MCMS Staff Update December 18 - January 5, 2023

Good Afternoon MCMS,

Happy Friday!  We made it and I know everyone is ready for some rest.  Thank you for handling these final days before winter break and all of the energy that our students have at this time of the year.  We can do it and Wednesday at 11:30 AM will be here before we know it!

We look forward to our MCMS Holiday Social on Wednesday (12/20) at 11:45 AM in the Media Center.  We will have lunch for you and offer an Ornament Exchange for those who would like to participate.  This will be a time to enjoy one another before we head off into the busy holiday season.  You will be free to leave after you enjoy some food and fellowship!

Make sure you are looking over the 2023-2024 MCMS Calendar for current activities and events on campus.  If we have any changes to the calendar, we will make sure to let everyone know.  

Below are updates and reminders for this coming week, December 18 - January 5th. Please let me know if you have any questions about this email, upcoming events, classroom supplies, or anything else.  We are here to support you!

Happy Birthday! We wish a very happy birthday to those who celebrate this week!

• Mary Williams (12/17)

Weekly Reminders

Discussion with Dobyns - I look forward hearing your ideas and getting your feedback on improving our school.  If you would like to meet with me, please sign up using the Discussion with Dobyns Sign Up form.  Please let me know if we need an additional time to talk.

Calendar Feedback - Look for the information from the district on our 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 calendars.  Please make sure you provide feedback on your selection of calendars.

Fire Drill Moved - Our December Fire Drill will be this coming Tuesday, sorry for the change.

January 5th Schedule - Our focus on January 5th is to give you as much planning time as we can.  Some of you have district meetings (SPED) and we will have our iReady support here for that day.  Here is a tentative meeting schedule for our Professional Learning day on January 5th.  We will update you with any changes to this meeting schedule.  If you are not scheduled for a meeting, you will have work time in your room or your Mid-SLO Conference.  You will be scheduled to work until 3:30 PM as normal.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

• 8:30 - 9:00 AM All Faculty Meeting in Cafeteria
• 9:00 - 10:30 AM ELA and Math Meeting with iReady
• 10:40 - 11:40 AM Science, Social Studies, and Related Arts Meeting with iReady
• 11:50 - 12:30 PM Admin Meeting with iReady

Ellevation Training Modules - Please make sure you are completing your Ellevation Training Modules, winter break would be a good time to check off some modules.  

SLO Mid-Conference Meetings - We will start our SLO Mid-Course Conference Meetings when we return from winter break on Friday, January 5th.  I will send additional information before winter break on the details of those meetings and what you need to have.

A Very Merry- Mid-Carolina - It has been an awesome 12 Dress Days Until Winter Break!  Thank you for all of your participation, I need to step my game up next year!

MCMS Schedule- December 18th - January 5th

• Monday (12/18)
• English 1 Reading Mid-Term
• Tuesday (12/19) 
• Fire Drill
• Team Meetings @ Planning with Eric and Katie
• Positive Behavior Celebration
• Wednesday (12/20) 
• Last Day of First Semester
• Half Day - 11:30 Dismissal
• MCMS Holiday Social @ 11:45 AM in the Media Center
• Girls/Boys Basketball AWAY @ Sandhills
• Thursday (12/21) 
• No School - Winter Break!
• Friday (12/22)
• No School - Winter Break!

Sneak Peek at 12/25 - 1/5:

• No School - Winter Break! (12/25 - 1/5)

Professional Learning - Second Quarter

• Below are the remaining Wednesday Professional Learning dates for the second quarter.  The dates highlighted in yellow will be full faculty.  I will send additional information and reminders.
• December 20th - MCMS Holiday Social! 

Ellevation Training Reminder

• After completing your module, implement one of the strategies and then reflect on that strategy.
• The module completion and reflection should be on different days.  
• Below are the Ellevation Training modules you will need to complete this school year:
• Semester 1: Pathway- Understanding Multilingual Learners: 
• Intro to LTELs (Q1)
• Intro to Multilingual Learners (Q1)
• Intro to Newcomers (Q2)
• Intro to SIFE (Q2)
• Semester 2: Pathway- Developing Academic Language (4 modules in this pathway):
• Intro to Develop Academic Language (Q3)
• Develop Academic Language with Meaningful Messages (Q3)
• Develop Academic Language with Strong Sentences (Q4)
• Develop Academic Language with Weighted Words (Q4)
• If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Carpenter for more information.

7 Mindsets Schedule

• Thank you for continuing to teach the 7 mindsets curriculum and infusing it within your daily teaching.
• Mindset of the week- We are Connected
• 7 Mindsets Schedule 2023-2024

Please let me know if you have any questions about this week's updates or any other topic.  

Have a great day!

Dr. Dobyns