I know that we are all concerned and upset about the horrible events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, December 14^th.  In no way can words adequately describe what that community is feeling at this time, and I know all of our thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve their losses.  I do want you to know that we are taking precautions, increasing security measures, and reviewing our safety plans to do everything we can to protect your child.

Today, I talked with every class about safety procedures at Rock Mills.  We discussed our safety drills – including our “lock down” procedures, and our faculty is reviewing our school safety plan this afternoon in a faculty meeting.  Also during this week, Mr. Kirby, Randolph County Superintendent, has requested additional sheriff deputies for school patrol.  The presence of these deputies is welcome, and the students know that they are here with us practicing our safety procedures. 

One change that you may notice immediately will be our locked exterior doors.  All doors exiting to the outside will be kept locked.  The front doors will be open only from 7:00 – 7:30 a.m. each morning and from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. each afternoon.  You are, as always, welcome to visit our school; however, if you come after 7:30 a.m. and before 2:00 p.m. you will need to be let in the front doors.  I appreciate your cooperation in this matter, and while I know that it may be of slight inconvenience to us, nothing compares to the safety of our children.

I am always available to you if you have any questions or concerns.  You may also e-mail me:  jbraden@randolph.k12.al.us, and to further increase communication, I will begin utilizing a school Twitter account, as well as continuing my blog, http://rockmillsjhsnews.blogspot.com.  I will send out further information once the Twitter account is set up and working.

Thank you for your help and cooperation in ensuring the safety of our children.

Rock Mills Ornaments at the Governor's Mansion

 All children in Alabama were invited to make ornaments to decorate Christmas trees at the Candlelight Tour held at the Governor's Mansion, and Hill House (picture at left).  Students from Rock Mills in Kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grades participated.  Several teachers and I drove to Montgomery to view our ornaments, and I am so proud of our students for their outstanding work and participation!!!

Christmas Tree with Ornaments from Second Grade

Students from Mrs. Banks' class in Second Grade made reindeer ornaments from their handprints, and they are displayed on the tree in the picture above.

Cinnamon-Gingerbread Ornament by Kindergarten

In the picture above, you can see a close-up of a cinnamon-gingerbread ornament made by our Kindergarten class.  Some of our ornaments from our Third Grade class are displayed in the tree below.

Ms. Coker's Third Grade class originally took a field trip to Rock Mills Pottery to make pottery ornaments.  These ornaments were partially broken during the ceramic firing process when a shelf fell in the kiln.  Thanks to the creativity of Mrs. Richardson, our Reading Coach, you can see the beautiful hanging collage that received a place of honor in the entry hall of the Hill House.  We would like to thank Mrs. Gillespie for her beautifully written letter describing the work that was put into the making of these ornaments and the disappointment we felt when they were broken.  As you can see, the hanging collage turned out beautifully, and the final picture shows the collage in the entry hall in the right corner.

Ceramic Hanging Collage by Third Grade

 

 

 

Entry Hall of Hill House Showing the 3rd Grade Collage in the Right Corner

 

CONGRATULATIONS

to all of our Rock Mills students and teachers who participated!!!!

I was so proud to represent you as your principal!!

Below is my Action Plan for my final project of my Personal Learning Network PLU course.


GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Name of Organization:  Rock Mills Jr. High School

2. Project Title:  Using Blogs for Effective Communication and Collaboration

3. Project Location:  Internet-Based

4. Contact Person:  Jennifer Payne Braden

5. Contact Information: 415 County Road 75, Roanoke, Alabama 36274; (334) 885-6823; jbraden@randolph.k12.al.us              

6. Project Timeline:  2012-2013 School Year

7. Amount Required:  No funding will be required to begin or maintain this project.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Provide a brief overview and summary of the project. It should provide a credible statement that describes your organization and establish the significance of the project

In an effort to provide better communication to all stakeholders, I will maintain a blog entitled “Rock Mills Jr. High School News”.  This blog will be used for general announcements, communications, praises, and discussions on happenings at school.

A blog will also be created for collaborative professional development.  I will use this blog to launch discussions with faculty regarding topics of importance to our educational environment.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

State the challenges identified, the rationale/need to address these challenges and the conditions to be changed by the project

Each year, parents respond to a Title I survey for Parental Involvement.  One of the main obstacles listed is the need for improved communication between the school and home.  The news blog will be maintained in an effort to improve this communication. 

Also, we are a very small school.  Because of our size, it is hard to schedule professional development time with faculty during the work day.  A professional development blog will be created to increase collaboration between faculty members and foster an active learning environment for us as well.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

The objectives should describe the intended outcome of the project and should be SMART (Simple, Measurable, Accurate, Realistic and Time Bound)

Indicate how the objectives will contribute to the achievement of the project, what difference the project will make and the time frame during which this will happen.

