Staff News 2/27

Autrey Mill Faculty News     

February 27, 2012

“Perseverance is a great element of success.  If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."

                                                                    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

News/Timelines/Due Dates

·      A Sam's Club representative will be in the teacher lunchroom from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2.  Sam’s Club is offering Autrey Mill MS employees a $10 to $25 gift card when you join new or renew your Sam’s Club membership!!

·      Be on the lookout for Roster Verification information from Debra on Wednesday March 7.  Please follow her directions that will be attached.  The 3rd Qtr. Grading Timeline will be forthcoming from Nan. Grade reporting week begins on March 12.  Please make sure you are not waiting until the last minute to enter grades, conduct, and comments.

·      TAG testing dates have been set as follows:

Ø  2/28 - NNAT – this is a small group of students who will test in Marissa Wesker’s room.  You will receive a testing pass.

Ø  3/2 – TTCT – many students taking this test.  Debra will be given a list to mark attendance.  You will receive a testing pass.  This test is given in small groups by 7^th grade teachers.  The student needs to pay attention to their specific location.

Ø  3/6 – CogAT – split 6^th and 7^th students in the media center.  You will receive a testing pass. Debra will be given a list to mark attendance.

Ø  3/7 – CogAT - split 6^th and 7^th students in the media center.  You will receive a testing pass. Debra will be given a list to mark attendance.

Ø  3/12 – CogAT – 8^th grade students in the media center. You will receive a testing pass. Debra will be given a list to mark attendance.

       Please make sure you distribute testing passes when you receive them.  Please check the spreadsheet you are sent as a reminder, so you can herd students in the correct direction on test days. If you are holding any test permission slips, please send them ASAP to Dana Griffin.  Test results take 4 or more week’s turnaround time.  If you are contacted by students or parents regarding their results, please tell them results will be mailed home ASAP.

·         PRIDE – Leadership members received a handout for Friday’s lesson.  You may also use the time to finish test talks.

A mighty roar!

·         Vicki Alvis was recognized at the board meeting for becoming re-certified as a National Board teacher.

·         Maria Purwin co-chaired the first annual(?) Linguapalooza this past Saturday at Haynes Bridge.  The event received rave reviews! All our teachers were there as well as some students and parents.

 Where is Livingston?  “The Special Education Department would like to recognize Gemma DeVita with Livingston. Gemma is a great teacher, and coworker. We see her work hard to connect with her ELL students on a personal level. She works with students with various English ability as well as academic ability.  She works hard to help these students acclimate to life in a public school in the United States, and more importantly to life at AMMS. Her work with International Night requires much of her personal time, and all cultures feel welcomed and enjoy the event.” We agree!!

Happy Birthday

Lisi Furman                 March 1

Staff News 2/21

Autrey Mill Faculty News     

February 21, 2012

“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence."

                                                                   Robert Frost

News/Timelines/Due Dates

·         I hope everyone had a wonderful four-day weekend.  I have been asked to travel to the promise land to recruit teachers for the county at the premier university located in Athens, GA.  I leave this afternoon and will return on Thursday.

·         PRIDE – We will continue silent reading in conjunction with Test Talks this week.  The word around school is that PRIDE teachers still have quite a few students to meet with to do test talks, therefore, we are going to continue silent reading/test talk days to make sure all students have had their meetings.  (Feb. 24 & March 2).  If by March 2 you have finished your test talks, feel free to have a general discussion with students about whether or not they have been using the strategies they agreed to and how they have helped.  Remind students to bring their silent reading books with them each week.

 Where is Livingston?  Cedric Dunans states, “I feel that Autrey Mill has some of the best teachers Fulton County has to offer. However, one department holds some of Autrey Mills’s unsung heroes. I want to bring light to the service the Special Ed. Department renders selflessly. The love and patience they show to their students who at times need that extra special attention is not unnoticed. I give Livingston the Lion to not one but the entire Special Ed. Department...”  We agree!!

Happy Birthday

NONE!!

