Spruce Scoop
Joy. Hope. Resilience.
September 9 - 13, 2019
Principal Taylor's Message
Greetings Timberwolves,
Greetings Timberwolves,
We are entering week 4 of our 1st Six Weeks. This is the time when we start to see how our routines are truly manifesting in our scholars behavior. We see our own routines really be solidified. Continue to provide positive narration for the routines and learning expectations that are occurring with our scholars. As you aggressively monitor, it may be as simple as, "Kara is using her time wisely, completing her Do Now." or, "Dwayne is remembering to annotate the emotion being conveyed by the author in the margins." Also, when scholars enter one of the offices (Attendance, Main, Counselors, etc). "Jesus thank you for signing in when you come in and taking as seat." Other scholars who are not 100% clear of the expectation or not demonstrating the expectation can see and hear the correct behavior being recognized.
As I shared in staff meeting, Culture is what we promote, practice, and permit. Reflect on your own practice in whatever capacity you serve our Spruce Community:
- What values am I promoting in my actions? What expectations am I promoting in my Spruce space? What values am I promoting via my routines and expectations in my classroom or office?
- How do I practice what values and expectations are important? How do I create opportunities for my scholars to practice deliberately?
- By what I see as trend data, what am I promoting in my classroom / office / hallway? What are we as a campus permitting by the trend data I observe?
As we think of the 3 P's - it is always around positive actions and improvement actions.
This week I have the pleasure of addressing all of our scholars. I am truly excited to take a moment to build a rapport through sharing some of my own journey, my excitement of being their principal, and my desire and goals for them as a Spruce Timberwolf.
My intention is to support what is happening in each one of our classrooms through an aligned message that Spruce is a place of hopefulness and support and we all have a role of accountability in ensuring success, staff and scholars. We continue to generate joy through an environment of meaningful, targeted teaching and learning - whether in the 90 minute block or extracurricular activities. Truly thank you for the time to engage with our scholars in this manner.
Be Elite in our 20 Square Feet!
If not YOU, WHO? If not NOW, WHEN?
Kindest Regard,
F. Taylor
Proudest Principal in DISD
Parent Communication
Positive Parent contact can go a long way. Take a moment to read of one teacher's approach to positive calls home. 15 minutes a day can make a major difference. Set a goal, prioritize your calls, and give yourself this month - to call everyone of your scholars.
TEI - Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)
- For Category A and B teachers, this component is 5 percent of the overall evaluation. For Category C and D teachers, this measure is 10 percent of the overall evaluation (i.e., half of the student achievement score).
- The purpose of this measure is to capture information on student learning growth based on assessments that are important and meaningful but are not standardized measures already used in the achievement template.
- The intent is to focus professional conversation on student learning in order to support teachers in reaching the learning targets.
Click here for TEI Resources for SLO's (right hand side, click on Student Learning Objective)
Use the following to support the development of your SLO:
- SLO Rubric
- SLO Score Sheet (this is the document you will download pre and post assessment data. This document will be uploaded into Cornerstone at the end of the year.)
- SLO Quick Reference: Scoring Sheet Instructions
SLO Goals are entered into Cornerstone, due date for Spruce Teachers is Wednesday September 25th. All SLOs are to be approved by appraisers.
Taylor Talk : Grade Level Assemblies
Ms. Taylor will be meeting with each grade level to introduce herself and to set and clarify expectations.
Who attends the assembly?
- If you teach a class where the majority of students correspond to the students in the assembly, you and your class should attend.
- If you teach a class where half of your students correspond to the students in the assembly, you and your class should attend. Students can always learn more when they hear something a second time.
- If you teach a class where a few of your students correspond to the students in the assembly, dismiss those students individually, while you stay with the rest of your class in your classroom. Hall monitors will be in the hallways directing students.
- If you are still confused, email Ms. Boyer directly.
Prior to the assembly, review the assembly checklist WITH your students. Bring your checklist with you to the assembly and give it to Ms. Boyer at the end for a reward.
In order to get to the assembly in an orderly fashion, follow the map which details the route and seating locations for each subject and dismiss at the "dismissal time" in the chart below.
Tardy & Hall Sweeps
- We will continue, as a new norm,- no hall passes before 9:45 am. This has been tremendously helpful in truly assessing who is late and the halls are incredibly peaceful.
This week is our last week of our intense Tardy and Hall Sweeps. However, beyond this week campus leadership and security will hold random tardy and hall sweeps, so that the anticipatory sense still remains.
- As a reminder of process, scholars are walked to the auditorium. Scholars are processes and given a detention slip, which also serves as their tardy back to class. This process occurs quickly, so that there is minimal loss of instructional time. The time is on the pass. The passes are white.
