Autrey Mill Faculty News    

November 26, 2012

“The real contest is always between what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing.  You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else.”

Geoffrey Gaberino

News/Timelines/Due Dates

Governance Council Update – Our School Governance Council voting window is now open so please don’t wait to cast your vote!  From now until Sunday, December 2^nd you will be able to vote for your preferred School Governance Council representatives.

Please access the voting system by visiting our website at http://school.fultonschools.org/ms/autreymill/Pages/default.aspx

Click on the “Governance Council Elections - Vote!” icon to log in using your Fulton County Schools username and password and cast your ballot.  Thank you for taking part in this important process.  Happy voting!  The candidates complete bios are listed at the end of the blog.

 

Babies and Engagements – Congratulations to Lauren Tougas and family as they are expecting a baby.Her due date is June 23^rd. Congratulations to Wendy Milstead who became engaged over the break!

2013 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminars
Often cited as the best professional development experience for teachers, Gilder Lehrman's forty Teacher Seminars span a range of historical topics, from pre-colonial times to the present day. Led by eminent historians, the seminars are held at major educational and historical institutions with content that is intellectually rich and academically rigorous. This year, new coursework and assistance will help align seminar content with Common Core State Standards, appropriate for English language arts and history teachers. Each seminar is limited to thirty participants. Check out this year's offerings and submit your application now! Deadline: February 15.  

Free Money! – Don’t forget to submit your requisitions for PTA reimbursements.  The deadline is early December.

PRIDE -  This Friday, November 30^th will be a silent reading day for PRIDE.  Please continue to remind students about the “Stock the House” community service project with North Fulton Community Charities.  The last day to donate items will be Friday, December 7^th.  Donation boxes are in the media center.

Shout Out – A great big gobble, gobble to Tim  Anderson and crew for organizing the first AMMS Turkey 2K last week!  He even managed to arrange for beautiful weather.  A great time was had by all.  Thanks Tim!!!

 

Where is Livingston?

Kevin Cown says “Deep within the walls of Autrey Mill lives someone who is often not seen, nor heard, yet without her this building would not be able to function.  From scanning in all Checkpoints tests to distributing novels, she takes on whatever random task is given to her…always.  If you need anything, even if it is just a smile, she will be there for you  (Rembrandts anyone?).  Kathy Nagle deserves to have Livingston on her desk to keep her company.  After all, her office is where Debra used to be and has no windows and only the sounds of the girls’ bathroom flushing all day.  We appreciate you Kathy, and you deserve this!”

Happy Birthday

Debra Clark               December 1

Candidate Bios

One Year Term

Elizabeth Ferree

I have been a teacher with Fulton Schools for 9 years, both at the elementary and middle school level. I am also a parent of two children who have gone through Fulton County Schools, and I live in the AMMS school district. I am excited about Fulton County’s conversion to a charter system because it reflects the district’s commitment to increase student achievement. Being a Cohort 1 school gives teachers at AMMS a unique opportunity to help shape strategy during this initial stage, and to pave the way for other Fulton schools.

Erin Hoerr

I have great interest in the School Governance Council because the committee makes important decisions that directly impact the education of the students at Autrey Mill Middle School. I have been an educator at AMMS for 6 years in two different grade levels and am actively involved in various school programs. Some of my school roles have included: team leader, academic bowl coach, after school Extended Learning teacher, and a gender-studies class pilot program. I am interested in working to develop Autrey Mill’s strategic plans. Additionally, I will focus on the best uses of our fiscal resources as well as design innovative practices that align with the school’s needs.

Two Year Term

Allison Rose

I am currently in my second year at Autrey Mill Middle School teaching Visual Arts. I graduated college with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and continued to earn my Masters of Art in Teaching in Art Education. I have played various roles in the many communities I have been involved with. For example, as an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech, I served as an orientation leader responsible for guiding incoming students and their families through the transition into college. Throughout graduate school, I volunteered time at various elementary, middle, and high schools assisting teachers and earning valuable classroom experience. I currently serve AMMS as a member of the PRIDE committee.

