Hoot Hoot Herald
September 24 - September 28
Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don't give up hope. Be open...and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm, and genuine people. -Tena Desae
HOOT NEWS
DISTRICT OF INNOVATION PD - SEPTEMBER 24TH
The CLI PD will be at Hill Elementary on Monday, September 24th from 8:00 - 11:00. Staff will start out in the cafeteria and then breakout into smaller rooms. Breakfast is on your own. Teachers are welcome to park on any streets around Hill. You may also park on the Greenslope side of HillCrest Baptist Church for parking. The church is at Steck and Greenslope/Robbe. You might want to carpool!
Special Education team will stay on the Doss campus. SPED TAs will be on campus helping SPED teachers.
PD SCHEDULE:
8:00 - 11:00 CLI @ Hill
12:30 - 1:30 Committee Meetings @ Doss
- Tech Meeting: Computer Lab/Christina
- SEL Meeting: Conference Room/Stover
- Pre-K: AP Office/Smith
- New Teachers: Principal Office/Griffin
- GT: Francis' Room/Engel
- Social Committee: Collins' Room/Collins
- Kim Sutton overview in Diane Mean's room with Laura Lauck (teachers who have not attended a Kim Sutton training are invited).
- Formative Loop - Tracy Sheridan's room
2:00 - 3:00 Develop the Principal Profile with the Associate Superintendent - Cafeteria
SPECIALS ABC CALENDAR:
Next Tuesday is a B day for specials (since Monday is not a district-wide day off, the ABC calendar continues even though we don't have classes that day). The ABC calendar can be found in our staff resources page on Blend.
SUBSTITUTES:
It has been a big adjustment for the office staff to have one less person (we were only given three allocations). As a result, we need all of the help we can get! Substitutes are paid for 8 hours a day. It would be very helpful if all subs on campus could check in with the office during the scheduled conference period. Having someone to answer to phone and open the door is a huge help. Also, please know that the expectation is for subs to work a full day (for example 7:30-3:30). If you do not need them, they should come to the office to assist us with other vacancies. Please don't make arrangements for subs to come in late (8:30) when you are testing. They need to be here on time since they are getting paid for the entire day. Thanks for your support!
FIELD TRIPS/SPED:
When you are planning field trips, it's imperative that you notify the SPED team ahead of time so we can ensure that our SPED students are supported on the field trip.
CUSTODIAN REQUEST:
Please make sure your students are not putting pebbles/rocks in and around the gutter downspouts. When this happens, water gets backed up and pools in problematic places. Thank you!
LIVING TREE MESSAGES:
We have had many Living Tree issues this year. Is your class receiving your Living Tree communications? Please confirm with the families in your class - make sure they are receiving these messages. I will be sending out a Google doc via email where you can report all Living Tree issues and problems. We will pass these along and get these issues resolved as quickly as possible.
BENCHMARKS:
Team leads, we discussed Benchmarks at our Leadership Team meeting this week and we need to make a decision on this. The district is only requiring one MOY--which should then occur after winter break. However, if we choose not to have another Doss MOY in the fall, it's going to be imperative that as a team, you decide how you will track your students' academic progress. You all should now have BOY data for both Reading and Math. If your team does not have this data on your kids, please make a plan for that. Please discuss as a team how you are going to track student progress between benchmarks.
RESERVED SPACE SCHEDULE:
When planning your grade level events, testing, and conferences, please be mindful of room assignment and reservation schedules. These reservations can also be viewed per day on the Doss 154 Outlook calendar. Need a space? Please send an email to s.palmer@austinisd.org or adriana.amador@austinisd.org to help coordinate. Most activities and all events require a yellow Building Use Form, which can be found in the lounge and office.
BUDGET COMMITTEE:
PHOTO DAY - SEPTEMBER 28TH
Teachers, mark your calendars! PHOTO DAY is Friday, September 28 from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM in the Main Gym.
FORMS:
Thank you for sending home the photo order information forms to each student!
- Please collect any returned photo orders in the large envelope provided.
- Pre-payment is expected.
- Instruct parents to contact 1st Photo Texas directly for all late orders/payments (no forms accepted at Doss after 9/28 @ 11:00 AM). Bring this envelope to the photo session time you have chosen on the sign-up sheet.
CLASS PHOTOS:
- Although the photograph is taken with individual portraits, the class photos have a separate order/payment form, distributed in November.
- Do encourage full participation in the class photo - this is the picture used in our 2018-2019 Doss Yearbook.
- It is very important that you include ALL of your assigned homeroom students --including SPECIAL EDUCATION students in the class photo. Please be very diligent to make sure that EVERY child is included in the class photo.
- It is up to you to coordinate with your Special Education teacher to assure inclusion of all students.
TEACHER PHOTOS:
The Doss students want all of their teacher’s portraits in the yearbook! Kindly sit for a photo so the entire staff is represented in the yearbook.
