Monday Musings
Weekly Memo for Douglas Staff
November 16, 2015
Happy Sunday evening,
Wow! The WHS Musical was phenomenal! I'm so thankful that our 2nd and 3rd graders were able to attend last Wednesday during the day...a great experience for them. Several Douglas alumni performed in the cast, crew and pit orchestra, which was fun to see. We even had a couple current Douglas students in the musical!
In Lessner family news - my little brother's football team (University of Sioux Falls) found out tonight that they made the NCAA Division II football playoffs for the first time ever! They will head to Arkansas to play on Saturday in the first round. It was pretty awesome to watch the video of the team when they found out they made the playoffs (last team announced!).
This week, I have a goal of 4 formal observations with pre-obs. conferences AND at least 6 informal observations. If you see me in your classroom this week, it is likely you will receive an email link to an observation form shortly after! Over the past couple of weeks in observations I have been able to listen in on a 4th grade literature circle, 1st grade conversations about math strategies, 3rd graders stretching the "heart" of their stories, and students sharing about how they have chosen just-right books for their independent reading. It is an honor to be in your classrooms! Have a great week, everyone.
Emily
I Scream...You Scream...
Author Visit
K-2/3-5 Vertical Meetings
Upcoming and Updated Staff Meeting Dates
Tuesday, Nov. 17 - NO Staff Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 24 - Staff Meeting (See Below) (Norms and PBIS)
Tuesday, Dec. 1 - NO Staff Meeting - Douglas PLC Planning Team Meeting (3:15-4:15)
**Please plan on alternate team meeting time this week due to PLC Planning Team Meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 8 - Staff Meeting - Tier 1 Core Focus
Tuesday, Dec. 15 - NO Staff Meeting - K-2 Holiday Concert
Thursday, Dec. 17 - 3-5 Holiday Concert
NO SCHOOL - Monday, Dec. 21-Sunday, January 3
Tuesday, January 4 - Staff Meeting - TENTATIVE: Writing (Nancy/Lori), Responsive Classroom Revisit and PBIS
Tuesday, January 11 - NO Staff Meeting
Tuesday, January 18 - NO Staff Meeting
Tuesday, January 25 - District Grade-Level Teams 3:30 at Douglas - Literature and Foundational Skills
Tuesday, Nov. 24th - Douglas Staff PLC - PBIS Focus
- Norms
- Grade Level teams will present a norm for consensus (See below)
- PBIS Tiers 1 and 2 Data Dig
- Tier 1 Discussion - Goal Setting
- Tier 2 Grade-Level Discussion
Tuesday, Nov 24, 2015, 03:15 PM
Douglas Elementary School, Prospect Street, Watertown, WI, United States
Grade-Level Teams - Norms Task
Two norms already agreed upon by consensus:
- Have an agenda and stick to it
- Start and end on time
Prior to the Nov. 24th meeting, each grade level team should prepare a norm to address the following components of working together. We will start our meeting with each grade level presenting a norm to the group for group consensus. Norms presented should be concise and help us focus our work together - with the overarching mission of "Excellence for All" and mindset of continuous improvement.
Grade-Level Norm Assignments:
- K: Norm to address - Responsibilities (Ideas from grade-level norms: Contribute equally to the responsibilties/workload of the group)
- 1: Norm to address - Communication (ideas from grade-level norms: take turns, communicate constructively/respectfully) - also consider listening, positivity, and confidentiality
- 2: Norm to address - Focus on Students and Student Learning
- 3: Norm to address - Sharing (ideas from grade-level norms: Share ideas, resources, strategies, opinions) - consider - What about when opinions do not match your own?
- 4: Norm to address - Presence at meetings/Participation - What does it mean to be present?
- 5: Norm to address - Decision-making
Gifts for Watertown Kids - Douglas Cares! (Family Game Drive)
Looking for a way to "give back" to a local cause during the holiday season?? The opportunity below may be for you!
Who: All interested Douglas staff
What: Bring in 1 new game to donate to Gifts for Watertown Kids (Each family gets 1 game at gift distribution)When: Game should be brought to the school office anytime on or before November 30th
Then What: As a thank you for donating a game to this cause...wear jeans for a week! (Nov. 30-Dec. 4)
Event: Join your colleagues for the Gifts for Watertown Kids event at Turner Hall on Thursday, Dec. 3rd. Admission...1 new toy or game! Grab yours from the Douglas office and take it to the event. All family games will be taken to the event that evening.
Odds and Ends
Major BINs - Needed!
We want to make sure to have BINs available for people when/if they need them. Please keep a few (3-4) BINs and return the rest to Kayla's mailbox for her to keep in her office. Moving forward, we will have Major BINs available in Kayla's office and the main office.
Student Teacher - 4th Quarter
Shout-Out...Looking for Extra Clothes!
Douglas Apparel Order
Save the Date - "Snow is falling! Books are calling!" - Douglas Family Literacy Night
Thursday, Jan 14, 2016, 05:00 PM
Douglas Elementary School, Prospect Street, Watertown, WI, United States
Emily's Schedule for the Week (11/16-11/20)
Monday, 11/16
7:45 Pre-Observation Meeting (Hankins)
8:05 Announcements
8:30 Pre-Observation Meeting (Gresenz)
9:00 Office Meeting
12:30 Formal Observation
2:00 Formal Observation
Tuesday, 11/17
8:05 Announcements
8:30-11:15 Cabinet
12:55 4th Grade WIN
3:15 Team Meetings
Wednesday, 11/18
7:30 SIT - Adrian D. (Burchardt)
8:05 Announcements
8:30 Site Visit - Moravian Church (Emily, Kayla, Michaela)
9:30 Pre-Obs. Meeting (Lease)
12:30 Formal Observation
3:15 IEP (Stark/Rowedder)
Thursday, 11/19
8:05 Announcements
Observations - AM
12:55 4th Grade WIN
3:30 Brianna Kreuser's Baby Shower!
Friday, 11/20
7:45 Pre-Obs. Meeting (Sefzik)
8:05 Announcements
9:10 Meet with Brunner/Kennon
11:10 Formal Observation