Staff News 2/13

Autrey Mill Faculty News     

February 13, 2012

“Perseverance is a great element of success.  If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.”

  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

News/Timelines/Due Dates

·         Congratulations to our Math Counts team who came in second (out of 67 schools) this past weekend.  Thanks to Michelle Potts and Shawn Beyer for their work for this team.

·         HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ON TUESDAYJ

·         Since Thursday is our last day of this week, it will be casual.

·         From Ellen Bennett:  Please remind teachers that they need to come to the cafeteria DURING the designated lunch period so we can serve them. Especially on Fridays, no one seems to know we are on a different schedule due to Pride.  It’s becoming commonplace, and we want to accommodate, but we make food in between classes so we don’t have everything ready or we are already in the back cleaning up. When they come in late, somebody has to stop and get the utensils and serve them and a cashier has to stop and ring them up.

·         PRIDE – We will continue silent reading in conjunction with Test Talks this week.  The word around school is that PRIDE teachers still have quite a few students to meet with to do test talks, therefore, we are going to continue silent reading/test talk days to make sure all students have had their meetings.  (Feb. 24 & March 2).  If by March 2 you have finished your test talks, feel free to have a general discussion with students about whether or not they have been using the strategies they agreed to and how they have helped.  Remind students to bring their silent reading books with them each week.

·         Check out this website for more ideas on differentiation:  http://differentiationcentral.com/index.html.

A mighty roar!

·         A few weeks ago, I let you know that we were awarded the Gold Award from the Governor’s Office of Student Affairs.  What I did not know is that we are only one of eight middle schools in the state to receive this honor>

 Where is Livingston?  Robin Wexler states, “I would like to give the Livingston Lion to Cedric Dunans.  Aside from doing a great job of keeping our building beautiful, well functioning, and helping the staff with anything we need, Cedric is a ray of sunshine here. He is always in a great mood and happy, and it is difficult not to smile when you see him. Cedric always has something nice to say to everyone.  Seeing Cedric smiling and often walking through the halls singing has to make your day a little brighter!  He definitely does this for me!!!”   We agree!

Happy Birthday

Natalie Smith               February 13

Tim Anderson              February 15

Rusty Godwin              February 18

Denise Giancola          February 20

Faculty News 2/6/12

Autrey Mill Faculty News     

February 6, 2012

“Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.  Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

  T.S. Elliot

News/Timelines/Due Dates

·         This week is national school counselor’s week.  Make sure to take time to let them know how appreciated they are for all they do for our students. 

·         If you are conducting observations for TAG certification, you need to complete a Duty    Leave form and submit it prior to the day of observations.  The TAG department pays for those duty days, but will not do so if the paperwork is submitted after the fact. 

·         PRIDE – We will continue silent reading in conjunction with Test Talks this week.  The word around school is that PRIDE teachers still have quite a few students to meet with to do test talks, therefore, we are going to continue silent reading/test talk days to make sure all students have had their meetings.  (Feb. 10, Feb. 24, & March 2).  If by March 2 you have finished your test talks, feel free to have a general discussion with students about whether or not they have been using the strategies they agreed to and how they have helped.  Remind students to bring their silent reading books with them each week.

·         Check out this website for more ideas on differentiation:  http://differentiationcentral.com/index.html.

·         Spring Pictures are February 23 during SS classes.  It should take about thirty minutes.

A mighty roar!

Andrea Vode would like to send a “ROAR” out to the 7^th grade Science PL.  “I had a vision for an elaborate activity.  I brought it to my group and they helped me “polish it up” and assemble all of the materials (specific environments).  We are a PLC!!!!”

 Where is Livingston?  Michael Harrell states, “I have chosen to pass Livingston on to Robin Wexler. Robin is not only an outstanding math teacher; she is a leader among staff at AMMS. Teachers seek her advice because she is a knowledgeable trustworthy colleague. She is loved by students and parents. Robin also mentors students in the school’s CAB program. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful colleague! ” We agree!

Happy Birthday

Vicki Alvis                     February 7

Andrea Vode               February 8