Spruce Scoop
Joy. Hope. Resilience.
November 18-22 , 2019
Principal Message
These next 5 days are crucial and we want to maximize every minute we have. Plan for the Best Week Ever!
We are equipped with our results of the CA 2 and bell to bell effective and aligned instruction is the expectation.
When we return from our much deserved break, we will have 10 days before we begin ACP testing. EOC retesting starts the Dec. 9th.
That is a total of 15 days of instruction before our very important Fall ACP testing time. How we plan for instruction of every moment matters. We want all of our scholars to put their best thinking forward and demonstrate all they have learned, hitting grade level or above, and most of all growing in the academic progress.
When we are all on the same page and communicate the collective focus of teaching and learning our scholars see and feel that expectation. It also helps us help each other, leaning in and being responsible for our 20 Square Feet. When we own our part it makes for a much more joyful environment.
Have a wonderful week!
F. Taylor
Proundest Principal in DISD
H. Grady Spruce High School
**Spruce Scoop next edition will be for the week of Dec. 9th. Staff email will be sent out for our first week back on Dec. 2nd.
DISD Fall Climate Survey -11/18 - 12/11
Please remember that the survey comes directly to you via Hanover Research, independent education research firm. We have until December 11th to complete the survey. The survey is completely anonymous and any only identifier is that you are correctly linked to Spruce.
If you have any issues receiving the link please refer to the WAIP memo, click here (also below in WAIP section).
Please take the time and provide feedback. The Climate Survey is data that is collected twice a year by the district and is taken very seriously by the campus and the district. The data informs us of our perceived strengths and weaknesses in the areas of:
- alignment of vision, mission,
- instructional leadership,
- professional development,
- morale, discipline, facilities, safety
- effectiveness of professional learning communities and teacher practices
- principal/leadership and support/relationship with teachers/staff
Climate is the heart of your school and we want to take a moment to highlight all the great things we are about at Spruce HS and where we need to spend some time improving. It is an internal and external document and this is one way we share what we value at Spruce!!
Our goal is 100% participation. Participation on the survey speaks to our next steps.
Thank You for participating
Tardy Sweep - Week of Nov. 18th
Tardy Sweep: Wednesday, November 20th, after the 2nd to 3rd transition
At the end of these transition periods please lock your doors at the tardy bell and do not allow students in who do not have the tardy/detention pass as before. When they return to class with the pass, please allow them back in and mark them tardy in attendance.
Spruce United Way Goal $2,000
Timberwolf Family,
The Dallas Independent School District needs your support in ensuring the success of the 2019-2020 United Way Employee Giving Campaign. Each year, United Way’s generous funding supports district initiatives from pre-school preparation to college readiness and provides a variety of assistance to our students and families outside of the school setting. Maintaining this important source of support requires your help. That’s why we are asking that all Dallas ISD employees make a donation to reach this year’s $190,000 campaign goal.
- The United Way Metropolitan Dallas is the District’s charity of choice due to the numerous and wide range of programs that directly support our students and communities.
- Each Spruce employee is asked to contribute at least a minimum of $10 to the campaign, but we want to aim for $20 from each employee.
- Employees have 3 different options to give: Oracle, Give360, and Cash/Check
- Cash and Check donations are collected by the Campaign Champion. For campuses, use the attached Contribution form to submit cash/check donation daily to your office manager. For central staff use the attached Contribution form and submit to the Treasury Department in a sealed envelope and attached the envelope form to the outside.
- Campus Staff should address checks to their campuses with a note in the memo line: 2019-20 United Way Giving Campaign (IMPORTANT CHANGE)
- Central Staff should make checks payable to the United Way Metropolitan Dallas and designate 2019-20 United Way in the memo line.
Spruce Timberwolves - Anyone who gives $20.00 will receive a jean pass to wear jeans the entire month of December with the exception of the Tuesday College & Friday Jean Days.
THE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS 100% GIVING FIRST IS AWARDED A DEPARTMENT BREAKFAST
If you have any additional questions, please email Mrs. Walker-Reed or stop by the library. Following Thanksgiving Break, there will be a few additional opportunities to support the United Way Campaign for our campus. More details coming soon.
Reminder - Progress Report Grades Due Friday
Spruce Chili Cook Off
Do you have Chili Skills! Do your cooking skills warrant the trophy of Chili Master? If you have skills (as I have heard we have many Chili Masters on campus) please follow up with Mrs. Fisher's email that will be sent out this week to sign up.
Chili submission amounts are for taste testing during all three lunches (so an overwhelming amount is not needed :-).
- 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.
Highlights Week of 11/18
Staff Meeting Wednesday 11/20 @ 8:00 am to 8:50 am
Chili Cook Off, Friday ~ During All Three Lunches - Come and Vote
Thanksgiving Break begins Nov. 25th. Please remember teachers that did not complete PD hours during the Summer (or Fall) PD days are Nov. 25-27.
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.
English Language Arts Department
It's all about the real time feedback
Is It CUBES I see?
Performing and Fine Arts
Timberwolves Learning the Art of Theatre Tech
Everyone was engaged, and improving each time they tried it again. This goes to show that in the moment feedback and modeling are important to making practice impactful. Its all about growth.
Set Drop Set Up/Take Down
Costumes: Sewing Station
Mr. Powers Maximizes Student to Student Engagement & Leadership
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. Walker-Reed
Thank you so very much for posting an opportunity for a poetry workshop with the Dallas Public Library. Because of your help, students were able to engage with an individual affiliated with the library in order to take their own poetic talents to newer and greater heights. Thank you so much!! The students truly enjoyed the experience!!
Spotlight on 1st Floor Culture Team ~ Move Along, Spruce Strong!
