The Love of Labor...Day!

Labor Day used to signify the beginning of school and the change of seasons.  Now it is our first break and we are still wondering if summer will ever come!  Scott Educators have completed their second week of school and we are on track for a successful year! A few brave and giving souls stepped into the courtyard after-school Friday to support the ALS Ice Bucket challenge.  The video is can be found a this link. If you would like to make a donation please click here ALS donation.  

Social media is a source of connectivity among colleagues, friends and family.  As educators it is our job to help our students become responsible digital citizens, but to do this we must have working knowledge of technology.  A popular tool among teachers, parents and students is Remind, formerly known as Remind101.  I have set up a Scott Educator Remind account for all staff members.  If you are interested in receiving reminders regarding school activities, upcoming events, snow days and incentives register at the link below.  This is an easy tool to spread the word quickly!  Just click here!  

The Scott School Improvement Plan (SIP) will be disseminated to team leaders by the end of this week.  We are asking team leaders to review the plan with their teams to look for areas we missed and to educate their entire team on the plan.  There will be a quiz! (Just kidding!)  The plan is similar to last years plan however the goals are a bit different.  We will spend time during our weekly data meetings reviewing the goals of our SIP and the interventions we will utilize to reach our goals.  

Attached are a few superb ideas from Pinterest for back to school night!  Don't be afraid to ask parents for particular supplies you may be in need of.  Also, please support the PTSA Chili dinner beginning at 5 p.m. on September 4th.  

Parent support for supplies

Create you own class brochure

Free brochures

     

Calendar

September 1 - No School

September 4 - Open House/Chili Dinner

September 8 - School Pictures 

News around education

IASP newsletter packed with information pertaining to educators.

Lets go...week 2!

Lets go...week 2!

As we enter week 2, I enjoy watching the students begin to blossom into their true selves and the hard work begin.  Sunday was a phenomenal group picnic!  Thank you to all staff members who attended and all of the wonderful food.  (My son stated we should do this every year and I agree!)  PBIS front loading is well on its way and we must continue to model the behavior expectation throughout the school year!  I look forward to the upcoming team building activities and watching the students and staff work together.  

Calendar Updates

Monday, August 18th - SRI testing begins

Tuesday, August 19th - First Cluster Meetings of the Year

Monday, August 25th - NIET training

Monday, August 25th - School board Meeting

Monday/Tuesday, August 25th & 26th - Bob Trammel Math Inservice

Thursday, August 28th - Data Meetings

*Additional activities will be added as they arise

Interesting reads

Motivating Students  We constantly ask how do we motivate our students.  Click the link to read one persons perspective.  

Tips for New Teachers  This link will give you a few tips whether you are the veteran teacher or new to the profession.

Questioning  How often are your students asking relevant questions?

Bloggers

Don't forget...I'm looking for Scott staff members to forward me stories they would like to include in our blog.  Technology is important to our students success and we must practice the behavior to see carry over into our classroom.  Please let me know if you have questions about how to submit.  Have a great week and I look forward to reading your stories!  

Looking forward to the 2014 - 2015 school year!

It's that time of year again....back to school!  We have an exciting year planned with many new faces joining our team.  Below find an inspiring message, how to start your PLN and a few calendar items.

This year I will utilize Blogger through google+ to share information and am asking teachers to become weekly guest columnist.  Everyone has something exciting to share about our profession and this will be the place!

Twitter is THE place to develop your Professional Learning Network (PLN)!  Follow me @colleenbergren and Scott Middle School @SMSHammond.  Other VIP's include @mayerik_theresa and @IDOEpolicy!

Calendar Items:
1st Cluster 8/19/2014
Open House 9/4/2014

If you have not joined Pinterest and you you are looking for new classroom ideas, this is the place!

I am looking for Scott Educators for upcoming columnist to contribute to our Blog.  Email me if you are interested.

I am looking to a great year at SMS!