Let it snow . . .

I think it is amazing how attitudes change when there is talk about SNOW. People get so excited about the possibility of snow and especially the thought of getting out of school. Don't get me wrong . . . I do like snow but I also know the days have to be made up. So . . . enjoy your spring break because this one sounds like a Big One!!

This week, I want to highlight our NAL team. Our team is 4-0 and have scored many points each match. Mr. Cardarelli, Ms. Miller, and Ms. Holland have really helped recruit and mold this team. They are extremely smart but also very nice youngsters. Academics tends to get overlooked by athletic teams but this is a group of young people that deserve recognition. If you get the chance, come watch a match. The kids would love to see you!

I'm going to be like the kids . . . get my vintage "red rider" out and race them down the hills. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend. Go Patriots!!

Going the extra mile . . .

How many of you are tired of my cliches? Well, the one today is "Going the extra mile". I heard this from my teachers but especially my coaches when I was growing up. "If you are going to be the best, you must go the extra mile"!

It a pretty simple concept that extra hard work produces results. Usually that turns out to be true. I want to note one particular teacher this week that is "going the extra mile" with his students.

Mike McDowell has approximately 15 students that are failing both Math and Science for second quarter. He decided to contact all the parents (which he has done throughout the year) and offer his Saturday to work with them to pass for the quarter. Mike is not giving grades but making students come to school on their day off (and his) to make up the work and earn a passing grade. Lisha Vannoy has been helping Mike to make these parent contacts and will be also coming to school Saturday to help. Now, will all the students show up? Probably not but the ones that do will truly benefit from their efforts and also the teacher's effort.

There are many more "going the extra mile" stories with our staff but this was just one example. Keep in mind what you can do for your students and not what the students can't or won't do.

Alright, short sermon this week . . . End of the the First Semester! 90 more days :)

Enjoy your weekend. Go Patriots!!

School is more than learning about the three R's . . .

We do a great job of teaching the three R's (reading , writing, and arithmetic) - not really 3 R's but you know what I mean. The facts are facts and if you look at the data, Jefferson Middle does it second to none in Forsyth County when it come to EOG test. Approximately 90% of all students will score proficiency and more importantly they will show growth (especially in math). We know that we can improve reading comprehensive and I hope all of you have been doing some things to help students with their EOG in reading. But, even with all that positive data there are many other important things that we teach our middle schoolers.

How about our Patriot Path? The path doesn't address the 3 R's but does address Pride, Attitude, Tolerance, Respect, Integrity, Opportunity, and Teamwork. These traits are one's that we teach our students that hopefully they will use for a lifetime.

Community service is a way for students to learn the importance of doing something for others. Student Council with the direction of Lisha Vannoy has done a great job of providing opportunities for all students to get involved. The "Feed the Children of Africa" project was extremely successful where lots of money was raised for a great cause. It's amazing to watch how idea that was brought to us by a 6th grade (Josie Britt) turned into a school wide mission. Student council is getting ready to kick off another community service project - can food drive. Let's all get behind this project.

My point of teaching our student more than the 3 R's is one that I would like for you to reflect on. I can't remember what was taught to me in elementary (1st - 7th grade) or high school (8th - 12 grade) but I can remember some of my teachers. The one's I remember are Mr. Love (6th grade teacher), Mr. Rigby (12 grade English teacher), and my high school baseball coach (Mr. Tobler). All these men were teachers but more importantly (to me) they left a lasting memory of just caring people that taught me the value of working hard and being an honest person.
I challenge all of you to make a lasting impression on your students this year.

Keep up the hard work and enjoy what you do.

Go Patriots!

Here we go again . . .

I don't know about you but I did enjoy my holiday break. Spent some time traveling, some time with family, some time eating (well . . . probably more than some time), some time being a couch potato, and some time reflecting. I hope all of you recharged your batteries and are ready for a great New Year!

I don't remember when I heard the statement "the glass is half empty or half full" but it is one that I always remember. I think it came from my US History teacher in the 9th grade. He had the funniest laugh - like Horshack from Welcome Back Kotter. Young folks ask Mrs. Carespodi about it! Anyway . . . I try to remember this throughout my day. We can get pulled to the "dark side" and look at the "half empty" glass but try to catch yourself and move to the "half full" side. It is a habit that can be fixed. We lead by example so I will leave my Positive comments at that . . .

We are getting close to the end of 2nd quarter. Keep up your hard work and motivating efforts with your students. Be relentless . . .

Time for me to get the H1N1 shot . . . it's better than getting the flu :)

Have a restful weekend. Go Patriots!!

Happy Holidays . . .

This one will be brief and to the point. I wish all of you Happy Holidays. I hope Santa is good to you and most of all I hope you enjoy time with your families. Oh yea, have some fun too:) See you next year!

Go Patriots!!

Tis the season . . .

Two weeks til Christmas . . . Are you ready for the holiday season? Hopefully you have plans to be with your family and enjoy some time away from school. Try not to get stressed about the "stuff" of Christmas but focus on the true meaning.