- One UPGRADE the team will be making this week- In the teacher spot we will write the name of the staff member issuing the pass.
- Issuers of passes are: Administrators, Ms. Boyer, Coach Richardson, or Mrs. Cortez.
- We will have a very large round up at the end of 4th Period on Monday. Students will be picked up. The list of scholars will be in an email will be sent separate from the Scoop. please review the list and identify who your scholars are that will be picked up at the end of 4th.
We are developing a Saturday S.L.A.M. (Student Learning Always Matters) sessions that will support the expectation that teaching and learning is our focus.
Compliance Videos - Due Date 10/31
- Staff meetings (Tuesdays or Wednesdays, once a month)
- Sporting Events
- Fine & Performing Events
- Campus Wide Events
- Testing Days & Campus Testing Meetings
Staff meetings are subject to change. The goals is to communicate monthly staff meetings via the calendar and to have one a month.
Week of 9/9Highlights
We have Football, Volleyball, and Tennis this week! Check out the calendar and hope to see you there, cheering on our Timberwolves.
Upcoming Highlight - Homecoming Spirit Week - Week of 9/16
Tuesday - Tacky Wacky Day
Wednesday- Pajama Day
Thursday - Nerds vs. Jocks
Friday - Spruce Spirit Day
Look forward to seeing how staff jump into the fun as well :-). There will be information posted to our IG account to further promote with scholars.
It is important that we recognize ALL the Excellence in Teaching occuring in all of areas of our academic programs. The highlights are on a weekly rotation throughout the year. Each content/department will be highlighted on a weekly basis.
Spruce High Special Education Department
The Special Education Department
The special education department is made up of over 30 individuals from TAs, to one-on-ones, to SPED inclusion teachers and unit teachers. Each member of the team contributes in multiple ways.
Mr. Coronado and his team (Mr. Tullis, Ms. Cavanaugh, Ms. Whitaker, Ms. Blakeborough along with the TAs, Ms. Curtis, Ms. Loera, Ms. Contreras, and Ms. Torres) teach and take care of our FLS students. These teachers not only specialize in teaching real world applications in each of the core content areas, but also daily living skills along with work based learning to ensure our students will be able to be as independent as possible in the future.
Ms. Williams also works with our FLS students as our vocational teacher. She not only teaches, but she is an integral component to ensure we are in compliance with district and federal guidelines, as well as, coaching our feeder middle schools as well.
Our Total Communications team is made up of Ms. Jefferson, Ms. Smith, and TAs: Mr. Roberson, Ms. Robichea, Ms. Sims, Mr. Venters, and Ms. Hawkins. They work with our autism students. They work tirelessly each day sharing the daily care and educational responsibilities of these kids.
Our inclusion team is includes teachers and teacher assistants who partner with our general education teachers to provide support and educational services for our mainstream students. Ms. Draper is our department head and her team consists of Mr. McKinney, Ms. Brown and Mr. Williams in the math department, Ms. Thornton, Ms. Hood, and Ms. Pena in English, Mr. Bankston, Ms. Simpson, and Ms. Melancon, in science, Ms. Price, Mr. Hunter, and Ms. Nolan in social studies, Ms. Gladney and Mr. Berlanga who support our senior students, and Mr. Crawford who supports multiple content areas for the Early College. These individuals support many students and multiple teachers while balancing their responsibilities as case managers as well.
Their reach supports the entire school on multiple levels from inside the classroom to duties throughout the school that make our entire organization run smoothly.
Catch a Timberwolf Staff member being ELITE in their 20 Square Feet, Joyful, Hopeful, Resilient, SEL Champion, or simply did or said something that was the spotlight of your day/week!
Thank you for taking a moment to highlight your fellow staff member! You made someone's day!!
Spotlight on Ms. Reed
We would like to nominate Ms. Traci Reed for a Spotlight award. Although she has many duties as a Media Specialist, she goes above and beyond to assist the staff and students in other areas, such as planning UIL events, helping organize proms and graduations, administering assessments, recovering and maintaining COWs, making emergency copies, etc. She is a blessing to the Spruce family, and we appreciate her!
Spotlight on Instructional Lead Teachers, Aspiring Leader, and Administrators
Many time campus leadership is not necessarily seen learning together or our PLC time is not as public. I wanted to take a moment to recognize the growth mindset and openness of our team: Mr. Daniels, Ms. Cameron, Ms. Boyer, Ms. Gurley, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Ball, Mrs. Hogan, Ms. Lewis, and Mr. Varney.
We started our Instructional PLC meetings three weeks ago, which are called A Team Meetings. I spotlight this team for their openness in receiving feedback from myself and one another. When asked to refine and upgrade work the very next meeting it was evident. The discussion is rich, focused, and always positive around improving our practice as we support teaching and learning.
