Weekly Update- November 10, 2025
Over the break, I came across a blog/short article by a guy I heard about six years ago named Hamish Brewer. He is known as the "Skateboarding Principal". He turned Fred Lynn Middle School (a low income, low achieving school with a 90% free/reduced rate) into the one of the best schools in Virginia. How? By helping students and teachers rewrite the narrative of what a school should be. His vision and philosophy is simple: Authenticity. Kids can see through a gimmick. You show me a kid that can't learn, I've just met a teacher that gave up on 'em. All students and teachers should feel part of something bigger. They do it TOGETHER! Kids are OPPORTUNITIES!
As we head into this week, I want to anchor us in a truth that sits at the heart of our mission: Kids are an opportunity, not an obligation. Every morning when the Class of 2029 walks through our doors, we don’t just get students. We get OPPORTUNITIES!
The opportunity to build confidence.
The opportunity to spark curiosity.
The opportunity to reset and try again.
The opportunity to to encourage, challenge and believe in kids who sometimes struggle to believe in themselves.
The opportunity to change a story before it’s written.
It’s easy this time of year to feel the pull of routines, responsibilities and expectations. But remember:, our students aren’t interruptions to our work. Our students ARE the work. They are the reason we show up, rally together and protect the culture we’ve built.
And when we treat our kids as an opportunity, everything shifts
• A behavior issue becomes a chance to teach accountability.
• A quiet student becomes a chance to build connection.
• A frustrated moment becomes a chance to reset and model grace.
• A tough class becomes a chance to show them what consistency really looks like.
Thank you for seeing the opportunity in every kid even when it’s hard, when it’s messy and when they push your limits. They may not say it now, but they feel it. They’ll remember it, and one day it will matter.
Let’s make this week one where we teach, lead, guide and love from that mindset of opportunity.
Kids are an opportunity, and we are incredibly lucky to be the ones given that opportunity each day.
*Davis out Weds. morning for secondary principal's meeting.
1. Nine Weeks Exams: Don't forget the 9 weeks exam as we close out the semester. I have included the policy below. Remember, the exam or whatever you are using for the exam cannot be weighted any higher than the highest exam given during the 9 weeks.
NINE-WEEK EXAMS (GRADES 7-12) Students in grades 7-12 will be assessed using nine-week exams at the end of each grading period as opposed to a semester exam. Test Weighting – The value of a nine-week exam will be equal to the test of the greatest weight in the same quarter in a particular class. Therefore, the weight of the exam will vary between teachers but will more closely correspond to the weight of other tests given in each individual class.
Remember to give yourself plenty of time to administer the exam towards the end of the semester. If you are using a project as your 9 weeks exam, please make sure you denote that in TAC.
2. Failures- As we get closer to the end of the semester, it is imperative that you notify parents of any student who is on the verge of failing especially for semester. We do not want it to be a surprise when the student is dropped from an elective or they lose an elective due to a failed core class. I am okay with an email as long as you get a response. If you do not get a response, a phone call home needs to happen. All communication needs to be documented in the 2nd 9 Weeks - 25-26 Communication Log.
3. Behavior, Behavior, Behavior- WE MUST KEEP UP OUR EXPECTATIONS STEADY AND CONSISTENT over the next few weeks. Behaviors happen a majority of the time because of boredom, attention seeking or sometimes even frustration. Downtime leads to behaviors. Keeping our classroom expectations high and consistent is one of the most effective ways to curb behaviors. When students clearly understand the boundaries and we hold them to the same standard every day, there’s less confusion, fewer power struggles and more focus on learning. Low or inconsistent expectations create openings for behaviors to escalate. High, firm expectations close that door. The clearer we are, the smoother our classrooms run. YOU MUST BE ON TOP OF THIS! If a student is a behavior problem, call home. If it is egregious, send in a referral.
4. Teachers in Classrooms: REMINDER: We had several discipline issues occur because teachers were not in their classrooms. Moving forward, the expectation is that you are in your room when the tardy bell rings. There were also issues when teachers stepped out to go to the workroom, visit another teacher's room, etc. We want to think that ALL of our students will do the right thing, but sometimes they do not. We have had several calls from parents who have complained that their student receives tardies when there are times their own teacher isn't even in the room when the bell rings. That is hard for us to defend with an angry parent. If you need to step out, let your neighbor know so they can help watch your room.
