Icing on the cake . . .

How many of you like icing? I know I do and would probably not eat cake without it (well, not as much!). We have made a great cake this year (our initial EOG test scores) and now it's time for the topping (re-test)!

You all seemed to have a great plan to work with the students that did not pass. All classes that I saw seemed really engaged. Teachers (well all but 1) that I talked to, said this year's plan was better than last year. Looking at the scores - most of the scores were level II and many were only a few points for passing. So, we will see next week. I feel we have done our best!

Thanks to Lisha Vannoy for coordinating the Student Council sponsored (8th grade boys vs 8th grade girls) basketball game. We had approx. 200 students to stay and watch. They all seemed to enjoy the game. I did notice a couple of new 8th grade girls though. Kinda looked like Mark Schnably and Dave Jenkins - scary!

The Sports Banquet was a huge success. A big THANKS to all the coaches and assistants. We had a great year winning: Girls/Boys Soccer, Girls/Boys Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Boys Track, and Overall for girls/boys track. So to say we did great is actually a huge understatement. But as I said last night, at the banquet, I feel our coaches do much more than just help the team win. They teach work ethic (which leads to many victories) and also good sportsmanship.

Okay with all the talk about desserts, I'm ready for a big piece of strawberry cake. And I especially look forward to the icing! Get the charcoal ready and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. Also some rest and I will see you Tuesday.

PS - Our staff member of the week is Kathy MacDonald. "Kathy is always at school (early and late) and pays attention to every detail". Congratulations Kathy! You are another silent cog that makes TJMS the BEST!

Go Patriots!

Game is over . . . well almost

Well, the game is over and just waiting on the score. Thanks to everyone for your attention to detail, team work, flexibility, and most of all PATIENCE! I feel the score will take care of itself based on the hard work that you did this year with your students.

A HUGE thank you to BENIKA THOMPSON. I will admit that I was concerned during 3rd quarter EOQ testing but WOW what a finish! Benika put in the time and effort to prepare and organize the testing. I loved the way she was open to suggestions then incorporated them to perfection. She involved many of you in the process (thank you!) which resulted in a less panicked atmosphere than in the past. This was a huge "elephant" to swallow but I believe it was devored "piece by piece" with Benika's direction and all your help! It's not quite over but the huge production has been completed. Now to GREEN ZONE/RED ZONE :)

Let's finish the year strong. Plan some fun, exciting, hands-on activities that are WELL STRUCTURED so we don't have alot of discipline to worry about. This can be a very fun time of the year - please be proactive and think about your plans for the last couple of weeks.

As always, I hope you enjoy the weekend. 13 more! Go Patriots!!

It's Show Time . . .

You have worked and worked and worked with your students throughout the year. Like any great coach, you have prepared your "players" for the championship game. Our championship game (series) is next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You have prepared your team. The work has been done - it will pay off next week!

We had some nice performances this week. Dr. Burton's 6th/7th grade students performed Monday evening. I would like thank Dr. Burton for stepping in this year and not missing a beat. She is such a team player in our school - thank you! The 8th grade band performed last evening at the PTA meeting. A huge THANK YOU to John Gardner for filling in for Kathy Fox. The students sounded great but more importantly the students have continued to grow in band in preparation for high school. Mr. Gardner has made them feel comfortable and safe with Mrs. Fox being out. Mike McDowell was recognized as TOY at the PTA meeting also. Brent Atkinson delivered a wonderful speech about Mr. McDowell. Both of these young men are great leaders within our school. And once again I say this is the strength of our school - the staff and your willingness to get involved for positive results for our students. THANK YOU!!

As some of you know, I played on and coached many teams in my lifetime. So I will use an athletic metaphor. I know by your efforts this year, your team is ready. Now, it's time for a last minute "pep talk" to relax your players and motivate them to do what they have been coached all year to do. I anticipate championship results!

Enjoy the weekend . . . 18 more! Go Patriots!!

Happy Mothers Day . . .

