Thursday, May 23, 2024

Thursday Thriller May 24, 2024

 Thursday Thriller

May 24, 2024


Whoop!!  Whoop!!

NJHS New Inductees!



Unsolicited PSA for Principals Everywhere:
When you ask your office staff to put a chair outside your office to separate students, make sure you keep an eye on them or they could change the language of the copy machine.  AND it's not helpful when the machine jams and it is in German.
You're Welcome!



Students are being creative playing baseball.  Apparently, Max's Crocs are used because he has the biggest feet; at least they are resourceful!



Nuts-n-Bolts

1.  One more day until the 3 day weekend.  ENJOY!!!

2.    Recognition is June 13th-please let your 8th grade students know the last day to turn in things ESPECIALLY if they are failing.  Also, after Recognition we are going to have a dance for one hour 8:00-9:00 outside on the blacktop.  Marco, our night custodian, is going to DJ and bring lights.  We will have parents decorate what they can since it's outside.  Call me crazy! If you would like to chaperone, we can find a spot for  you! :D  The hope is that it the dance will be something special, outside with lights just for them.

3.  June 7th is our iReady and last Activity Day- students who finish iReady lessons can participate.  We will have dance in the gym with Stephanie Penrose as the DJ.  We will also have other activities. 

4.  Yearbooks will be handed out the last week of school. You can share with students that they are on sale. Students can purchase a yearbook in the office with Jazmin or online through FamilyId.

5.  Counselors and admin will talk about how to make sure the students from the HSB data spreadsheet  finish their lessons. 

6.  We understand that there are certain combinations of students who should not be placed together. Please use the provided spreadsheet to submit your requests. We will do our best to accommodate your suggestions. While we are not familiar with the incoming 6th-grade students, we anticipate that some combinations may prove problematic, but this may not become apparent until the first few weeks of school. Although making multiple schedule changes is not ideal, it is sometimes necessary to ensure an effective learning environment. We will reach out to you for your input at the beginning of September. Please note that while we strive to accommodate requests, some student schedules are determined by their required classes and may have limited flexibility. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Student Combinations

 7.  As of now, we will implement an advisory schedule on Wednesdays, dedicating this time to iReady Math for all students. The ELA department has decided to integrate iReady into their own class schedule. We will continue to offer incentives and celebrate achievements, as Garrison has made significant progress with iReady, making its complete elimination impractical. Additionally, the Tuesday advisory time and the 10 minutes for GNN have been returned to your schedules.

Regarding the half-day Friday schedules, feedback has been mixed. Some staff preferred a "speed dating" format, while others favored an activity-based schedule. These half-day schedules allowed us to complete important tasks and celebrate with students. For the upcoming year, we will alternate formats every other month: one month will feature speed dating, and the next will be an activity day. In months without a half-day, any necessary HSB lessons or celebrations will be scheduled and assigned by administration to specific content areas.

Here are some activities previously conducted on half-day Fridays (this is not an exhaustive list):

- High School and Beyond lessons for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades

- Assemblies

- Topics covered during half days, such as:

  - GPA lessons

  - Emergency procedures

  - Activities for Veteran's Day, MLK Day, and President's Day

  - Character Strong - Character Dares

  - Career Fair

This is a sample Friday half day schedule when we "speed date."

THIS IS a TENTATIVE BELL SCHEDULE

GNN needs to be shown first period. 



8.  Tomorrow is a high sub day. We will probably be throwing out Hail Mary's to cover classes.  THANK YOU to those of you who cover one another.  Babett is out of the building tomorrow so Rigo will cover room 117. 

9.  
Something to Ponder
Here are the results of the PD survey. This serves as a roadmap for Nicole and me as we plan how to incorporate your preferences into professional development opportunities to help you grow your skills. We have some ideas and will refine them over the summer. :D

This is an article Beth shared about professional development that we found valuable.
Here are a couple of insights to ponder. I hope you discover a gold nugget in one of them. :D




Research based teaching strategies









Thursday, May 16, 2024

Thursday Thriller May 16, 2024

 Thursday Thriller

May 16, 2024



Whoop!! Whoop!!

Pictures from our Student Success Showcase! We had over 100 people attend. While we had hoped for more, it was still great to see families  enjoying the night! THANK YOU for making this happen!









Nuts-n-Bolts

1. Average breakfast numbers before BAB 62. Monday was 250 and today was close to 275!!  It seems the system is working?  If there concerns or issues, please let Nicole or me know.  Shout out to Taren, Erika, Angie and Brandon!!! 

2. As you noticed, on GNN the criteria to participate in Activity Day on June 7th has changed. Multiple staff members have reported to me that students don't care about the dance, they get to attend activity day so why bother doing the lessons. As of now, students need to complete their lessons -7 in ELA and 7 in Math.  If I am missing something on this, please LET ME KNOW.

