Pine Tree Middle School
Pirate News
Friday, April 27, 2012
THE CRITICAL (AND CRAZY) MONTH OF MAY!
Thanks to everyone for doing your part to help our students (and each other) through two very fast-paced and challenging weeks! Your thoughtful STAAR review activities kept students engaged and your attention to detail enabled us to have three smooth-running STAAR testing days. As a staff, we have always stepped up when the situation called for action or resolve. I continue to appreciate that quality in all of you!
Looking ahead, the month of May is packed with activities – 6th grade field trips, field days, AR and STUCO activities, and our annual talent show, just to name a few. With so many special days on the calendar, we cannot afford to waste a single day of instruction. CBAs for the final six weeks will be given on M-T-W of the final week of school. We must have taught all TEKS for the final grading period by that time.
To meet the challenge of end-of-year assessments, we must focus on instructional activities that promote high engagement and give us the greatest results for our time. Needless to say, giving students a ‘day off’ for movies or games is out of the question.
A great by-product of keeping instruction rolling will be reduced off-task behavior. Mr. Knight and I are mapping a plan to crack down on repeat misconduct offenders to calm any waves and to assist you in being able to continue with good, quality instruction.
With these things in mind, we will have our final faculty meeting of the academic year this Tuesday, May 1, at 3:45. We will limit our discussion to the final month of school to make sure we are all on the same page and to insure a smooth finish. I have a vision of May as the best month of our entire year. Together, I truly believe we can make this happen! I’ll look forward to seeing all teachers and paras on Tuesday. You bring the positive attitude and I’ll bring the chocolate!
DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 1,3,4,8,9 6th Grade Field Trips
May 1Faculty Meeting, 3:45
May 3Athletic Physicals (6th gr.)
May 4PTISD Pirate Pride Night
May 16PTMS Awards Presentations
May 175th Grade Field Day
May 186th Grade Field Day
May 24Talent Show
May 25Last Day/Class Parties
May 29 & 30Teacher Workdays
VISION
As we hit the stretch run for this year and look toward next year, our common vision for this campus needs to focus on a few key things. In the coming weeks and months, we will have focused discussions on these things to give all of us a clear sense of exactly where we are headed as a learning community. How else can we know when we have arrived? Some thoughts on this:
Our common vision must include a focus on instructional technology and how best to integrate emerging technologies into our instruction. We will not add technological tools without providing plenty of quality training!
Our common vision must address STAAR readiness in every core subject. As we continue to learn more about our new state assessment, we will continue to work collaboratively to focus our planning and teaching accordingly.
Our common vision must provide for the expansion and growth of our departmental teams into true professional learning communities. The growth of every individual is important, regardless of our level of experience. This growth is critical to student success!
-Other News-
Staff Development – If you haven’t, be sure to fill out and turn in your Professional Development/Comp Day form as soon as possible. You will need TWO staff development days (12 total hours) this summer.
Field Trips I – Be sure to notify the cafeteria at least one week in advance of any field trip or activity that will result in your class not eating lunch in the cafeteria.
School Clubs & Groups – If you are interested in sponsoring a club, group, or other activity next year, please let me know. Now is a good time to begin to look at this. If you have an idea for a new club or group, please come by to share it with me. The more we can offer our students, the better!
Student Supervision – As we move through the spring, please be vigilant in supervising students in the hallways, restroom areas, and on the playground. Most of our problems in these areas can be prevented by good supervision.
Pirate Pride Night – The second annual Pirate Pride Night will be held on Friday, May 4, at Pirate Stadium. School clubs and groups can set up booths for games and fundraisers. Our campus needs a strong, multi-booth presence this year, so please share any ideas you might have!
21 Days Left – Let’s Make Each One Count!