Head U Gator News
November 6, 2017
Grateful Heart
I am grateful for...
...Will, who worked with Truly to help get her prepared for her new class. Truly will be teaching the 6th grade accelerated math class and then tutoring 4th and 5th graders the balance of the day.
...Jeanette, for leading the Grateful challenge in October, encouraging all of us to be more purposefully thankful.
...Michael, who went out of his way to make a situation better for a student. He's a great PE teacher, but an even better person/role model, and we're lucky to have him.
....Lynette, who spent a Friday afternoon unexpectedly talking parents off a ledge and reassuring them about their child. She showed the same commitment that I mention later in the newsletter which is "We can do this" in response to a difficult situation.
....Lauri, who not only serves as an information center for parents and others who call and come to the building but also shares observations and helps us spot potential issues before they can get bigger.
...Sidney, who has already demonstrated great skill as a first-year teacher. Friday she shared a conversation she'd had with a parent because she wanted us to be aware of a potential situation that might need attention. Once again she's shown a strong understanding of all the facets of teaching, which extend beyond the classroom out into the community.
....Kami, for meeting at least 2 parents (that I know of) at 7:00 a.m. this week! It's hard to start your morning off that way, but she made it possible for them to confer with her without interrupting their work schedules.
Dr. Ryan's visit
My visitor reminded me....
She is leading an elementary school that's in our comparison group. She described her school as very traditional, with teachers who had been successful for a long time because of the students. However, their demographics are changing and she knows they need to make changes so she's looking for how to move them forward.
As I began walking her around and describing what you do, it made me realize how much you all have accomplished in the last few years. Standards Based Report Cards, goal setting, small group teaching, Gatorville, Restorative Practice, differentiated professional learning, student voice, flexible seating, ASPIRE, one to one technology, telescoping in math and reading. We saw kids in classrooms with their goal folders out, and sometimes when they got started telling her about their goals it was hard to get them to stop!
If you're exhausted, there is good reason! However, the other significant fact that I was able to share is that we don't have serious discipline issues. That is a credit to the changes you all have made in your teaching and your classrooms. There are occasionally outliers that happen, but when they do, your response is "How do we help this student?" Overall, students are excited about being here so they don't act up, and that is a tribute to your efforts.
You are, collectively and singularly, amazingly talented. I am so proud of the work you have done, and very glad to be working alongside you.
Goal Setting
My two goals are piloting the Student Learning Objective initiative for the district and a SLO of my own (90% of 4/5 grade traditional students scoring at least approaching on STAAR reading).
Everyone should have an SLO, so if you haven't plotted your data or completed assessments, that needs to be done ASAP!!
Math vertical team
- The math department is beginning work on vertical alignment across the district. If you would be interested in participating in this effort, please let me know. The first meeting day (all day with sub) will be January 17th. There will be some after school dates, and maybe some work in the summer. This is very important work, and I'd encourage you to think seriously about your possible participation.
Seeing WONDER as a group?
In case you were too busy during the middle of the week, here's a chance for you to weigh in on whether we should make this a staff outing:
https://goo.gl/forms/rSu2nlgLkPExPlCh2Hour of Code
Phone system upgrades
- Dial 8 for an outside line - we will no longer dial 9 to get an outside line for calls, the transition to dial 8 will drastically decrease our accidentally 911 calls that we currently experience. For emergencies, you will always be able to just dial 911 without dialing 8 etc.
- Voicemail to Email - We will be upgrading to a more advanced voicemail system that will now send your voicemail to your email. You will be able to listen to messages anywhere and forward as needed.
- New Voicemail Setup - Everyone will need to re-record your voicemail greeting. Handouts will be provided at the time of phone upgrade on your location.
Absences
Calendar
Monday, November 6
2:55-4:00 Art Club
Tuesday, November 7
WEAR CONVOCATION SHIRTS AND JEANS!
3-4:15 Good News Club
CMT
Wednesday, November 8
2:55-4:00 choir
Thursday, November 9
Veteran's Day program
8:15- K,2,4
9:30 1,3,5
Mad Science 2:55-4:00
Friday, November 10
Gatorville- week 5
ONLY 10 early wake ups before Thanksgiving break!!