I would like to mention this week the wonderful efforts of our EC staff: Lisa Scott, Kara Richardson, Linda Dawson-Levy (welcome back!), Ellen Weston, Pat Fetherolf, Lacey Brigman, Kaye Hunter, Julia Edmonds, Joe Miller, Janet McKay, Erma Decker, Lynn Palm, Karen Parker, Carl Archie, Kedrick Dobson, Gary Michael, and Tina Parks-Ramsey. This has been a year of change in many ways for our teachers and students. I appreciate their efforts and the efforts of all the staff in serving these students.

Garrett Davis has worked extremely hard with a group of students for the holiday production - The Jefferson House. This play has a tremendous message and I thought was well performed by our students. These students handle the lighting and even helped write the script! It was very evident of the long hours of preparation that were put into this performance. Also, thank you to Joanna Palmer and Catherine Burton for being flexible with the space of the auditorium.

Our SIT met on Monday. This dedicated group of teachers (lead by Mike McDowell) have focused on grant ideas the teachers can apply for to help fund classroom needs/wants. I've very impressed with the amount of work that has gone toward this idea - I've heard good news about many of the grants. Keep up the hard work! SIT also would like for the school to revisit some of the rules at TJMS. Please help re-inforce the rules to your students so we can continue to move forward with our Single School Culture. Time to tighten things up a bit!

On a much more serious note . . . I'm missing the NUTCRACKER from my office. It was taken and a ransom note was left. This may be funny to some but for those who are involved there will be ramifications. This was the note that was left: A holiday season without my Nutcracker will not be the same :(

"The Nutcracker decided to find a new home,

He was unhappy standing alone.

Virginia Tech was his special place,

Now he's gone without leaving a trace.

He will be happy so leave him be,

Don't go looking for him in the Christmas tree.

When you get him a companion to stand by his side,

You will show him you have Christmas spirit deep inside."

With that said, enjoy your weekend. Get some rest. 5 more days . . .

Go Patriots!

Remember when you just went outside and played . . .

My most fond memories, as a child, were running around outside (barefoot) and just playing. We played tag, whiffle ball (actually used taped up ping pong balls), basketball, football, hide and seek, and the one I really loved - "Kick the Can"! I remember playing for hours and would stay outside until dark. In the summer time, we could run around catching lightning bugs. We would fill up mason jars full. The light was fascinating. Now - there are so many other "Fun" things to do just going out to "play" just doesn't have much appeal. Kids have the Xboxes, Gamecubes, Wiis, facebook, etc . . . The closest thing I had was "Pong" and that didn't hold my attention very long!

This leads me to "Fuel up to Play 60". Thank you to Amy Peverall and Denise Francis for teaming to sponsor this incentive for our students. I hope you received a better understanding, of this incentive, by the kick off assembly that we had today. This is a National push to motivate students to exercise 60 minutes a day and to eat healthy. I know this makes me think about exercising more (Hope I do more that just think about it!). I encourage you to ask your students to go outside and exercise - I know many of you already do this. The more students hear this message, the more likely they are to "give in" and go out and play.

And for you "young folks" that don't know what Kick the Can is, here are the rules: (Try it sometime with your kids)

How to Play Kick the Can

1. Gather some friends to play (the more the better).
2. Find a soda can or bottle.
3. Decide what area to play in. The best is rather large, with plenty of hiding places.
4. Pick someone to be "it". You could use rock, paper, scissors, "1,2,3 not it!" or any other method.
5. Place the can in the center of your playing area.
6. The "it" stays at the can with their eyes closed, and counts to whatever number is decided. While the "it" is counting, the rest of the players run and hide somewhere. When the "it" finishes counting, they go look for the other players.
If the "it" sees someone they call out the hider's name. Then the hider and the "it" race back to the can. If the "it" gets there first, the hider is in jail. If the hider gets there first, they must kick the can(hard).
After the can is kicked, the hider runs to find a new hiding place, while the "it"gets the can and places it back where it was.
The "it" counts some more, and the game continues. When someone kicks the can, all other hiders in jail are free to go and hide again.
Game continues until all but one hider have been found. Last hider is winner.
7. Remember to have FUN!!

10 more days til the Christmas break and they are talking about Snow tomorrow . . . Wouldn't that be festive! Enjoy your weekend.

Go Patriots!!

A day of thanks . . .

Thanksgiving is coming up next week, what do you have to be thankful for? This has been a very difficult time in our country but I believe we have much to be thankful for. We all have jobs and a pretty good place to work (well . . . maybe the boss could be easier to work for - I'm referring to me:) Most of you are in good health and are blessed with wonderful families. Reflect on the positives . . . life is definitely too short to not enjoy what you do have. Think about the pictures of the children in Africa when you start having a pity party for yourself - definitely helps me!

The book fair was a big hit this week. Thanks for Mr. Schoulda, Mrs. Argabright, and all the parent volunteers for their help. Students seemed excited about getting new books to read. To all the LA teachers - thanks for giving up some class time to let the students purchase new reading material!

Tiger Kim's Tae Kwon Do put on a performance Tuesday to the 6th grade PE classes. Thanks to all the PE teachers (Denise Francis, Martin Patrick, JR Wilkerson, and Amy Peverall) for helping to organize this event. Also, Kim Pickell was a major contributer to making this event happen. They will be coming again next Tuesday (5th and 6th periods) if you would like a taste of some Tae Kwon Do - they are amazing!!

