Monday, April 30, 2012

Staff News 4/30/12


Autrey Mill Faculty News     
April 30, 2012

What looks like a loss may be the very event which is subsequently responsible for helping to produce the major achievement of your life.”

                                                        -Srully Blotnick


News/Timelines/Due Dates

·         Be on the lookout for an online survey from me that will attempt to capture your input on the school year and any changes that need to be made for next year. 

·         Applications for the leadership team and content chairs will be available soon.

·         Teachers who would like to recognize a 7th grade student at our awards ceremony should let Sarah Buck know.

·         Make sure you check out our new webpage!!  If you take pictures of events taking place in your area, please send one to Beth with a brief description and it may appear on the webpage!

·         Remember, if you want to meet with me to discuss this school year, please send me an email.  Also, in your box today, you will receive your CLP form you filled out at the beginning of the school year, please take a few minutes to record your progress on these goals for the year.  You can record it in the progress monitoring section or on the back.  Please return to me by May 11.  (Remember we did not do Element 1)

·         I want to share the following email form Kylesh Sharma who won the overall high school Young Heroes Award this past week as a result of his Impact project that began here.



Dear Mr. Zoll

It was very nice to have met you Tuesday at the awards ceremony. I am extremely happy and proud to say that I am a product of Autrey Mill Middle School. My education at Autrey Mill was unparalleled.  All of my teachers from 6th grade to 8th grade were exceptional.  My involvement in the school community, specifically serving as treasurer and representative on student council was foundational in my middle school experience.  But what impacted me the most was the IMPACT project itself. Learning about an organization that was bettering the world by focusing on the plight of a population was priceless and created a. But in my heart I knew I had to make a difference. Thus unfolded the US Chapter of Nepal House which is focused primarily on educating young girls who would otherwise have no chance at life.  I'm so thrilled that Autrey Mill, my middle school, has supported both myself and my sister, Saika, on this lifelong endeavor. My hope is to continue partnering with our middle school for years to come. Please visit the website: www.nepalhouse.net



A mighty roar!

To our cafeteria staff for their “lunch for dinner” program they provided for rising sixth grade parents this past Thursday.  Parents were given an opportunity to sample the food choices that their students will have and hear about the lunch program.  This event was publicized in the AJC and Superintendent Dr. Avossa was in attendance!!!

Where is Livingston? 

Pauline Weiss states “Jackie Sundal is an excellent listener, even tempered, and dedicated coach. She always encourages the students to try their best.  Jackie even jumps into the game when a student is out, so the teams will be even or to demonstrate how the game is played. If she sees one/or more students struggling she will take them to the side and teach them the skills so they can feel successful!  Jackie, thank you for being a dedicated teacher and coach to all your students.”  We agree!

Happy Birthday

Chuck Mertes              May 1

Monday, April 23, 2012

Staff News 4/23

Autrey Mill Faculty News     
April 23, 2012

There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”

                                                        Alexander Woollcott


News/Timelines/Due Dates

·      Sixth grade SS is collecting empty paper towel rolls. Please send them to Dana.

·      We have a faculty meeting tomorrow after dismissal on May 1.

PRIDE – PRIDE this week will be an advisement lesson.  We will be focusing on character development lessons.  Next week will be silent reading.

On May 11th, student PRIDE folders will need to be collected upon completion of the lesson for 6th & 7th grade students.  8th grade students can take their folders home with them on this day.  If you have a 6th or 7th grade group, please rubber band the folders together and put the PRIDE teacher’s name on top.  If you will be returning to AMMS next year, please hold on to the folders and store them for use next year.  If you will not be returning to AMMS, please bring your rubber banded set of folders to Fran Meredith’s office and put them in the box outside of her door.

A mighty roar!

To the music department for the Concert on the Lawn last Thursday.

Where is Livingston? 

 Fran Meredith states, “Not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate Pauline Weiss.  She spends her days with some truly high-maintenance, unpredictable, yet wonderful students, and she does it with a smile.  Pauline listens to her kids and is always quick to address their concerns and frustrations.  She has earned an “unofficial” counseling degree this year because we’ve spent so much time together!  Now, she is able to help her kids better than I ever could.  Pauline has a solid work ethic, a willing heart, a resilient attitude, and a true love for her students.”  We agree!!



