Principal's Newsletter
September 2nd, 2016
WOWs
WOW to Karen Brockland for being so supportive with TeRez. She is very approachable and just wants to see him be successful in the classroom.--Stacey Cervera
WOW to Becca Lewis, Alicia Baehler, Lisa Chamberlain, and Kim Whitworth for being so patient with me as I try to process through the backwards design units that I wasn’t able to help create this summer. You guys are the best!--Stacey Cervera
WOW to Susan Adams for supplying me with coffee two times last week! You are so thoughtful, and it was much appreciated.--Stacey Cervera
WOW to Shelly Gotsch for presenting the Kindergarten perspective that we have been looking for in CITW! -Julie Coombs
WOW to Stacey Cervera and Becca Lewis for their work with helping us in 2nd grade with Mastery Connect. --Susan Adams
Thank you to Linda Murphy for filling in when I needed help!--Sherry Reagan
WOW to all of our interventionists (Laura Peterson, Julia Diekemper, Lindsey Stark, Ann Behrens, Penny Szarwinski, Megan Baker)
for attending training during their break time to learn how to administer our new intervention diagnostic screeners. --Angie Regan
Committees and Task Forces
Last October results in the climate survey showed a concern that people did not have information from committee meetings and did not get input on decisions. Following a whole staff discussion during a building meeting day we made a building decision that each area would make sure they had representation on the building committees. This decision was made with the explanation that committee representatives were responsible for communicating information to their area and for seeking input from the stakeholders they were representing.
This year it has been brought to our attention that people are feeling pressured to join a committee and the question was raised as to whether or not being on a committee is required. It is not required. It is strongly RECOMMENDED that each area have representation on the building committees. Decisions are made in committee meetings as a result of input gathered from each area of the school. All committee meetings are open and representatives are responsible for taking information back.
Remember that committee work is long term and task force work is short. Task forces are not required. They are just opportunities to help with short term work on a task that you might be interested in.
All committee meeting minutes and task force minutes will be stored in google and will be shared with all staff members following a meeting. Links to updated committee meeting minutes will be shared in the Principal's Newsletter.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Google Training
September 7th, 8:00-8:45 and 4:15-4:45
Mastery Connect Training
September 12th, 8:00-8:45 and 4:15-4:45
Committee Meeting Minutes
Safety and Security Minutes from August 30th
Data Team Minutes from August 31st
MAP Scores and IBD Training
Teachers in 3rd-5th grade will participate in IBD training like they have in past years. The state will be releasing Item Benchmark Descriptor reports, which tell us exactly which standards students did well on and which ones are still an area of growth, During this district training teams will get an opportunity to analyze the data and create a plan for ELA and Math. Fifth grade will also analyze science. Information from the IBD training will be shared with all staff. Please let me know if you have any questions about MAP data and the future of MAP testing.
Clarification
1. We take pictures in order to highlight the implementation of PD happening in the building. With the teachers permission we like to use pictures during PD presentations to show what others are doing in the building. There is no greater resource to learn from than someone working right next to you.
2. We snap pictures of objective boards to be more efficient. It helps us remember the objectives when we get back to debrief. It also helps our learning and understanding of the standards. We often conduct a number of walkthroughs at one time and it is easier to take a picture of the objectives rather then write them all down. Many of you are already experimenting with the KUD format and it is a lot to write down during the visit taking us away from focusing on what students are doing.
3. Sometimes we might take pictures of students working to promote the great things happening at The Ridge on social media. We are getting a lot of positive feedback from parents about our frequent facebook post. They LOVE to see what kids are doing. The pictures we take of kids are also going to start going in my weekly flash newsletter for parents on facebook.
Remember that after a walkthrough it is up to you to schedule time with an administrator for feedback. If you see us snap a picture during the walkthrough and you are wondering why it was taken just stop and ask us.
Tabs and Keys
In the Learning Commons (formally Library) students in first, second and third grades will be listening to a Show Me Award Nominee book titled: Mogie, The Heart of the House. This story is about Mogie, a Ronald McDonald House dog, and Gage, a boy staying at the house. I will share the Ronald McDonald House in Houston so students can see Mogie along with the St. Louis RMH site to meet Frankie, their house dog. We will discuss the purpose of the RMH. Looking at the site I started to think what could we do at Harvest Ridge to help. There are 2 programs that we could do for making donations, collect tab tops and unused keys. These items are then recycled at the Didion Orf Recycling center with 100% of the total value of aluminum collected going to the RMH in St. Louis. Starting Tuesday, September 6, students may bring in any tab tops from cans and any unused keys to put in the containers located in the Learning Commons. Thanks for your help and supporting a great place, Ronald McDonald House St. Louis.--Shanna Bradley
Coming Soon....
The goal of having this washer and dryer is big and can do so much for our families. We are not only hoping to make sure all kids have clean clothes, but we will also use it to build life skills in our students. A long term goal for us is to provide a family who doesn't have access to a washer and dryer the opportunity to come up during the day to do their laundry. While their clothes are in the wash they could help in various areas of the school or just spend some quality time with their child eating lunch.