Friday Focus

Mustang Staff,

It’s hard to believe we’re already in September. When I look at the instruction and learning happening in your classrooms, it feels like we’re well into October with the strength of student work. Your kids are graphing reflections in math, writing full SCRs in ELA, diving into hands-on labs in science, and engaging in inquiry-based, real-world projects in social studies. And in our exploratories, the smiles say it all—have you seen the incredible artwork filling the 6th grade hallway?!

Students are academically and emotionally fulfilled right now, and it's because of you all. You are the reason why Manitou Middle School is a safe school that advances the best teaching, the best learning, and provides a sense of belonging for all.

Driven to Excellence!

Tyler

August 20th-September 16th: BOY meetings conducted

September 16-- October 22: Fall Formals

--Starting next week, email Lynda to schedule your formal and post formal.

Tuesday, September 1st: Mandatory Reporter Training and Handbook Acknowledgement Forms

--These were due on the 1st; if you have not completed them, do so and send to Erika.

Wednesday, September 10th: Late Start

--8:00-8:15 Whole Staff (Standards of Excellence: Accountability)

--8:15-8:50 PLC (Baseline Writing Data Due)

--Flex Time (School Assembly: Student Council)

High Trails Outdoor Education Center

Monday, September 22nd: 8th grade Field Trip

Tuesday, September 23rd: 7th grade Field Trip

Wednesday, September 24th-Thursday, September 25th: 6th grade Overnight

Friday, September 26th: Staff PD/Work Day

--10:00-2:00 (SoS Advisors training *advisors only in High School Media Center)

--10:00-3:20 (Work Time for those not participating in SoS)

Thursday, October 2nd: Sources of Strength Training (all day)

--This will impact Leadership students and their advisors.

The 2nd annual Manitou 5K is around the corner! Come celebrate the beauty of Manitou Springs! The race starts and ends in Fields park. Run along the rolling creek, view the art along the Creekwalk, loop the beautiful parks full of murals, sculptures, disc golf, skateparks and more. The path is flat and accessible to all: run/walk. Bring your family, bring your neighbor, bring your friends!

• Chip timed by Pikes Peak Road Runners (PPRR).
• T-shirt designed by Madison Sharon.
• All proceeds go to Manitou Springs School District.

Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/ManitouSprings/Manitou5K

Ms. Lanier & Mr. Hoffman - You both have been a great addition to our Manitou family and are making a big impact in our students academics already. Thank you for all you do, this job is so rewarding, so enjoy the small moments. "I've said it before and I'll say it again. Life moves pretty fast and if you don't stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller - Chavez

Thank-you Jodi and Emily for answering any small or big questions that come up. You've made my start of year feel very smooth and manageable.

Lynda to Matt for updating and launching our on line purchasing spreadsheet! Thank you for spending your time on this project!

Shout out to MC for saving our building $$$ and serving as 6th-grade Math along with Math intervention!

Hello, this is Dale DeCelles. Thank you for all of the support and wishes for good health and speedy recovery from back surgery. I have had some "bumps in the road" but overall I am making progress. Thank you to Erich Hoffmann for teaching my class and getting students excited about science. I miss you all and look forward to being with you when I am best able.

1. BOY Meetings:

Please come prepared to your BOY meeting ready to discuss the following...

1. Self-assessment complete and shared with evaluator
2. Professional Goal: What is it and why did you choose it?
3. SLO:

• What is your individual SLO?
• What is your plan for the initial assessment?
• How will you monitor progress towards this goal?
• What is your plan for the final assessment?
• Which class or group of students are you focusing on?

2. September 10th PLC:

Come with the following...

• 5 student writing samples (low, medium, high)

• baseline data from writing assessment

• ready to engage the Here's What, So What? Now What? data discussion

3. Every Student is a Writer--UPDATED with NEW WRITING STRUCTURE

What does structured writing look like in your classroom? Here's a different example from last week...

Math Journals (open-ended reflection)

Prompts could include:

• Today I learned…

• One mistake I made and fixed was…

• A strategy I used was…

• This connects to…

4. Every Student Can do Math--UPDATED

Teachers, what's your math mindset?

--Here's how the math team assessed our students' math mindset. Give it a try...https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R2HkCrj8X4QX3HeZO88ouE6PwYZuvcpWrx6KFjvyzv8/edit?tab=t.0

--CURRENT: Our first sample student data is back and incredibly interesting and inspiring: can't wait to unpack it here soon! We'd love to see and know how you compare with our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders' mindsets. If you haven't reflected, take some time to.

5. MASH

• Date change---Tuesday, September 9th: After school tutoring begins.

--Grade level teams, please determine your students recommendations for MASH and notify families.

Commons Closure:

• The commons is closed daily from 8:15-9:15 and 12:30-1:30 for mopping and cleaning except on Tuesday, October 7th. A sign will be posted as a reminder.

Recycling:

• Staff are responsible for emptying their recycling bins, allowing the evening custodial crew to focus on essentials task especially during staffing shortages. Consider assigning this as a leadership task for students.

Admin. Goal--300 Classrooms

Progress: 29/300= 9%

Nothing beats a positive phone call home or postcard for a student! It's a great way to strengthen relationships and show that we notice the good things our students do every day. Consider making a positive call, writing a positive referral, or sending a notecard home today and (or) next week. It can really make a student's (and parent's) day. This year our goal is to have 100% of students recognized either through a post card or positive referral. Here's the link to track our progress and update contacts you've made: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SVZCKaE4sDgj0UCqWNwSdfz6iXEtrQ6RNPIO4F8lxUs/edit?usp=sharing

Postive Referrals to Date: 8 total

Let's all level up here (me included)!

--If we can each do one positive referral this next week, we would move from 3% to 13% of total student recognition!

We are so appreciative of Kacy! She has been a pillar at MSMS these first weeks supporting a wide range of student needs while also assisting in the front office. Kacy is a true problem-solver—quick, accurate, and resourceful on her feet. In the midst of it all, she remains calm and positive bringing steadiness and encouragement to those around her. Thank you, Kacy, for embodying our theme for the year—Driven to Excellence—and our charge to level up for success!