Reflecting and Preparing

Happy Holidays! It's the end of our very first semester together, and wow, we have so much to celebrate! Thank you everyone for your hard work, support, and dedication. Congratulations to our first game ball recipients, Donna Fallis, Britt Beene, Lisa Johnson, Denise Theriault, Meredith Tongue, Anne Prodgers, and Al Nellons!  I hope you all enjoyed the morning fellowship as much as I did.  I'm looking forward to our monthly gatherings because the sole purpose is to connect with you and celebrate YOU!

The TAG Department is all smiles, but saying goodbye to Lori wasn't easy!

Our dedicated cafeteria staff...looking good ladies!

What's Ahead in 2012?

• Committees, committees, and more: Discipline, Mission & Vison, School Beautification, and Data Team will all be meeting in January. It's not too late to get involved!
• Instructional focus: Walkthroughs will be conducted monthly and targets will be set and monitored. (The summary presentation is available in the Step 2 Achieve folder on the shared drive). As a reminder, our targets for January are:
• Essential questions posted
• Learning expectations/standards communicated
• Higher order thinking questions and/or activities observed
• Timely feedback given to students
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): We will begin developing an understanding of PLCs through our monthly department meetings. They will look and feel different. 
• Student recognition: We are looking to celebrate and recognize our students in new and creative ways. Have a suggestion? Please share!

Go Team!

We're too good not to be GREAT!

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.

-Henry Ford

Healthy Food for Thought

As you know, we recently partnered with Core Physique to establish a student-led Health and Wellness Committee here at Hopewell.  The 4 student ambassadors, selected through an essay contest, have been charged with leading the development of programs that educate, encourage, and support health and wellness.

The 2011-2012 Health and Wellness Student Ambassadors,
pictured with Dr. Patterson and Kolleen Riddick of Core Physique

Their very first event, "Hopewell Lives Well," is a nutrition and wellness fair set for Thursday, December 8th, from 4:30-6.  We will be partnering with various organizations to sponsor massage chairs, healthy eating booths, door prizes, blood pressure screenings, you name it!  The guest speaker is a certified nutritionist that will offer tips and advice for developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The kick-off for the event will be our first faculty/student competition of the year! We will host a faculty/student volleyball game right after school.  Teams of faculty and students will play against each other, and student participation will be limited to 8th grade.  Details have not yet been finalized, so please see me if you are interested in coordinating the game.

This exciting event has the potential to be a huge success, and I love to see every Hopewell staff person there!  Feel free to bring your family and friends as well!

Classroom Observations and Instructional Walkthroughs

What does an athlete, a student, a teacher, an administrator, and just about any other category of worker have in common? They all rely on feedback to improve their practice! 

While the administrative team will continue to conduct informal and formal observations, a larger team, including teachers and staff, will conduct classroom walkthroughs.  What is the difference?  They are all designed to give feedback, but the walkthrough, conducted by a larger group, is designed to provide feedback about the school's overall instructional practices, not an individual teacher.  On November 15th, our first round of classroom walkthroughs will be conducted.  Here is a link to the form that will be used to collect data: https://employees.fultonschools.org/Instruction/Documents/Instruction%20Learning%20Walk%20Template%202011-12.docx

Janet Dauenhauer gives "feedback" on volleyball serve techniques in her PE class.

Please remember that observations are not about "gotcha" moments.  The sole purpose is to provide feedback for improvement, not judgment.  Think of it this way: You're too good not to be great!

New Principal Woes...

Every time I think I have it all figured out, I run into Keri, Meredith, Minna, or Kelli and realize I've got some work to do!!! I thought it might be fun to share this struggle with you and offer a challenge....

Kelli Torkelson, 6th Grade, Science

Mina Wallace, 7th Grade, Language Arts

Meredith Tongue, 7th Grade, Social Studies

Reach out to one of them AND one other person you don't know...introduce yourself, share something about yourself, learn something about that person, and post it here!  No cheating!

Sharpen the Saw - Teacher Workday

Monday, October 17th is our first and only workday this semester. With such limited time to work, plan, and collaborate, it's incredibly important for us to use this time wisely and seek ways to get the most "bang for our buck," meaning when we come together, although this is "work," it doesn't have to feel like it.  I hope you have this experience on Monday. After we come together briefly in the morning, I hope you will take advantage of the opportunities for you to take of yourself physically (free massage and allergy testing, teeth whitening) as well as connect with your colleagues.  Consider the following from Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have--you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. Here are some examples of activities:

Physical:	Beneficial eating, exercising, and resting
Social/Emotional:	Making social and meaningful connections with others
Mental:	Learning, reading, writing, and teaching
Spiritual:	Spending time in nature, expanding spiritual self through meditation, music, art, prayer, or service

As you renew yourself in each of the four areas, you create growth and change in your life. Sharpen the Saw keeps you fresh so you can continue to practice the other six habits. You increase your capacity to produce and handle the challenges around you. Without this renewal, the body becomes weak, the mind mechanical, the emotions raw, the spirit insensitive, and the person selfish. Not a pretty picture, is it?

