EMS Friday Focus
September 21, 2018 (#4)
EMS 2018-2019 Goals
ALL EMS students and staff will feel connected to our school community - safe, respected, seen, heard, and valued.
All EMS students will find meaning in the work they are tasked with.
Weekly Message
Upon arriving this morning I was greeted by Pat, Jeremy and Rich discussing the plan for today's field trip. There was laughter and consideration as we contemplated the weather.
Then, as I sat in my office readying for today, Katie dropped by. She shared her inspiring idea to record students talking about their "best part of the week" inspired by Sam Sanders. Listen here and here to hear what a few students shared. Then a few minutes later Daryl walked in with a yard stick and a wad of tape she had just removed from the ceiling of the Maker Space/Library and we had a good belly laugh.
These moments reflect that which I have challenged myself to hold to this year - what we make of a day or a single moment with student has the potential to be intentional and purposeful. It has the potential to be amazing and powerful but it requires us - as educators - to be present and thoughtful. In order to do this we must ready ourselves for these moments by taking the time to reflect, prepare and care for ourselves and our needs.
As you wrap up this week or ready for next week consider the best part of your week and then on your way to work identify what you want to do in order to make that day an awesome day.
In partnership and with deep gratitude,
Meg
TASKS
- When the attendance comes out each day please remember to check it and send Julia any necessary updates (so parent's aren't called accidentally).
- Please use these lists when identifying who should NOT have pictures published and who needs an individualized field trip form.
- If you have windows that open please remember to close them before you leave each night.
- Be vigilant about logging tardies in order to ensure we continue to work towards clear and consistent expectations.
- Pick up your wipes in the front office if you haven't already.
Announcements and Logistics For the Week
- When a student is having a chromebook issue please complete a tech ticket
- Chromebooks can go home on Monday IF students have turned in their $10 and permission slips.
- Supervision plans are in the team drive by team : team drives -> EMS operations 18-19 -> supervision plans. Apologies but we are unable to create a share link from a google team folder.
- Please welcome Sherry Long to the EMS community - she'll be working with Mayele while Maria is out.
- Dance dates and assignments (a lottery was pulled)
October 26th - Endeavor
December 14th - Guidance
February 22nd - Nia/Journey
April 19th - Music
January 7th - EL
- As a reminder, links to all the most important reference docs can be found here.
Calendar:
Wednesday's Faculty Time: Objectives
- SWBAT identify your plan for next week’s Morning meeting
- SWBAT articulate the evaluation and supervision plan for 18-19
- SWBAT articulate your goals for 18-19
Connecting Best Practice
- Several times this week I was able to observe EMS faculty members as they stood at their doors at the start of class. I was struck by the relationship between positive "threshold" interactions and the extent to which students were on task and ready to learn when it was time for formal classroom learning. This article from Edutopia called "Welcoming Students With a Smile" helped to reaffirm the importance of this simple yet critical practice.
From Kathy Gallagher:
Kathy came across this resource when she was preparing for the 7/8 LA Growth Mindset Unit, and thought it contained helpful language teachers could use when giving feedback to foster persistence and resilience in our students. It provides language frames for multiple learning scenarios.
From Laura Botte:
- I am all about the research. I actually connected the video more towards our students being seen, heard and known. I have to constantly remind myself that the little interactions matter. I can change a kids day with eye contact, proximity, a smile. Who knew I might also be improving their IQ.
Teachers: There is such a vast array of resources and expertise among the staff. If you have lessons, articles, videos, tools, teaching tips, or resources that you think others will benefit from, please pass them along. This section of the Friday Focus can be used as a place where we share resources that connect our student to our school community and helps them find meaning in the work that they do each day. If you have something please send it to me with the subject "Friday Focus". Thank you!
From The Library Corner- Carole
Below is some initial information for teacher sign up and use of the new library/makerspace. The planning and physical environment will continue to evolve over the next few months. We will learn a lot this year about how to utilize the L/MS well. I welcome your feedback!
Small groups of students are encouraged come to the library/makerspace to check out books, read, create videos, edit software, code or complete class maker projects -- all based on classroom objectives. Please schedule use by accessing the Library calendar. It is advisable to check in with me ahead of time when sending small groups. This will help me determine if it there are any scheduling conflicts. Students always need a pass if they come to the L/MS. Ideally, it is helpful if the pass indicates how long students will be visiting and what they will be doing if they are working for longer periods of time.
The L/MS will not be available every day from 11:23 - 12:12 due to The Library Club class. However some of you may want to integrate the library club participants as leaders (particularly for 6th grade classes) in their classroom activity during that time. We can plan that together.
Whole classes are encouraged to use the L/MS and, if it involves technology, it’s a great idea to reach out to Valerie Lodish for planning, support and collaboration. If no technology is involved, consider what other tools or maker materials are needed ahead of time and see if the makerspace already has them. If teachers want me to plan or support them while in the L/MS, I am glad to do so. We can look at the Library schedule together to see what works.
If students want to use technology machines for making, they need to be trained to keep everyone safe and so that equipment is cared for properly. Please make sure you can properly use the machines yourself before starting a project with students. We may be able to use faculty meetings to introduce the different maker equipment once we get things running and then offer group or individual training for teachers on how to use them if interested. The Innovation Committee is developing a system (videos when suitable) for students to learn to use the equipment and earn badges once they have shown that they can safely use a piece of equipment. Some of the maker technology will require adult supervision even if the student earns a badge. More to come on this.
From the Health Office -- Becca
If you have not already signed off that you have completed the bloodborne pathogens powerpoint training, please stop by the nurses office to sign.
If any paraeducators would like epi pen training please feel free to stop by the nurse's office for a 5 minutes lesson.
FLU SHOT CLINIC will be Friday October 12th. If you want to sign up and have not already done so, please fill out the google form Becca sent by September 30th. Just a reminder that Flu Season is typically October to April.
We are in the process of transitioning our cafeteria to make it seafood free. Please be aware of this and restrain from bringing seafood to school for lunch including these items:
Lobster
Crab
Clams
Oysters
Shrimp
Scallops
Anchovies
Sushi
Ramen Noodles (any flavor)
Seaweed Snacks
BBQ sauce (unless anchovy free)
Fish sauce (also found in many curries and Pad Thai)
Seafood or fish chowders