4.7.14 dm pow

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Way to Go! We have so many wonderful people to recognize this week----

*A HUGE thank you to Mr. Schenfisch who always stops into the choir room to sing when he has an extra few minutes! Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us! We appreciate all of the help and support!

*On Saturday, March 29th, Dean Morgan Junior High students Michael Stanley, Kiara Sims, Ellie Holloway, Briahnna Manning and Taylin White competed in the 2014 Wyoming State Science Olympiad at Casper College. The students entered 11 of 20 possible events and performed quite well.

Notable finishes include: Taylin White, 3rd place in Rotor Egg Drop; Ellie Holloway and Briahnna Manning, 4th place in Can't Judge a Powder; Kiara Sims, 5th place in Heredity; and Kiara Sims and Briahnna Manning, 6th place in Simple Machines.

Please congratulate these students not only for their participation and performance, but for the excellent manner in which they represented our school.

Thanks,Bill Ochs

PLAN OF THE WEEK

April 7, 2014

Dean Morgan Middle School meeting the needs of our kids is the priority - Kids First

WAY TO GO!!!!! DM

We often think positive recognition comes only from supervisors or managers, but Gallup has found that people cherish praise and recognition from their peers. Peers know intimately the particulars of a job and when they notice excellence, it is a special event. So, the best praise and recognition may not come from the top down -- it may come from a peers noticing others.

Please forward any descriptions of positive recognition or praise to Ms. Frazier or Mr. Wilcox. Each week we will be sharing the great deeds and wonderful work of our school in this section of the DM POW.

6th Grade ---- Cowboy Values ! ! by James Owen. After talking with real cowboys and researching the cowboy way, Owen came up with his Code of the West which states some simple values that all of us should try to live by. These values are a set of standards that serve as guides or standards by which we live and make decisions. As a symbol to help us right our paths. He identifies seven core values we will work on with our students this year. *Courage *Optimism *Self-Reliance*Authenticity *Honor *Duty *Heart The values themselves are difficult to argue with; they're the kinds of values we will be teaching our young people.

7th Grade ---- Cowboy Ethics*Live each day with courage! ! ! *Take pride in your work*Always finish what you start! ! ! *Do what has to be done*When you make a promise, keep it! ! *Be tough, but fair*Ride for the brand! ! ! ! *Talk less and say more*Remember that some things aren't for sale! *Know where to draw the line

8th Grade ---- The TRY 'TRY' is a verb that means 'to make an attempt.' But in cowboy culture, the word is a noun invested with profound meaning. When Cowboys say, 'That cow hand, he's got try,' they're talking about the quality of giving something every ounce of effort you can muster. The TRY is that burning desire to accomplish something, coupled with the belief that you can do it, and the determination to give it 110% effort every day. In short, The TRY is attitude plus effort and when you think about it, those are the only two things in life that we can control. It doesnt depend on IQ, talent or connections. Its all about The Try and if youve got it, anything is possible.

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PLAN OF THE WEEK

Dean Morgan Middle School meeting the needs of our kids is the priority - Kids First

3/31/14 COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRATEGIESROUND TABLE1. Teacher asks one student from each team to take out pencil and paper. 2. Teacher poses a project, question with multiple answers, a topic to write about, or a task that

has many possible solutions, steps, or procedures. 3. In teams, students take turns passing the paper and pencil or team project, each writing one

answer or making one contribution.

VARIATIONS:ROUND TABLE CONCENSUS: Student with the piece of paper and pencil verbally gives an answer. Teammates must show agreement or disagreement (thumb up or thumb down). If there is disagreement, team discusses the answer until there is consensus. All teammates must agree before student records answer.

SIMULTANEOUS ROUND TABLE: Teacher asks a question or poses a problem which has multiple answers. In teams, students each write a response on their own piece of paper. Students then pass their papers clockwise so each teammate can add to the prior response.