What would life be without someone telling you what to do or just being there to show you unconditional love? Well . . . that would be life without a mother. For as long as I can remember, my mother has "guided" me with decisions. Even now (at my advanced age) dear mom is there. Now, it's not the day to day "instructions" but I know she is there and will always be there for support. Moms just do things that dads can't. Thank you moms!

This week - we celebrated two more athletic championships. The boy's track team won 1st place at the city/co championship on Tuesday. The boys and girls also placed 1st place overall. Congratulations to Mr. Fossa and Mrs. Sullivan for their efforts this spring. Also, thanks to all the teachers that volunteered to help the meet. The girls soccer team won the county championship yesterday by defeating Southeast Middle by the score of 1-0. Mr. Shearer and Mr. Jenkins coached TWO undefeated soccer teams this year. Congratulations to both of these fine young men!

I do wish all the "mothers" a wonderful Mother's Day. I hope you get some rest and are around the people that matter most to you.

Have a great weekend. 23 more . . . Go Patriots!!!

Head down and grinding it out . . .

Do you feel like a bulldozer? I know I sure do! There is so much to do and very little time to do it, especially this time of the year. You simply get out the heavy equipment (bulldozer) and push your way through!

I know many of you are gearing up for your EOG reviews. The test begin in 11 days! You have worked hard all year to get to this point. Just like the last few minutes of a ballgame, finish strong. Your team of students are prepared - they will do great!

Congratulations to Dave Jenkins and Jeremy Shearer on a great girls soccer season. They are undefeated and will play for the county championship next Thursday at Mount Tabor. Come out and support the lady Patiots to bring home another championship!!

The staff member of the week is Gena Loflin. The note said, "She is an awesome example for her students and did a great job with the Flight of Honor. Is a "tropper" - feels bad a lot of days, but rarely shows it." Congratulations Gena!

It is going a be another beautiful weekend. Get outside and enjoy the weather! 28 more . . . Go Patriots!!!

Count your blessings . . .

This one is going to be brief but to the point. Don't take for granted what you have in life. It is easy to get caught up in "your own life" that you forget about what and the people who really matter. I know everyone has and will be thinking/praying for Kathy Fox and her family.

Hug your loved ones a little harder this weekend. Go Patriots!

Celebrate the successes . . .

"Celebrate good times, come on"! Who can tell me the group that sang that song? I bet Kirby Carespodi will know! If you don't know, that's okay. The message is when something good happens take the time to celebrate!

Today, the school recognized and celebrated our scholars. Students that have maintained a 3.75 GPA and have participated in community service were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Thank you to Kathy MacDonald, Denise Francis, Candi Fernandez, and Susan Riddle for their efforts with these students and the program. This was a fabulous program. The officers delivered wonderful speeches and the guest speaker Jim O'Neille (our County District Attorney) was great. I know students and parents walked away from this event feeling very good about TJMS!

Also, this week our entire 6th grade visited the Planatarium in Chapel Hill and Life Science Museum in Durham. All students enjoyed the trip. It was lots of fun and very educational. Big "THANK YOU" to Daniel Bryant for being the man in charge of this event. In house leadership, so important in our school!

Oh yea, my little "dramatic moment" for asking Mr. Moon to send out the survey question if you want a new principal . . . Well, it looks like you are stuck with me. Over 95% of the staff that responded, said you want me as principal. I guess I just needed some validation that I'm what you want in a principal. You know what you have . . . I will continue to listen and do the best I can to move TJMS in the right direction.

Our TJMS staff member of the week is John Downs! "John Downs is patient and wonderful working with all levels of technology users." Congratulations John - he is definitely another silent cog in our great school!

Find something to "celebrate" this weekend! 38 more days . . . Go Patriots!!

The Ant Bully . . .

Have any of you read the book "The Ant Bully" or have seen the movie or played the video? As you know, bullying can be a real problem at the middle school level. I feel we have put an emphasis on this topic and are making a difference. The videos and discussions that follow the videos are giving students an opportunity to think about what is right and wrong.

