Thomas Jefferson Tribune
WEEK OF JANUARY 22-26, 2018
MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES
MISSION:
The TJ Feeder schools embrace high quality learning opportunities which honor the unique strengths and diverse needs of all Scholars.
VISION:
The TJ feeder schools will be the premier feeder to attract and educate all Scholars to positively impact our community and world.
CORE VALUES:
Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Integrity
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY GOALS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
WELCOME OUR NEW MATH ACADEMIC FACILITATOR-TAMIEKA PORTER to the THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTERN
"Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never gives up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be."
~ Rita Pierson
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..........
Distinguished Leaders,
For the next few weeks, please spend time reviewing your campus action plans. One way you can do this is through the use of the consultancy protocol. Last year, our feeder engaged in this activity. The feedback spoke to the value of our time together as we worked and reflected on instructional practices to prepare scholars for success! As we enter into our next week of instruction, please keep in mind your action plans and the highlights from the consultancy protocol that include:
- the effective use of student profiling
- the effective use of unpacking standards
- setting high expectations
- intentional small group instruction
- having courageous data conversations with teachers
- celebrating team success
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Also, keep in mind the time you spend creating your master schedule is vital to the instructional program on each of your campuses. Therefore, take into consideration your campus goals, initiatives, staffing, and certifications to maximize each moment of every day targeting the needs of all scholars. Begin brainstorming any questions you may have surrounding the master schedule.
We all have our data memorized, we have mapped our TEKS, trained our staff in unpacking the standards, we have revamped our campus schedules to ensure we move our best teachers where they have the most impact, and now it's time to break records! Our next Common Assessment will be in February. THE TIME IS NOW! Let's spiral in our lowest TEKS, differentiate for students (RTI), and push scholars to do their absolute best!
Feedback with teachers is absolutely critical. Monitor their instructional plans while conducting ongoing spot observations. Ensure that teachers are making instructional adjustments for scholars! Observe, feedback, monitor, and repeat is the name of the game!
Embed your Distinction Tracker and Progress Monitoring Tool within your discussions with your campuses. Your leadership team and faculty should be well versed in the expectation of Breaking Records this school year. How close are you to reaching your distinction goal? Remember your School Performance Framework score. What will it take to move your campus to the 'ACCOMPLISHED' level. The time is now in order to accomplish campus goals!
As we begin having our Mid-Year checkpoint #3's, think of what are the highest leverage items that will move your campus instruction from GOOD TO GREAT and earn your campus DISTINCTIONS! REMEMBER, THE TIME IS NOW!
Have an awesome week LEADING, COACHING, TEACHING AND LEARNING!
THE TJ FEEDER IS IN IT TO WIN IT!
Ms. Torres
Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, January 22, 2018
- ED Think Tank w/Deputy Chiefs-Ms. Torres @ 8:00 a.m.
- Joe May Campus Visit w/Ed and AFs-Coaching Cycle
- PEI Checkpoint #3-Joe May ES.-Mr. Rivera @ 10:30 a.m./Joe May Campus
- Saldivar Campus visit w/AF's
- Polk Campus visit w/AF's
- Principal verification of Campus rosters accuracy in Oracle via talent partners
- RLA Text Set 3-5 and K-2 Guided Reading Training @3:30-5:00 p.m.-K. B. Polk ES
- Parent -Teacher Conference Night-High School @ 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Mandatory High School Counselor's meeting @3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Maria Luna Food Services Facility (Auditorium)
- PEI Checkpoint #3-Tom Field ES.-Mrs. Whitfield @ 9:30 a.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- PEI Checkpoint #3-Stephen Foster ES.-Mrs. De La Guardia @ 1:30 p.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- Theory of Action Meeting-Ms. Torres @NCX 13th floor Room-1350--1:30 p.m.
- Stephen Foster Campus visit w/AF's
- Parent -Teacher Conference Night-Middle School @ 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- District-Wide Secondary only Principals Meeting-Dallas County Schools from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.-Middle School @ 8:30 and High School will join at 1:00 p.m.-Ms. Torres, Mr. Jackson, Ms. Sigurdson, Mr. Dickerson and Mrs. Massey
- PEI Checkpoint #3-Medrano MS.-Ms. Sigurdson @ 3:30 p.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
Thursday, January 25, 2018
- Medrano Campus Visit w/ED and AF's
- PEI Checkpoint #3-K.B. Polk ES.-Mrs. Rothermund @ 10:00 a.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- TJECHS Advisory Board Meeting 1:00 p.m.
