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."