Comet Block Advisor:**Everyone is reading during Comet Block***Ethics-Values-Try lessons are on Tuesdays**** Relationship building is the 3rd Tuesday of each month w/a 15 minute locker clean out starting @ 1:05pm: 4/15, 5/13 & 5/21*****Checking grades with students on Wednesday

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Quick Reminders:

PLAN OF THE WEEK

Dean Morgan Middle School meeting the needs of our kids is the priority - Kids FirstCOMET BLOCK TASKS

*All certified staff: please note that work must be sent to the in-school suspension room when requested. It is not an option to not send work.

*I would like to send out a reminder concerning the importance of you opening all emails from the Special Education staff. Many of these emails and the history of the emails are used to serve as documentation that you have received a copy of the new accommodations. Legally, the Special Education staff is responsible for showing proof that they passed out accommodations on all IEP students. This is done at the beginning of the year and when a new IEP is completed. Some are also passed out at the semester to new classes a student has. It is vital for you to open these emails ASAP so that the Special Education Staff can do their job to close out an IEP and get all legal documentation to Joyce Alm. So, open ALL emails ASAP and never delete an email before it is opened. Thank you for all you do to help the Special Education Department do its job. You are appreciated and your dedication to all students here at Dean Morgan. from J Frazier

*Club and Activity Sponsors should prepare a Comet Block announcement form in the office due to an unexpected club or activity cancellation. If the cancellation is known a week in advance, please notify Paula in order for the update/correction to be made in the POW.

*Just an FYI... you may receive a work request with SSSL titled on top (on gold paper) at some point during the school year (either in your mailbox at the end of the day or delivered to your room). The request will have the number of days that the student will be there. If you decide to email the work, please include me in the email so I can get you marked off, as I have to track these. When you receive this, it is very important that the work gets turned into the office by 9 a.m the very next day at the very latest! The kids will be at SSSL waiting for work to be brought to them. Call me if you have any questions (2401). Thank you so much! Stephanie Mestas

*This is just a reminder of the importance of taking daily attendance in a timely fashion. Our PE department are the only staff members with permission to be entering attendance at the end of each block. All other staff must enter attendance in Infinite Campus during the first 20 minutes of each block.

3/31/14

Study Support Quick Reminders: TEACHER HELP BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL! Our DM certified staff work day is 7:30am to 3pm daily. This is when our DM certified staff members are guaranteed to be available to work with parents, students or other staff on our campus. ! Students can get additional help from all DM certified staff members starting at 7:30am without a pass from the identified teacher. If a staff member has made arrangements to meet a student before 7:30am, a pass will be needed from the staff member or front office. ! After school, certified staff members will be available to work with students until 3pm and then additional arrangements will need to be made in advance if necessary.

Give procrastinators specific instructions! Does your child drag her feet when you ask her to do the simplest task? Dont get angryget specific! Research shows that people often procrastinate when facing a vague job. But when theyre given something concrete to complete, they get right to it. The next time you want your child to do something promptly, dont say, Clean your room. Instead, be specific: Put your clothes in the hamper and make your bed.

Children can succeed in school by helping them follow these 10 tips.

Tip #6: Learn AlwaysYour child may be past the preschool years, but home education is still a critical part of his overall learning experience. Some of the attitude recently is that its up to the schools and teachers to figure it all out, to make sure children are learning and healthy and safe, says Barbara Frankowski, M.D., MPH, FAAP, and member of the AAP Council on School Health. Theres only so much teachers can do. Parents have to fill in with good support at home.


POW Dean Morgan Middle School meeting the needs of our kids is the priority - Kids First

4/7, 4/9, 4/10Talent Show Auditions Room 11 3:00-4:00pm

Black - Mon - 4/7q Comet Block -- Reading q A team D block each Monday (all administrators)q DM ELC Meeting 3-4:15pm

Red - Tues - 4/8 q 7:15am BEST staffing meeting (Wilcox & team)q Comet Block -- Cowboy Ethic/values/tryq 3:15-4:15 in room 322 new Union Building UWC

campus, to match mentors w/student teachers for spring of 2015 (T Ernst)

Black- Wed - 4/9q 8:30-11:15am Boys & Girls Support Grp Conf Rmq New (NCSD) NCASE Meeting from 7:30-8:30am

