Reading Rocks Night, Book Fair Over, HRRB, Science Collab, Galileo

I spent Monday and Tuesday preparing for our Reading Rocks Family Night. The event turned out even bigger than I ever imagined. We had over 300 people in attendance. I could not have done it without all the help I received from students, parents, and most of all the amazing CMS faculty!

Below are email quotes from my principal and a parent or two about the event...

"FOLKS: I know your mailbox is already full, but I can’t wait to tell you about how exceptionally special tonight at Clarke Middle was. You sent a powerful message to the community. Not only did we have a huge crowd and hallways full of cool activities, but we had tons of 5th graders coming to see our school for the first time and leaving impressed, more relaxed and excited about the possibilities. (We also had cheerleaders and step teamers cheering and performing in celebration of READING. I want to work in a school where the cheerleaders have reading cheers!)

Anyway, I was overwhelmed as were our parents, prospective parents, students, and prospective students. Clarke Middle was a really cool place tonight, even cooler than usually, and that is all because of you. Thanks for everyone who stayed and helped out—what a huge faculty turnout. What a message that sends to our families and families to be. I would want my child here…

Deep thanks and forever gratitude to Shawn Hinger who was the master of ceremonies and the magic behind the night. I am elated—thanks! " --Tad MacMillan

From parents to Mr. MacMillan:

"Thank you! I just want to say that last night had such a wonderful energy about it. I left there thinking about how the working parts at CMS this year add up to something greater than their sum. There is a synergistic positivity (you can quote me on that) that is really fascinating and inspiring to witness. Thanks for your part in the mix. It’s clearly working. (And I do realize that it’s work. Hard work.)"

"As I looked around last night at the large number of involved students, the large number of 5th graders being "toured" around CMS, and the large number of parents I felt a deep appreciation for what you all have done in a short period of time. Clearly morale among students teachers and parents is high. It is a different school and a better school than it was a few short months ago. You all have done a wonderful job and I am deeply and sincerely appreciative. It is so good to be enjoying CMS again. Thank you."

From parent to Mrs. Hinger:

"Reading Rocks was great! I know it took a lot of planning and work on your part. I appreciate your commitment to the kids and families of CMS."

And still on Friday morning I stopped at Jittery Joe's for coffee and a parent stopped me to talk about the evening. He said that he told my principal AND the superintendent both that this was such a wonderful event to celebrate literacy. I was so proud!

My only regret about the evening is that I did not take a single picture! I guess I was too busy to even think to tell anyone to take pictures for us! I was so disappointed when I realized this on the way home. :)

Book Fair, out two days, family night planning, community

It was a book fair week, and I was out with my sick kids two days this week. I am working on planning my family night for next week... Lots of info about that to come later.

I invited the band, orchestra, step team and cheerleaders to perform. Also, Ms. McNeeley helped me plan several literacy events for the evening. We will have food and fun and much much more. I spent a great deal of time this week organizing all the acitvities and food for next week!

Mary Jean Hartel, Athens Regional Library Youth Services Librarian, came to meet with other half of 6th grade--community, storytelling, info lit

ARL (public) Library, HRRB Promo, Reading Celebration

This week has been NUTS!

Monday--Today we had Mary Jean Hartel from Athens Regional Library to visit for the day in our MC. She spoke to groups of 6th graders about Youth Services at ARL and did some storytelling. This is a great way to create a community connection and tap into resources outside of our walls. Also, we were able to teach the students some info lit skills...

Tuesday--Admin stuff for 1/2 day, and broadcast for the other 1/2 Admin stuff--did walk through with leadership team. Saw 10ish classrooms and got some ideas for collaboration, promote collaboration at 7th grade team meeting and discuss ideas for non-fiction unit with 7th grade ELA teachers (start planning this after book fair)

Wednesday--planning for HRRB (writing questions, making rotations), visited Barrow Elementary with gifted facilitators to view Cluster Groups. Great opportunity to see Andy and learn about new collaboration ideas and ways to bring the community into our school and provide resources from "beyond our walls". Went to Sams Club to buy food for our Reading Celebration tomorrow, met with principal to discuss Family Literacy Night, book fair, silver wars (raising money for Books for Keep Charity), etc.

Thursday--Reading Celebration Cookout and HRRB final prep... It was an awesome day, my para and a couple of parent volunteers grilled hotdogs and provided lunch for over 260 students (in the media center) who completed their reading logs 1st quarter. The kids were wonderful, we took lots of pictures and we plan to promote like crazy for the next quarter's incentive (a pancake breakfast w/ hot chocolate!)

The last two periods of the day an 8th grade teacher brought her students in for book talks and checkout. She also, so kindly, brought her vacuum cleaner and vacuumed the media center for me because as appreciative and sweet the kids were during the Reading Celebration Cookout, they are still messy middle schoolers! :) I love CMS; we really do have a family atmosphere here with kids and teachers alike.

Friday--I know it's not Friday yet, but I have a feeling I may not have a chance to post again this week, so here's what we have planned for tomorrow.... Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Competition Round 1. We have 7 teams competing during 1st period (ELT) tomorrow. I have the rounds and questions all set up. I am very proud of the HRRB this year b/c it really has helped to promote literacy and leisure reading. The students are talking the books up with one another and 3 of the 5 school competition books stay on the top 10 in circulation each week!

After that, I plan to work on the website and some lesson planning for upcoming info literacy skills lessons. And at 1:30 I have volunteers coming in to help us set up the book fair! I can't wait until next week the book fair is going to be LOTS of FUN!