Colt Round Up
September 16, 2018
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." - B.B. King
With Appreciation:
- Three cheers to Jackie C. for putting together hitball rules!
- Thanks to Sarah B. for being available where we need her in her new para role - she's part aide, part ELL support, part blacktop supervisor, and poster maker extraordinaire!
- Our supervisor team and lunch team continue to work together to ensure our lunch/recess experience is safe, efficient and clean - bravo for your continued teamwork - way to model a growth mindset and that perseverance does pay off!
Intervention Support Update!
- Mary Hayes will be joining us soon as our full day ISP, and Karla will get her ISP support up and running next week.
- We are also looking to get math tutoring going after school in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned!
Halloween Door Decorating
Growth = Progress ... Food for Thought
- Mindset Works - with resources and research for parents and educators...they are definititely selling a product, but the science and summaries are really good - I espcially liked the "Say This" chart and the studies that look at the role of praise in classrooms.
- This 2 min you tube video differentiates growth v. fixed mindset in terms of how we experience moments
- This website is from UC Berkeley and is called the "Greater Good Magazine" - it looks at the role of mindfulness and a growth mindset - it's core idea is to examine the science behind a meaningful life; there are videos in their 'Half Full' (renamed the 'Raising Happiness') sub project
- A couple of great videos from the UCB project: check out this page and the videos that are below it.
We have some cool ideas for how we want to create more capacity in our staff, our students and our families this year as it relates to having a growth mindset - it's going to be awesome - stay tuned!
Report Cards & Gradebook Info
We will continue to have the Illuminate grade book available and the district will provide ongoing support for teachers who want to use it. Any other grade book that teachers want to use will have to be purchased by that teacher with their own lottery funds.
There will be some specific expectations for uniformity of grading that we will have for all elementary teachers for report cards and grade books. They will be:
- All teachers must use the district report card. There are no other reports or grade book print outs or other report card versions that can be used. There is a fillable PDF version on the district website. If a teacher at your site needs to upload a PDF of the report card into a gradebook program that supports that feature, contact Scott Pickett and he will send you one.
- Teachers must use the same grade scale which includes the system of 1- Standard Not Met, 2 - Standard Nearly Met, 3 - Standard Met, and 4 - Standard Exceeded (grades 3-5 only). The percent breakdown (or performance band) for each number on the report card also needs to be the same for every teacher. Scott will be resend this info out shortly.
- When assigning scores in the report card, teachers must follow the standards alignment document so they know which standards are assigned to what section of the report card. I will also send out an updated standards alignment document to all teachers.
- Only assessment data should be used when determining a score for a gradable school subjects. Do not include sections like classwork (unless it is done for a grade), homework, participation, etc. Those categories should only be reported in the effort grade category.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this whole process. Please let Scott Pickett know if you have any questions or concerns about the process or expectations.
Upcoming Meetings/Activities:
Some important things coming up this week...this might not be inclusive of everything!
- now-Fri., 9/21 - PTC Believe Fundraiser; send any orders/$ to the office; contact office if you need more charms
- Mon., 9/17, 1 pm - Leadership Ambassador Council Meeting
- Mon., 9/17, 1:45 pm - Choir Rehearsal in Mrs. Adams' Room
- Tues., 9/18, 3 pm - Staff Meeting in Library
- Thurs., 9/20, lunch - Lunch with Great Colts
- Fri., 9/21 - Colt Spirit Day (school colors/spirit wear)
- Fri., 9/21 - Staff Potluck - Hoagie Sandwiches
- Fri, 9/21, 1:30-3 pm - Musical Theater Audition Call Backs
Where is Jen This Week?
- M, T, Th - on site all day
- W - at PBIS Training & at District meeting - Darren is our TIC
- F - at District Training - Darren is our TIC
Where is Kristen This Week?
It's a Great Day to be a Colt!
The mission of the Lincoln Crossing Elementary School team is to prepare our students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become lifelong learners and responsible, contributing members of society.