& Leadership Workshop all admin reps from 8:30-11:30am @ CSF

q (New) 8:30am Staffing allocations provided to principals

q Comet Block - Reading & Grade checks

Red - Thu - 4/10q J Frazier gone leadership training 8:30-4pm todayq Freeze On Leaveq (New) 7:30am Staffing letter read to DM

certified staff (Wilcox)q (New) In building transfers 4/10-4/15q (60 minutes) DM PLC Professional Learning

Community Block meetings in Library @ 8:05am, 9:30am, 10:55am, & 1:30pm. Topics: TBD management

q Comet Block -- Readingq OAC meeting 3:30-5:30pm (Wilcox & Brunner)

Black - Fri - 4/11q (New) In building transfers 4/10-4/15q 10am-3pm State Board meeting (Wilcox attends)q Comet Block -- Readingq 1-3pm NCSD Workload group meeting (Wilcox)q DM Budget Cutoff @ 4pm and lock in dept funds

for Awards Night

Sat - 4/12q Elementary School Science Olympiad (Ochs)

4/14-4/20q National Library Week, Literacy Weekq Scholastic Book Fair by Lang Arts Dept Library

4/14-5/2: SAWS/SAWS ALT Testing4/14-5/2: Internal Interview Period

Red - Mon - 4/14q (New) In building transfers 4/10-4/15 q 7th grade start SAWS 4/14 and NWEA on 4/21q A team D block each Monday (all administrators)q DM Goal Teams 3-4:15pmq NCSD School Board Meeting 7:30am

Black - Tue - 4/15q (New) In building transfers 4/10-4/15 q DM CMT Meeting Conference Room 7:15amq (New) 4/15 @ 4pm Job postings due to HRq Updated 8/14/13- (Wilcox, Anderson, Bertelson &

LaPlante) C&I Advisory meeting, the 3rd Tuesday (not Thursday) of the month from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Westwood Room

Red - Wed - 4/16q 4 1/2 Week Progress Reports with Eligibility check

- in effect on Monday, April 21.q CTE Dept Meeting Room 104 7:15l-7:55amq Math Dept Meeting Room 171 7:15-7:50amq PE Dept Meeting PECL 7-7:45amq 8:30-11:15am Boys & Girls Support Grp Conf Rmq (New) 4/16 @ 12pm NCSD Job postings outq (New) 4/16- @ Volunteers may notify principal

or a principal decision on reassignmentsq Lang Arts/Read Dept Meets Rm 108 3-4:15pmq Science Dept Meeting from 3 3-4:15pmq Secondary Posting Meeting 2-4pm (Wilcox)

Black - Thu - 4/17q DM 8-9 grade NCHS transition dayq Goal Teams 3-4:15pm

Red - Fri - 4/18q Counseling Dept Meeting 10am

DMs Calendar of Events


PLAN OF THE WEEK Dean Morgan Middle School meeting the needs of our kids is the priority - Kids First

April 17-May 2 q NCSD Internal Interview Period if reg On-Line

Fri -April 18 q Good Friday No School Office Closed

April 21- May 9 NWEA Spring Testing

Red - Mon -4/21 q ELC Meeting 3-4:15pmq SESC FLS Meeting 4-5pm

Black - Tue - 4/22 q SESC Advisory Team Meeting 4-5pmq Talent Show Cafeteria 6:30pm

Red - Wed - 4/23 q Administrative Professionals Dayq Pay Day (pay checks in mailboxes by 7:30 a.m.)q 8:30-11:15am Boys & Girls Support Grp Conf Rm

Black - Thu - 4/24 q Parent Topic Class: Strategies For Meeting The

Needs Of Gifted Students @ SESC Rm 108 6-8pm

Red - Fri - 4/25 q Counseling Dept Meeting 10amq DM Mentor Dance from 4-6pm (theme TBD)

4/28 - 5/9SASW Testing

Black - Mon - 4/28q Goal Teams 3-4:15pmq School Board Meeting 7:30pm

Red - Tue - 4/29q DM FLS Meeting Room 10 7:15-8:00am

Black - Wed - 4/30q Freeze On Leaveq PLCs Libraryq 8:30-11:15am Boys & Girls Support Grp Conf Rm