The School Governance Council would allow me to serve on a committee in which I can take on the following roles: leader, volunteer, teacher, and active community member. As a teacher with a background in Industrial Design, I understand the importance of a well-rounded curriculum that supports the arts and humanities as well as the core academic classes. I truly enjoy working with students at the middle school level, and am excited for the opportunity to help increase student achievement at Autrey Mill as a member of the School Governance Council.

Stephanee Stephens

In order to be a change-maker within our school, to be a representative voice for my colleagues, and to be at the forefront of our system-wide charter roll-out, I am declaring my candidacy for the Autrey Mill Middle School Governance Council.

My desire to serve on the Autrey Mill School Governance Council is a natural progression from leadership roles I already have within our school. I teach 8^th grade Spanish, and am an 8^th grade team leader. I serve on the school leadership team, am the travel coordinator for the 8^th grade field trip, and work with PTA to plan and facilitate end of the year activities including our picnic and dance.

My experience as a teacher here at AMMS for the past 8 years has given me a clear view of where we have been as a school, and what we are striving towards as we look ahead. Daily we are cultivating students who are successful, ready for the challenges of the future, and enjoy learning! I feel very deeply that having an active and cohesive professional learning community, where ALL members are stakeholders is vital to student success

I am forward thinking in my approach to implementation of our FCS charter system transition, and was a supporter of our school’s decision to implement year one. I look forward to the opportunity to represent my colleagues and to bring their suggestions and point of view to the council.

 

Faculty News November 19, 2012

Autrey Mill Faculty News    

November 19, 2012

I wish you all a very restful Thanksgiving break.  We do have so very much to be thankful for, even with all the tkes, pkes, lkes, common core, etc.  stress, LIFE IS GOOD.  I am thankful for a wonderful school with such an outstanding staff and for the students and their parents who come to school, for the most part, ready to learn!  Have a great break!

Jimmy

 

News/Timelines/Due Dates

Verifications:

All Teachers:

Debra has placed Grade Verifications in your boxes.

·        Please make sure you are reviewing your grade verifications properly and adhering to Debra’s directions on the sheet attached to them.

·         Note any corrections on the grade verifications and enter any corrections in TAC.

·         Don’t forget to SAVE.

 Homeroom Teachers:

·         Homeroom teachers, you will be receiving the progress reports on Tuesday, 11/20.

·         DO NOT TAKE THEM HOME to review.

·         You do not want to have to ask Debra to run you another setJ

·         Adhere to Debra’s directions attached to the set of progress reports.

·         You have until Monday, November 26^th at 1:00 p.m. to have any and all corrections to Debra.

·         Students will report to HR at 3:50 p.m. for progress report distribution on Tuesday, November 27th.

 

Gifted Conference -  FCSG has made several more grants available to pay for registration to the GAGC conference in March, so we have extended the deadline for applying to December 12 at 8:00am.  Please see the attachment for directions/rules for applying.

Casual – Tomorrow will be casual and if you are choosing to participate in the Turkey Trot, you can certainly wear appropriate attire.

Governance Council Update – Today’s Lions Roar has the slate of parent candidates for the governance council.  Elections will take place the week of November 26 – December 2.   Elections for teacher positions will be held that week also.  The candidates for the two positions are as follows:

            One-Year Term:         Elizabeth Ferree/Erin Hoerr

            Two Year Term:        Allison Rose/Stephanee Stephens

 

Free Money! – Don’t forget to submit your requisitions for PTA reimbursements.  The deadline is early December.

PRIDE -   Great work with the “One Influences Many” Team Building lesson last week.  The students seemed to have a great time with the activities.

Our next PRIDE class will meet on Friday, November 30^th for Silent Reading.  In addition to silent reading, please remind students of the ongoing service project and to bring in their items to “Stock the House” no later than Friday, December 7^th.