In school this week, I've been in and out of most 8th grade classrooms. Michele Hamby, Susan Sullivan, Leigh Humphrey, Kaye Hunter, Brent Atkinson, Mark Mercer, John Garwood, Cindy Neininger, and Marty Tedrow all had students actively engaged in actvities and educational discussions. Also (on the dark side as they call the Annex building), Mark Schnably, Jan Sullivan, Gail Frank, Gena Loflin, Lacey Brigman, Kim Pickell, Kirby Carespodi, and John Cardarelli were relentless in their strategies of putting knowledge into their student's brains! Thanks for your efforts with our Seniors! A formal observation of Jennifer Holland validated why I hired her. She was organized and prepared for a lesson on China that involved all students actively participating and enjoying the lesson. No, I didn't hire her JUST because she is a HOKIE!! = but didn't hurt :)!

Finished the week off with the recognition and presentation of the money raised to the veterans from WWII. I know I have mentioned it several times but Gena Loflin put her heart and soul into this project. It is one that students/staff will remember for a LONG time! Thanks to everyone!!

Remember, we are making a difference in addressing students about bullying. Stay the course and I promise we will see the results in our school - we already are!!

Staff member of the Week - Cathy Blevins - "because she does a vital yet thankless job everyday". Congratulations Mrs. Blevins and yes "THANK YOU" for what you do each day!

Have a great weekend. Enjoy the weather! Go Patriots!!!

Spring Break . . .

I know it's hard to remember a couple of months ago when we had all that beautiful snow and you were enjoying being home drinking hot chocolate, making a snowman, and sledding - but it did happen. Now, with spring break upon us, it's easy to wish we didn't get snow this year. Oh well . . . it was fun and we still have a few days of r & r!

We now have completed 3/4 of our year and have 6 weeks left before EOG test. Enjoy the time away from school next week but know things should be in "high gear" until May 14.

We did lots of testing this week. Thank you to ALL the staff for their efforts, patience, and teamwork this week. A big thank you to Benika Thompson. Benika has been working extremely hard this week and I'm sure has "learned" a whole lot from this experience. I feel this week was a good practice for EOGs. There will be much reflection/discussion to make EOG the best they can.

Take a deep breath . . . enjoy the break and your families. Come back ready to finish the year strong!

Linda Dawson-Levy is the lucky staff person of the week! The comments about Linda was "creates the most creative and hands-on activities and shares w/all".

Congratulations Linda - thanks for what you do to help these children!

Go Patriots!!

March madness . . .

March Madness, especially in this part of the country, means college basketball tournaments. As you know, I am a sports fan, and when I hear "March Madness" that is what I think of. March madness, to educators, can mean - "starting the stress of preparing students for their EOG test"!

With 70% of our year completed, you are now starting the home stretch of the school year. Just like a good coach, you are continuing to prepare your students for the championship game - EOG test.

I want to mention a couple of things that stood out to me this week. First of all, the ICON students were working on a reflective project about the DC trip. Mr. Atkinson, Mrs. Humphrey, Mrs. Sullivan, and Mrs. Hamby have adjusted the assessment of the students to contain a reflective project. The students were using a variety of technology (powerpoint, photo story, and prezi) to display their knowledge. All students (including the ones that didn't go) were diligently working on this assignment. This shows a reflection, from teachers,about evaluating/selecting assessments - thank you!

I also want to recognize the Trailblazers (Laura LeMay, Dave Jenkins, Charles Jones, and Jami Jones) and Roadrunners (Amy Newsom and Meredith Ebert) for their efforts with the Iditarod project. I saw students excited about this project especially ones that are normally not very happy to be in school. They were thoroughly engaged in learning. They brought in a guest speaker to talk about the dogs that are used for the race. An Alaskan Husky was even brought in with the speaker - what a cute pup!

So . . . enjoy the "March Madness" of basketball and/or school. They both can be stressful but they both can provide much fulfillment :)

The lucky staff member of the week is Diana Westmoreland. The statement on the card was "she does so much for all of us. I find her easy to talk to. She is very understanding."

Congratulations to Mike McDowell on being selected as one of eleven semi-finalist for the WS/FCS Teacher of the Year. We are all proud of you!
Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend. Go Patriots!!