- Dialogue with School Leadership w/ Thomas Jefferson, W. T. White and N. Dallas Feeders from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. @ Joe May Elementary-(PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 7:20 a.m.)
- Please ensure to inform me by no later than 10:00 a.m. TODAY whether you have teacher non-renewals or not
- ED Office time
- ED Data Meeting w/Mr. Lusk @ 1:00 p.m.
- ED ECHS Update - 3rd floor Haskell building 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
PEI CHECKPOINT #3 REVISED
MOY ISIP ASSESSMENT UPDATE FOR THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTERN
The table reflects how many of K-2 students have completed the MOY ISIP assessment. All K-2 students must be assessed between January 9, 2018, and January 31, 2018. Eight more school days to get this done. We are aiming to be in the blue which is 98% to 100%
Color scale:
Blue = 98% - 100%; Green = 90% - 97%; Yellow = 80% - 89%; Red = 0% - 79%
I-SIP Key Reminders:
- All K-2 students are required to take the MOY assessment this month.
- The MOY assessment window lasts until January 31, and details were included in the WAIP.
- Make sure this is proctored and that someone is ensuring the computer is working, students have working headphones, and that they are testing in the correct language.
- Students must be assessed in the correct language (i.e., English or Spanish), which is outlined in the WAIP.
- Even feeders participating in the assessment pilot must also do the MOY ISIP assessment.
- Students only need to assess once this month. Teachers need time to work with students in small groups based on the data before the EOY assessment window, when they should assess again.
POWER SCHOOL TRAINING
As you are aware, we are moving to Power School system where we will be able to do so many things and use one system instead of many to find information, data, create student scheduling, etc. CRC’s, Instructional Coaches, AP’s, teachers, and Principals will need to be trained on the system. This system will be used to schedule students when returning from summer vacation in July. Chancery will NOT be used for this purpose, therefore, if your CRC’s/Data Controllers are not attending trainings to be well versed in the system, your campus will be having difficulty with enrolling. I highly recommend that you inform your teams of the upcoming trainings being held at NCX Building.
There is Mandatory Elementary Principal training upcoming that must be attended based on the feeder day. Please refer to the table below. Registration through Cornerstone is required.
SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATES
In the effort to ensure total transparency and communication regarding upcoming changes in the Special Education department regarding next steps in Destination Access, I wanted to inform you how this may affect some of your campuses. The goal is to move all the students that belong to the TJ feeder back to the TJ feeder. This does not necessarily mean to the home campus. That would occur in a couple of years. Below, is a table that I created to communicate the changes that were given to me on Friday by Tanya Browne and the Special Education department. If you are NOT mentioned in the table below, your special education special programs will remain the same as you have this year.
DIALOUGE WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
In an effort to ensure clear two-way communication, we will begin "Dialogue with the Chief" each 6 weeks. This venue will offer an opportunity for feeder pattern principals to have an intimate environment to gain information from the Chief as well as ask questions and give feedback from the field. The “Dialogue with the Chief” sessions will occur throughout the year. Each session will include several feeder patterns.
Our session will be on January 26th at 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Joe May ES. Please ensure that you put this on your calendar to ensure that you are on time for this meeting. Everyone is expected to attend.
EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION
Principals should encourage an increase in participation in extra-curricular. Students’ participation in extra-curricular activities should be inputted by the designated Activities Coordinator. While our end goal is every student participating in at least one activity, we must reach our yearly goal as we work toward 100%. Extra-Curricular activities serve as 5% of the School Performance Framework that determines campus autonomies.
For this year, we must reach the following:
- High School – 69%
- Middle School – 64%
- Elementary – 54%
INFLUENZA RESOURCES
Influenza peaked earlier than predicted and activity has increased over the past few weeks in Dallas County, such that high levels of influenza are currently circulating in our area. Severe complications of influenza and outbreaks are best prevented by continuing to educate our school communities about simple disease prevention measures, and to promote influenza vaccination unless medically contraindicated.