Shout out – The 7th Grade Math Teachers would like to give Debbie Anderson a HUGE Thank You for developing and planning our recent math stations. She developed all the activities. She brought team colored, LAMINATED, cut out, with easy to follow instruction activities to present at our content meeting. The students were highly engaged and worked efficiently to complete the stations over two days. They taught each other by making puzzles, writing &  singing songs, and playing computer math games. Debbie incorporated meaningful tasks to meet the needs of ALL our students. Since she is NOW the expert in our group, she has taken upon the challenge to create math stations for our future units. Thank You! 7th Grade Math Teachers

Hats off to Cristy Ray and all the AMMS choirs for a fabulous performance at the Johns Creek Choral Cluster Concert last Thursday evening.  The performance featured combined 6, 7, & 8 grade level choirs, Treble Honor Choir, and Bel Canto.  In addition to the AMMS choirs, they were joined by choirs from Medlock Bridge ES, Dolvin ES, Barnwell ES, and Johns Creek HS.  The groups sang beautifully and did an outstanding job.  Congratulations Cristy!

Bravo to Amy Creamer and crew for their wonderful performances of “Wooing Wed Widing Hood”.   Michelle Hains did an excellent job with lighting.  The students did a fantastic job and have spent many hours in rehearsal preparing for the performances.  The cast and crew and directors have been working tirelessly on learning lines, staging, props, costumes, etc.   Way to go Amy!

Ed Clawson and AMMS hosted a technology fair night last Thursday evening for AMMS, Taylor Road, and Cambridge HS technology groups.  AMMS groups included the Technology Club, Computer Club, Tech Class, T.S.A. (Technology Student Association), and Robotics Teams.  Demonstrations included robotics, unassembled working PC’s, club information, Robo Joust Competitions, CO2 dragsters, and Scratch programs created by students (these have also been entered into a competition at Georgia Tech).  Cambridge HS created whistles made on a 3D printer that were raffled off during the event.  These groups are sponsored by Ed Clawson,  Sharon McGee, and Diane Davis.  Congratulations Ed, Sharon, and Diane!    

PEST PREVENTION:

As everyone is aware, this is the season where the schools shutdown for fall and winter breaks, where staff and students will be out of the buildings for an extended amount of time. Leading up to the time away, in many locations, students, teachers, parents, and other personnel may bring extra food sources or treats to share or give as gifts or enjoy during parties. Please encourage your staff and others to remove all food sources from the building that are not properly stored so as to prevent pest issues from forming or escalating; this includes emptying all trash receptacles of food sources before leaving and disposing of these outside and away from the facility buildings. In the past, food sources such as cakes, candies, drinks, and the like have been left for pest to feed and breed upon. Your assistance will help the upcoming months to be a better experience for all.

Integrated pest management involves making our facilities less conducive for pest habituation. If we don't feed the pest, why would they want to live in our buildings?

Reading – If you are still reading this, which you should be J, please feel free to dress casually on Monday, November 26!

Where is Livingston?

Livingston is resting this week but will return next week.

 

Happy Birthday
Pauline Weiss            November 22
Sarah Philpot             November 23

 

 

Faculty News, November 12, 2012

“You don’t start climbing a mountain to get to the middle.  Why be content with being average?”

James Hart

 

News/Timelines/Due Dates

Principal of the Day – As part of American Education Week, schools are having persons from the business world serve as principal of the day.  We will have Preston Penn with us Wednesday morning to serve in this role.

Governance Council Update – Today’s Lions Roar has the slate of parent candidates for the governance council.  Elections will take place the week of November 26 – December 2.   Elections for teacher positions will be held that week also.  The candidates for the two positions are as follows:

            One-Year Term:         Elizabeth Ferree/Erin Hoerr

            Two Year Term:        Allison Rose/Stephanee Stephens

Pride - This Friday, November 16, we will continue with our service project theme in an activity titled “One Influences Many”.  This is a team building activity where students will be involved in various challenges to earn letters to find the secret phrase.  The emphasis should be on how one person can make a difference.  Last Tuesday, a mini version of this lesson was demonstrated in our faculty meeting.  Please make sure you locate the flipchart called “Nov. 16^th – Service Project Survivor Challenges” in the PRIDE folder in Technology How To’s.  If you do not have a way of using the flipchart, please team up with your PRIDE buddies that were emailed out a week or so ago from Sarah Buck.