Consider writing a "Thank-You" to our PTA volunteers for donating the delicious treats! 

What a spread!

Rachel's Challenge - Sharing the Love

 Eliminate Prejudice

Look for the Best in Others

Forgive Yourself and Others

Start a Chain Reaction

Choose Positive Influences

Use Words to Heal, Not Hurt

Will you accept the challenge?    

We will not be the same...

Don't lose the momentum! So many of us have been inspired, and our acceptance of the challenge means we're committing to "Dreaming Big!"  If you have an idea for a project, even a simple desire to show appreciation, share it and do it! Encourage the students to dream big as well - the sky is the limit.  Let's commit to making a difference in ourselves, our school, and our community.

"I have this theory that if one can go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same."

-Rachel Joy Scott


Welcome to Hopewell!

Faculty and Staff,

You have probably noticed a few new faces around the building! I'd like to officially welcome our new PT French Teacher, Abigail Edwards, and our new PE Teacher, Jason Clements.  We also have a new paraprofessional in Special Education, Jermaine Fitzpatrick (picture and bio to come...).  If you haven't already done so, please be sure to give them a warm Mustang welcome!

Jason Clements, in his own words...

"I have a BS in ED from Georgia Southern University.  This is my sixteenth year teaching…eleven of those have been in Fulton…two of those years have been in middle and the rest have been in elementary.  I have three beautiful little girls…Riley (7), Zoe (5) and Presley (5)…yes twins J  I enjoy bodybuilding, spending time with my girls, and hanging out with friends."

Standards-Based Classrooms - Components

An appropriate essential question - it aligns to the standard and can be used to guide instruction.

A word wall supports instruction in a standards-based classroom. It should be current and referred to often.

Would you consider your classroom a model for standards-based instruction?

As we prepare to begin our monthly Step 2 Achieve training, I'd like you to reflect on what I consider to be the foundation of standards-based instruction - the classroom.  While our training will focus primarily on teacher behaviors, the following list details classroom elements that are necessary to support standards-based instruction.  How many of these elements have you already incorporated???



• Word walls
• Standard and essential question posted
• Student work with commentary displayed
• Flexible seating and/or grouping
• Instructional bulletin boards/visuals



Our goal? 100% implementing 4 out 5 elements.

We can do it!









What is your vision?

Symbol of the American WestMustang horses were honored in 1971 by the US Congress with the title of "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West, which continue to contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people."

In grade level meetings this week, I shared a vision for building school community and moving toward schoolwide policies and practices.  When I stated the feeling of operating as "3 schools in one," I noticed many nods in agreement.  So, I thought I'd recap my vision here, and ask that you would comment and share your thoughts for moving forward.

• A schoolwide discipline plan to proactively address student behavior.
• To support consistency, not decrease grade-level autonomy
• Redevelopment of our school's mission and vision statements.
• To more clearly state our collective philosophy of education
• Strategic plan for the design of our hallways (G,D,E,F and Connections).
• Because the look and feel of a building matters

What will Hopewell Middle School look like in 5, 10, or 20 years? It is up to us to decide.

Some make it happen, some watch it happen, and some say, "What happened?"
- Anonymous

Friday, September 9th - Preparing for Curriculum Night

How do you establish a positive classroom climate?

Curriculum Night 9/12 and 9/13

If you're like me, the approach of Curriculum Night stirs up excitement, but also stress and anxiety. Combat the stress by spending time mentally preparing for the evening.  I found a great website with some very helpful strategies for preparation and presentation: http://teachersnetwork.org/dcs/backnigh/overview/

The following do's and dont's can help you get started...

•  DO be in your room at least 15 minutes before families arrive. Use the time to relax, relate, and release!
• DON'T forget your name tag, and be sure to introduce any co-teachers or additional staff members who work with you.
• DO prepare a sign-in sheet. Consider emailing a "Thank You" note to your attendees.
• DON'T go over your allotted time.
• DO be sure to write or provide your contact information and times you are available to meet with students and/or parents.
• DON'T engage in conversations about individual students. Ask parents to contact you for a conference if they have concerns.
• DO remember to smile and enjoy your evening.

AND....

• DON'T forget to wear jeans on the day following your Curriculum Night!

The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.

Have a wonderful weekend!



Friday, September 2nd - This is your holiday!

Do great minds really think alike? That's what I've heard!

Important Dates, Reminders, and Other Stuff...