There are letters approved by Communications in English and Spanish to be distributed to your school community this past week. Please ensure that the highlighted information on the letter template is completed prior to being sent home with students. We are also working to share this information on the Dallas ISD website for parents to access.
As a partner in public surveillance we continue to monitor and report student daily absences for each campus to Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS).
Below are a list of links that contain excellent information and resources for schools about influenza.
2017-2018 Influenza Resources:
https://www.dallascounty.org/department/hhs/influenza.html
MANDATORY MEETING FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Evening Academy Meeting for High School Counselors
Monday, January 22, 2018
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Maria Luna Food Services Facility (Auditorium)
1515 Al Lipscomb Way
Dallas, TX 75215
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTTERN KUDOS
Teacher and Professor Support at TJ PTECH
Dr. Moore, TJ PTCH Counselor
Dr. Moore goes into college classes for 2 days—making sure professors are comfortable and students are on track.
Mrs. Green, TJ PTCH Coordinator
Mrs. Green, TJ PTCH Coordinator
Fourth Grade Girl Power at Joe May Elementary
PLC's in Action at K. B. Polk
Language to Literacy Charts!
PLC Protocols!
Math in Action!
Ms. Phillips-Roberts Hands the Baton to Ms. Porter
And the Snow Globe goes to...
Thank you all for the BEAUTIFUL gift! I will treasure it forever.
TJ Feeder Represents!
Team Torres!
What a FEAST!
Congratulations!
Farewell and Best Wishes!
4th EDITION of CORE 4 KUDOS in the THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTERN
It is a strong commitment that goes beyond the conversation about what exemplary customer service looks like to becoming the norm for the way we operate in the district and in the Thomas Jefferson feeder every day.
This edition of the Tribune will focus on one 'EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT STAFF' Congratulations to the Office Manager, Ms. Vazquez and the School Counselor, Mr. Perez, at Sudie Williams Elementary for ALWAYS displaying the Core 4. Both individuals are so friendly, willing to lend a helping hand and do anything necessary for all that walk through the doors at Sudie Williams with a smile on their faces. Thank you for your commitment to our scholars and learning community daily Ms. Vazquez and Mr. Perez. The Sudie Williams Learning Community is very lucky to have such amazing staff members such as the two of you!
Sudie Williams Elementary Office Manager and Counselor-Core 4 Support Staff of the Month!
Registration Now Open for Largest STEM Expo in Texas!
The STEM Expo will feature a variety of engaging and fun hands-on activities.
Scheduled sessions include: 3D Printing, Build Your Own Flashlight, Concrete Bowling, Green Screen Tech, and Robots on the Move.
To register or find more information, visit www.dallasisd.org/stem.
The event is free and open to all Dallas area students and families. Don’t miss this opportunity to build, design, create and explore!
Saturday, Jan 20, 2018, 09:00 AM
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, South Griffin Street, Dallas, TX, United States
LONE STAR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY!
Call for Outstanding Student Nominations!
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2018 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state. Nominees must be in 4th-8th grade, maintain an 85 or higher average, demonstrate leadership ability, and be involved in school/community activities.
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders online at:
'UNITED TO LEARN' FULL NETWORK MEETINGS FOR TJ ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS
CAREER MANAGMENT SYSTEM-MID YEAR REVIEW WINDOW OPENS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
GET YOUR 5th SIX WEEKS RLA CURRICULAR RESOURCES HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
Great news!! All 5th six weeks curricular documents have been posted on TRS and Curriculum Central. You can also access them on the 2017-18 Suggested Curricular Resources document linked here. Please let me know if I can assist you in any way. Spread the word!
STAAR ELAR PD Available!
