Tuesday Tidbits February 20, 2018
Inspiring Passionate Learners
Important Dates
2-21- Wonder Wednesday, PLCs & Report Cards Go Home- Go over IM Data
2-23- All Pro Dads Breakfast in Library 7:00-8:00- Dads attend with their child so these students will enter class at 8:00.
2-23- Nacho Bar for Lunch in the Lounge
2-28- Wonder Wednesday & PLCS
3-1- Team Lead & CLT Meeting
3-5- 5th Grade STAAR Science Benchmark
3-6- 4th Grade STAAR Reading Benchmark
3-7- 3rd Grade StAAR Math Benchmark
3-8 3rd Grade STAAR Reading Benchmark
3-8 Staff Celebration and Safety Procedure Review
3-9- Baked Potato Bar for Lunch in the Lounge
3-12-16- Spring Break
3-19- PLC Day/No School- Review ISIP, IM and Benchmark Data
3-21- Wonder Wednesday and PLCs
3-22- STEAM Family Night 6:00-8:00
3-23- 4th Grade STAAR Math Benchmark
3-26- 2nd & 3rd Grade TELPAS in Computer Lab
3-27 2nd & 3rd Grade TELPAS in Computer Lab
3-28-- Wonder Wednesday & PLCs- Review IM Data
Thirsty Thursday and BHS Spirit Days are every Thursday & PCE Spirit Days on Fridays.
Optimize Learning Targets
The verb OPTIMIZE has 3 senses:
1. make optimal; get the most out of; use best
2. modify to achieve maximum efficiency in storage capacity or time or cost
3. act as an optimist and take a sunny view of the world
How do you see these 3 definitions applying to the way we use the word 'optimizing' our learning targets? It has been so fun to listen to all of our probationary teachers share ways students are getting the most out of learning; exceeding their ISIP and IM goals, 'taking a sunny view' of their progress even though they're not quite there yet with mastery of some targets; achieving success with the modifications you provide. Our FALCONS are growing as learners and exuding more and more confidence. Our goal is flood morning announcements and our Facebook page with evidence of students who are doing these things. You've worked hard and your students have too! Let's shout it out and brag for everyone to join us in celebrating these accomplishments.
Spark Plan
What ideas were sparked for you yesterday at our Restorative Practices staff development? If you're like me, you remembered all about green circles and relationship agreements but totally forgot about the spark plan. It easy to jump into the deep water, but sometimes our life preservers aren't quite big enough to keep us afloat over time out there. How are you taking a step back and jumping into the more shallow water with your spark plan?
Please bring at least one idea from your spark plan as your entrance ticket to our staff meeting this Thursday, February 22nd. There will be chart paper posted around the library for you to write or post an idea on for each day of the week. You can write an idea on each day. or just one day. Then you will get about 5 minutes to preview all of the great ideas and choose which ones you want to save and try in your classrooms.
Please invite your colleagues, Dana, Kim, and I into your classrooms to see the way sparks of respect, empathy for one another, and a culture of trust and compassion is occurring through implementing these quick sparks of sunshine that are saving your lives.
TOM and POM
This month we are celebrating our Teacher of the Month and Paraprofessional of the Month with a special lunch provided at Prairie House by the Aubrey Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to Cassie Nap and Jane Lyras. We appreciate all you're doing to support our kids and staff.
One of the ideas that came out of our first Think Tank was to honor a TOM and POM each month. The participants suggested designing a framework in which staff members were nominated by you and the reasons for the nomination also being on the voting ballot. They said this would help everyone know why we're celebrating this staff member, and it would help them get to know more about them.
We are designing our framework for this system of celebrating our POM and TOM monthly. If you're interested in helping plan this framework for our campus, please join me in the library on Monday, February 26th in the library. Your input will help us design a framework that is meaningful to you.
TTESS Updates
Due to Eduphoria needing extra time to work out kinks in the Strive Summative documents, the district has adjusted the timeline for completion of summative conferences and documentation being submitted. The portion for administrators isn't working correctly. Please see the revised timeline and know we will submit your summatives back to you as soon as this glitch is resolved.
Probationary Teacher Self-Assessment Part II: Goal Reflection no later than March 9, 2018
And Professional Development Plan Due (Or at least two weeks prior to Summative Conference)
Probationary Teacher End of Year Conferences Completed no later than March 23, 2018
Probationary teachers and/or teachers whose contracts may be non-renewed/terminated must have the entire appraisal process completed by the third Friday in March of any given school year to meet timelines for board consideration.
Probationary End of Year Reports Completed (Eduphoria) no later than March 29, 2018
Completed T-TESS summative reports include summative conferences and electronic signatures for the teacher and evaluator.
Note timelines for late hires: ALL T-TESS End of year Reports must be completed no later than April 13, 2018
(Late hires are teachers hired after October 1, 2017)
ALL Remaining Teacher Self-Assessment II: Goal Reflection no later than April 13, 2018
And Professional Development Plan Due (Or at least two weeks before End of Year Conference)
ALL teachers must submit TSR II and PD plan regardless of eligibility to waive T-TESS Annual Appraisal
ALL Remaining End of Year Conferences Completed no later than April 30, 2018
Written summative annual appraisal report must be summited to teacher w/in 10 working days of end of year conference, and w/in 15 working days of last day of instruction.