We have to be open to our work being shared and assessed for the positive and the upgrades. We as leaders must be vulnerable, for a greater purpose, and I have seen that, never waiver over these 3 weeks. Way to be Elite in Your 20 Square Feet!
Spotlight on Ms. Khan
I am very grateful for Ms. Khan. She became my co-Debate coach this year and she was done a great job in helping run things with me!
Spotlight on Coach Richardson
Coach Richardson continually motivates and energizes his football team and coaching staff. This picture was taken after the victory against Wilmer Hutchins on Thursday night. It was a BIG win for the school and the program. If you have never heard one of his post game talks, you are missing out!! He is inspirational and demonstrates the Spruce Athletic Department motto everyday...One Vision, One Goal, One Team! We are Spruce!!
Spotlight on Ms. Solis
Ms. Solis is a dedicated team member, enforcing the “Team Work, Makes the Dream Work” ethic. ANYTHING we ask her to do, she is willing. She is driven to learn more and does not hesitate to ask questions and seek out information. We are proud to have her be the 1st voice our guest hear. Thank you Ms. Solis, for having our back!!!! 😊
Spotlight on Ms. Cortez
Ms. Lad writes:
She fearlessly holds it down in the Early College wing, making sure students are on time to class by sounding warning and tardy bells as needed and walking tardies to the auditorium. Forever grateful for her presence!!!
Spotlight on Ms. Leung
Lots of praise goes to Ms. Leung for taking an active role in building relationships with her students. She is making positive calls home as well as planning parent conferences and meeting with students-of-concern during her off period. These steps are paying off!
Spotlight on Ms. George
Ms. D'Elle George, Chemistry Teacher, has served above and beyond by being "Elite In Her 2o SQ. FT." She has been leading Chemistry PLC meetings and challenging students to perform at a higher level. She displays engaging student work prominently in the hallway. Also, her hallway presence during transitions has been a pivotal factor why the 2nd Floor D-Stairwell has flowed smoothly. Her hallway positive narrations are effective and infectious on the staff surrounding her. Thanks for you work Ms. George.
Spotlight on Mrs. Cavanaugh
I would like to put the spotlight on Mrs. Cavanaugh in the Units. She has gone out of her way to encourage me as the new JV Cheer Coach and constantly checking on me and the girls and their performances. She always has something nice and positive to say and I am truly grateful for the motivation and encouragement 😊
WAIP information that is specific to an individual, team, grade, content, will be emailed directly.
Ms. Turner
Ms. Mckay and Mr. Hastings
Mr. Watts
Mr. Ball - A Team Meeting
Ms. Gurley - A Team
Awesome Science Anchor Charts
Wednesday Woosah
Staff Parking in Rear
MANDATORY CLOCK IN
- Monitors & Parking Attendant: 7:30 am
- Administrators: 7:50 am
- Clerks: 8:00 am
- Teacher Assistants: Ranger 7:30, 8:00, or 8:15
- Teachers: 8:15 am
8:20 AM Duty Begins
Please be at duty post ready to go a couple minutes early so that doors are opened at 8:20am. Teamwork makes the Dream Work!!
Monthly Fire Drills
BEFORE THE DRILL:
· Review the e-mailed evacuation map for your floor;
· Review the e-mailed color-coded buddy system and find your buddy teacher/staff member; and
· Print a copy of the attendance rosters.
DURING THE DRILL:
· Use the proper stairway/exit,
· Exit the building quickly and orderly with students,
· Take attendance and ensure that all students are present once outside,
· Communicate to your buddy and person in charge of your stairwell if a student is missing, and
· Wait for the bell to ring before re-entering the building.
AFTER THE DRILL:
· Use the proper stairway/re-entry point,
· Enter the building quickly and orderly with class,
· Report DIRECTLY back to class with students,
· Take attendance and ensure that all your students returned to class, and
· Reset class and resume teaching and learning.
H. Grady Spruce High School
Located in the heart of the Pleasant Grove region of Dallas, Texas, H. Grady Spruce High School serves a diverse population of students and their families. Our neighborhood maintains a strong tradition of community, hard work, and pride. Families have made Pleasant Grove their home for generations, and many of our students can claim a legacy of Spruce alumnae that go back to the founding of the school.
H. Grady Spruce High School was built in 1963, replacing Rylie High School. The school is named for Henry Grady Spruce, a native of Omen, Texas, who earned degrees from Southern Methodist University and the University of Chicago. He devoted much of his 35-year YMCA career to youth, including 25 years as director of the Dallas YMCA's Camp Crockett near Granbury.
Email: frataylor@dallasisd.org
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/spruce
Location: 9733 Old Seagoville Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-892-5500