2018 Spring Professional Development for RLA Grades 3–12
bit.ly/spring18RLAPD
Jan. 25 5:00–7:00
Strategies for Using Mentor Texts in Writing Instruction in Grades 6–12
(Please see the Participant Information & Consent Form)
Feb. 5 5:00–7:00
Where Are the Questions? Developing Effective Questions for Text Sets
Feb. 12 5:00–7:00
Just in Time for the 5th Six Weeks
Feb. 15 5:00–7:00
Supporting Students with Conclusions and Inferences on STAAR
Feb. 19*8:30–11:30
Close Reading as a Scaffold for STAAR
Feb. 19* 1:00–4:00
Supporting Students on STAAR: Active Reading Strategies & Inferences
DALLAS MAVERICKS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain
The Dallas Mavericks Honorary Co-Captain program recognizes students who enjoy and excel STEM/STEAM education programs. As an ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain, selected students will receive two (2) tickets to a Mavs home game, the opportunity to enjoy pre-game shoot around, sit on the bench during team introductions and meet the Mavericks team captain at half court. One (1) ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain will be selected for each Mavs home game! To nominate a student, fill out the online form and submit it now through Friday, February 28, 2018. Students must be nominated by a counselor, principal, or teacher or by nonprofit organizations/after-school programs. If you are with a nonprofit organization and not a school, please use the nonprofit’s information for “School” and select the “counselor” option on the nomination form. Learn more and nominate students here: https://www.mavs.com/exxonmobil-honorary-co-captain/. Nominations DUE: Friday, February 28, 2018
Classroom Champions: Recognizing Teachers & Excellence in the Classroom
The Dallas Mavericks and The UPS Store, in association with Teach For America DFW, are teaming up to present the 14th Annual Classroom Champions program, created to recognize North Texas educators for their work in the classroom. Each month from November until March, two DFW Metroplex teachers will be selected as Classroom Champion “Teachers of the Month” and recognized at Dallas Mavericks home games and online throughout the Mavs season. At the end of the season, from March 16th – March 30th, a community vote will be open to the public where MFFL’s have the opportunity to vote online for five Classroom Champion “Teachers of Year” out of the previously selected 10 “Teachers of the Month”. Each of the five winning teachers are awarded $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their school. To learn more and nominate a teacher, visit: https://www.mavs.com/classroomchampions/. Teachers are selected every month with the deadlines: January 1, February 1 and March 1, 2018.
Mavs Reading Challenge
The Mavs Reading Challenge is a 15-week program designed to improve reading literacy throughout Dallas and encourage the love of reading for kids of all ages. Dallas parents, students and teachers can sign up online or at any of the 29 Dallas Public Library locations. Track your reading throughout the winter and spring, for the chance to win special prizes from the Dallas Mavericks and presenting sponsor Whataburger. Learn more and sign up now: www.mavs.com/readingchallenge/ Reading Challenge: December 1, 2017 – March 18, 2018.
Mavs Scholarship Program - $5,000 College Scholarships
The Dallas Mavericks, Harrison Barnes and Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. have teamed up to present the 8th annual Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program to DFW Metroplex high school seniors in financial need. Seniors will have the opportunity to apply for one of four $5,000 scholarships for college. To apply, high school seniors must attend a high school within 75-miles of the American Airlines Center, attend a two- or four-year college or university in the fall of their completed senior year, need financial assistance, be in good academic standing, and complete the application and essay. Learn more and apply at www.mavs.com/mavs-scholarship-program/. Scholarship applications are due Friday, February 23, 2018.
THE DASH FOR THE BEADS GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOLS!
The Dash for the Beads is a non-profit organization that conducts an annual 5K, 10K, and 1mile fun run in Oak Cliff. The proceeds from the event are used to support youth in the areas of health and fitness and arts and music.
In 2018, the Dash for the Beads (DFB) organization will award grants to local organizations that support the above areas of interest. There will be three (2) categories of grants:
- Program: Organizations can apply for up to $5,000 for program grants supporting the above areas.
- Capital: Organizations can apply for up to $10,000 for capital grants (see explanation below) supporting the above areas.
Program Grants: A physical fitness, nutrition, art or music service or activity provided for youth. Ex: after school program, band camp, theater arts or music camp, provision of nutritious food, soccer team, art therapy program.
Capital Grants: A physical project that supports youth in physical fitness, nutrition, art, or music. Ex: playground, soccer field, kitchen appliances for food program, improvement of physical space.
Click here for more information! https://dashforthebeads.org/grants/
TEI
DTR application deadline for eligible teachers with no prior TEI Data DTR application deadline for group 2 applicants is January 17. The Primary evaluator should verify teachers’ applications prior to submission.