STAFF MEMBER DISCOUNT:
Is your child a Doss Owl? Please provide a green coupon, which can be found near your teacher box in the lounge.
MEETING DATES
FACULTY MEETINGS
October 15
November 5
December 3
January 14
February 4
March 4
April 8
May 6
LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETINGS
October 22
November 12
February 11
March 11
April 15
May 20
CAC MEETINGS
Oct 11
Nov 8
Dec 13
Jan 17
Feb 21
March 14
April 11
May 9
FROM THE PTA
SUPPLY REIMBURSEMENTS:
Teacher supply allowance reimbursements are due no later than Friday, 9/28. Please make sure you do not include sales tax - use the sales tax exempt form so you don't pay for it, and the form needs TWO signatures!!
PTA REFLECTIONS
Reflections is a National PTA program that encourages students to express themselves by giving positive recognition for their artistic efforts. How can teachers help?
- Remind students that this is a participation program.
- Ask your students to “reflect” on the theme “Heroes Around Me.”
- What does that mean to you?
- If you were to create a story or idea around the theme, what would it be?
- What materials would you use to express your ideas? You could:
- Draw, paint or create a picture for the category of Visual Arts. Must be ≤ 24x30”, ≤ 1” thick, including a mat if you use one
- Take a picture or several pictures and create a collage for the Photography category. Must be <11x14” including matting if used, mounted on sturdy not material, but not framed
- Write something (perhaps a poem, story, letter, tale or essay) for the Literature category. ≤2000 words, typed or handwritten, 1-sided, with name and page # on BACK of each page; Have parent read the other rules for participation to ensure it qualifies and they provide the correct # of copies.
- Create an original dance for Dance Choreography. You do not have to be the dancer, just the one who makes up the dance moves that match the theme. ≤5 mins long and 1GB
- Create a short movie for the Film Production category. Again you can be in the film or get other people or things to be the actors. ≤5 mins long and 1GB
- Write an original song and record it for the Musical Composition category. ≤5 mins long and 1GB
- Tell students they can enter ANY or ALL six categories as long each work is original to the theme “Heroes Around Me.” If they have more than one great idea, they can enter as many times as they wish as long as each and every entry has its own completed entry form.
- Make sure they complete and sign the required Student Entry Form with a descriptive, meaningful “Heroes Around Me” Artist Statement, which is heavily weighted in the judging rubric.
- FYI: If an entry does not comply with the rules, yet deserves to advance, the Reflections Committee will work with the parent/student to make adjustments towards compliance. The top 20% of entries may advance to the Austin Council PTA level.
- Please note: there is a Special Artist category with modified rules for 504 students. See Janna for approval.
- There are scholarships available for any parents that are not able to become a PTA member. Let’s not PTA member status keep a child from participating.
- Do you know artistic professionals that can judge? Please contact us.
Please place Reflections entries in the box at the front of the school as you receive them. They will be picked up weekly. Please visit https://www.txpta.org/reflections to see the complete list of rules and examples of past winners.
Have students turn in their entries on or before Tuesday, October 23 at 3:00 PM.
Thank you for encouraging the kids to wonder and create! Let’s see if we can get a Doss Owl masterpiece all the way to Nationals!
Need more information? Please contact the Reflections Chairs:
Allison Popov allison.popov@gmail.com
Annie Townsend anne_ack@yahoo.com
COUNSELOR CORNER
STAFF COLLEGE SPIRIT T-SHIRT DAY:
Let's show our enthusiasm for higher education by wearing college gear every Thursday!!
SNEAK PEAK INTO OUR 2018-19 CAMPUS THEME - #kindnessrocks
The Colors of Doss - In October classroom guidance will focus on celebrating World Unity and Doss Unity with a school wide activity.GIFTED AND TALENTED:
Gifted and Talented Nominations for 3rd - 5th Grade: (*K–2nd Grade will be screened in the Spring)
- Information went out to 3rd - 5th parents this week in Living Tree.
- Nominations for screening students for GT were accepted September 10-21. If you have parents inquiring after the 21st, please direct them to Vickie
Timeline for screening process:
Nomination window - 9/10 -9/21
CogAT Online Testing - Week of 10/22-26 - schedule to come
Common Assessments Window - 10/15- 11/9
Decision Making Committee Meetings - 11/20 -11/30
Letters to parents informing of qualifying or non-qualifying - No later than 12/5
- Teacher 6 hour Update Training (2 options)
- 1) ONLINE - window - 7/9 - 2/28 - HCP # 88456
- 2) Jan. 2, 2019 PD will count toward the 6 hour update - at Anderson HS. More info on time and location to come
- New Teachers - Only one option - Foundations Institute 30 hour training- ONLINE only
- Window - 8/1 - 2/28 - HCP # 88403
COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
- Monday, 9/24 from 1-2 pm
- GT Decision Making Committee in Francis' room
- SEL Committee in Conference Room
MENTORS AND PALS AT DOSS:
- Please turn forms in to Vickie ASAP!!!