Students from 6th grade (Barbara Strange, Cynthia Booth, Debbie Etheridge, and Mike McDowell) went to make luminaries for the Ronald McDonald House on Wednesday - community service project. Kathy MacDonald also took about 40 students (student council)after school to make the luminaries on Wednesday. Students had a great time and this was a good educational experience about doing things for others.

The cultural infusion walk throughs were conducted Wednesday by Willette Nash. She had extremely positive comments about the imagery and inclusive classroom decor in Mr. Charles Jones' class. His lesson was about African Kings.  Notably, she gave high praise to Mrs. Kirby Carespodi who used rubrics, small groups, students were enthusiastic about learning and were responsible for their own learning. She commented on the utilization of Myers Briggs in her classroom as well. Mrs. Humphrey... excellent lesson involving American History relative to slave trade. Well done!

Today, we had about 300 students qualify (from their magazine fundraising efforts) to watch the BMX bike show. These guys were flying everywhere. It looked like they would go through the roof!! Elaine Hartle is the best - I'm glad you couldn't tell how close they were to you. The kids were absolutely amazed at this show. Mrs. Strange/Ms. Miller - I know you two are bikers. Could you do this?!!

Another great week at TJMS. Short week next week then a nice break. Be thankful for what you do have. Take some time to think about your blessings and "smell the roses".

You have worked hard. Thanks for your best efforts with your students. Enjoy the weekend.

Go Patriots!!

When it rains, it pours . . .

Looking at the weather channel on Sunday, it looked like we would get "some" rain Tuesday and Wednesday then clear the rest of the week. Well . . . it's now Friday and we are still wet!! A cold wet at that! Should have known,with the Fall Fling today, that we would be thrown a curve ball. I learned how to hit a "curve ball" early in life so we will make the best out of this situation!

This week, I conducted 8th grade CWTs. We have a pretty good bunch of prisoners - I'm referring to the students! The efforts you (staff) make with your interesting classroom activities really make a difference with our students. Thanks for the creativity and energy you give to the students each day!

Mrs. Fox got the results for All County Band. 20 students made All County from TJMS! I'm not sure how many tried out but that is a huge number of students that received this honor! Congratulations to Kathy and her students!!

I know that I mentioned at Monday's staff meeting that Leigh Walters was selected Chorus Teacher of the Year for the State of NC!!! But what an accomplishment! For those of you who don't know Leigh, drop by her classroom sometime and see her in action. I've seen many music teachers - Leigh is phenomenal. Congratualtions Leigh - well deserved!

And today's Fall Fling . . . I'm writing this prior to the fling but I know the students will have a great time! These kids just want to socialize and it really doesn't matter what activities there are. It's fun just watching them have fun with each other. Now taking a pie in the smacker and getting dunked . . . well -when it rains it pours!

The sun is coming out (somewhere) . . . have a wonderful weekend!

Go Patriots!

And the beat goes on . . .

Does it seem like we have completed 51 days of school? Again, maybe it is age but I look up and we have completed another week! I even saw commercials about Christmas on TV last night. Yikes!!! John - get a tree ready for me :)

Last couple of weeks you gave your EOQ tests. Benika - Thanks for your diligence with this! I didn't see any real surprises with the results. Keep up the good instruction in the classroom and the scores will be fine. If you haven't already, plan to discuss your results in your PLC meetings and develop some strategies to reteach concepts that may have been missed.

Grade level trips - Trailblazers (Meredith Ebert, Amy Kennedy, and Leigh Walters) were at the coast last week for the 7th grade trip. I didn't hear about any issues. Guess they had a good time :) MPods (John Cardarelli, Kirby Carespodi, Kim Pickell, Lacey Brigman, and myself) were in DC last week with the 8th graders. The Surfers (Mark Schnably, Gail Frank, Gena Loflin, Jan Sullivan, and LaJoi Wilson-Moore) are completing their trip to DC - they should be home this afternoon. This is always a fun/educational trip. We saw so much in such a short period of time. I truly believe these trips are memories the students will never forget when asked "What did you do in middle school"? Thanks for giving up your personal time to be a part of these trips.

Volleyball started the season this week. The boys are 2-0 with victories over Southeast and Northwest - Congratulations to Daniel Bryant and Mark Mercer. The girls are 1-1 with a victory over Northwest. Congratulations to Denise Francis. We play Hanes (home) on Tuesday. Come out and support your Patriots - we will even give you a free bag of popcorn!

Coin drive kicked off this week. Thanks to Lisha Vannoy and Kathy MacDonald for their efforts. There is a "buzz" in the school about this service project. I'm impressed with the sense of giving from our students. Thanks for supporting this - you can make a huge difference in the success of this project.

And . . . I know you can't wait til next Friday (FALL FLING)!! The students always have fun no matter what. Thanks for all of your help with supervision. This is for a great cause (Scholarships for field trips) and you might even have fun:)

180 - 51 = 129 more days! Have a great weekend - get some rest.

Go Patriots!!