From the moment we had our meeting I have noticed a difference in our 1st floor teams level of engagement, presence, and voice/encouragement in the hall. Way to go with the Bell to Bell Transition and Positively Narrating to encourage on time arrival.
Love the jump right in nature and true spirit of teamwork. Working together we will finish this semester strong and
Spotlight on Mr. Coates
Spotlight Mr. Coates and gaming club!! I had the chance to peak my head into gaming club and was blown away by the JOY in the room! Mr. Coates has created such a safe space for students to come and laugh and truly enjoy each other’s company! I was inspired by it ALL and loved seeing kids in their element! Way to go Mr. Coates!!
Spotlight on Ms. Cortez
Shout out to Captain Cortez for creating the most phenomenal culture wall a team of teachers could ever dream of- she truly knows her way around a bulletin board!! A picture would never do it justice, you have to come to the ECHS hallway to see for yourself!! Thank you for your creativity and leadership and taking on the task on behalf of all us who serve in the ECHS wing!
Spotlight on Ms. Hudgens, Mr. Richardson, Ms. Curtis, Ms. Gladney, Ms. Cortez, Ms. Brown, Mr. Caballero, and Ms. Tulley
The courtyards and front trees are absolutely beautiful (see pictures below). This community service project stemmed from looking out of a window during a classroom observation and seeing the current state of a wonderful space on our campus and a desire to have it Spruced Up. Ultimately, wanting the space to be a joyful place for our scholars and staff. I put the word out in the Spruce Scoop and they came through! We were a small group but a mighty one indeed.
I was so incredibly proud of all of our scholars as they did the bulk of all the work!
Equally proud of our staff. It could not have happened without these people at Spruce to rally our scholars, contribute their time, and be overwhelmingly positive as we rolled up our sleeves sang old school jams, laughed, and got the work done.
WAIP information that is specific to an individual, team, grade, content, will be emailed directly.
Spruce HS Represents and Honors Our Veterans at the Dallas Veterans Parade
Spruce Represents @ DISD Fam Jam Hosted at H Grady Spruce
Class of 2020 Support Fam Jam
Sharing all the Excellence of Spruce CTE Early College High School
Mr. Cooper Presents @ TAEA in Galveston
Mr. Mize Scholars Learn about the Principle of Design: Movement through Edgar Degas Artwork
Last Day
ENGL 1301
ECHS Culture
Ms. Baines(aka Ms. Frizzle) Class enjoys the fruits (or pizza) of her Halloween Costume Win
ECHS's Recognized @ Eastfields President's Breakfast
Taking a Tour of Eastfield
Sprucing Up Spruce Community Service Event
Dancing with the Staff 2019 Event
Ms. Rudd and Evelyn Morales- 1st Place
Leslie Lopez and Ms. Taylor- 2nd Place
Leslie Conche and Ms. Boyer- 3rd Place
Hazel Conche and Coach Hudgens
Lizeth Lopez and Mr. Jewell
Sarai Simmons and Mr. Hunter
Sophia Delgado and Ms. Rodriguez
Micah Coleman and Mr. Powers
Isabella Lopez and Mrs. Mackenzie
Karen Chavarria and Mrs. Draper
Kalin Ventura and Ms. Khan
Genesis Martinez and Ms. Gladney
Our Staff Winner: The Phenomenal Ms. Rudd!
1st Place ~ Ms. Rudd and Evelyn Morales
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!!
Tardy AM Procedure (Amended for 'C' Days)
Rear Entrance - ALL DAYS (9:00 am to 9:20 am)
- Our late door entrance, rear of campus/upperclassmen entrance, is open from 9:00 to 9:20 am.
- Scholars will be given a colored tardy pass (see picture ABOVE) with the time/date written on it by late door check in monitors (Rubio/McWhorter/Espinoza). We need this process to be fast and will only involve the monitor putting the time/date on the slip and sending scholars off to class. Students may pick up breakfast but they have the time/date stamped on their pass and are to move quickly to class (5-7 minutes).
- The late door (upperclassmen entrance) is closed at 9:20 am.
Front Door Entrance - A/B DAYS (9:21 am to 9:40 am)
- Scholars that arrive after 9:20 am enter through the front of the building and check in with Ms. Edison.
- Between 9:21 am and 9:40 am scholars will receive the colored tardy pass from Ms. Edison or designated staff member when she is absent.
- If a scholar arrives after 9:40 am they will sign into the Late to School Log and be escorted to ISS for the remainder of the period.
Front Door Entrance - C DAYS (9:21 am to 9:48 am)
- Scholars that arrive after 9:20 am enter through the front of the building and check in with Ms. Edison.
- Between 9:21 am and 9:48 am scholars will sign into the Late to School Log and be escorted to ISS for the remainder of the period.
Teacher Moves:
- Every student that has arrived late should be allowed into class and still be marked tardy in attendance by you the teacher.
- Every* student should have a pass and show their teacher their pass upon entrance into class. ( * See exception below)
- Teachers should check the time on the pass against the time the student arrives in class to make sure it is reasonable. If not, teacher should follow-up accordingly with appropriate student interventions such as student conference, parent contact, etc.
- No teacher hallway passes allowed before 9:45 am. There are some scholars in the halls with hallway passes, please let's NOT slip on this expectation.
- The color of the tardy pass this week is BLUE.
* exception - Keep in mind tardy passes will not begin being issued until 9 am. That means students arriving just minutes before 9 am will not be getting a pass yet will probably still be tardy to class. Please allow some leeway with students within the first 5 - 10 minutes of class time each day for not having a pass depending on what time they actually come through the metal detectors. This is a great opportunity to have a conversation with your student about not arriving at the last minute to school and being caught in this awkward situation of being asked for a pass and not having one.
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