New Teacher Info by Darla Matthews

Welcome!

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 12:53:20 UTC

I am so thrilled that each of you has chosen to teach at CMS. Let's make it the best year ever!

Contract Hours

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 12:58:28 UTC

The contract that you have signed or will sign specifies that we all work 8 hours a day with a 30 minute lunch. The contract hours are from 7:30-4:00; however, if you have morning duty, you are required to be at your post at 7:15. In this case your hours for those days will be 7:15-3:45.

Team Planning

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 13:09:19 UTC

Every Tuesday, during your conference period, we will meet in my classroom for team planning. I have tons of resources for 7th grade and it is easier than lugging things to another room. My classroom is the first on the B hall, room B153. Be sure to mark your calendars! The expectation is to plan around team meetings and always be present (Unless you're sick; although we promote sharing, this is one thing you can keep to yourself!)

Faculty Meetings

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 13:56:26 UTC

At times we will be required to remain after school for faculty meetings. These occur on Wednesdays and are generally from 4:00-4:30. Other times we will meet during conference periods to discuss data, special populations, etc.

Duties

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 13:57:53 UTC

In the past, we have been able to choose our duty posts. Since we will have a new principal next year, I can only tell you what we have done in the past. Duties to choose from are morning: gym, breakfast, or bus post outside. The afternoon duties are car lane and bus room. The morning bell rings at 7:53 and the last bell rings at 3:30.

Dress Code

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 14:01:32 UTC

The dress code is professional. For most of us this ranges from dresses or slacks to colored jeans and a nice blouse. Blue jeans are not allowed except for special occasions. We are allowed to wear a spirit shirt on Friday. We will have one created for our team that we all agree upon. Tennis shoes are not encouraged, but those of us that are on our feet all day usually end up wearing them by the end of the week. I only wear nice ones. If my feet are killing me, I wear my Asics. (School color, of course.

Classroom Management

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 15:07:42 UTC

Have your classroom management decided on prior to the first day of school. This is a difficult group of kids, and there are strategies that work. We have many defiant, disrespectful students. If you can find a commonality or way to build a relationship, they will respect you. The old way of discipline is out the door. Corporal punishment is not used on this campus. We have many repeat offenders. Be ready, be consistent and repetitive from day one, and be confident.

Hallway Rules

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 15:12:42 UTC

We are to monitor the hallway between classes by standing in/outside your doorway. These are some things we do not allow:
no cell phones out
no earbuds in ears or looped
no hoods worn
no food, drinks, or gum
no running, pushing, hitting, etc.
Side note: earbuds can be used in the classroom but only one earbud may be used. You may use cell phones for research, quizlet, etc., but it will need to be monitored and not all kids have phones.

Tutorials

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 15:16:09 UTC

Offering tutorials is mandatory with a minimum of two days a week. If you want to offer more, that is up to you. I suggest once before school and once after school. That way you can catch the bus riders. You must write a pass for students to be allowed in hallways for morning tutorials. I have templates for passes if anyone is interested. The main problem is getting them to come, but a phone call to parents usually works.

Training

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 15:24:24 UTC

We will spend some time going over the gradebook, DMAC, eduphoria, lesson plans, TTES, etc. after we return to school. The principals usually build time in the schedule for these types of things. You will receive minimal training in new teacher training before reporting to CMS.

Always Open

darla_siner — 2018-05-01 15:33:31 UTC

Please know my door is always open to you.