MoB (Matters of Business)
Edgewood's Weekly Staff Update for the week of 3/18-3/22
We are committed to the journey of developing EACH child to be an inspired learner and a caring, contributing citizen.
Learning Notes
Today's edition is a selected hodgepodge edition of, "What's Our Principal Been Thinking Lately?"
Thought 1: Essential Oils are all the rage in our building (thank you, Kathy Heidt =). We're all looking at something to lift our moods, regulate our emotions, etc. How can music achieve some of the same effects in your classroom? There's more to it than classical music playing during independent reading/writing, and it's linked to improved outcomes for children in poverty. Interested? Click here: https://www.theedadvocate.org/10-ways-incorporate-music-classroom/
Thought 2: Some parents say like homework because it shows them what their kids are learning in class. Yet, research shows us that homework has zero to no effect on learning for elementary age students. And, let's be honest, when parents talk about homework, they're really talking about math worksheets. Could we make it easier on everyone by putting a snapshot of the kinds of problems kids are doing in our newsletter/on our blog? On the back of a newsletter?
Thought 3: We want kids to know the essential goals of our units. We want them to know where they're going. Why aren't we posting learning targets/goals? Check out the picture below, which I saw in Mike Hecht's classroom. He credited Maria Barbeau with the inspiration. It resonated with me. You?
TCB (Taking Care of Business)
- On April 12th, we'll have our 3rd "Character Celebration Surprise Assembly," and students will need to "earn" their admission. Grades 1-5 should have students complete this task individually. Grades 4K and 5K--talk with Jessie Lepper re: how to approach it. Here is the template (you can make your own if you want), and here is an example.
- The April EHSA Meeting will be from 6-7 (not 6:30-7:30)
- Health Appraisals are coming in April--be on the look out! As in years past, these will be required to keep the 10% cost sharing of the health care plan. Our district works hard to keep the skyrocketing costs of health care down, and this is one of the things that contributes to keeping costs down.
Staff Shout Outs to...
- To Jodi Plott, who's created a unique small group plan to truly reach and engage all learners in her classroom in the argument and advocacy unit.
- To Lori Paulus, for taking time to review tests with kids. Reflection and feedback is important!
- To all the teachers who offered up teacher experiences for the raffle, and for collecting the items that came in. The EHSA greatly appreciates it!
- To all of you, for putting time and thought into the report cards for each of your students. It says an immense amount for how much you care about your students and your work.
Upcoming Dates
3/19: Brainstorming, 1st Grade, 7:40am
3/20: Staff Collaborative Teams
3/22: Assembly, 2:30pm
3/22: SPRING BREAK STARTS--3:35PM!
In 2 Weeks:
4/2: Brainstorming, 5K, 7:40am
4/2-5: 5th Grade Testing
4/2-4/4--5th grade and 1st grade switch specials
4/2--Author Visit, 4K-2nd Grade, 2pm
4/5: SOTM Breakfast, 8:00-8:30
4/5: Buddy Bonding, 2:30
Other Upcoming Dates
4/18: Grandparents Day (Schedule TBD)