Red - Thu - 5/1q PTA Luncheon Mtg 11:30-12:45pm Library

(sponsored by Counseling & Admin)q DM 6-8 Bands Concert Main Gym 7pm

Black - Fri - 5/2q Counseling Dept Meeting 10am

Red - Mon - 5/5q ELC Meeting 3-4:15pmq Spring Vocal Concert Cafeteria 7pm

Red - Wed - 5/7q School Nurse Dayq DM CMT Mtg Conf Rm 7:15amq Math Dept Mtg Rm 171 7;15-7:50amq Social Studies Dept Mtg Rm 328 7:15amq Boys and Girls Support Group Conf Rm

8:30-11:15amq SPED Dept Mtg Rm 103 3-4pm

Black - Thu - 5/8q Staff Appreciation Luncheon Sponsored by PTAq Family Literacy Night Public Library 5:30-7pm

Red - Fri - 5/9q Counseling Dept Meeting 10am

Black - Mon - 5/12q Goal Teams 3-4:15pmq Academic/Sports Awards Night 6:30-8pm Cafeq Boys and Girls Support Group Conf Rm

8:30-11:15amq School Board Meeting 7:30pm

DMs Future Calendar of Events

Our April Staff Birthdays

*Staff please notify Paula Strong w/your birthdays

Veronica Mason 2Mike Weiss 6Rose Hill 9Jennifer Alvar 10Walt Wragge 12Paula Strong 13Bud Sorensen 19Aaron Temple 20Mauro Diaz 21Joel Schenfisch 21

A Remember, people need laughter sometimes more than food. ~Anna Fellows Johnston



Black -Mon 4/7

q Geography Bee Club Room 162 7:30amq Challenge Day Club Room 307 3-4pmq Morgan Jazz Combo Band Room 3-3:45pmq Talent Show Auditions Room 11 3-4pm

Red Tue 4/8q Mathletes Room 316 7:30-8:00amq Annual /Publications Staff Room 331 3-4pmq History Day Club Room 307 3-4pmq Knowledge Bowl Team Room 314 3:00-4:00pmq Percussion Club Band Room 3-3:45pmq Robotics Club Room 327 2:45-4:00pm

Black - Wed - 4/9q Honor Society Meeting Room 252 7:30amq Morgan Singers Rm 11 7:10amq Book Club Room 105 3:00-4:00pmq Drama Club Room 333 3:00-4:00pmq Morgan Jazz Combo Band Room 3-3:45pmq Robotics Club Room 327 2:45-4:00pmq Talent Show Auditions Room 11 3-4pmq Video Production Club Room 307 3-4pm

Red - Thu - 4/10q FACS Club Room 104 7:15amq Math Club Room 330 7:15-7:50amq Mathletes Room 316 7:30-8:00amq Art Club Room 326 2:50-4:00pmq French Club Room 312 2:55-3:30pmq History Day Club Room 307 3-4pmq Outdoor Adventure Club Fly Fishing 3-5pmq Percussion Club Band Room 3-3:45pmq Talent Show Auditions Rm 11 3-4pm

Black - Fri - 4/11

Red - Mon - 4/14q Geography Bee Club Room 162 7:30amq Challenge Day Club Room 307 3-4pmq Morgan Jazz Combo Band Room 3-3:45pm

Black - Tue - 4/15q Mathletes Room 316 7:30-8:00amq Mentors Mtg 7:30am Room 310q Annual/Publications Staff Room 331 3-4pmq History Day Club Room 307 3-4pmq Knowledge Bowl Team Room 314 3:00-4:00pmq Percussion Club Band Room 3-3:45pmq Robotics Club Room 327 2:45-4:00pm

Red - Wed - 4/16q Morgan Singers Rm 11 7:10amq Drama Auditions after school Room 306q Morgan Jazz Combo Band Room 3-3:45pmq Robotics Club Room 327 2:45-4:00pmq Video Production Club Room 307 3-4pm

Black- Thu - 4/17q FACS Club Room 104 7:15amq Math Club Room 330 7:15-7:50amq Mathletes Room 316 7:30-8:00amq Art Club Room 326 2:50-4:00pmq French Club Room 312 2:55-3:30pmq History Day Club Room 307 3-4pmq Percussion Club Band Room 3-3:45pmq Spanish Club Room 309 2:55-4:00pm

