Principal's Newsletter
November 3rd, 2017
WOWs
WOW to Mary Towery in Harvey's Diner for being awesome! She knows all the kids names and is always doing at least three things at once...checking out kids, making sure they have a fruit or a vegetable, picking up dropped trays, patiently explaining to kids why what they are doing at the salad bar is gross...and smiling the entire time. Big, fat WOW to Mary, we are lucky to have her!!--Maggie
WOw to Kristen Schrameyer and Julie Coombs for their creativity and hard work getting all of us ready for Trunk or Treat, you ladies are a huge reason why our team has so much fun, love you both "big much!"--Maggie
WOW to Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 3rd Grade for setting up car at Trunk or Treat. It was awesome! The kids and parents were so excited to see your creativity.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to 3rd Grade for winning the teacher car decorating contest at Trunk or Treat. The live chickens brought you the prize.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Nathan Mackiewicz and the tutors for getting the tutoring program up and running this week!-Dr. OH
WOW to Shanna who has been open to new ideas and a new learning environment in the learning commons!--Dr. OH
WOW to the office ladies who pull together when someone is sick, hurt, or stressed. You ladies are always there to support one another and us and it is greatly appreciated!-----Dr. OH
WOW to Kindergarten who’s math data was in the top 3 of the district already!--Dr. OH
WOW to 1st grade who’s ELA data improved as a PLC by over 20%!--Dr. OH
WOW to 2nd grade who’s writing summative language standards were over 80%!----Dr. OH
WOW to 3rd grade who’s subgroup data was higher than the districts!--Dr. OH
WOW to 4th grade who’s behavior data and support calls are the lowest in the building!--Dr. OH
WOW to 5th grade who had over 80% of students increase on assessment wall!--Dr. OH
WOW to Special Ed- you guys are rocking the new structure! Jaime has really stepped up to help out as an EDC, Michele and Nikki are doing amazing with flex grouping, Tony is doing a great job providing a safe and structured learning environment for students with behaviors, Julie you are fitting right in with our staff and kiddos and working hard, Jamie and Carrie you two make a great team and it is amazing to see the changes you’ve made with your students and their growth! Thank you ALL for the hard workJ--Dr. OH
WOW to the counselors thank you for open dialogue about lanes, behavior students, and systems. I feel that we are always learning from each other. We appreciate that you all are so responsive to our students’ needs.--Dr. OH
WOW to the reading team- when looking at our end of quarter trigger sheet it is evident the work that you have put in with your groups, individual students, and support for teachers through the literacy data team. Our reading data is moving up and it is because of your hard work and that of teachers!
Wow to Jodi! You have done an amazing job supporting teams, individuals, and admin as we all continue to learn and grow! We appreciate all the great ideas you bring to the table!
WOW to our interventionists! Thank you for being flexible and supporting students in a variety of ways this year! We appreciate your positive attitude!--Dr. OH
WOW to our sped paras! You ladies are doing great work with kiddos. It is amazing to see the relationships you are building and to hear how the kids like and respect you.--Dr. OH
Wow to Kelly and Carrie, you two are rolling in the learning commons! I appreciate how you are working together to support students and Shanna.--Dr. OH
WOW to the custodians! You guys are always willing to help out at short notice. I appreciate that you guys are always open to feedback and flexible to make changes when needed!--Dr. OH
WOW to Jennifer for helping me set up food trucks!--Brandy Leffeler
WOW to the 2nd grade team for continuing to assist me even when their plates are also full.--Brandy Leffeler
WOW to Embebie for braving my room everyday-I have some very creative minds and the proof is always on the floor!--Brandy Leffeler
WOW! To all the love and support from all the Harvest Ridge Staff. The outpouring of support has been amazing. The meals, thoughtful cards, and gift cards are truely appreciated. A special thanks to Angie Reagan, Julia Diekemper, Anne Behrens, and Julie Coombs for making the drive to my house to deliver yummy food. And thanks to all for supporting me in the walk, especially the Interventionist and Susan Gorris for thinking of me and putting it together. I am sure I have forgotten to thank someone, so thanks to all for your continued prayers and support!!!--Penny
WOW to Kelly Edwards for putting some of the finishes touches on the Learning Commons!- Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Shanna for all your hard work in the Learning Commons make over. We are getting a ton of compliments from parents and visitors.- Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Lisa McCauley for giving a student a life experience that he will never forget. Thanks for seizing an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with a student and his family. --Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Mr. Mack and Mrs. Pliske for checking in on me after an intense situation with a parent. The support was appreciated and much needed.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to all the ladies of room #51 and #53. I know that this year has been a gigantic challenge and I appreciate your perseverance and positive attitude. --Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Marilyn Tate and the ladies in the office for getting all the Bobo's money counted and organized. We raised $5, 779.63! --Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Melissa Barth for inviting me to join her class for their "author share" time. It was so exciting to walk around to the different "book stores" where the authors were sharing their stories. The students were eager to share and all of them said it was fun to be an author. Kudos to you and your students! ---Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Christina Pliske and Lindsey Crawford for inviting me to your author share. I enjoyed listening to the stories written by 3rd grade students. The language and word choice that was used in the writing was awesome. Hats off to you for coming up with a fun way for students to share their writing as a buddy class activity
.--Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to 2nd grade for all the time you have put into collaborating and working as a team. I know that the time you have spent together and will continue to spend is paying off. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your team.
--Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Anne Behrens and Julia Diekemper for all you have done to help organize the LLI kits in the Book Room. I know you have all worked very hard to get that room organized and set-up as your classroom. Way to go!! --Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Anne Behrens for taking the time over break to create labels for 1st grade's book boxes and for helping me label all the books. You are SO appreciated!! --Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Shelley Gotsch for stopping by to chat about literacy and brainstorming ideas to help support some of your students. --Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Makenzie Oldham and Bethany Miller for sharing ideas to help support students during independent reading time. You are SO appreciated! --Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Ronna Thornhill for handling a student with a calm, respectful and caring approach. --Greg Vest
WOW to Linda Murphy, Dr. DeWeese and Megan Brown for helping the Cottleville Fire Department distribute new winter coats to our students. --Greg Vest
Meeting Minutes
FHEA Meeting
Climate Committee
Veteran's Day Task Force
Sanctuary Team
Literacy Data Team
Oops Box
I was wondering about spirit wear. I thought that spirit wear can only be worn on Friday unless we are told otherwise. IE: STUCO, PTO mtgs I have seen other staff members, not paras, wearing their spirit wear throughout the week. I have not purchased shirts from PTO since I get a free shirt, but would if allowed to wear throughout the week. Spirit wear does not have to be worn with just jeans. Thanks for listening and clearing up my confusion.
Response
- The Harvest Ridge shirts provided to staff may be worn on Fridays with jeans. Staff may wear their Harvest Ridge shirts on other days, but it would have to be worn with dress pants.
- Any PTO spirit wear may be worn with jeans on PTO meeting days. Those are typically on a Tuesday. PTO spirit wear can also be worn on Fridays with jeans.
- STUCO shirts may be worn with jeans on STUCO meeting days.
Oops
Can we please do Honor Flight Book Character Dress Up on Halloween next year? It makes more sense for students and families.
Response
We can always look at when we schedule events. This year Special Olympics was scheduled the week of Halloween, which is why Character Dress Up was pushed back.
Parent Survey Results
CITW Data
PBIL Data
This quarter was just a time to collect baseline data. Below are the new goals based on the data collected set with input by the Math Data Team.
Goals:
Component 1 and 2- 95% by the end of the year
Component 3- 95% by the end of the year
Component 4- 100% by the end of the year
Component 8 and 9 - 25% by the end of the year
Component 12- 83% by the end of the year
Balanced Literacy Walks During Independent Reading
Component #1- 80% by the end of the year
Component #7- 70% by the end of the year
Component #9- 80% by the end of the year
PD Day- November 7th
Veteran's Day
- Lunch- Students will eat in the classroom supervised by the teacher. For students who buy only a sack lunch will be provided. Students are eating in classrooms so that the cafeteria may be used to provide the Veteran's lunch.
- Students who bring a guest can eat with their special guest.
- There is a staff sign up in the lounge to bring in items for our guests. Please consider signing up to bring something for the event.
- Each grade level should be working on decorations for the hallway.
- Every team has a representative on the task force if you have any questions.
Great Articles
21 Phrases to Use When Dealing with Difficult Behaviors
http://www.davidgeurin.com/2017/10/21-phrases-to-use-in-dealing-with.htmlDon't Engage in the Fight: Tips to Avoid Power Struggles with Students
http://peppyzestyteacherista.com/2015/08/dont-engage-in-fight-tips-to-avoid.html
Operation Warm Coat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDaxJ0p4G_U&feature=youtu.be