The Knightly News Final Edition 6-1-2015

Summer here we come!

Well, it has finally boiled down to our last 3 days of school, and they are 1/2 days with our students!  As a reminder – be sure you are on duty in the hallways during the passing period. We would like for teachers to do lunch duty with their grade level these last 3 days.  You all can eat at 12:30 – after the students have gone – and that will ensure smooth dismissals and lunches these last 3 days!  You have the finals schedule – we will hand ring the bells each day!  We are still waiting for communication regarding the make up day –  Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday, June 1, 2015
Finals Periods 1 & 3
4:30 Parent Meeting Stanford Testing
6:00 8th grade Awards

Tuesday, June 2, 2015
8:00 DC Meeting
Finals Period 2 & 5
12:30 – lunch provided to teachers by Henry Barrientos – will confirm Monday

Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Finals Periods 4 & 6
2:00 CLT Meeting Room 1C

Thursday, June 4, 2015
11:30  Hot Dog and Hamburger lunch – Parent Center
1:00 Begin check out – Remember – I am the last person you see for check out

Have an awesome and amazing summer!

The Knightly News 5-18-2015

Know Our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

Hey Team!  I think our 8th graders did great on the second round of Reading STAAR!  I want to thank all of the 8th grade ELA teachers for working so hard with their kids in small groups!  I also want to thank Angela and Katie for their hard work intervening with the 8th graders also!  Thanks to Donovan for working with the SPED kids.  A huge thank you to all of the teachers who helped support this effort!  Those staff members are:
Tracy Ache, Ahmad, Gina Blanco, Kendrick, Darren, and Isaac. I apologize ahead of time if I missed someone!  Thanks Lesli for getting everything up and running!

There are still many subs being called for each day!  Please make every effort to be here!  We are scrambling each morning – having to pull your colleagues to cover classes!  That means that students who need co-teachers are not getting them!  Thank you for your consideration, I am sure you colleagues thank you also!

As time moves on, and this year is almost out – I am going to say it is critical that we all  maintain learning in your classrooms.  Your students should be working on relevant classwork every day, bell to bell.  Please do not show movies and give students the perception that school is almost out!  If students need to leave your room – they need to have a pass.  If you want students to come to your room during lunch – they need a pass or they won’t be able to go!  Thank you for keeping students focused and working from now to the last day!  For all the new teachers out there:  We don’t have parties in middle school!  Everyone gives a final in each class – the final needs to be given during finals week, on the appropriate day.

Here is the schedule for this week and the following week!  This week is super easy, and there is a lot the following week!

Monday, May 18, 2015
A Day
Theater used by YES all day

Tuesday, May 19, 2015
B Day
8:45 Base Camp
9:00  CBE Spanish Test in Theater all day

Wednesday, May 20, 2015
A Day

Thursday, May 21, 2015
B Day
Sand Castle Field Trip
YES Prep Six weeks grades due
4:00-6:00 YES Prep Theater

Friday, May 22, 2015
A Day

Monday, May 25, 2015
Holiday

Tuesday, May 26, 2015
B Day
8:45 Base Camp
10:00 National Junior Honor Society Induction
6:00 pm 8th grade Awards – cafeteria

Wednesday, May 27, 2015
A Day
8:00 Department Meeting
Knights Council Field Trip
3:00 Faculty v Student Basketball game

Thursday, May 28, 2015
B Day
12:15 – 3:00  8th grade picnic and Field Day – more info to come
3:00 – 4:00 Powder Puff Football game
4:10 Campus Leadership team Meeting MPR

Friday, May 29, 2015
B Day
8:45-10:21 7th period Final
Modified Schedule the rest of the day – Tracey will resend Friday, May22

Know Our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

Hey Team!  Time is marching on quickly!  Before you know it, finals week will be here and then school is over!  It will be important that we work with our students on staying focused and working until the very last day.  Now is not the time to give the students lots of free time.  There is plenty left to learn in each subject – so you all keep doing the great work and let’s end this year super strong!  Here is the schedule for next week:

Monday, May 11, 2015
B Day
YES Prep Map Testing MPR
Math Consultant works with 8th grade teachers
2:00 ILT Meeting
6:00 Spring Choir/Orchestra concert

Tuesday, May 12, 2015
A Day
8th grade Reading STAAR Retest
Math Consultant works with 6th grade
YES Prep Map Testing MPR
8:45 BaseCamp 6th and 7th grade
4:30 YES in Theater
6:00 Spring Band Concert
6:30 Kempwood North Civic Assoc. in Theater

Wednesday, May 13, 2015
B Day
YES in MPR Map Testing
Zoo Field Trip
6:00 Soccer Game

Thursday, May 14, 2015
A Day
8:45 Parent Meeting Parent Center
1:30 Vic’s Group – Parent Center
4:00 Duncan’s Retirement Celebration
5:00 Mentor/Mentee Dinner

Friday, May 15, 2015
B Day
9:00 Textbook Meeting
9:15 Kid Team Meeting
3:00 Faculty Basketball game
6:00 Bright Stars of SBISD Celebration

5-4-2015 The Knightly News

Know our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

This is a big week!  TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!  All week long we are going to do some small things to recognize how important you all are and what your work means to Northbrook Middle School!  I am amazed by the staff here each day!  NMS has students who need a lot of support, love encouragement, and joy brought to their lives!  And you all do it on a daily basis!