3.  The SBA starts next week! It's essential to stress to students that this assessment is the Super Bowl, Olympics, National Championships—basically, it's the big show! 😅 Prioritize rest over late nights, and opt for a nutritious breakfast over Red Bull and Takis. Jokes aside, building excitement around this assessment is key. If you'd like extra treats to motivate students for their perseverance and hard work during the test, just inform the office, and we'll ensure you have what you need. I'll also be sending out reminders on Parent Square.

4.  Nicole and I are currently in the process of finalizing the master schedule for the upcoming academic year. It's important to note that due to two science teachers transitioning to Pioneer, there are vacant positions that need to be filled. Consequently, there are now a total of 21 science sections: 6 for 8th grade, 7 for 7th grade, and 8 for 6th grade. Currently, Jami P, Christy, and Brian are responsible for teaching science classes. Additionally, Christy and Jami also cover 6th-grade math and science, leaving us with 8 sections that still require instructors.

If you hold an elementary or K-8 certificate/endorsement, you are eligible to teach science. Every adjustment we make to the schedule has a cascading effect throughout the entire system. If you're interested in volunteering to teach science, please inform us. Otherwise, Nicole and I will reach out to discuss potential options with you.

When organizing the master schedule, it's essential to consider various perspectives: the ground-level view, your individual perspective, and the broader administrative viewpoint. It's imperative to align each person's role with the larger organizational goals.

Additionally, we hope to add a couple of Academic Support classes. If this opportunity interests you, please let us know. While we cannot guarantee their addition, we do want to fit them in the schedule because we know students need the support.

Decisions are made with our mission and vision in mind, focusing on the true purpose of our existence. Our priority is not merely ensuring the comfort of adults (without intending to sound harsh), but rather meeting the diverse needs of our students and placing individuals accordingly. While you may not always see the complete picture, we hope you will trust Nicole and me while engaging with any questions or concerns along the way.

5. On Tuesday, the 21st, at 3:00 PM, the WA HI Coaches are scheduled to address 8th-grade students in the gym. If 8th grade teachers 7th period want to coordinate with each other and have a space for students who are not interested sports when they get to the high school, go for it.  I'll let you guys work out the details. :D


                                    Something to Ponder

2 Question survey on PD for 24.25... please and thank you





WISE WORDS

This is HOW you could take one of the choices from the PD Survey and implement. :D

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Thursday Thriller May 9, 2024

 Thursday Thriller

May 9, 2024


Whoop!! Whoop!!




Thank you for helping at the track meet!!!!




Nuts-n-Bolts

1.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go over YOUR procedures for Breakfast After the Bell. YOUR expectations need to be clear, modeled and reviewed; this is not a 'one and done.'  You should have your pocket chart up with the students' cards in the pockets.  The first couple of days are going to be messy! 

Designate a student to put the garbage can outside the classroom so that the custodian can quickly come around, dump the garbage and go.  If you forget, you will need to dump it. We have to help each other out, if we forget, mess up-own it and take care of it. This applies to your procedures. 

Counselors, Ruben and admin will divide up and help out.  WE GOT THIS!!!  

 CALEB and PE DEPARTMENT~ We planned for your classes to wait in the cafeteria, eat and then go to class. YOU WILL NEED TO BRING STUDENTS CARDS.  Here is the map.


2.    Monday Night -Doors open at 6:00.  Families can eat if they want.  We are feeding the first 350. At 6:15, we will do an all call for incoming 6th grade students and families to meet us in the gym.  Nicole and I will do a short presentation. Families can then tour the building until 7:30 if they'd like.  Seeing the work and activities you are going to do, this is going to be a great night!!!

3. As we approach Wednesday, we want to remind you that our end-of-year evaluation conferences round one will begin. This is an important opportunity for you to present data, discuss student progress in meeting growth goals, share the strategies you've implemented, and reflect on the support provided by your PLC team. Please come prepared to engage in these discussions effectively. Thank you for your commitment to student success.

4.    District Band Festival is Tuesday, May 14th

5.   This is your final opportunity to express interest in joining the GC. The GC serves as the voice of the school community, prioritizing the needs of all students over departmental or grade-level concerns. Meetings are held outside of contractual hours, with a minimum commitment of two gatherings per month. Please note that attendance on August 7th is mandatory, and additional meetings will be scheduled in August preceding building days, including August 15th when 6th-grade students visit for a family tour of the school. There is a possibility of one pre-August meeting for GC members. If you wish to be considered, please send an email indicating your interest.

