BARBER BULLETIN
Week of March 19-22 Creating Joyful Leaders and Learners
Conference Pride
I was at dinner this evening and, of course, Dr. Berry and I make friends everywhere we go, and I asked a Kindergarten teacher who teaches in New Jersey, "What is the most awesome thing your school is doing right now?" She proceeded to tell us they just received SmartBoards and how she was excited to use it with her students. Yes, you read that right. The district she lives and teaches in, right outside of NY city just received SmartBoards. So, of course, the conversation continued and she asked us, "How about your schools? What are you doing that is exceptional?"
Where do I even begin? We are in a district that not only values technology but is recognized as a leader in our country for educational technology! Our district values professional development and our schools and principals are given the autonomy to attend national conferences each year. Our district recognizes the importance of a strong teacher - and that class size is negatively impacted when our numbers get too high; did I mention in New Jersey right now, at her school sits 29 1st graders in every classroom?
Our district is fantastic. But then I was given the opportunity to tell her about our school. I can't help but brag that we truly have the strongest, brightest, most creative teachers around! We have teachers that nurture and inspire our ESOL learners so that they, too, can achieve their personal best. Our teachers understand the importance of data - and use it to meet the needs of all of their students, not just some of them. We recognize, as a staff, that our shared beliefs include empowering students to be leaders of their school and community and we offer so many clubs that speak to students' passions. Our teachers host student interns in their classroom so they can coach these future-teachers and give back to the profession. We have teachers that apply for grants to gain even more resources for their students to thrive and feel engaged in school. Oh, and Pontiac has teachers that come back every single day even after they have had a difficult day with students because they are invested in the lives of the students we serve. We have a staff that takes care of one another in so many ways; like when a teacher returns after being out on maternity leave for 10 weeks and the staff provides meals to get that new working mama through her first week back. We have teachers that seek out opportunities to grow and desire to attend conferences like AVID, Ron Clark, and ISTE, just to name a few. We have teachers that plan for endless hours engaging blended unit lessons that are relevant and appeal to our learners. Our teachers stay late for parent conferences because the parent they really need to connect with doesn't get off until 5pm. Our teachers find joy in helping students find their voice in extracurricular activities such as chorus, physical fitness, and art. We have teachers at Pontiac that make special education look easy - when, in fact, it is really, really difficult for some of those students to reach IEP goals, yet those teachers never waiver from their support and relentless encouragement. Teachers at Pontiac recognize the importance of celebrating with students when they meet their class WIG - maybe that means wearing pajamas to school or having a flashlight Friday - but it brings fun to the classroom and that matters to our staff at Pontiac.
So, yes, I can't help but ask myself at this conference, why not us? Why aren't we sharing all the great things happening at Pontiac with the world to see?
Who's with me? Let's submit a proposal to share next year! #whynotus
BrightBytes Survey - REMINDER
We want to honor your time. You can take this on your own by following this link: www.BByt.es/VT9TT
Here are the directions pulled directly from BRIGHT BYTES:
Take 15-20 minutes to help your school improve its use of technology. This is an anonymous survey regarding your technology use. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Your answers are very important! They will help your school choose the right technology for your classrooms. There are no right or wrong answers. Everyone will have a different set of answers to these questions, depending on his/her different experiences. Thank you for your time and ideas!
Once you complete the survey, please complete the form confirming that you have taken the survey: https://goo.gl/forms/fwnIKSRF0hQhu3SE2
Time will be provided to you at Monday's staff meeting if you don't take the survey prior to then. However, if you do take the survey in advance, you will be excused from the staff meeting while others are provided time to take the survey. The survey must be completed by all Pontiac certified staff by Monday, March 18 at 5pm.
TEACH TO LEAD REMINDER
This is a final reminder/encouragement for applications for the Richland 2 Teach to Lead Summit that is being held at R2i2 on June 18-19. I can vouch from personal experience that the Teach to Lead format is a powerful tool for developing your ideas for how to improve our schools.
The application is really simple- you basically simply have to identify the idea you would like to work on and the team that will be joining you at the summit. Since many of you already have an idea that you submitted through the "99 Ideas" challenge, it would DEFINITELY be easy for you to complete the application!! If you don't have 100% confirmation from all potential team members that they can participate, but you have an idea you want to develop, please go ahead and apply. If you have a colleague that you know has a great idea, please encourage them to apply!
If you have any questions at all about how Teach to Lead works, you can check the website or call or email Patrick Kelly-he is always happy to help and discuss! To apply, simply go to www.richland2.org/teachtolead. The application deadline is Monday, but if you want to apply and need a bit more time to gather your thoughts, let me know!
It's time to recognize your Turnaround Student!
Write ups are due March 27 to K.Barber. Click HERE for the document. Remember to make a copy! It's also important to share (5) photos of the child for the presentation celebration!
Our Assistant Principals will contact parents by Friday, March 29 to notify them that their child is being recognized!
Turnaround Students will be recognized before our chorus program begins on Tuesday, April 2 at the district auditorium! We will reserve seating for our Turnaround Students and their families.
A LOOK AT OUR WEEK AHEAD:
K.Barber at ASCD conference
3:30pm Brief staff meeting in media center
Tuesday:
No Schoolwide Events scheduled
Wednesday:
Welcome back, Loren Carmon!
3:30pm AVID Site team meeting
Thursday:
Grade level collaboration - please synergize around a 3i lesson to try with students!
7:45am SIC meeting
Data meetings, as needed - please sign up!
3:30pm K.Barber shares presentation takeaways from recent conferences in BrainForest (absolutely optional!)
6pm SIC Spring Literacy Parent night at R2I2 library
End Racism Day, hosted by SC Affairs Commission
Friday:
ARTS DAY!