If I could Teach you, Teacher

If I could teach you, teacher
I’d teach you how much more
you have accomplished
thank you think you have.
I’d show you the seeds
you planted years ago
that are now coming into bloom.
I’d reveal to you the young minds
that have expanded under your care,
the hearts that are serving others
because they had you as a role model.
If I could teach you, teacher,
I’d show you the positive effect
you have had on me and my life.
Your homework is
to know your value to the world,
to acknowledge it, to believe it.
Thank you, teacher.

Be sure you do your homework – know your value and believe it!!   Enjoy your little treats this week – I wish it could be so much more! Here is your schedule for the week!

Monday, May 4, 2015
A Day
Grades Due
1:30 ILT Meeting
6:00 Talent Show

Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Happy Cinco de Mayo
B Day
Teacher Appreciation Lunch – Chick- Fil -A – from Jeans Pass $$
8:00 DC Meeting
YES Prep 6 week Progress Reports Due
8:45 Base Camp

Wednesday, May 6, 2015
A Day
Algebra EOC – testing in Area 10
Teacher Appreciation Lunch – Nachos from Sunshine
5:00 Soccer @ NMS
5:00 Service Awards @ Omni Hotel

Thursday, May 7, 2015
B Day
8th grade A & M Field Trip
4:00 ACE Program in Cafeteria

Friday, May 8, 2015
A Day
Teacher Appreciation Lunch – spaghetti from Student Council and Rights Council
Decorate for 8th grade Dance

Saturday, May 9, 2015
9:00  Girls Soccer @ Landrum
9:00  Boys Soccer @ NMS
Trustee Elections at NMS
7:00 8th grade Dance

Sunday, May 10, 2015
Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers out there!!!

Have a great week!!

The Knightly News 4-27-15

Know Our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

Hey Team!  Again, Thanks for the great week of testing!  It is so hard to keep kids working and quiet and you all did it!  Our 8th grade students did well on the Reading STAAR.  We had a total 59% of ours and YES Prep’s students pass the first round.  Well over 1/2 of our students who didn’t pass – missed by 2-5 questions!  Intervention starts on Monday and I know we can get our kids passing!  We are preparing our students for T-2-4!  Go NMS!

On Monday-look for an email regarding Campus Improvement Team and elections.  We will have some people who have served their time commitment and we will need others to run.  I will let you know!  Thank you in advance for volunteering for leadership positions here at NMS!

Here is our schedule for the week!

Monday, April 27, 2015
B Day
Senior Signing Day at The Toyota Center
1:30 ILT meeting

Tuesday, April 28, 2015
A Day
8:00 CIT Meeting
8:45 Base Camp
12:00 Some 8th grade students to meet a Disney Imagineer

Wednesday, April 29, 2015
B Day
5:00 Soccer at NMS, Boy @ SBMS

Thursday, April 30, 2015
A Day
Farm Field Trip – Gail & others
Newcomer Field Trip – Mari & others
5:00 Media Fest Awards
6:00 Mentor / Mentee Dinner

Friday, May 1, 2015
B Day
NMS Shared PD #6 @ Northbrook HS
7th grade Performing Arts Field Trip
Early Release @ 1:45

The Knightly News 4-20-2015

Know our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

Our big week is upon us!  This next week is for our kids to shine and show their parents what they have learned this year!  It is important for us to be super upbeat and excited for these 3 days of testing!  You all have worked all year for our kids to learn their TEKS for each content and grade level.  I know the kids will make you proud!  Mr.  Barry has put out a schedule, please be sure you look that over and are ready to go on Tuesday.  Only 8th grade is testing on Monday – But the whole school is testing Tuesday and Wednesday!  Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday, April 20, 2015
A Day
Breakfast bar and coffee in parent center
8th grade Math STAAR
YES in MPR for STAAR testing

Tuesday, April 21, 2015
B Day
6th & 7th grade Math STAAR Testing, 8th grade Social Studies Testing
Chick-Fil-A Teacher Luncheon – pick up your delicious lunch in the parent center
5th Six weeks YES grades due

Wednesday, April 22, 2015
A Day
Earth Day
6th & 7th grade Reading STAAR, 8th grade Science STAAR
PTA Lunch – chicken salad sandwiches in parent center

Thursday, April 23, 2015
B Day

Friday, April 24, 2015
A Day
Regional Choir Clinic
Secretary’s Day
9:15 Kid Team meeting

I know your kids will make you proud!  Good luck next week!  Be very ACTIVE MONITORS if you are in a testing room!  Please call with any questions!

