November 24, 2008 Weekly Announcements

Monday
November 24

8:00, Magnet Construction Meeting - Kevin, Atiba, Tamela

2:30, Voluntary Feedback Celebration, Room 415

3:00, Basketball, Maple St., 7th away, 8th grade home

3:00, Department Heads Meeting, Office Conference Room

7:00, Pupil Assignment Committee Meeting - Kevin

Tuesday
November 25

11:00, New Middle School Furniture Committee Meeting, Tower-Pinkster - Kevin

1:30, Family Computer Project Meeting - Mary, Kevin, Melissa, Mark, Atiba


Wednesday
November 26

Thanksgiving Break Begins



We have a short week, with a half day on Tuesday. We'll be on an 1/2 day AM "A" day schedule. Which means you'll see your first 3 periods with the exception of 8th grade. All students will report to 7th period and will do explore testing all morning long.

We had very positive report from evaluators on Friday in our feedback session. We will meet in room 415 to share this information with anyone who would like to hear it. There will be snacks and refreshments. We were able to get evaluators in to most classrooms. There were a few instances where we ran into plan time conflicts. I want everyone to know that the building and the curriculum demonstrated significant improvement from the last visit in February. I bumped the department head meeting back to 3:00 and we'll meet for about a 1/2 an hour in the office.

Ellen sent out a email earlier, GRADES!!!!!!!!!!!!!, outlining expectations for marking cards and teacher responsibilities. Be sure you have read it thoroughly and ask questions if you are unsure of anything. Each teacher is individually responsible for doing their part and completing all necessary changes and card marking and getting it done accurately.

A few items from our principals' meeting last week that Mrs. Chalmers asked us to share with staff:

Do not use the district global e-mail unless you have cleared it with Alex Lee.

Do not send Dr. Rice e-mails, if you have questions of him or want to let him know something - you are to follow chain of command.

If you do not sign in for professional development or your signature in illegible you can be docked for non-attendance.

All conference and workshops that are outside of Kalamazoo must be approved by the executive cabinet. Which means the request must be put into writing and must be submitted with adequate time for review.

Second Set of Eyes is a district program to get central office administrators into buildings and classrooms and to provide feedback about teaching and learning. Not everyone will get a visit but annually a certain portion of the district will experience this process. This is not a replacement for my evaluation process with staff.