Team Thomson News & Notes
#ThomsonRocks Week of: January 1, 2019
Important Information for You!
I hope that this newsletter finds you rested, relaxed, and at the end of a holiday break that was full of family, friends, and fun! Matthew, Elena, and I had a wonderful week and half that was really highlighted by time spent with family and friends.
As we head into the New Year, I wish you all the very, very best. The New Year has always offered a time of reflection for me, probably like many of you. I am so proud of our building and the positive direction that 2018 brought. There is such a wonderful vibe in the building that I hope that you all feel as well. Professionally, I continue to work hard to improve myself through reading, trying new things, and talking with other educators about the things that influence education. The part of my job that keeps me up at night is how to use the resources we have to support each of you as you face new challenges in your classrooms. As some of you know, 2018 was not the easiest year in my personal life, but it has ended far better than it started which definitely has me starting 2019 feeling much more positive.
This is always a time of year that people talk about resolutions, goals, hopes, dreams for the coming year. I hope you take some time to reflect on your personal and professional life and set a goal or resolution for each that will help you live the full life you envision for yourself. I am working on a creative way for us to share our 2019 goals with each other as a means of helping them become reality. As I heard over and over at the MEMSPA conference this past December, 'you can't do it alone'...we all need to be here for each other! Here's to an amazing 2019!
ALICE Roll-out
Our DTV staff worked prior to break to develop two very well done videos to help us as we roll-out ALICE procedures to our students. One was made for middle school and high school and one for the elementary level. Both videos were made with our own Davison staff and students in our buildings. As a staff we will be watching the elementary video at our staff meeting next Wednesday, January 9th and I would invite and encourage ALL our staff members to attend. Additionally, we will go over how we will teach our students the new procedures in preparation for our drill on Wednesday, January 16th.
Mid-Year Assessments
The next few weeks are very busy with mid-year assessments. The DIBELS window will open on January 10th and our NWEA assessment window for Thomson will begin on January 14th. I will be meeting with our paraprofessional staff on January 3rd to review their roles and timelines. Since NWEA is still new to us and Megan C. will be out until the beginning of February, please take some time now and at your PLCs next week to review how to set up your testing sessions. I will get the testing schedule to you by the end of the week, but it will model the schedule we used in the fall with testing taking place in the library for all classes. If you have questions, please let me know right away.
Mid-Year Reviews
As we have in the past, I will be asking Anna to schedule a mid-year review with each of you. During this time we will review your data thus far for the year, review your Growth Plan and discuss the steps you are making toward your goals, and discuss any changes that need to be made. Anna will begin scheduling these the week of January 22nd. I look forward to meeting with each classroom teacher.
Cardinal Code Focus for the Week: General Behavior Expectations
As we return from the holiday break, it is important to thoroughly review behavior expectations. This week and next, please take some time to review those areas that you see are needs for your students. It is important to remember that we teach, not tell or yell...if a student is or isn't behaving a certain way, seek first to understand if possible 'why' and then teach and reteach the behavior you want! Thank you for intentionally teaching the Cardinal Code to your students.
Quotes Worth Reading
"The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals."
-Melody Beattie
"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something. "
-Neil Gaiman
Thomson Elementary
#ThomsonRocks
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911
Celebrations & Announcements
Birthdays: Valerie Buse, January 4th...Happy Birthday to You!
Special Announcement: To get the year started off right and to remind us why we do what we do as we come back to start 2019, please wear your DEF 'I put Kids First' shirt tomorrow with any pair of pants that may be comfortable to you after the holidays, but still look professional (yes, this means jeans are ok for Wednesday). I will be around to take photos and would love to get a big group shot around 8 for anyone who is there. Please share with anyone who you think may not get the newsletter before tomorrow morning.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday, January 2nd-School Resumes
Week of January 6th-PLC Week
Monday, January 7th-Launch of the Thomson Trading Post
Tuesday, January 8th-PTO Pals
Wednesday, January 9th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: ALICE Training for Students)
Thursday, January 10th-DIBELS Assessment Window Opens; ELA Learning Lab day; General Admin Meeting (Natalie)
Monday, January 14th-NWEA Testing will begin
Tuesday, January 15th-Child Study Day
Wednesday, January 16th-Lockdown, ALICE Drill
Thursday, January 17th-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie); CMC 4-7 p.m.
Friday, January 18th-End of 2nd Marking Period & the First Semester