• Respect for Self, Respect for Others, Respect for School - It's a Hopewell thing, right? We are all responsible for ensuring that students understand the meaning of this motto. Students are using their agendas, and generally being respectful towards each other.  Let's not forget about the overall school environment, as well. Please be sure to review expectations for behavior during locker times and monitor students during class changes. Ask them to pick up trash left behind, particularly in the hallways, and share your expectations for behavior after they are dismissed from the cafeteria.
• Clubs - It's time for us to get our extra-curricular on! If you haven't already done so, please submit your updated club info to Liz Pyke byt the end of the day on Tuesday.  Also, we are still in need of a sponsor for Tumbling/Gymnastics, Ladies of Hopewell, Anime, and Science Club.  Also, two students approached me with a desire for drama club. Let me know if you're interested.
• Curriculum Night - You should have already seen the tentative schedule for Curriculum Night. Yes, it will be a looooong day. Please feel free to wear jeans on the day following your Curriculum Night.

Thanks for another great week. This Labor Day weekend, be sure to celebrate YOU!

"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country...Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."





Monday, August 29th - "How was your weekend?"

 What are you doing to get to know your students? These days, I'm enjoying lunch with

some very special students I met on G-Hall.

Build Relationships

Teachers build relationships with their students by showing that they care about them, and by learning about their lives, dreams, and challenges. This is a key element of helping students motivate themselves. Numerous studies have shown that caring relationships with teachers can help build resiliency (the capacity to persevere and overcome challenges) among children. By learning about student interests, teachers can also help connect what is being taught in the classroom to students’ lives and discover their short-and-long-term goals.

The paragraph above is an excerpt from "Helping Students Motivate Themselves," by Larry Ferlazzo.  The full article will be placed in your mailboxes (be sure to file it in your Step 2 Achieve binder).

I'd like for you to consider your success as a teacher, reflecting on the years when an initially challenging student turned out to be one of your favorite.  Most likely, the turning point for that student was the moment that you, as the teacher, took an interest in who that student was outside of the classroom.  Perhaps it began with a question as simple as, "How was your game?" or as I heard in the hallway this morning, a positive comment to a student on his new haircut.  Making the connection now provides you with a foundation upon which you can build all year.  Not sure where to start, how about, "How was your weekend?"

        

The Fundamentals - Monday, August 22nd

The first week of school is behind us. What does this mean in your classroom? Are students aware of the policies, procedures, and expectations? Would your students know how to answer these questions?

• How is homework collected?
• How do I find out what I missed when I'm absent?
• Am I allowed to chew gum?
• What should I do if I need extra help?

Don't assume students will know what to do. According to Harry Wong in The First Days of School, "A well-managed classroom is a task-oriented and predictable environment...Both teacher and students know what to do and what is supposed to happen in the classroom."

Is your classroom a task-oriented and predictable environment? Please post your best practices for establishing classroom routines with colleagues....

Have a great week!

Happy Friday, August 19th

Whew! The first week of school is behind us! Let's see how long we can keep the momentum going...positive attitudes, smiling faces, and big ideas. Thank you to everyone for going the extra mile this week. Your patience, flexibility, and team work truly made for a successful start.

As you have heard, 2 of our teachers have earned Master Teacher certification! This outstanding accomplishment was recognized at the Thursday evening board meeting. I was like a proud mom taking pictures and overflowing with excitement! Congratulations to Robin Berlin and Mark Poole, as well as Jillian Harris, who is still near and dear to Hopewell!

Finally, thanks so much for the feedback over the last few days. We want to continue to tweak our practices and implement policies and procedures that will ensure the absolute best educational experience for our students. This cannot be done without honest and open dialogue, and your input is critical.

I wish you all a safe and restful weekend. You have certainly earned it.

Plan for gradual improvement, not spectacular leaps...A slow and steady stream of water will, in time, erode the hardest rock."

-Dr. David Campbell

Off to a Great Start

Thanks for a great first day everyone! The anxiety of the morning gave way to calm and order by the afternoon. The students looked happy and at ease, and that speaks to the climate you have helped to establish.

Listed below are just a few notes and reminders as we go forward this week:

• Be sure to sign in by 8 am each morning.
• Direct students to use/refer to their agenda often. We are teaching organizational strategies.
• As you heard this morning, our focus is "Respect for self, respect for others, respect for school." Please reiterate this to your students and enforce it consistently.
• We are in the process of gathering sweat pants, belts, and t-shirts for use with our dress code violators. Feel free to donate items!
• It is very important that you report on time with your classes for lunch. This helps us serve lunch and seat students quickly.

Thanks again for a great first day!

"Know what's weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change, but pretty soon...everything's different."

-Calvin, from Calvin & Hobbes