5. Behavior Classroom Pop-Ins/Observations- CONTINUE- We were able to hit some rooms before the fall break. However, we will continue this the final weeks in hopes of providing more support for you all with behaviors in your classrooms. If we enter, just continue what you are doing. I like to just come in and sit, listen, maybe take some notes, etc. If we need you, we will call you to the hallway.
6. REMINDER-Student Discipline Shore Up: We had this discussion during our BTS meetings, but I know that was over three months ago. Here are some things I want to re-stress or add to:
- Do not allow students to line- up a the the door before the bell. This almost always leads to issues. On Friday, that issue involved a fire extinguisher. There is not reason for students to line up a the door.
- Cell phones and earbuds/headphones- I am willing to let go a little on this with one stipulation. ALL HEADPHONES /EARBUDS must be wired and they cannot be ones where the wire plugs into the headphones. Earbuds/headphones that are plugged in are also bluetooth. Students are connecting them to their phones and not their chromebooks. If you are allowing students to use headphones, they must be completely wired. Also, students may only use them for music sites. Not to watch Youtube, play games, etc. unless the videos are for a class activity.
- Go Guardian- The site that most students visit on a daily basis is YouTube and a gaming site. We need to shore up what students are doing on their chromebooks. We receive notices when students are on inappropriate sites or accessing things non-school related. Often times, we receive the notices while they are in class and should be learning. WE MUST check what students access and what they are doing during class. They do not need to be on YouTube or gaming even after they may finish an assignment. They should always have a book to read.
7. MINGA- Shawn Robertson pointed out before the break that blocked passes look almost identical to an approved pass with one exception: The time does not move. Moving forward, make sure all MINGA passes are legitimate. When a student makes a pass, actually check it and then let them go. Do not let them go before you SEE THE PASS. Students need a pass before they go anywhere in the building. NO EXCEPTIONS.
9. Team Meetings- If anything changes this week on your team meetings, let us know so we can attend. ALL DASHBOARDS and DATA needs to be updated and accurate. Also, English and Math, please make sure you are analyzing your interim data. We will use that as a discussion piece when we return in January.
10. CFA Non-Negotiables- Our CFA Non-Negotiables are the foundation of who we are and how we operate—they are not optional, they are essential. They represent the standards we have all agreed to uphold, the commitments we’ve made to each other, and the example we set for our students every day. The Standard is the Standard, and that means we each carry the responsibility to honor it in every action, interaction, and decision. This is our group project, and like any great team, success depends on each member showing up, doing their part, and holding the line. When we all live the standard, we don’t just meet expectations—we set the example, protect our culture, and move our school forward together.
REMINDER- Make sure your grades are updated weekly!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SHARE PICS OF YOUR STUDENTS IN CLASS! PARENTS AND STUDENTS LOVE IT WHEN WE SHARE THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
We want to be able to celebrate you and all your do in you classrooms! To do so, we will continue to utilize Photo Circle this year. Those new to CFA, Photo Circle is an app that you can download that allows you to easily upload pictures so that they are easily accessible. You an either scan the QR code to load the circle onto the app or use the link.
Remember to provide a description of the activity when you upload!
Here is the link: https://join.photocircleapp.com/1ARX8G95T8
CFA IMPORTANT DATES
- Dec. 15-19- 9 Weeks Test Week
- Dec. 12- DUE- the following survey-THE WHY ...NO REALLY
- Dec. 15-19- Holiday Spirit Week!
- Dec. 19- Last Day of 1st Semester
- Dec. 20-Jan 4- Holiday Break
District Information
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- Tuesday, December 16
PPC Meeting
December 3
3:15 p.m.
CPPT Meeting
December 4
2:00 p.m.
Holiday Decoration Information
Holiday decorations:
- Hallways can only have 30% wall coverage
- No decorations or lights can be hanging or attached to ceilings
- Christmas lights need to be LED or battery operated
- Temporary Christmas lights have to be UL listed (Underwriters Laboratory) and have 3 prong plugs.
- No Christmas lights can be plugged into extension cords.
- All Christmas lights must be unplugged at night
- No decorations/wreaths can be on doors or covering windows