Red - Fri - 4/18


DMs Sports & Clubs

For the most current practice schedules, please see: http://www.natronacountydistrict.org/g5-bin/client.cgi

MARCH 17 - APRIL 17 6-8 Swimming @ KW


DMs Sports & Clubs

For the most current practice schedules, please see: http://www.natronacountydistrict.org/g5-bin/client.cgi

3/31/14

KWL: K-what do the students already know? W-what do the students need and want to know? L-what did the students learn? An effective pre-assessment tool but also an effective tool to evaluate the level of understanding. Many teachers use the L part as an open-ended question on an exam allowing the students to share the depth of knowledge that was gained in the unit of study.

Staff Relationships

Theres no doubt about the fact that enthusiasm is a powerful motivator. Just know that when conviction is combined with enthusiasm, it can really cause colleagues to get behind a project quicker than many other approaches.

However, there is another action that can increase the positive influence of conviction and enthusiasm. This action is affirming the beliefs and actions of others. When conviction and enthusiasm are tied to affirming the contributions of others, smooth sailing can lie ahead.

Tips for Teaching Vocabulary Allow students to define vocabulary in their own words. Send a note to parents with key concepts and vocabulary. This way, parents can support their children by practicing the vocabulary at home. This strategy is even more beneficial when the vocabulary is sent home in both the native language and in English. Have students predict what a word means

and write this prediction down or draw a picture of it.

Repeat and review key vocabulary throughout the lesson. It is not enough to introduce new words at the beginning of the reading. For students to internalize vocabulary, they must see it posted, hear it used, and discuss it throughout the entire lesson.



DMs PLC Leadership Teams

Friday is DM Spirit Day. Please feel free to wear any DM attire or red or black.

DM Expanded Leadership Council (Meets 1-2 times monthly) Rm Library Time: 3-4:15pm Usually 1st & 3rd Monday each month 9/16, 10/7, 10/21, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16, 1/6, 2/3, 2/10, 3/3, 3/17, 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/19

Goal #1 (Excelling Our School in Literacy) 100% of the Dean Morgan students will score proficient or advanced on the state assessment in Literacy (reading, language usage, writing) by May of 2015.Rm TBD Time: 3-4:15pm Usually 2nd & 4th Monday each month 9/23, 10/14, 10/21, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/16, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12

Goal #2 (Excelling Our School in Math) 100% of the Dean Morgan students will score proficient or advanced on the state assessment in Math by May of 2015.Rm TBD Time: 3-4:15pm Usually 2nd & 4th Monday each month 9/30 exception, 10/14, 10/21, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/16, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12

Goal #3 (Preparing our students for their next level)Rm TBD Time: 3-4:15pm Usually 2nd & 4th Monday each month 9/23, 10/14, 10/21, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/16, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12

School Departments/Teams Locations: TBD Times: Either slot, before school or after school Day: The 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month9/4 9/18 10/2 10/16 11/6 11/20 12/4 12/18 1/15 2/5 2/19 3/5 3/19 4/2 4/16 5/7 5/21 DM Crisis & Safety Team Rm Conference Room 7:15-7:55am Usually meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month 9/17 10/15 11/19 12/17 1/21 2/18 3/18 4/15 5/20

Visibility: Please be visible in the hall/doorway to assist students. Your help is appreciated.


Outstanding Educators K2TV and Reliant Federal Credit Union are teaming up to bring Natrona County the K2TV Teacher of the Month Award. To nominate a teacher, e-mail their name, the school they teach at and why they should win the award to [email protected] then, on the last Monday of the month, watch the K2 News at 5 and 10 to see who has won.

XXXXX The Dean Morgan players are

Emilie Fittje, Hadley Lloyd, Kylie Watson, Bailey Till, Sidney Wilson, and Danilynn Schell. The "other" players are Maddie Hoopman (Douglas), Haedyn Rhoades (Douglas), Grace DuBay (CY), Isabella Schultz (CY).

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