Thursday, February 28, 2019

Odds and Ends

Last year, I attended a workshop where the presenter asked us to take out our phones and scroll through our contact list to find someone who we cared about, but hadn't communicated with in awhile. He gave us approximately 20 seconds to look through our phones then another minute to actually send the person a text message. I chose to send a message to my aunt. By the end of the day many of us had heard back from the person we texted. Is texting the best way? Eh, probably not. Is it the most personal? Nope. It was something though and the experience was a nice reminder that we only need a minute in our day to make a connection.

Calendar: 
3/6 -  PLC meeting 
3/7 -  Tornado drill 12:12 pm 
3/12 - Student of the Month @ PHS
          Parent Forum @ PHS
3/13 - 1/2 day am - PD pm (school based school improvement)
3/14 - 1/2 day am - PD pm (i3 Conference)



1) Testing Center Coverage: As you know, the testing center has lacked coverage for 5th and 6th hour since the start of the year. The temporary solution to utilize copy room paraprofessionals on a rotating basis is just that - temporary. Paula will cover 5th and 6th hour in the testing center for 4 rotating weeks beginning the week of 3/4.  Additionally, she'll cover in the testing center during the weeks of 4/8, 5/6, and 6/3. During these weeks, the PHS administrative team will cover lunch in the media center so that Paula isn't pulled from the copy center for 3 hours on those days. Where do you come in?  It's always important to give ample time to make copies; however, it will be critical that copies are submitted in advance during these weeks. Many thanks to Paula for her positive attitude, problem-solving, and flexibility. This temporary solution gets us through the end of the year and allows us to meet the needs of our students who utilize the testing center.

2) MiStar and Athletic/Activity Eligibility Check: MiStar should be updated weekly unless you have a long-term assignment that requires additional time to grade. To this end, our first Athletic/Activity eligibility check of 2nd semester is tomorrow (these dates are listed on the P-CEP Master Google calendar.) Please be sure that your grade books are accurate, up to date, and visible to parents/students. There are teachers who still have their grade books set to semester 1. Progress reports are no longer sent home, but parents are still notified and encouraged to login to MiStar and check their child’s grades at the mid-point of the quarter. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

3) Kalahari fundraiser for Smith Elementary: This fills up fast even though it's 10 months away. Support Smith Elementary and visit Kalahari waterpark on January 2, 2020 with their special rate for family and friends - $129 for the room and waterpark passes. See the flyer in the mailroom and HERE for details. 

4) The Sharing is Caring Dress Drive:  @ Discovery MS tomorrow from 9 am- 1 pm. They are looking for new or gently used "special occasion" dresses of all sizes-newborn to junior, homecoming and prom dresses. Special occasion shoes and accessories are also welcome. Please share with students. You can see HANDOUT for additional details. 




Thursday, February 14, 2019

Happy mid-winter break

Happy Mid-Winter Break! 

With 6 snow/ice/sleet/cold days so far this year, it hardly feels like it's time for mid-winter break. Nonetheless, I hope you have a great 4 days. You deserve it. Rest, read, and relax. 

Calendar: 
2/19 - 9th grade course selection
2/20 - 10th grade course selection
          PLC meetings at Canton
2/21 - 11th grade course selection
          Instructional Team meeting

2/27 - 1 hour PD after school
2/28 - 1 hour morning PD - late start for classes



1) Belated welcomes: A belated welcome to Amy Willacker-Brown who is now an Assistant Principal at Plymouth High School. Amy will support a student caseload whose last names begin H-O. In addition, Amy will lead the Counseling and Growth Programs Departments. 

Also, welcome to Janelle Hudak. Janelle joins our math department and Plymouth High School. She's in room 109C. Janelle is a graduate of the Park and we're so excited to welcome her back as a teacher!


2) Schooldude: A reminder to please use the Schooldude Custodial System when requesting maintenance services. First-time users must use ‘schooldude’ (one word, lowercase) as their submittal password. There is a Schooldude ‘how to’ guide that can be viewed and/or downloaded here

3) Academic Dishonesty/Cheating/Plagiarism: Our K12 student handbook says that "cheating includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of resources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests, answer keys or other academic material intended for the exclusive use of an instructor; or (4) unauthorized acquisition of/or alteration of school records. 

Consequences: 
1. First offense - Individual classroom teacher will deal with the infraction and hold a conference with the student. Student may receive a zero (0) or grade reduction on the assignment or test. The teacher will notify parent/guardian upon each occurrence and document in the "visits" tab in MISTAR. 

2.  Second Offense - Parent contacted by teacher (and referral to administrator) for additional discipline up to and including suspension/expulsion from school.