Drop Off/Pick Up

Need a favor......Please, please, please don't drop off or pick up in an area that encourages students to walk between buses. Talked to a bus driver last night that told me some parents were dropping students on the west side of school which caused them to walk between the buses that were pulling up to drop off students. My gut feeling is that the people that need to hear this aren't reading this blog. I'm going to try to get out there more often and see if I can direct the drop off to a safer location (like in the front circle).

Thanks

No Zeros/Saturday School

With the start of school now behind us it's time to start focusing on our one of our student achievement goals of turning in every assignment. Starting this week, any student that has two or more missing assignments on Thursday will be assigned a Saturday School to help them finish the assignment. Saturday School will last from 8:00 am until 10:00 am and depending on the size of the group we'll be either in the cafeteria or the Media Center. Parents are welcomed to come and help their child finish up their assignments. My plan is ask some of our NJHS kids to help us out. If your son or daughter is assigned a Saturday School, please have them to school no later than 8:00. Because of security I will be at the doors to let kids in at 8:00 but will have to lock the doors once we go into the cafeteria/Media Center. Our goal is to have every student turn in every assignment. This is not meant to be a punishment but if a student skips Saturday School then it will turn into a discipline issue. The trick/key is to turn your assignments in on time and then Saturday School doesn't come into play. I'll be explaining this process to our young adults today at lunch.

Doing Nothing.....?????

You ever hear something that you just can't let go? Last night I heard from my wife that heard from someone, that heard from someone, that over heard some parents talking that the bullying at SCMS is out of control and nothing is being done. Really? Out of control? Nothing is being done? Really? Unfortunately I'm pretty sure the ones that need to hear what I'm about to say are not the ones that are reading this Blog. Here are some facts. Bullying and putdowns have been a part of this age student since the stone age. That does not make it right. Let me repeat that....because it's happened in the past, doesn't make it right. I HATE bullies. I deal with teasing on an hourly/daily basis. Most are very minor things, but we are constantly reminding kids of how to act and behave. On some of what we consider more serious, when our student code of conduct comes into play, we don't consult the parent of the student that is being bullied when we hand down the discipline nor do we discuss the discipline with anyone but that student and that student's parent. To say nothing is being done is an absolute lie (can you tell that someone has hit a nerve with me?). I work exxxxxxtremely hard at this part of my job and take pride in our school and our kids. When I hear comments like that are out there it does no one any good. If you have an issue, please, please, please call me or stop in....I'm a pretty nice guy and easy to talk to. You might not agree with how we handle things but I assure you we are not looking the other way and we are working very hard in this area. If anyone brings this up to you, please ask them to stop in and see me.

I feel better...........

DC Parent and Student Survey

I have put two surveys on our Washington DC link that is on our main SCMS webpage. Please take a moment to take the survey if you went on this year's trip. We are always looking for ways to improve our process

HUGE Post DC Thanks

Another GREAT Trip. I've said this many times....if it wasn't such a great trip I'd send someone else. A special thank you to all the chaperones, who without their help this trip would be impossible. In a few days I will be putting a DC Survey on our website that I'd like all of our chaperones to take. The info is intended to help improve the trip. For those parents of our younger students....please, please. please, start planning for this trip. It's truly a memory that lasts a lifetime. I'll be getting info out to our current 7th graders regarding a organizational meeting later this fall.

Saturday Mornings are Meant for Sleep

Goooooood Morning....hopefully you're reading this after a very relaxing and restful night. I'm typing this between bus trips to the airport for our 8th grade DC trip. First group is gone and I'm waiting for the second group to arrive. If you're a parent of a younger student, please, please, please make every effort to get your child on this trip. It is awesome (except for me having to get up at 3:45 am). We'll be having a 7th grade parent meeting later this fall to explain the trip and get students and chaperones signed up. I hear people starting to arrive so I'm off to organize and head to the airport. Enjoy your weekend....I know I will

Wednesday's DC Thoughts

Thanks to everyone that came to the DC meeting last night. Not sure if I mentioned it but this is going to be a GREAT trip. I posted some of my notes under the Washington DC link on our main webpage. If you have any questions between now and 5:00 am Saturday morning, please don't hesitate to call me.