At this time, teachers should have at least half the number of required spots documented in schoolnet. If this is not the case, the expectation is that it be rectified immediately. I will follow up with each campus during my next visit to check progress.
A spot proration guide was emailed to you so that you can be sure that your campus is on track related to the number of spots needed for your campus.
2017-2018 DALLAS ISD DISTRICT-WIDE TESTING CALENDAR
UPCOMING DATES & REMINDERS
JANUARY
30-Medrano and Cary Middle School Transition Camps
30-Math AF TOT for CIC Content Training
31-Aspen Challenge at Union Square-9:00-4:30 p.m.-Ms. Torres/Ms. Massey
FEBRUARY
1- New Principal Meeting w/ED @ Haskell 2nd floor conference room -8:30 a.m.
1- Joe May Campus Visit w/Ed and AFs
1-New AP Meeting w/ED @ Haskell 2nd floor conference room- 10:00 a.m. (rescheduled due to Leader In Me Conference)
1-Reading AF TOT for CIC Content Training
2-PEI Principal Checkpoint #3 Ends
6-Dialouge with School Leadership 3:30-4:15 p.m.
7-Joe May Campus Visit w/Ed and AFs
23-Title I Requisitions due today
MARCH
9-Drill log for the Spring Semester is due TODAY via email submission to the Office of Emergency Management
27-Math AF TOT for CIC Content Training
29-Reading AF TOT for CIC Content Training
MARSHALL MEMO #719
A Roadmap for Professional Learning Communities
In this article in The Learning Professional, Anita Stewart McCafferty and Jeffrey Beaudry (University of Southern Maine) recommend a step-by-step process for teacher teamwork centering on three guiding questions (this is based on the work of Chappuis and Hattie):
• Where are we going?
- Clear learning targets
- Examples of strong and weak student work with criteria (rubrics)
• Where are we now?
- Timely, descriptive feedback that directly affects learning
- Student self-assessment and goal-setting
• What strategies will close the gap?
- Teachers use evidence of student learning to decide on next steps
- Focused practice and revision
- Student self-reflection, tracking progress, and sharing learning with peers and others
McCafferty and Beaudry describe a professional development activity in which teachers from an entire district did a gallery walk of artifacts from each of the steps and made major gains in assessment literacy and team efficacy.
“The Gallery Walk: Educators Step Up to Build Assessment Literacy” by Anita Stewart McCafferty and Jeffrey Beaudry in The Learning Professional, December 2017 (Vol. 38, #6, p. 48-53), e-link for members only http://bit.ly/2Dkoe3Q; the authors can be reached at anita.stewart@maine.edu and jeffrey.beaudry@maine.edu.
THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Thomas Jefferson High School: Principal, Sandi Massey
- Francisco Medrano Middle School : Principal, Theresa Sigurdson
- Edward Cary Middle School: Principal, Ben Dickerson
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Shondula Whitfield
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Misty Rathermund
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Chaundra Macklin
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase'McLaurin
- Sudie Williams Elementary: Principal, Michael Jackson
Thomas Jefferson High School
Franscisco Medrano Middle School
Edward Cary Middle School
David G. Burnet Elementary
Leonides Cigarroa Elementary
Tom W. Field Elementary
Stephen C. Foster Elementary
Joe May Elementary
K. B. Polk Elementary
Julian T. Saldivar Elementary
Walnut Hill Elementary
Sudie L. Williams Elementary
Tamieka Porter
Lisa Maia
Erica Rosas
Trustee Edwin Flores District 1
Trustee Dustin Marshall District 2
Trustee Miguel Solis District 8
DISD GOALS
- All students will exhibit Satisfactory or above performance on State assessments. Students below Satisfactory performance will demonstrate more than one year of academic growth
- Dallas ISD schools will be the primary choice for families in the district
- The achievement gap by race, ethnicity and social economic status will be no greater than 10 percentage points on all academic measures
- 95% of students will graduate. Of the graduates, 90% have qualifying scores for community college, college, military, or industry certification
- 95% of entering kindergarten students are school-ready on a multidimensional assessment
- All students will participate in at least one extracurricular or co-curricular activity each year.