- AHS PALS begin coming Wed. Oct. 2
- FYI - there are 43 5th Grade Doss PALS and 23 AHS PALS. Take a close look at your kiddos...who could use a buddy to hang out with, to read to or receive help with academics?
- We are in need of adult mentors. If you know of someone who would be interested, please let Vickie know.
LIBRARY NEWS
Check out Nook tablets here.... https://goo.gl/Vwz56H
Request a collaboration/lesson... https://goo.gl/PxfZHb
COMPUTER LAB
I am continuing to enroll classes in software programs we use at Doss. I am now working on Imagine Learning for our ESL students and TypingTraining for grades 2-5. Also, Learning.com has introductory lessons to keyboarding for grades K-3. Please see James if you need help setting that up for your kids.
JANNA'S WEEKLY CALENDAR
Monday, September 24, 2018
7:30 - 4:00 Professional Develoment, Hill ES/Doss ES
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
7:00 - 8:00 Teacher Observations, Doss ES
8:00 - 9:00 Parent Meeting w/ Dr. Hicks, Doss ES, Cafeteria
9:30 - 10:30 PTA President Meeting, Doss ES, Front Office
12:30 - 1:30 Fine Arts/Architect Meeting, Doss ES
3:15 - 4:00 CAC Application Meeting, Doss ES
6:00 - 7:00 Parent Meeting w/ Dr. Hicks, Doss ES, Cafeteria
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
7:00 - 8:00 Teacher Observations, Doss ES
8:00 - 8:45 Parent Meeting, Doss ES
1:30 - 2:00 Teacher Meeting, Doss ES
Thursday, September 27, 2018
7:00 - 8:00 Teacher Observations, Doss ES
9:40 - 10:10 Teacher Meeting, Doss ES
3:15 - 4:30 CAC New Member Welcome/Interview, Doss ES, Library
3:15 - 4:15 Teacher Meeting, Doss ES
Friday, September 28, 2018
7:00 - 8:00 Teacher Observations, Doss ES
9:00 - 10:20 PTA Round One Budget Meeting, Doss ES
10:20 - 11:05 ARD, Doss ES, Conference Room
11:15 - 12:00 ARD, Doss ES, Conference Room
12:40 - 1:25 ARD, Doss ES, Conference Room
3:00 - 7:00 Staff Happy HourSTAFF/FACULTY BABY NEWS!
After 71 days in the NiCu, Denise Medrano's baby girl is home! Payton now weighs 5lbs 9oz and is 18 inches long. We're so happy that Payton is at home and doing well!
Computer Lab Schedule
Monday
CLOSED
Holiday
Tuesday
8:00 Rustgi
8:45 Katsus
9:30 Means
11:00 Evans
11:45 Hyvl
12:30 4th-C/J
1:15 Chiu
Wednesday
8:00 Collins
8:45 Bellovin
9:30 Sprauge
11:00 Elbrecht
11:45 Hillhouse
12:30 Folts
Thursday
8:00 Smith
9:30 Raup
10:15 Holt
11:00 Vrba
11:45 Bones
12:30 Singerman
2:00 Pels
Friday
8:00 Cheung
8:45 Stone
10:15 Baehr
12:00 5th grade
12:45 5th grade
1:30 5th grade
2:15 Johnson
Calendar
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Professional Development/Student Holiday
Staff Meeting w/ Mr. Hicks, 2:00-3:00, Cafeteria
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Box Top Collection Day
Parent Meeting w/ Mr. Hicks, 8:00-9:00, Cafeteria
PALS Training, 3:00-4:30, Library
Parent Meeting w/ Mr. Hicks, 6:00-7:00, Cafeteria
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Fall Picture Day! Individual and Class Photos, Gym
PTA Reimbursement Form Deadline
Staff Happy Hour, 3:00-7:00, El Dorado
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2
PALS Training, 3:00-4:30, Library
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5
First Friday Teacher Treats, Lounges
Parent Principal Coffee, 7:45-9:00, Cafeteria
Library Schedule
A week
Tuesday, Sept. 25
8:15 Mowry
8:30 Von Hatten
9:00 5th VR
9:45 Smith
10:45 Elbrecht
11:15 Vrba
1:00 5th VR
2:15 Rustgi
Wednesday, Sept. 26
8:00 Raup
8:30 Folts
9:00 Stone
9:30 Hall
10:55 Sprague (K)
11:40 Sprague (1)
12:00 Bones
1:00 Singerman
Thursday, Sept. 27
8:00 Deloach
8:30 Collins
9:00 5th VR
10:00 Pels
1:00 5th VR
Friday, Sept. 28
8:30 Simmons
9:00 Bellovin
10:45 Evans
11:30 Bellovin
12:00 Simmons