6. August Dates TENTATIVE -August 13th and 14th with August 15th for sure

7. If you enjoy counting down the days until the end of the school year, I ask that you do so privately and not on a whiteboard. Every year, I emphasize this point. Countdowns may inadvertently convey the message that school is nearly over and imply, "I'm tired of you students and can't wait to get out." While we all appreciate the need for a break, let's consider how this might feel from the students' perspective. For some, school is a constant. Let's be mindful of that. 😊

8. Based on latest survey results:  June 7th, we'll host Field Day and an iReady Celebration. Students who complete their iReady lessons can join the dance, activities, and enjoy a snow cone. Those who haven't completed their lessons can still participate in Field Day activities but will miss the dance. We welcome any additional ideas.

For 8th graders, Activity Day is on June 13th, with 6th and 7th graders attending regular classes. We're revamping activities based on feedback about the Y. Funds originally designated for the Y ($400) will now possibly bring in a food or treat truck. Additionally, we've allocated $800 for Recognition, covering flowers, certificates, and more. 8th graders will enjoy a special breakfast, with parent volunteers adding personal touches to the tables. Everything, from breakfast to Activity Day to Recognition, will be at Garrison!

June 14th will feature "speed dating" through classes.

Something to Ponder

I had the privilege of being part of the interview panel for the new Sharpstein principal, and it left me feeling invigorated! When you hear candidates in the interview chair express their passion for supporting students, caring for their needs, and helping teachers reach their fullest potential, it's truly inspiring. It reminded me of why I wanted to be the principal at Garrison Middle School. Am I making today better than yesterday? Instead of focusing on counting down the days, I urge you to take a quiet moment to remember your purpose. Your purpose will guide you through these final, busy days, especially when you consider the needs of our students. Personally, this reminder has reignited a spark in me. It's essential that we finish strong, for the sake of our students.

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Thursday Thriller May 2, 2024

 Thursday Thriller

May 2, 2024

Whoop!! Whoop!!

Salmon Release with 7th and 8th graders






Nuts-n-Bolts

1.   FYI -This is an amazing opportunity for your women!  Mollie Driver and Neveah Evans went last year and really enjoyed the trip!

 AAUW-Walla Walla has funding to sponsor 6 girls this year ($10,000.00)  and we have listed their names below. We have asked the two girls who were not selected to serve as alternates, in case one of the other girls is unable to attend.


2024 Walla Walla Tech Trek Campers 

Garrison Middle School: Evelyn Hess, Lexa Juhasz, and Aravis Sandven

Pioneer Middle School:  Georgia Salazar, Ascha Skye-Chinnery, and Siobhan Ryle


Alternates:  Alice Rudin (PMS)  and Talia Kim-Leavitt (GMS) 


The candidates were especially inspiring this year, and showed such spark and interest - they all impressed us with their interviews. Ultimately, we ended up relying on the Tech Trek criterion that asks us to select campers who "otherwise do not have opportunities like this". The girls who will be our alternates have had extensive camp experience.


2.    May 13th is just around the corner! If you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to Nicole or me. I've been chatting with various staff members about what they'll be showcasing, and let me tell you, it's shaping up to be an exciting event!


3.    May 15th is an extended staff meeting for beginning at 3:45


4.    May 15th and May 22nd-THANK YOU for choosing a time slot for one of these days! Nicole and I  will send communication with more details as to what you should bring for this meeting.  It truly is a time to look at the goals you wrote in October and the evidence towards meeting those goals.  What went well? How did you grow professionally this year?  Is there a colleague or two who supported you this year and made your work load lighter?  It's a time to reflect and celebrate. 


5.  Did you see this? 😊 I am WWPS -Yazmin Bahena


6.    Guiding Coalition-There are three openings for the 24.25 school year on the GC team.  If you are interested, there are applications in the staff work room.  There is a time commitment outside of contract hours and in August.  If you have questions or are interested, please talk with Nicole or myself.


7.  We are still planning for Breakfast after the Bell to begin on May 13th.  Here is a little video that helps explain BAB and a snippet from what it looks like at Pioneer.  More to come. :D



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Something to Ponder

During Monday and Tuesday, I engaged in collaborative sessions with principals from across Washington state, which proved to be both enlightening and affirming. 

Discovering that our shared challenges, such as student conflicts and attendance issues, are not unique to our school was affirming. Additionally, gaining insight into the struggles faced by some schools, including large class sizes and potential teacher layoffs, provided valuable perspective on the broader educational landscape.

The most uplifting aspect of the experience was the shared stories of success and the exchange of innovative strategies among educators. This reaffirmed my belief in the power of teamwork and collective support. It left me with a renewed sense of hope and motivation to tackle the remainder of the school year with fresh perspectives and a strengthened commitment to supporting one another.

As I reflect on these discussions, I am inspired by the spirit of our Garrison team. With a shared vision  I am confident that we can overcome challenges and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our students.

I am a believer in hope.  AND hope is not a strategy BUT there is science behind the power of HOPE!


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FINAL TT for 24.25

 Thursday Thriller June 5, 2025 Celebrations THANK YOU, Nancy!!!! Congratulations on your retirement!!! Congratulations, Beth! Recognition 2...