During the 2012-2013 school year, two blogs will be created and maintained. One blog will be used for communication between the school and home, and the second blog will be used for professional development discussions between faculty members and administration.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Describe the project activities indicating how the objectives will be accomplished, what will be done, who will do it, who are the implementers, partners and beneficiaries and when it will be done. Describe how the project will be sustainable after the funding period.

I have already created one blog, “Rock Mills Jr. High School News”, and I will soon create a second blog for professional development for faculty members.  No funds will be needed for the creation or maintenance of these blogs.  Beneficiaries of the news blog will be all stakeholders of Rock Mills School.  The professional development blog will be used to launch discussions for professional development on job-related educational topics.

 PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION:

Describe how you are going to monitor and evaluate the project so as to assess progress during implementation and improve the project efficiency as the project moves along.

Both blogs will have the comment section activated.  The news blog will be monitored for effectiveness based on comments and number of views that it receives.  The professional development blog will be monitored by a checklist that I maintain monitoring responses and comments posted by faculty members.  The project will be evaluated based on the number of views and comments.

DOCUMENTATION AND SHARING RESULTS:

Describe how you are going to document the progress of your project during and after implementation. State how you will document and share your results and let others know of your purpose, methods and achievements.

Since the blogs will be public and can be viewed by anyone with the link, I will use that as documentation of the project.  I plan to share this project with administrators in my district.

PROJECT BUDGET:

Indicate the total cost of the project and also provide a detailed budget for these costs.

Items needed for the project include computers, Internet connections, and administrator time for research for appropriate professional development topics.  These items are already in place, and no additional funding will be necessary.

Personal Learning Networks

Just as our students are busy with their studies, I have been working on some continuing education as well.  Administrators must earn one PLU (professional learning unit) per school year, and this year, I have chosen to study about Personal Learning Networks, or PLN's. 

Personal Learning Networks, or PLN's, are simply networks of people and resources who have information to share regarding similar issues.  A school administrator would want to develop a PLN with other school administrators to discuss, learn, and share information about common challenges they face on a daily basis. 

For my final project, I have been asked to reflect on how my personal learning network has changed and grown during the course of the workshop and discuss my plans for how I plan to continue to grow my learning network and how I hope to contribute to the professional learning of my administrative colleagues.

My PLN has definitely changed and grown over the last six weeks of this workshop.  I have learned to utilize many new technologies and Web 2.0 tools to find other school leaders who share their knowledge and experiences through these tools.  As all of you know, I use this blog to communicate with parents, students, faculty, and the community about important news and activities here at our school.  Many administrators share their professional knowledge on their blogs, and I have learned to use Google Reader to subscribe to RSS feeds to quickly and effectively access some of the blogs onto one readable site.  This allows me to use my time more effectively when searching for information.  I have also created a Twitter account for the first time!  I know, you're thinking that is strictly for social or entertainment purposes.  Through this course, I have seen Twitter used effectively as an information platform for educational issues.  I am still on the fence as to whether it would be useful for our school as I use our e-mail lists, blogs, web site, and SchoolCast for informing you of news and events.  One final tool that was used in this workshop was podcasting.  Podcasting is a voice recording that can be embedded into web sites or blogs to distribute information.  Our SchoolCast is a type of a podcast, and that will probably be what I stick with for the present time.

In the future, I plan to continue to utilize this blog for communications with our school stakeholders, and I also plan to begin blogging with our teachers for professional development.  To continue to grow my PLN, I will continue to subscribe to RSS feeds of blogs that have good, solid educational information.  I will also begin to experiment more with Twitter as an educational tool.  I hope to contribute to the professional learning of my administrative colleagues by sharing this information and encouraging other administrators to learn to utilize these Web 2.0 tools for increasing communication and collaboration within their schools.

I would encourage feedback from parents and other administrators on the use of these Web 2.0 tools, and how you think they would be useful (or not), for our school!

Wow!  We have been busy here at RMJHS!

We held our annual PTO Fall Festival on Saturday, October 13th, and it was a tremendous success!! I do want to thank all of the parents, teachers, students, volunteers, and businesses who helped to make our festival possible!  Congratulations to the winner of the Chili Cook-Off:  Summer, Brooke, and Lacey Milam!  Congratulations are also in order for the Prince/Princess and King/Queen:

Prince:  Eric D'Acquisto

Princess:  Danica Barfield

King:  Jacob Nimon
Queen:  Hayley Farr

October is Anti-Bullying month.  During the weeks of October 15 - 19 and October 22-26, we are ending our morning announcements with anti-bullying public service announcements given by our Student Council officers and representatives.  Teachers are also including at least one anti-bullying activity or lesson in their classes during these two weeks.  On Thursday of next week (October 25th), we encourage all students to wear orange to symbolize their stance against bullying.

Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated here during the last three days of October.  This is the annual week in which we promote being drug free.  Students will receive daily stickers or reminders, and we hope to have a guest speaker for this event as well.  Red Ribbon Week will end on October 31st, and students are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to remind us that drugs are Spooky!  (Please remember - no face painting or costumes that would be too large for students to sit comfortably in their desks.  Costumes must also abide by the dress code rules found in your Student Code of Conduct Book.)

We have been helping RCHS celebrate their Homecoming this week by participating in their Spirit Days.  Today was Generals are Tacky Day (wear tacky outfits), and tomorrow is School Spirit Day (wear blue and gold).  RCHS is also planning with me to come to RMJHS to do another pep rally.  This activity was a huge success with our students last year, and I hope we'll be able to offer it again very soon. 

The last day of 1/2 Day Free Play (for students who earned it from the fund raiser) is tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 26th.  Our fund raiser items from Mixed Bag Designs came in last week, and I distributed them to the students on Friday.

Please remember that your Early Bird yearbook sale will end soon.  Right now the prices are $23.00, but they will increase soon.  If you are the parent/guardian of a Kindergarten or 8th grade student and you would like to purchase a yearbook ad, you need to contact Ms. Winkles here at the school as soon as possible to do so.

FALL FESTIVAL

REMINDERS………..

The Rock Mills P.T.O. Fall Festival will be Saturday, October 13^th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  We are still in need of 2-liter drinks for the Ring Toss.  Donations of cakes for the Cake Walk can be brought in on Friday, October 12^th or Saturday before the festival begins.  There will be games, hay rides, concessions, bingo, and auctions for Alabama and Auburn baskets.  Tickets for the games and booths can be purchased at the door for $.50 each (some booths require more than one ticket).  There is no cost for admission for the festival.  Students are currently selling tickets for a drawing for either a $100.00 bill or a gift certificate for $125.00 to Clark Brothers Meats.  Chili for the Chili Cook-Off will need to be brought to the school lunchroom by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Volunteers to help with booths are encouraged – check with your child’s teacher.  We hope to see everyone there!

End of September Notes

We have had a great month here at RMJHS!  It's hard to believe that the first six weeks is almost over!  The first six weeks will end on Monday, October 1st, and report cards will be sent home on Thursday, October 4th. 

October looks to be a very busy month for us at Rock Mills.  We will start out with PTO on Tuesday, October 2nd.  There will be a business meeting followed by a program from our 4th grade class.  We will have sign-up sheets for volunteers and cakes for the Fall Festival, so please plan to attend.  Also on October 2nd is the Vision Screening for Kindergarten and 2nd Grade students.

Our fundraisers have been a huge success, and I would like to congratulate Brittany Prescott on being the top seller and receiving an iPod Nano.  We actually had a tie for our second place sellers, and Malia Brown and Chase Butler both received iPod Shuffles.  The 5th grade class won the pizza party for the top class sales.  Homework Passes and Free Play days will be given out or announced next week.   

The fundraisers came from two different vendors, and therefore, the delivery dates will be different.  The Butter Braids are scheduled to be delivered on Tuesday, October 2nd.  I will be available for pick-up of these items from the lunchroom beginning at 2:00 p.m. on October 2nd through the PTO program at 6:00 p.m. that evening.  Please make plans to pick up your Butter Braids on that date.  We should be able to send most orders of the  Mixed Bag Designs home with the students, but I will make an announcement regarding that pick-up as soon as I am given a confirmed delivery date. 

October is Parent Involvement Month, so I encourage all parents/guardians to attend Parenting Day on Monday, October 8th.  Teachers will be available for conferences between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. that day. 

We are currently accepting donations for Fall Festival items.  The Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 13th from 5:00-8:00 p.m.  We are asking for 2-liter drinks for ring toss and sign-up for cakes for the cake walk.  Bingo prizes are always welcome, too.

Thanks for helping us have a great month!

News for the Week of September 10-14, 2012

On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, we had our first PTO meeting at Rock Mills.  The attendance was excellent!  Following the business meeting, parents and guardians were welcomed into the school for Open House during which they could view projects our students did commemorating the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The date for our Fall Festival has been set for Saturday, October 13th.  Voting has been completed for Prince/Princess & King/Queen.  These students will be allowed to sell items before school (7:15 - 7:35) beginning next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday until Fall Festival.  I encourage you to contact your child's teacher to volunteer to help with Fall Festival in some way.  Our next PTO meeting will be Tuesday, October 2nd at 6:00 in the gym.  The 4th grade class will have the program.

Progress Reports for the first six weeks were sent home on Monday, September 10 for all grades except 5th and 6th.  Those progress reports went home on the following day.  The first six weeks ends on Monday, October 1st and Report Cards will be sent home on October 4th.  Parenting Day is scheduled for Monday, October 8th; we welcome you to make appointments for parent conferences anytime, but you may drop by or schedule one specifically on October 8th from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Kindergarten students through students in the Second Grade will have their annual Vision Screening on Tuesday, October 2nd.

