AD Connect
8-29-17
Mistakes = Learning Opportunities
Over the past 6 months or so I have heard and read in various situations the idea or concept that we should view mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning. Take a minute and really let that soak in…maybe even consider a few scenarios…
- 3 year old uses sharpie on the wall
- 6 year old kicks his little sister
- 8 year old steals a piece of candy
- 12 year old lies about where she was
- 18 year old wrecks your car
- 34 year old AP leaves laptop in car overnight and its stolen the next day
- A teammate is socializing and is late to pick up her kids from specials
I would imagine that at least one of the preceding scenarios hit home. We may give this concept lip service, however, when confronted with these potentially emotional situations, our capacities to pretend and many times think escape us. It is important to note that rooted in our psyche is a flow of beliefs to values and then to behaviors. A person either develops or in some cases inherits certain beliefs, which convert to values and then become expressed in their behavior. If we truly believe that it’s okay to make a mistake and we value learning from our mistakes, our behavior should follow suit. In the practical sense, you may need to sike yourself out by repeating the belief in your mind when confronted with these opportunities to respond. I also want to point out that not all of those scenarios involve children. Yes, that’s correct…the adults that surround us as well as we ourselves are capable from learning from our mistakes.
I was very saddened the other day while reading a very popular book on leadership that proposed that great managers understand clearly that people don’t really change and we really should waste our time and resources helping them to do so. I was floored! Research shows us clearly that brains can and do change…you simply must be intentional.
If you are interested in reading more about brain research about neuroplasticity, please refer to Eric Jensen. If you are interested in learning more about a growth mindset, refer to Carol Dweck’s work. Of course, Love and Logic provides the practical application of these in regards to the behavior of our students.
New Attendance Entry Restrictions for Teachers
This is a reminder that beginning September 5, the new attendance entry restrictions will begin. For the official funding period each school day, teachers will need to submit their class attendance electronically in Skyward within the specified period of time in the table below. If teachers have not submitted their class attendance electronically by this deadline, the teacher will be required to print out a class roster, record student attendance on the printed roster, and then submit the roster with the teacher’s signature to the office. Please remind your teachers of this expectation and work with your data clerk to ensure that teachers are submitting their attendance on time.
PreK classes:
AM – 9:45 to 10:15
PM – 2:00 to 2:30
Elementary Campuses (K-5):
9:45 to 10:15
*Skyward lock is at 10:15
Attendance and No-Shows on the First Day of School
Data clerks should have verified all Homeroom absences and then completed “No Show” withdrawals for all students marked absent during Homerooms by 2:30 pm. Please have a plan in place and communicate this information to your data clerk.
Please review the First Day of School Checklist regarding attendance with your data clerk and your teachers. See 8/18 WAIP.
First Day of School Campus Support
Lesson Plan Feedback
Transgender Guidelines: Will send attachment in Email
The district has drafted Transgender Guidelines. This document is for you to review and not for distribution. Please let me know if you have transgender students on your campus and/or if you have any questions.
Customer Service Training Follow-up
Bilingual Literacy docs
IDF Introductions
Bilingual IST Support
Upcoming Events
September 1: GT Representatives due; Campus Engagement Leader due; Title 1 funds available & 17-18 funds available (don't forget to fund P Cards)
September 4: Labor Day-No School
September 5: MAP/MPG window opens
September 7: Team GISD; Deadline for beginning of the year fire drill
September 8: ALFTA forms due to principals; GEF campus representatives due; List of tiered teachers and campus instructional priorities due to Area Director (see Principal Checklist)
Language of Instruction Video
Where is Nester?
Tuesday: 9AM meeting with curriculum; 11 AM meeting about focus schools; PM: visiting campuses
Wednesday: CIA meetings 8-4
Thursday: Campus visits; 10:30 Student services meeting; PM Campus visits
Friday: Campus visits