PRIDE Buddy Clarification – The PRIDE buddies are there for a purpose and are to be used in a variety of ways.  Over the last few years, there have been times when topics discussed in PRIDE or the format of activities were more comfortable for some than others.  Having someone to collaborate or even combine with would have been helpful in making the topic more meaningful for our students.  PRIDE Buddies have been created to assist us with just that.  You may find that your PRIDE Buddy is more comfortable with or has a particular strength in the activity format so feel free to collaborate with them for ideas on how to present the material. 

Even though we should be making every effort to be in attendance on Fridays, there are times you may not be here and groups should combine with their PRIDE buddies to continue with the advisement lessons. Although we are fortunate to have some really great substitutes that fill in for us when we are out, remember the goal of PRIDE to build relationships with our students, and our PRIDE Buddies can continue to help foster those relationships when we are out.  On silent reading days, your PRIDE group can remain with your scheduled substitute.  

The other reason for PRIDE Buddies is for times like this week and last when our room locations do not meet the needs of the activities such as the ability to stream videos or use the Flipcharts.  Many of you have done a fantastic job of partnering with someone when the need arises but we would like you to begin using the PRIDE Buddies that were sent out for future needs. 

During the second semester, some of our activities are built around using our PRIDE Buddies and combining groups.  If you did not look to see who your PRIDE Buddy is please make sure you take time to do that.    Thanks for making our PRIDE program a successful one and fostering relationships with our students!

 

Where is Livingston?

Dana Griffin says, “I would like to pass Livingston on to Kevin Cown.  Even though he defected from my grade AND my team, his positive characteristics far out way any grudge I might be secretly carrying J. Kevin is always willing to help whether it is stepping in to administer TAG tests, helping a teacher figure out why the promethean board is acting wonky, or playing the drums for a student performance during a pep rally.  It is always his goal to try new ideas and keep the kids interested in academics.  He has such an amazing impact on students.  Outside the classroom, he also works in the intramural program, giving special attention to kids who might otherwise not spend time with a positive role model after school.  The record shows the outstanding work he has done coaching tennis and track.  I hope he is one of those teachers who actually make it the full 30 years!”

Happy Birthday

Lana Chisholm           November 17

Maureen Innes           November 19

Sonya Purdy              November 19

November 5, 2012

Autrey Mill Faculty News    

November 5, 2012

“You don’t start climbing a mountain to get to the middle.  Why be content with being average?”

James Hart

News/Timelines/Due Dates

Pride - Next Friday, November 9^th will be silent reading in PRIDE.  Please remind your students that our school wide community service project, “Stock the House”, was introduced last week bringing awareness of homelessness in our community and our partnership with North Fulton Community Charities this year.  We are stocking rooms for the bathroom, laundry, and baby.  Students can bring their “house” items to the media center anytime until Friday, December 7^th. 

Students in your PRIDE groups should have also been making posters for the “Stock the House” project.  Please remind them to create these and turn them in to Fran Meredith by Friday, November 9^th.

If you still need to show the video from last week, here is the link:  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7358670n

Shout out:  Congratulations to Courtney Revels who just completed her Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction Management and Administration.

Where is Livingston?

Marisa Wesker says, “I would like to pass Livingston on to Dana Griffin. Other than teaching, she has the responsibility of yearbook AND all duties TAG-related. Having helped her with a minuscule amount of TAG duties, I've seen a firsthand glimpse of what an enormous task that job is. She takes a lot off of teacher's plates by how efficiently she runs the TAG department even though she is here early and often stays (way) late. She has been so patient with myself and others when we have helped her with the process. In addition, we always have a phenomenal yearbook that our students can enjoy at the end of the year. Her dedication to that task shows through how excited her yearbook staff is to participate in that course.  I love working with Dana in any capacity!!”

Happy Birthday

Ellen Bennett             November 5
Mauricio Buzeta        November 7
Allison Rose              November 8
Bill Shea                    November 11
Carman Anderson     November 11