I hope that everyone has been successful selling Butter Braids and products from Mixed Bag Designs for our Fall fundraiser.  ALL fundraiser forms MUST be turned in no later than Wednesday, September 19, 2012.  The original delivery date was around October 2nd, but that may change because of a later-than-expected start date.  I will keep you posted.

So far we have had a great week here at Rock Mills, and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

PTO Meeting & Open House

We will have our first PTO meeting for the 2012-2013 school year on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the gym.  Following the brief meeting, parents are encouraged to go visit the classrooms and view the projects we have done in remembrance of September 11th.  The Open House will last until 6:45 p.m.  Our annual Title I Parent Involvement Night meeting will be held at 6:45 p.m. on September 11, 2012.  All parents and guardians are encouraged to attend.

As we wind down week two......

Some announcements from Ms. Braden:

• With football season officially beginning this weekend, students are encouraged to wear their favorite team's colors or shirts on Friday, August 31st.
• There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 3rd in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.
• School pictures will be made on Wednesday, September 5th.
• We will begin our fundraiser next week.  Students will be selling Butter Braid pastries again this year (they are delicious!!).  We will also be selling products from Mixed Bag Designs.  You may get more information on these products at www.butterbraid.com or www.mixedbagdesigns.com .  The funds raised from this sale will be used for our school's general fund and maintenance.

First Week In Review

Our first week back to school was great!  The enrollment is up, and the students have been on their best behavior!

I do want to remind everyone to review the dress code on page 8 in the Student Code of Conduct book.  Specifically, older students should remember that tank tops must have straps three inches or wider to be worn to school.  This doesn't mean three finger widths, but the straps must measure three inches.  Also, no muscle shirts or racer back shirts should be worn.  Students should not wear any patches or cuts in their pants above the knee.

On Tuesday of last week, I sent home a letter with bus rules attached.  I realize that all of our students do not regularly ride the bus; however, I felt that all students needed a copy of the bus rules in the event that they go home with another student on the bus or ride the bus to a school event or field trip.  I appreciate your cooperation in reviewing these rules with your children.

Finally, I want to congratulate the members of the 2012-2013 Flag Crew.  Andrew Bell and Nathan Bevels are our veteran members.  The new members are Courtney Galloup, Jacob Nimon, Emery Norred, Jessalyn Pearl, and Emilee Sellers.  All of these students wrote great paragraphs detailing why they should hold this position.  Good job!

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone has had a fun and relaxing summer and is excited and ready to begin the 2012-2013 school year.  Our teachers have worked very hard to prepare for another great year here at Rock Mills.  I want to encourage all of you to set your goals high and work hard to meet them; we expect only the best from our Rock Mills students!  To help keep you informed of important news, not only will we have information available on our website http://rockmillsjrhs.randolph.k12.al.us/ , but I have started a blog that you may follow to get current information http://rockmillsjhsnews.blogspot.com. 

We will be selling snacks again this year before first period.  ALL snacks will be $0.50 this year, and these may be eaten during your break.  Student meal prices are as follows:  Regular-priced breakfast is $0.75, and reduced price is $0.30.  Regular-priced lunch is $1.85, and reduced price is $0.40.  Please remember that carbonated drinks are NOT allowed in the lunchroom.

Student attendance is very important for their success.  Please help us teach your children to be successful in reporting to school on time.  Students who will be eating breakfast may get off the bus or unload from cars and report to the lunchroom at 7:05.  Students not eating breakfast will not be allowed in the building until 7:15.  Remember that if you bring your children to school in the mornings to pull all the way up to the power pole to unload.  Please do not park and block the front entrance.  The first bell of the day will ring at 7:20 to signal students to report to homeroom.  Students will be considered tardy after 7:23 a.m. 

Students will be dismissed to load buses beginning at 2:20, and car riders will begin loading after 2:25.  Please do not try to pick up your child before the buses have left to ensure the safety of all our children.  If you will be picking your child up by car, please pull into the driveway and wait behind the buses.  Teachers will put your child in the car.  Remember, changes in transportation must be done by a note or phone call during the day.  Children will not be allowed to go home with someone else if we do not have a letter from both homes.  Please refer to your Student Code of Conduct for details on excused and unexcused absences as well as make-up work in the event that your child misses school for any reason.

I am excited and proud to be the principal at Rock Mills Jr. High School.  I am here to promote a safe and successful learning environment for your students, and I will be glad to assist you in any way to make your child’s education a success!  My door is open for visits or conferences, and you may contact me by phone or e-mail (jbraden@randolph.k12.al.us).  I look forward to a great year at Rock Mills!

Sincerely,

Jennifer P. Braden, Ed.S.
Principal