The Knightly News 3-30-2015

This is an important week for 7th and 8th graders!  I look at it as this is their opportunity to shine!  They get to show everyone how hard they have worked!  I know they will make you proud!  All of the hard work will come to fruition this week!  This is a short week on top of that – I know everyone is happy about that!  Let’s make it a super productive week – not waste a moment of learning time!  Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday, March 30, 2015
A Day
8:45 8th grade Base Camp
STAAR Testing 7th grade Writing
YES in MPR all day

Tuesday, March 31, 2015
B Day
7th grade STAAR Writing, 8th grade STAAR Reading
YES MPR all day

Wednesday, April 1, 2015
A Day
8:00 Department Meeting
11:30 Val @ Meeting

Thursday, April 2, 2015
B Day
Algebra 1 EOC Practice

Friday, April 3, 2015
Good Friday – Holiday

Have a great week!!!!

The Knightly News 3-23-2015

Know our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

Instruction:
You all have pushed hard to have a strong week!  I am proud of the work you and your students have done.  When we return – the 7th grade students have one week until their writing STAAR!  The 7th grade students have been writing, editing, and more writing these last couple of weeks!  The students and teachers at NMS are committed to doing their best on this writing test!  I know they will do their best!  We are at the time of year – all state tests are coming soon – so again, the urgency for staff and students should be evident in classrooms!  I don’t have the results of all of our practice STAAR tests, but I will send an IR update when all the data is in!

Culture:
Some reminders about Discipline and Student behavior:
*   All teachers should be stating expectations for students before the beginning of any activity.  If students are not following the expectations – teachers can call students back and restate expectations.
*   Relationships are most important to students complying with teacher requests.
*   Passports are not a behavior management system – it is a way to record and remind students about behavior – CHAMPS is critical to the Passports being successful
*   At NMS we are NOT punishment driven – we want to teach students how to behave in class to maximize student achievement and learning.
*   Teachers who work at NMS are committed to creating and maintaining classrooms that follow these tenets and create amazing spaces for students to flourish!

General Reminders:
TELPAS testing all week – please check Kathy’s email daily and send the correct students to the lower library for testing
Please remind students taking the TELPAS that this test is super important for them and it is important for them to do their best!
No Knights Grade level meeting this week
STAAR Writing is March 30 and 31, and 8th grade Reading is the 31st
All Staff are expected to attend Community Night

Here is the schedule for the week after spring break:
Monday, March 23, 2015
B Day
SS Teachers Data Day in B117
TELPAS testing begins – 2 testing times most days in library
2:00 ILT Meeting
Beautification Day at NMS
4:30 District Track Meet @ SHS

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
A Day
TELPAS Testing
6th & 7th grade ELA Data Conference – B117
8:15 CSHAC Meeting in Clinic
8:45 Base Camp
9:15 ReVision Meeting
2:30 Val @ meeting
4:30-7:00  Community Night in cafeteria – light snacks for teachers in lounge by cafeteria – Thank you PTA!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
B Day
8:00 STAAR Security Training – Parent Center
TELPAS Testing
9:00 Val @ Meeting
1:30 Joint Chiefs Meeting – conference room
4:30 District Track meet Day 2 @ SHS

Thursday, March 26, 2015
A Day
TELPAS Testing
8:45 NHS Girls Athletics here to speak with 8th grade girls in Theater – more info to come
9:00 Front Office Meeting
10:00 Master Schedule meeting
4:00 No Knights Grade Level Meeting
4:15 Meet and greet @ Don Coleman  – Job Fair

Friday, March 27, 2015
B Day
Algebra EOC Practice Test
TELPAS testing
9:15 Kid Team meeting
11:30 ReVision Luncheon in Parent Center
12:30 YES  in new gym
5:00 YES in theater

The Knightly News 3-9-2015

Know Our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

Instruction
I have been so proud and impressed with the teachers who have had their data conferences so far.  The amount of work, effort, and thought that have been put into the plans using the data has been outstanding.  We have only a few weeks to move some of our students and with the planning going on – it will happen!  Keep making that march – it will happen!  Go Knights!

