Morning Minute for August 31st

It was fantastic to see all the kids in the building today. I had visions in my head of what it would look like, but as the kids said, "It was weird." I haven't looked at attendance yet, but it sure felt manageable. We are seeing some shifts we may make, but overall are pleased with how things went. I was able to get into most rooms this morning (missed those Science teachers!). I will chalk this up as one of the smoothest first days ever...even with construction. Well done team. 

I also have to share reason #1 I love middle schoolers. Today a student swore someone took their phone. They lost it way back in the morning. They came to me and said they were tracking it. I looked a the tracker and told them to go find Coach Carpenter and Mr.Crum. Basically after tracking this phone in circles they told the student to dump their backpack and there it was...😆always something to make you smile!

•  A HUGE thank you and shout out to Mr.Benson who agreed to open up his room to Mr.Lee when he saw they were crammed in like sardines in his extra small classroom. I love this collaborative spirit. 

• Thank you to all the staff who helped with schedule distribution. Things went smoothly and we over staffed, but this is better than it being a chaotic mess. THANK YOU.

• We know it is the first day and we all have to get back into the swing of things. Please be sure to take attendance within the first ten minutes of the period. Pro tip: (not from me, but one of our teachers who wishes to remain anonymous)If you have them engaged in a bell ringer when they first come in you can quickly take attendance. 

• I realized we may have not shared this out directly, but we do ask that all teachers are outside their doors during passing times. This includes the passing time before your PLC and Prep. Hall presence is the best deterrent to errant behaviors. Thank you for your support on this. 

• Class lists for 7th period will be printed and put in your boxes tomorrow morning. We print them out for the first drill, but in the future please be sure to have updated copies of class lists for your drill. On the note of fire drills remember to take out your orange bucket, a class list and green/red placard/ emergency folder). If you have all your students accounted for please have your placard/folder on green. If you are missing a student turn it over to read. If you are missing this item we will make note of it tomorrow. The exit and locations for rally points are attached in the original email. We will also have copies in the office. Please be sure you are aware of your exit route and rally point. 

• Kenneth, or our contractors, will be taking a photo of all of our staff and students tomorrow. We know there is rain in the forecast...keep your fingers crossed it is not raining at this time. Please have students take all of their items with them when they leave for the drill. Explain this goes against what we normally do, but we don't plan on coming back into the building. Once we are done with the drill we will have people in rally point one walk to rally point two. Once everyone is there we will get ready for the picture and take it. We anticipate 3:35-3:40. Students will be released from this location to go to their buses, rides, or can start walking home. We ask all staff to remain outside to support with students until 3:52.  This is the normal time that door/hallway supervision ends.

• You should have received t-shirts for your 7th period class. Please start 7th period by going over fire drill directions. Once you have completed that (approximately 3:15) you should begin handing out t-shirts to students. Please ask students for their size. In the event you need additional sizes please send the student needing to exchange out to the hallway in front of rooms 189/190 with a t-shirt. They can exchange the shirt for the correct size. At the end of the day we ask that you bring all extra t-shirts to the lobby outside of the office. Natalie will be checking extra t-shirts back in. Please note these will be given to new students when they register throughout the year. 

• PLC meetings and most committees have been added to the master calendar. If you were accidentally missed on an invite or you'd like to be added to an invite, email Theresa. 

• When taking attendance please check carefully and make sure you don't have any students who aren't on your list. Some attendance sheets printed both Semester 1 and Semester 2 classes for some periods. This led to students going to the wrong place. If a student is in your class but, not on your roster have them go to the lobby to see if a counselor is there to help. If not, they can check in the office.