The Bear Necessities
3/14/18
Spring Break
DJ Batiste and Donna Porter
I will link a few videos to enjoy below, but know that Donna was the "public speaking" teacher at a high school in Mississippi. A class that EVERY student had to take, so she taught every student in that school. Know that DJ was a gang leader and trouble maker at school (kicked out of Head Start, parents both below age of 16 when he was born, Grandma raised him).
These two spent 3 hours speaking about the power of respect and relationships. They spoke of the difference ONE EDUCATOR can make and I literally barely held it together the entire time (I'm actually barely holding it together as I type). Donna Porter saved DJ's life, no doubt about it....just like you work to do every single day. Our relationship with families and children DOES make a difference. I am so very humbled by the work done at GBEEC, I was simply overwhelmed to hear those two talking about the power of what you all dedicate yourself to each day. I wish each of you could hear them in person (I'll be asking for them to be our convocation speakers, but I'm not holding my breath).
A little side note: Donna spoke of being a high school communications teacher who transformed many high school student lives, but in fact, she is an SLP who was a Parent Educator for 5 years. AH, now that makes sense, she worked in Early Childhood, which made her an amazing high school teacher because she could see the WHOLE CHILD, build RELATIONSHIPS and remain calm in the face of "adolescent tantrums".
Take a bit of time to watch the videos and be reminded about the impact your words, attitude and care have on each and every person you work with daily.
Developmentally Appropriate: Not Just Cute with Amanda Morgan
A tidbit to think about
Do we as Early Educators teach parents and children to really look at their learning, really own it for their own, not something they are doing to meet a goal...interesting...
Part of the job of an educator is to give an accurate assessment of where students are at and where they need to go. But what happens when the teacher is not there to provide feedback and guidance? If we are shifting in education to focus more on the “process of learning,” our learners will have to be able to assess their progress through their unique journeys.One way this can be done is through the use of digital portfolios. Since it is much easier to store years of information in a digital format versus paper, this allows us to see where we have been and where we are going. For example, right now you are reading an entry in my digital portfolio, and I can look on something that I wrote three years ago, and to see what has changed in my thinking, and what has stayed the same.
Reminders
Please notify the office if you will have any Parent / Teacher conferences scheduled before 4/25/18.
Tornado Drill
Announcement will be made “Cyclone Drill” and staff / students will proceed to their assigned area for shelter.
Roll call will be made over the walkie. If you are a classroom teacher, please respond green or red. If red announce who is missing. Other staff will respond with “green”. (If you are not issued a walkie, use walkie from another staff.)
Staff Absence: If you secure a Para sub through the District, please include the sub’s name in your email to the office.
Mail procedure instructions and mail supplies are in the File Room. Please remember to place KC Presort slip on mail and secure with a rubber band.
Please notify the office if a Title student is now eligible to receive Special Education services. Please place the Title cumulative file in the brown file.
Regarding time off requests, classified staff will still need to request the entire time off. If they request 4 hours and they return after 4 hours plus some, they will need to modify this time off request or work the extra time before the end of the week.
DRILLS:
April Fire Drill
Upcoming Events:
3/16 8:00 Staff Meeting - Certified
3/16 Collab Meeting
3/19-3/23 Spring Break
3/26 12:45 Dr. Collier at Great Beginnings
3/29 Dental Screening - Satellite locations
3/30 No School
4/5 5:30 Jill Molli
4/6 8:00 Jill Molli
4/6 Friday School (Parker, Stratton)
4/6 10:00 Staff Meeting - Para
4/9-4/17 Sped Team Meetings
4/13 Friday School (Campbell, Parker, Stratton)
4/13 8:00 Staff Meeting - Certified
4/25-4/26 Parent Teacher Conferences
4/26 Read from the Start
4/27 Staff Comp Day
4/30 Firefighter Visit - MLE
5/1 Firefighter Visit - WVE
5/2 Firefighter Visit - ECC
5/3 Firefighter Visit - TRE
5/24 Last Day for ECC Students
5/25 Last Day for District
Our Week Next Week
Tuesday - both here
Wednesday - both here in PAT interviews all day
Thursday - both at Elementary Principals meeting AM, here PM