Happy Birthday

James Walker                         April 26

Caren Allen                 April 28

Monday, April 16, 2012

Staff News 4/16

Autrey Mill Faculty News     
April 16, 2012

The mind is like a parachute-it doesn’t work unless it’s open.”

                                                        Anonymous


News/Timelines/Due Dates

·      For any of you interested in getting your ESOL endorsement or other upcoming courses regarding ESOL students, including an on-line study, go to this website https://employees.fultonschools.org/Instruction/ESOL/Pages/professionaldevelopment.aspx.  Click on the quick links section on the right of the page.

·      We have a faculty meeting tomorrow after dismissal and another on May 1.

·      Staff and parents can now receive text messages about inclement weather, alerts, closings or other important information from the county.  To sign up text “YES” to 88544. 

·      On Thursday, 4/19 join us for the “Concert on the Lawn” starting at 6:00PM.  The Jazz Band and various chamber orchestra groups will be performing.  Grab a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of music.  In the event of rain, we will move the concert inside.

·      For those of you who are planning ahead, here is the final exam schedule:

·         May 14                 World Language/Reading/SS

·         May 15                 Math/Larts

·         May 16                 Science

·      During the next few weeks, we would like to conduct a few Step 2 Achieve practice evaluations.  This will involve all four of us coming in so that we can calibrate our understanding the instrument.  If you would be willing to be a guinea pig, please email me.

PRIDE – We will be following the PRIDE schedule again starting on Friday 4/20.  Students will be silent reading in PRIDE this week.  Next week in PRIDE will be an advisement lesson.

A mighty roar!

To Sarah Buck, Fran, Caren, Chris, Lyn and Kathy Nagle for making the testing process go so smoothly with the added stress of having state monitors here.



Where is Livingston?  

 Sarah Buck states, “I could not have done the last several days without Fran Meredith. She has been by my side from the minute the boxes got here until they are loaded on the truck to go downtown.  She counts, bubbles, fills bins and is responsible for organizing the make-up process. She has a cool head when I need it, and she is proactive with brainstorming solutions for potential problems.  Along with her daily work as 8th grade counselor, 411, high school transition, and meeting with students, she makes this testing process smoother for all of us.  Thank you Fran.”  We agree!!



Happy Birthday

Lizzie Haber                April 22

Monday, April 9, 2012

Staff News 4/9

Autrey Mill Faculty News     
April 9, 2012

There is no upper limit to what individuals are capable of doing with their minds.  There is no age limit that bars them from beginning.  There is no obstacle that cannot be overcome if they persist and believe.

                                                                    H.G. Wells


News/Timelines/Due Dates

·      So if it looks like I am hobbling a little bit, I hurt my foot after a para-gliding incident in Acapulco.  Okay, maybe it was when I was running backwards from a mad wasp while wearing flip-flops.

·      Staff and parents can now receive text messages about inclement weather, alerts, closings or other important information from the county.  To sign up test “YES” to 88544. 

·      CRCT begins this week!  Plan to wear soft-soled shoes on those days.  Friday, of course, is casual as is Monday if you joined the Relay for Life team.

·      To go along with the adoption of common core and Step 2 Achieve, there will be two upcoming trainings during content meetings. 

o   April 19 – Depth of Knowledge

o   May 3 – Rigor and Relevance

·      During the next few weeks, we would like to conduct a few Step 2 Achieve practice evaluations.  This will involve all three of us coming in so that we can calibrate our understanding the instrument.  If you would be willing to be a guinea pig, please email me.

PRIDE – There will be no PRIDE this week on Friday.  We will run a regular Monday – Thursday time schedule.



A mighty roar!

Kudos to Lacie Resweber and the 8th grade LA department for an excellent IMPACT Market Day.  The event was very well organized, informative, and fun for everyone involved. 




Where is Livingston? 

 David Buice states, “As much as I appreciated receiving Livingston I’m even more excited to pass him along to a very special person. I’m lucky to have known Sarah Buck for more years than Autrey Mill has been a Fulton County school. I have coached with her and against her, worked with her and now for her. There is not a better spirit or heart out there! She works with the students and staff with nothing in mind but helping others have success in school and in life. We all are lucky to have people in our lives who we know will always be there and can always be counted on, thanks for being that person Sarah!  We agree!!



Happy Birthday

Matt McNamara                     4/11

Shannon LaPorte                     4/13