Ridgeview Review
Week 33 ~ May 4, 2015
I Wish My Teacher Knew...
The lessons she learned by asking her students one simple question are astounding. Our students bring so much with them as they enter our doors each day. We need to KNOW them so that we can REACH them! Ideally, this is an activity to use at the beginning of the year, however, it is never too late build a positive relationship with a student.
Kyle Schwartz teaches third grade at Doull Elementary in Denver.
Although she says her students are a pleasure to look after, the educator of three years adds that many of them come from underprivileged homes.
"Ninety-two percent of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch," Schwartz tells ABC News. "As a new teacher, I struggled to understand the reality of my students' lives and how to best support them. I just felt like there was something I didn't know about my students."
In a bid to build trust between her and her students, Schwartz thought up a lesson plan called "I Wish My Teacher Knew."
For the activity, Schwartz's third graders jot down a thought for their teacher, sharing something they'd like her to know about them.
"I let students determine if they would like to answer anonymously," she says. "I have found that most students are not only willing to include their name, but also enjoy sharing with the class. Even when what my students are sharing is sensitive in nature, most students want their classmates to know.
"Some notes are heartbreaking like the first #iwishmyteacherknew tweet which read, 'I wish my teacher knew I don't have pencils at home to do my homework.' I care deeply about each and every one of my students and I don't want any of them to have to suffer the consequences of living in poverty, which is my main motivation for teaching."
"Building community in my classroom is a major goal of this lesson. After one student shared that she had no one to play with at recess, the rest of the class chimed in and said, 'we got your back.' The next day during recess, I noticed she was playing with a group of girls. Not only can I support my students, but my students can support each other."
Schwartz says she also hopes her lesson can help her connect students and their families with the proper resources they need to live comfortably.
CHAMPS
This summer Ridgeview and Freedom Elementaries will be combining for a 2-day CHAMPS training, brought to our school from Region 11. Although attendance cannot be mandatory, CHAMPS implementation will be and I encourage you to take advantage of training from the experts.
The 2-day workshop will be July 28-29. We hope to be able to offer this as equivalency time for next year's school calendar. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us!
Here is a link for more info:
http://www.ateacherstreasure.com/2011/10/treasured-tip-champs-classroom.html
KISD Hudson Transformation Grant Voting
Ridgeview has 3 grants entered. Please take the time to go in and vote!
* Brick Buddies
* Coaching Reading in the 21st Century
* Every Kid Needs a CHAMPion
Vote here: http://portal.kellerisd.net/Pages/Transformation-Application.aspx
Modules 3 and 4
Don't forget to bring a Quick Write experience to share and an example of a Mentor Text you can/have used with writing.
KISD Mentors
If you are interested in becoming a Ridgeview mentor, please see the attached flyer.
Keller University - Registration Opens May 4
This 4-day conference will provide numerous mini-sessions for you to choose from based on your own professional goals and learning needs, as well as 4 dynamic guest speakers. It will be well-worth your time!
You will receive your equivalency time for next year's calendar and your 6-hour GT update, but most importantly, you will spend 4 days learning with and from your peers. I hope you will join us!
Please vote for Ridgeview's Paraprofessional of the Year using the link below:
Pastries with Parents
This date has been on our calendar all year. When we had to reschedule Open House, it unfortunately fell on the day before. Although we recognize the timing is not ideal, inviting our families into our school is always excellent customer service.
On Friday morning, parents and students will come directly to classrooms at 7:30. PTA will have pastries and juice in each room for every child (whether they are with a parent or not). Parents will be invited to eat with their child and then we will invite parents to leave after morning announcements. We will come around the building to help with any lingering folks.
Thank you for your flexibility as we look for a variety of ways to involve our parents in their children's education!
APEX Academy Summer Camp
Apex Academy values our relationship with educators in the Keller ISD. Each year Apex runs a 3 day special event that allows educators with enrolled children to purchase teacher punch cards for Apex’s summer camp program. The punch cards offer educators significantly reduced rates (25-30% off) and extreme flexibility compared to our normal tuition plans. With our punch card plan, you may come whenever it is convenient for you (with a 24 hour notice). Each punch card is good for 5 full days of care (days can used together or in separate weeks).
This year, Apex Academy is opening up our punch card program to all educators and school staff whether they currently have children enrolled or not. We are doing this with the hope that your teachers/staff will try out our facility and continue to recommend us to families that are looking for quality childcare. Summer calendars and additional information is available on our website www.theapexacademy.net. You may purchase your punch cards at the Apex Academy front desk on May 13th, 14th & 15th only. I hope to see you and your children this summer.
Side Door
Tutoring students
May is the time of year to ensure students have mastered all the concepts you have covered this year. Give your students that extra boost into the 2015-2016 school year.
MAY EVENTS (And there are A LOT of them!)
May 4 - May 15 - EOY AIMSWEB Testing (3-4)
May 4 - RES Helping Hands Blood Drive; Author Visit for 3rd and 4th
May 5 - 4th Grade Play Day
May 6 - Birthday Book Club Party
May 7 - 4th graders to BCI; Open House/Fine Arts Night
May 8 - Pastries with Parents
May 11 - May 15 - CPAA Testing (K-2)
May 12 - Theatre performance; Film Festival Awards Night
May 13 - 4th grade to Art Museum
May 14 - P.S. It's My Body; Modules 3 and 4 of Literacy for Learning
May 15 - Flip Flop Visits due; Fire Drill
May 18 - May 22 - BOOK FAIR
May 19 - Rockin' Rattlers to NRH2O; Kid's Hope Mentor Party after school
May 21 - 4th graders to TMI; GLC Meeting; Chic fil a Dining Out Night
May 22 - RES Field Day
May 25 - NO SCHOOL
May 26 - TSMS Jazz Band performance; Reading Olympic Celebration
May 28 - Modules 5 and 6 of Literacy for Learning; Kindergarten Orientation
May 30 - KISD Graduations
June 3 - PTA Luncheon for Teachers
June 4 - Kindergarten graduation; EOY Class Parties
June 5 - Character Assembly; 4th Grade Send-off; Early Release
This week at RES....
MONDAY
Helping Hands Blood Drive - 8:00 - 1:00; front loop
Author Visit for 3rd and 4th grades; 8:45 - 10:40; library
TUESDAY
4th grade Play Day!
Kindergarten graduation pictures (Snake Pit)
Elementary #23 Architect visits (11:30 - 3:00)
WEDNESDAY
Deb out
Elementary #23 Architect visits (11:30 - 3:00)
Birthday Book Club Birthday Party; 2:20; library
THURSDAY
4th grade to BCI; 8:30 - 10:30
Mystery Activity; 3:30; cafeteria
Fine Art Night/Open House; 5:30 - 7:00
FRIDAY
Becky off campus
Pastries with Parents; 7:30; classrooms
Ridgeview Elementary School
Email: becky.wilder@kellerisd.net
Website: http://campus.kellerisd.net/schools/res-129/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 1601 Marshall Ridge Parkway, Keller, TX, United States
Phone: (817) 744-6600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RidgeviewElementaryKISD
Twitter: @RidgeviewKISD