Clay Weekly Staff Newsletter
Week of 10/2/2023
Clay Kudos!
Dorene Byler - Jumping into our breakfast line and helping to speed up the service line.
Vonessa Dobson - Always ready to help a student transition into the building.
Message from Chris
Almost every year right before the start of school I say that I am ready for October. My reasoning for this is that October means we’ve been “at it” for a little over a month, we know our students, and we are beginning to iron out plans to help kids be successful. Traditionally, the “honeymoon” period has ended by October and it becomes abundantly clear if students have a deep sense of belonging within their classrooms.
Our focus on belonging this year falls seamlessly into our morning meeting work. Almost every teacher shared with me the power of morning meetings and how communities of learners were built during that 15-20 minute start to each and every day. For some of our students, they need a bit more to know they are part of your classroom and belong there with everyone else.
As educators we care deeply about our students, often working ourselves into the ground to provide the best for them. Those students don’t see that effort though. They go home and assume you sleep somewhere here at school while they are home. At times, it’s okay to be completely open with a child about how much you care about them. For all we know, that student may never hear those words, “I care about you.”
So my challenge for all of you is to find those students that need to hear those words, and share it with them. For those of you out there who are tired, exhausted, and ready for the weekend, know that I care about you. Each of you help make this place the school that it is, one that is a family, that strives for greatness, and that supports one another. It’s okay to need a break, there is no shame in that. I’ve certainly needed one from time to time. We have the Wellness Room for a reason. Please use it, even for a few minutes to breathe. If you need help getting the sign out calendar on your outlook account, please pop into the office for help.
Staff Peak Moments!
Cleaned up for a wedding in Cleveland!
Listening Stations in the Library
interactive Maze Boards!
Upcoming Dates
Tomorrow – September 29 – D Day
- K Grade Data Meeting
- Family Groups - 9:20-9:50
Monday, October 2 – E Day
- 4th Grade Data Meeting
- TNT Bible Study, Cafeteria, 8:20-8:45am
- BOY Goal Due
- Safety Assembly - 10AM - Gym
- StudentExperience21 Window Open (grade 3 and 4)
Tuesday, October 3 – F Day
- BOY Data Meetings
- 1st Grade Data Meeting
Wednesday, October 4 – A Day
- RPT MEETINGS
- Safety Patrol Training - 3:45 - 5:00 - Cafe
Thursday, October 5 – B Day
- IEP Meeting Day
- Peer Observation Day
- Good News Club, 3:35 - 4:45
- Science Explorers - Slime Time - 3:45 - 4:45
Friday, October 6 – C Day
- Mounts Pride Day - Wear Mounts T-Shirt - Staff Photo!
- First Friday Coffee
- Interim Progress Reports
Shopping Bag Donations
LEA Measure - Staff Must Complete
Progress Reports
Peer Observation Days - Learning Walks
2nd Grade Breakfast Fast Pass Lane
Annual Theme
Previous themes:
Teamwork makes the Dream Work
You Belong Here
Dream Big
Split Lists - Please Complete
In an effort to be efficient, I've linked the master list below. Open that document and select your split list link. You can update the same document that you used last year. You can delete last years students and add this years, change the year date at the top to reflect "2023-2024" this will help us know you've completed your updated split list.
RPTs
One person from each team must send me an Outlook Invite for your meetings!
Fun Run Info
Beginning of Year Meetings
Beginning of Year Data Meetings
To Complete Beforehand:
OASYS Goal Setting - Done at Launch Week
Differentiated Supervision ONLY - Complete the supervision survey identifying the type of plan you wish to complete.
Step 1 of the formative supervision is due at the end of October.
3-4 Book Study Participants will receive more info about this
Questions we will discuss:
Professional goals for the year
Review goal set in OASYS
How it will be measured / what will you do to achieve this
RPT - team, structure of meetings, goals for growth
How you plan to step out of your instructional comfort zone
Plans you have for developing “Moments” for your students?
How you have cultivated relationships with students at the start of the year
From the Office
If you see on the morning email that one of your students is leaving early, feel free to send them to the office at that time. No need to wait for me to call! It'll save me a step. Thanks
If you have any photos that would lend themselves to the top of our Clay Elementary web page (https://ephrataareasdpa.sites.thrillshare.com/o/ces) (make sure no "no photos" kids are shown), please send them my way. I'm always looking for new pics to use to update the site.
Thanks!
Message from our PTO
Lisa's email was sent out about your $100 reimbursement!
Clay Elementary School
Website: easdpa.org
Location: 250 Clay School Road, Ephrata, PA, USA
Phone: 717-721-1100