Staff Newsletter
because it helps to know what's going on
Friday, August 10
Why Kids Like Strict Teachers
Question: Dr. Dobson, I have observed that elementary school and junior high school students, even high schoolers, tend to admire the more strict teachers. Why is this true?
Answer: Yes, the teachers who maintain order are often the most respected members of the faculties, provided they aren't mean and grouchy. A teacher who can control a class without being oppressive is almost always loved by her students. One reason is that there is safety in order. When a class is out of control, particularly at the elementary school level, the children are afraid of each other. If the teacher can't make the class behave, how can she prevent a bully from doing his thing? How can she keep the students from ridiculing one of its less able members? Children are not very fair and understanding with each other, and they feel good about having a strong teacher who is.
Second, children love justice. When someone has violated a rule, they want immediate retribution. They admire the teacher who can enforce an equitable legal system and they find great comfort in reasonable social rules. By contrast, the teacher who does not control her class inevitably allows crime to pay, violating something basic in the value system of children.
Third, children admire strict teachers because chaos is nerve-racking. Screaming and hitting and wiggling are fun for about ten minutes; them the confusion begins to get tiresome and irritating.
I have smiled in amusement many times as second-and third-grade children astutely evaluated the relative disciplinary skills of their teachers. They know how a class should be conducted.
You can read more at Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk
Principal Read Alouds
August: (Third Grade Only) What if Everyone Did That, by Ellen Javernick
September: I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness, by Kerascoet
October: Where Oliver Fits, by Cale Atkinson
November: Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Pena
December: Be Kind, by Pat Zietlow Milelr
January: What Do You Do With A Chance, by Kobi Yamada
February: After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again, by Dan Santat
March: The Word Collector, by Peter H. Reynolds
April: Hello! Hello! by Matthew Cordell
May: What if... by Samantha Berger
I will send each teacher a calendar invite for each month. If the time I send you doesn't work well with your schedule, then please send me a recommendation for an alternative time. Thanks!
In Case Opening Day Was A Blur!!
- Enjoy your new book. We will discuss it at our September 12th faculty meeting.
- Prepare your students for safety drills
- NWEA window opens on the the 13th. Start with math to help us get going on math placement.
- Volunteer background check process has changed. Field trip, ReadUp and routine volunteers are required to complete the new process. Everyone else uses Lobby Guard. Kelly and Sarah have the new forms. The forms are also available on the DCSC website.
- I would like to have lunch with each of you just to catch up and connect. If you're interested, send me a calendar invite sometime this year. Bring your own lunch, sorry I can't afford to purchase lunches for everyone. :-)
- The Great Big Book of Awesomeness, is a place for kids who have gone above and beyond to record their good deed. This will be available by September 1 in the main office.
- Our RTI processes have changed. See the summary below.
Flyin' High with RTI
Hi staff, Renee here! Our process overview was fast and furious on Tuesday. I'm going to provide you with regular updates in this newsletter so you feel prepared for deadlines:
- Aug. 13-17th- Jaymee, Stacy, and Renee will use the benchmark assessment kit to find reading levels for 3rd graders that already are identified as SpEd, were in RTI last year, or are new move-ins that show concern. We now have a benchmark kit for lower levels, so those students that are below an L, we can now show actual growth. Hopefully we will be able to start on 4th grade by the end of the week. Fourth grade students being benchmarked were either in RTI last year, DNP on ISTEP or NWEA, or a new move-in with concerns. Jaymee will share a list of these students with you prior to benchmarking.
- Our first data team meeting is on Wednesday, August 29th. During this meeting, we'll assign reading RTI students to tier 2 or tier 3.
- After the data team meeting, classroom teachers will receive: a data team note with updated information, a data tracker sheet for each child placed in a tier 2 setting within the classroom.
- After the data team meeting, interventionists will receive a schedule with their groups and levels. Anticipated start date of Reading RTI will be Tuesday, Sept. 4th.
Data Team Meetings for the year
September 24, 2018
October 28, 2018
January 23, 2019
March 6, 2019
May 1, 2019
CIC Meetings For The Year
November 2, 2018
January 25, 2019
April 12, 2019
May 10, 2019
Upcoming Dates
Aug. 13: NWEA Window Opens
Aug. 13: Girl Scouts will speak at lunch
Aug. 13: Tina takes Libby to Purdue :-( Kleenex welcome
Aug. 14: Boy Scouts will speak at lunch
Aug. 20: Mason leaves for Basic Training :-( More Kleenex welcome
Aug. 22: Read Up Training
Aug. 23: Picture Day
Aug. 23: Parent Night (Please advertise Parents Only) 3rd-5:45, 4th-6:45
Aug. 29: Data Team
Aug. 30: Read Up Training
Aug. 31: NWEA Window Closes
Sept. 6: Read Up Kickoff
Sept. 7: CIC Meeting
Sept. 10: School Board Meeting
Sept. 12: Official Start to Read Up (students attend every Wed. and Thurs.)
Sept. 17: S2S Meetings begin (send Tina a Calendar invite between the 17th and 28th)
Sept. 24: Data Team Meeting
Oct. 1: Kkids 1st meeting
Oct. 5: Book Fair begins
Oct. 8: Parent/Teacher Conferences begin
Oct. 12: End of quarter 1
Oct. 15: Fall Break begins
Oct. 22: "healthy choices week" begins
Social Committee
We appreciate $25 from certified staff and $15 from classified staff.