Union Weekly Staff Update
Volume 24- February 7, 2016
Our Mission
A Message from Jen
From the reports it appears that winter is returning early this week, so please be safe as you head to and from school this week.
Go Broncos!
This Week's Events
Its Random Acts of Kindness Week! See email from Stacey for details.
Continuing this week- Team Witsken Tennis during PE classes; Mid Year Meetings Continue; OLSAT testing for new 4th graders (2/9 and 2/11)
Monday, February 8th
8:00, February PD Planning Meeting in first grade classroom (anyone willing to host?)
8:00, ACR in Conference Room- Andrus, Ruthsatz, Van Curen, Lockhart, Ioannacci
6:00, School Board meeting at ESC
Tuesday, February 9th
Roselli's Lunch Orders due
8:00, Staff Meeting in the Green Computer Lab
Jen out for INALI Cohort Meeting
4:00, Handbook Committee at ESC
Wednesday, February 10th
10:50-1:05, Star Student Lunches in Conference Room- Raycroft
Thursday, February 11th
Green Team Roselli's Lunch
8:15, Speech ACR in conference room- Van Curen, Ioannacci
10:00, Office Meeting
Friday, February 12th
Valentines Day Classroom Parties
9:30, ABM Weekly Meeting
February 9th Staff Meeting
Junior Great Books- You may have heard about Junior Great Books as a literacy resource for high ability students. However, the development of close reading and discussion skills and the exposure to classic literature are good for all students. Come to this session to learn more about the basic structure of the program and about the materials available for use here at Union.
Shared by: Jenny Hamelmann and Kathy Roy
Location: Kathy’s classroom
Ron Clark- Are you interested in learning about The Ron Clark Academy and new activities to integrate within your classroom the next day? Then this session is for you! Breanne spent two days at the RCA experiencing this cutting edge school and is excited to pass along what she learned.
Shared by: Breanne Tisch
Location: Breanne’s classroom
Mathematical Problem Solving- From the work of the Flessners, learn more about how to identify and write the 14 different problem types that that form the basis of the Indiana College and Career Ready Standards.
Shared by: Katie Meyer and Lyn Smith
Location: Lyn’s classroom
Practice Math Skills through Games- If you are looking for an engaging way to practice computation skills and problem solving come take a look at games used by Flessners. Your students know how to play these games already and you will leave with gameboards. No extra prep needed.
Shared by: Trish Brimmer and Lynne Munley
Location: Trish’s classroom
Weebly- Looking for an authentic medium for students to make their learning more visible? Intimidated by the thought of having your students creating websites? Don’t be!! Tonya and Erin will share some tips for getting started using this free, drag and drop website creator.
Shared by: Tonya Clark and Erin Kay
Location: Green Computer Lab
Writing in Response to Close Reading- In this session, participants will learn how to extend students’ written response to reading. Kelly will share how she has been able to integrate what she learned from a recent Smekens workshop to add another dimension to her Readers’ Workshop.
Shared by: Kelly Masters
Location: Kelly’s classroom
Calkins Study Group- Friday, 2/12 at 8 AM
Valentines Day Parties
- Please check with your room moms about snacks/crafts and making sure that they are safe for all of your students. Reach out to the families of your students with allergies.
- If you are doing Valentine exchanges, please remind your families to keep these to non-edible items.
- Please make sure that your volunteers have background checks. Marchele has this information.
- Please let Marchele know what time you are having your party.
February Birthdays
The happiest of birthdays to the following STARS who will be celebrating another year during the month of February:
February 1st- Patty Williams
February 3rd- Jenna Reynolds
February 6th- Kathy Roy
February 8th- Lauren Dunn
February 25th- Cindy Jansen
February 28th- Trevor Dixon