Rountree Report
August 28, 2017
Buckle Up it's a long one!
Learner Profile Roll Out Meeting
To be sure that we are all on the same page when rolling out our learner profile spirit sticks, lanyards, and assembly awards please be ready to stay on Tuesday, August 29th for 15 minutes after school to review. Feel free to bring kiddos if they are here--Sorry for late notice but, it will be very brief.
Reminders
- The new shipment of Owla shirts have arrived. They are in the workroom. If you didn't get yours and paid for it grab it. If you wanted one and didn't get one yet grab it and pay Erin in the office. I believe this is the last order so if your size is not in the box you may need to choose a different one. I apologize the PTA membership forms did not make it in your boxes. I will have them there by Monday--fill it out and place it in my box.
- Pay your social dues of $20 to Erin.
- Add your recess times to the Google doc. These are still not complete.
- Add your address, phone, handbook sign off and birthday to the Google doc. Many of you still need to do this.
- Start your mandatory video watching:)
- Monday folders have arrived--we will have our "stuffers" put them together on Monday. Please make sure you have something to store them in and put it down in the ALC by the wall, labeled with your name. Just a note for new folks--they only stuff building wide papers. Individual class papers will need to be taken care of in your classroom.
- Science consumable money is available--if you would like to order something please email Erin. This money is only available through February.
Looks like an easy week:) Knock on wood!
Monday, August 28
Nothing yet
Tuesday, August 29
Brief staff meeting 4:00
Wednesday, August 30
Kick off Assembly 9:15
Thursday, August 31
Nothing yet
Friday, September 1 Get ready here comes a 3 day weekend!
Nothing yet
Power of the Profile Booklets
These will replace the old office slips (yellow ones). This serves as our action to create a class and home connection. Specialty can also use these slips. They will go home and be placed in the student's binder. If you want to send the student to the office for me to look at it and for them to get out of the treasure box that would be great!
Growth Plan-DUE SEPT 22
- Certified staff--I have written a sample growth plan for each of our 2 building indicators. I shared it with you in the staff back to school folder. You are welcome to copy and paste. This will save you a lot of time and a staff meeting. Please note that the action steps are a list of ideas so you would need to choose what you want to commit to and only include that. One or two action steps are all you should include. There will be money available to do some classroom observations both within our building and at other schools in the district. If you do an observation a reflection after is a great piece of evidence to upload. As the year progresses I will remind you of other possible pieces of evidence you might want to include. We will be doing several Canvas assignments to cover our writing focus as well as our management focus.
- You need to choose a 3rd indicator you are interested in growing in this year. I wrote up an additional indicator that supports the Ignite initiative and online student collaboration. In addition this relates to increasing student self management of their learning. If you want to use it you are welcome to. If not you can create your own and I can support you with any questions you might have.
- Don't forget you will need to do a BOY self reflection and score yourself in all 3 areas for the start of the year.
- You will also need to choose a student growth area you want to focus on this year. Some are considering looking at the transdisciplinary skills. Some are using actual test data like I-ready, DRA, etc. Please let me know if you have questions.
Affair of the Heart tickets
Affair of the Heart has reached out to provide SPS staff members with a free ticket to their inaugural Affair of the Heart - tickets are in your boxes--this is a handmade, boutiques and gourmet market at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Sept. 8-10.
An Affair of the Heart was just voted the country’s #1 contemporary craft show by Sunshine Artist magazine. The inaugural Springfield show will feature over 150 vendors selling everything from handmade and repurposed items to clothing, jewelry, food, décor and much more.
Next week, staff members across the district will receive a $5 ticket good for all three days of the show. Children under 12 get in free. You can find out more information, including a vendor listing, at their website at heartofspringfield.net.
Thank you for all you do for the community.
Canvas discussion
Please complete the Canvas discussion on team building/classroom community activities. List one activity you used and reflect on how it went. We learn from each other! Discussion will be open until next Friday, Sept. 1.
Japanese Fall Festival
Wristbands and letters are in your mailboxes.
Springfield Sister Cities Association (SSCA) is sponsoring the 22nd annual Japanese Fall Festival, September 8-10, 2017. Once again this year, SSCA has invited elementary students from Springfield Public Schools to participate in the opening ceremony. One student from each elementary classroom will receive free admission to the festival on Friday, September 8th and participate in the opening ceremony. Next week a packet containing letters and wristbands will be sent to your building. Teachers will send a letter and 2 wristbands to the parents of the student selected from their class. Teachers will need to print the student's name, grade and school name on the letter.
Read Aloud
A Safe and Orderly Environment entails:
· Undesirable student behavior is absent
· Desirable student behavior is explicitly taught
· Collaborative and respectful behaviors are modeled for students by teachers
· Collaboration norms are established
· Democratic values are modeled
Reflect on the first full week--what are you knocking out of the park? What areas need attention next week? Are there opportunities for growth?
Scanner
Upcoming Learning Support Events (September - October)
August 30 - Club Encore Liaison Training (4-6)
August 31 - Club Encore Tutor Training (4-6)
September 1 - Smart Science Training (2 Options)
September 1 - LEGO WeDo Robot Training (2 Options)
September 7 - Master Learner Institute Year 1 (Literacy 8-11; Math 12-3)
September 7 - TST Facilitator Training (4-6)
September 14 - Master Learner Institute Year 2 (Literacy 8-11; Math 12-3)
September 20 - Curriculum Writing (Assessment Focus)
October 12 - Super CDC (K-2: 8-11; 3-5: 12:30-3:30)
October 12 - Treasures of the City (2nd Grade 5:30-7:45pm)
October 20 - Explore Curriculum Revisions (8-3:30)
October 25 or 26 - Integrated Units 3 & 4 Training (2 Options, will be offered again at November SPS Now)
Math and Literacy Connections
Guided Math Connection
Great math instruction starts with a numerate environment in which kids feel empowered and safe. It’s important for students to feel safe to express their ideas, disagree, and give and receive feedback. When providing feedback to students, avoid fixed language such as “That’s right!” “You’re so smart!” and “Good job!” Instead try prompts such as: “Prove it to me.” “How’d you get that?” “Convince us that you are right.”
Too often we avoid calling on students whom we think might have the “wrong answer.” This is an excellent opportunity to model with students the importance of mistakes and working through them using reasoning and proof. Challenge yourself to try this in your interactions with students this year! Brain research shows that mistakes actually grow your brain!
Consider showing this video to students and giving them a math survey to gauge their feelings about math at the beginning of the year. Kindergarten, first and second graders aren’t too young to hear this research. Talk to them about the power of working through mistakes and believing in themselves.
Literacy Connection
During the first month of reader’s and writer’s workshop, teachers have two goals:
Help students think of themselves as readers and writers..
Establish the roles and routines.
Edcamp Springfield
Saturday, Sep. 16th, 8:30am
Where420 East Farm Road 182
Springfield, MO
More informationClick here to register for Edcamp Springfield.... the unconference! Great time!!