Here are the goals for Root Cause 1 – Quarter 3 (Feb. March, April)
55% of all students:
* Pass the 6th grade Released Reading STAAR test
* Pass the 7th grade Released Reading STAAR test
* Pass the 8th grade Released Reading STAAR test – DONE! YEAH!!!!
* Pass the 8th grade Released SS STAAR test –
75% of all Students:
* Pass the Reading Unit Tests
100% of core subject area classrooms using ELL strategies – DON’T FORGET THE ELL STRATEGIES!
Root Cause 2 – Quarter 3 (Feb. March, April)
* 60% of students pass the Writing STAAR  – Writing Released Practice was 27% – we are almost 1/2 way there
Root Cause 3 – Quarter 3 (Feb. March, April)
At least 50% of all students will score 85% or abovve on all unit tests

These are our goals for the next three months!  We need to be focused, focused, focused on these goals and on the readiness standards and make sure our students have the success we know they can have!  I will have the final scores for the other Released STAAR tests next week and will put them on the bulletin.

Climate
You all are continuing to do a great job using the Passports with your students.  Please be sure you state your CHAMPS expectations with your students so that everyone knows what to do!  We can never assume they know – always state what you want them to do, and follow the CHAMPS chart!  You are doing a great job – I am proud of you all!!

Don’t forget this week is Adult Only Dress Up Week!  Which area is going to do this best?  Here is the schedule for the week:
Monday, March 9, 2015
A Day
Beach Day
Math Data Day
1:30 Check in with RD
2:00 ILT Meeting

Tuesday, March 10, 2015
B Day
Pajama Day
8:00 CIT Meeting
8:45 Base Camp
9:15 ReVision Meeting
6:30 Kempwood North Civic Association Meeting in NMS Cafeteria

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
A Day
Rodeo Day
4:30 Boys Track Meet

Thursday, March 12, 2015
B Day
Decade Day
9:00 Val @ Principal’s meeting
4:30 Girl’s Track Meet

Friday, March 13, 2015
A Day
Sports Day – In it to win it!
6th, 7th, Grade Reading Practice STAAR, 8th grade SS Practice STAAR
9:15 Kid Team Meeting

Make every moment count!  We got this!!! 

The Knightly News 3-2-2015

Know Our Kids, Meet their Needs, Up the Mountain to T-2-4!

Instruction:
8th grade Reading Practice STAAR.  CONGRATULATIONS TO 8TH GRADE ELA TEACHERS! The Q3 goal for Improvement Required was 55% of our 8th graders passing the practice Released STAAR.  – well there were 57% of our students who passed the reading practice!  And…. 8% commended!  Congrats to those 8th grade reading teachers and 8th grade students, and congrats to all of the teachers who taught those students in the past!  We want to increase that score on the real STAAR – but I am so proud of meeting this goal!!!

 Here are the goals for Root Cause 1 – Quarter 3 (Feb. March, April)
55% of all students:
* Pass the 6th grade Released Reading STAAR test
* Pass the 7th grade Released Reading STAAR test
* Pass the 8th grade Released Reading STAAR test – DONE! YEAH!!!!
* Pass the 8th grade Released SS STAAR test –
 75% of all Students:
* Pass the Reading Unit Tests
100% of core subject area classrooms using ELL strategies – DON’T FORGET THE ELL STRATEGIES!
Root Cause 2 – Quarter 3 (Feb. March, April)
* 60% of students pass the Writing STAAR  – Writing Released Practice was 27% – we are almost 1/2 way there
Root Cause 3 – Quarter 3 (Feb. March, April)
At least 50% of all students will score 85% or abovve on all unit tests 

These are our goals for the next three months!  We need to be focused, focused, focused on these goals and on the readiness standards and make sure our students have the success we know they can have!  You all are doing such a great job!  I am proud of the hard work you do!  Team NMS Rocks!!

Culture
We will have out first Culture Task Force meeting on Wednesday, March 11. I am excited about this Task Force and what this staff can create!!   The Passport System is working well!  We have about 9-10 students on RISE in each grade level.  That is fantastic!  Your hard work with students creating good work and behavior habits has been super productive!  Don’t forget to CHAMP your expectations each time you change an activity.  You will build success in your class if you state your expectations for each change!

Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday, March 2, 2015
B Day
UIL Advanced Treble Choir
8th grade ELA Data day
8:30 Steve @ testing meeting
12:00 Library CTR
1:30 Val @ meeting
2:00 ILT Meeting

Tuesday, March 3, 2015
A Day
8:00 DC Meeting
8:45 Base Camp
1:00 Meet with YES (Kat)
3:30 Program of Studies meeting

Wednesday, March 4, 2015
B Day
8:00 Department meetings
11:00 Val @ Testing meeting
3:30 Val @ YES meeting
4:00 YES in cafeteria
4:30 Boys Track Meet @ MHS

Thursday, March 5, 2015
A Day
6th & 7th Math Practice STAAR, 7th grade PreAP Practice STAAR, 8th grade Science Practice STAAR
4:30 Girls Track Meet @ Crump Stadium

Friday, March 6, 2015
B Day
YES Content Day – no electives
8th grade Math Practice STAAR
9:15 Kid Team Meeting

Have a super week!!!