WATERFORD WEEKLY
February 10, 2017
WATERFORD MISSION
At Waterford Elementary we believe in all students and staff learning and growing together; where innovation, diversity, and relationships are valued.
WATERFORD VISION
Waterford Elementary School
Goshen's Opportunity for a Productive Tomorrow
Thank You.....Thank You.....Thank You!!!!
I want to thank each and every one of you for your deep commitment to children each day and your unwavering dedication to student growth! As we continue our journey towards sustained student growth (K-5), we need to continually make adjustments, based on the data, to strengthen our classroom instruction across the curriculum. This will ensure that students are prepared each year to grow and achieve at the highest levels.
Please know, I appreciate the willingness on everyone's part to make adjustments Friday. This ensured that the 3-5 teachers/EL had time to analyze additional data, group students, and create plans to address student needs, in order to ensure growth on ISTEP for each and every student!
Despite the deep challenges this week, I felt that we were all reminded that we are all working towards the same goal and that we need to trust, support, and rely on each to help one another on this journey to grow kids! I am proud to walk with each and every one of you on this journey and am glad that you are part of the Waterford Team!!
My deepest appreciation for all you do each day for our kids!!!
Thank You.....Thank You.....Thank You!!!!
Choose Your Attitude, Make Their Day, Be Present, Play
Choose Your Attitude
Last week the IDEA Room had 2 new students join them. It has been an incredibly difficult transition to say the least. Everyday brings new challenges and difficulties as a result of the students' severe needs. However, every day the entire staff of the room is showing up with smiles on their faces with the goals of making a difference in their lives. Thanks Madeline, Donna, and Jenny for all you do and the positive attitude you arrive with each day. You are a great team, and we are fortunate to have you in the IDEA Classroom.
Make Their Day
This week there has been a lot of pitching in and helping in many areas of our building to help make sure that everything is running smoothly. I have witnessed a number of selfless acts in which teachers/staff have put others needs before their own. Thanks to those of you who have made another staff person's day!
Thanks to Randy for providing a Diet Coke to Julea and I on a day when we needed a little extra caffeine!
Be Present
I appreciate Todd's presence in our building on a daily basis. He is quick to help out with whatever the need. You are greatly appreciated!!
Play
Many of the staff had a great time playing Hungry, Hungry, Hippo. It was a wild, crazy, and fun activity.
Congratulations to Mrs. Klopfenstein’s kindergarten class for the best attendance in January.. They were here all day and on time 8 days in January
Police dog visits Mrs. Olcese's Class this week!
Talking about what police dogs do.
Getting ready to do his job!
Even police dogs like to be petted.
Moshe, you are awesome!
Check out what's for lunch!
Information about Waterford and GCS
What's the weather like outside?
Absence/ Leave Forms
If you plan to take a Professional Leave and will claim expenses, you must complete a blue “Professional Leave Request / Reimbursement” form. This form will need to be pre-approved and signed by both Katrina and Alan. The form will then be returned to you so you may fill out the expense portion.
For all personal leaves, there is a yellow “Certified Application for Personal Leave” form that must be completed. If more than 3 consecutive days are taken, the form will be forwarded to the Central Office.
If you are taking “Unpaid Time Off,” there is a white form that must be completed, signed by Katrina, and sent to Central Office.
If you are taking time off for any other reason, such as a funeral leave, family sick leave, Jury Duty, etc., please fill out the form called, “Statement Concerning Absence.”
TLT Update
This week we continued our work with DISC......sharing our individuals goals for helping ourselves to grow, in order to support the team collectively. We also determined accountability/reflection partners for weekly check-ins at the beginning of TLT.
The following week, we will begin a unit of study on Post-Conferences. (This is a need recognized district-wide.) At Waterford, we saw a decrease from a 4 to a 3 in our NIET school review quantitative data on our post conference plans. We will begin our work by looking at the critical elements of a post conference, that we developed previously, to determine if all of the components of a quality post conference are included for inter-rater reliability between the TLT members. In the weeks that follow we will analyze teacher perceptions and determine how we can "marry" them with the critical elements, in order to make adjustments in our post conferences, in order to support teacher instruction through student learning.
WHAT'S ON "TAP" FOR NEXT WEEK
Dates for next week:
February 13th: R.A. Cluster 7:05-8:05 a.m.; 3-5 Cluster 3:05-4:05 p.m.; Happy Day Club
February 14th: Fancy Day; PBS; Chess Club
February 15th: Valentines Day Luncheon 4th and 5th 11:15 - 12:30; K-2 Cluster 3:05-4:05 p.m.
February 16th: Window E Sketching Day; TLT 3:10-4:30 p.m.
February 17th: No School
Future Dates:
February 20th: No School
February 21st: All School Cluster 7:05 - 8:05; Grade Level Rep. Meeting 3:05 - 4:05
February 24th: DAM Meetings/3-5 "Check-In" on Emergency Plans
February 27th: Re-Scheduled Learning Walks; PTO Meeting; Dual Language Meet and Greet Night 6:30 - 8:00
February 28th: Staff Meeting - Karen Blaha - Instructional Scaffolding
News from Central Office
There will be 2 CPR classes in February. Each class can only accommodate 12 people so you need to RSVP to Susan Stiffney (sstiffney@goshenschools.org)
Cost is $20. Each class runs from 4 to 5:30. You only need to sign up for one class.
Dates are February 22 and 23.
CPR
February 22 or 23
4 to 5:30 pm
$20
RSVP to sstiffney@goshenschools.org
2. TELL Survey – The survey window has been confirmed for 2017: April 10 – May 15. Mark your calendars. In the next few weeks, as we receive information, we will forward it out to Principals.
3. When Long Term Subs are NEEDED: This is a reminder to all administrators and teachers. When a long term substitute is needed, please make sure that Jamie Lehman is notified as soon as possible. “Long term” is defined as absence that we anticipate will extend beyond 15 consecutive school days. In almost all cases, principals and/or teachers already know which substitute they wish to have fill in during their absence. However, we anticipate needing several long term subs this spring. If a teacher or a principal does not know of a substitute who is willing to serve in this capacity, we are prepared to assist by contacting potential long term subs and/or posting the position on our employment site.
4. willSUB Clarification – Thanks to a few teachers raising the question, so we can clarify some details related to ½ day absences. willSUB requires that the teacher who is requesting the ½ day afternoon sub MUST select from a drop down menu the actual time that the sub is needed. We are working with PCMI and willSUB to see if there is a change that can be made to the program to automatically default to our GCS half day arrival and departure times. In the meantime, please make sure to identify the “start time” that your half-day sub is needed. As we receive additional information, we will communicate any changes.
5. Teach Summer School in China!
Since 2009, CEC has offered teachers the opportunity to teach in China during their summer break. Teachers have an amazing experience and can even receive points for their professional growth plans. Interested? See the attached documents.
About Us
Email: koverton@goshenschools.org
Website: http://waterford.goshenschools.org/
Location: 65560 S.R. 15 Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 574-533-6811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterford.elementary
Twitter: @WaterfordElem