections Newsletter (Byrd):
https://sites.google.com/g.gcpsk12.org/connectionsnewsletter/home
Special Education Newsletter (St.James):
Coming Soon