SLMS Principal's Office
"We're all in this together!"
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“Where students are concerned, the teacher will always be more powerful than the principal, the president, or the prime minister. Successful and sustainable improvement can therefore never be done to or even for teachers. It can only ever be achieved by and with them” - Andy Hargreaves and Michael Fullan
I read an excellent blog post by one of many favorite Twitterers, Danny Steele. You can find that here. Essentially he asked a teacher what the difference between those teachers who burn out and those that "love the students... value their colleagues... and lift the spirits of all those around them." Below was the answer:
"You know, I think every teacher is idealistic when they start their career. Almost every new teacher has passion; they love kids, and they want to make a difference. But after several years, you hit a little bit of a wall. There's this reality check. You realize this job is hard. There are a lot of papers to grade. Some students make it really hard to teach. And parents are not always supportive. I think some teachers just don't seem to move beyond these frustrations. They burn out. But others are able to maintain their sense of purpose in spite of the challenges. Their work is hard, but they remain convinced that it matters. Some students are challenging, but they are aware of how much they need a teacher not to give up on them. They deal with adversity, but it doesn't steal their passion. These are the teachers who get to make a difference year after year."
The two lines that jump out to me most are "they remain convinced that it matters" and "they [students] need a teacher to not give up on them." I love this! It is right in line with Hattie's research. Teacher estimates of achievement have an effect size of 1.29, while homework has an effect size of 0.29 and parental autonomy support is 0.15.
The really good teachers know what matters and they know that what they do matters a lot!
When we put it all together, our Collective Teacher Efficacy has an effect size right at the top at 1.57. Speaking of Collective Teacher Efficacy, this week the ILT will be discussing our Collaboration Monday time and how it can best be used for teachers to support students. Please take some time on Monday to discuss the positive aspects of the work we do on Mondays and how we can make our time even better. The structure we use to work together means so much less than the way that we believe it can make a difference for students learning.
We're ALL in this together!
-Mark
Week at a Glance
Monday, November 4th, 2019
- Collaboration Monday
- College Monday, wear your school colors!
- Mrs. Davis and Mrs. St. John will be taking a close look at Sped student schedules
- ILT meeting (2:50)
Tuesday, November 5th, 2019
- Staff meeting (2:50 in Mr. Parson's room)
- PIE Meeting (7 pm)
Wednesday, November 6th, 2019
- End of first quarter
- Butter Braid Distribution
Thursday, November 7th, 2019
- Grades are due!
Friday, November 8th, 2019
- Dress your best... Let's set the tone for the kids!
- Veteran's Day Assembly (Directions here!)
Nuts and Bolts
Be sure to get your grades in by this Thursday, Nov. 7th. We want to get report cards home to families before conferences.
Please let Ms. Rector know of any students you think may need some help with Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas gifts. It can just be a recommendation, she will follow up.
This is your last chance for a student of the quarter nomination. Letters will go out on Monday. This is done through the kid congratulations form.
Our construction team mentioned that we have had some folks driving a bit too fast in the lower gravel parking lot. Please be mindful of the workers building our new school and slow it down!
Ms. Norman (our counseling intern) is ready to start her first stress management group. If you have a girl who you think would benefit please click this link or complete the form below.
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What is happening with ASB?
Veterans Day Celebration - On Friday, November 8, Surprise Lake will host our annual celebration of Veterans' Day. This will be an assembly schedule day - with two separate assemblies. The only change will be that students will attend the assembly by grade level: 6th grade classes will attend the first assembly, while 7th grade classes will attend the second assembly. If you have a split class, please find another teacher to take your students to the assembly for you, and you will stay and teach your classes separately. Details here!
Door Decorating Contest - Each year SLMS hosts a winter door decorating contest. This year, the dates for this contest will run Monday November 18 through Wednesday November 27. This is a 5th period class competition to see which class has the most creativity and effort! The winning class will receive an ice cream party, courtesy of ASB! For this year, the theme is “Winter Songs”! Here are the rules:
- Design planning may begin immediately, but actual “construction” on the door may not begin until Monday, November 18.
- The door may only be worked on by students in your 5th period class. No using TAs from other periods to work on it! It can be worked on before school, at lunch time, or after school. You are responsible for supervising them at all times, so don’t have them come work unless you’re going to be there to keep an eye on them.
- You may use any materials you find at school to work on the project. You may also bring items from home or have students bring items from home as well.
- You may not decorate hallways, walls, or ceilings. All of the design must fit on the door itself. You may cover the window.
- All work must be finished by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 27.
- Violating any of the rules will result in disqualification!
So what do you need to do? Talk with your 5th period classes ASAP and get them pumped up! Then select a team of your choice or ask for volunteers to work on this project for your class. We’re excited to see what you all come up with this year! If you're unfamiliar with this process, check out our Instagram for photos of last year's best doors!
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Thank you!
Thank you to Mr. Kratzig and the leadership kids for another great assembly!
Thank you to Mrs. Boyd, Mr. Neufeld, and Mrs. Kasner for jumping right in and helping with moving our kids to the assembly.
Thank you to Ms Rector for organizing La Chispa again this year.
Thanks to Mrs. Reece, Mrs. Woodward, and Mrs. Norman for chaperoning La Chispa.
Thank you to Mr. Salamone, Mrs. Williams, Ms. Rummel, Mrs. Gallwas and the rest of the Life Skills team who continue to persevere difficult student situations.
Thank you to the students and the teachers who may have had an unexpected visitor on Thursday afternoon... it really says something about our staff and students when they just go on teaching and learning even in trying ccircumstances.
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SLMS Principal's Office Podcast
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Cool things I saw at SLMS
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"No program in the school will ever exceed the passion of the adults implementing it" - Danny Steele
Instructional Leadership Team - St. John, Ross, Garrett, Kratzig, McKenna, Krieger, Malfet, Solly
Next meeting is Monday, November 4th. Agenda
Student Success Committee - Malfet, Krieger, Johnson, McKenna, Sandlian
Next meeting is Monday, November 11th Agenda.
PBIS Committee - Holdener, Naiker, Mendoza, Satterlee, Scheidt, Davis
Next meeting is Nov. 11th, 2019 - Agenda
Climate Committee - Stevens, Kratzig, Kratzig, Scott, Miles, Salamone
Next meeting is Monday, December 9th - Our agenda can be found here.
If you haven't signed up your department for the Friday snacks... check it out! Also, clear your schedule for Dec. 19th for our Christmas Extravaganza! Mrs. Gallwas will be singing. That right there is worth the price of admission!
Safety Committee - Garrett, Bauermeister, Boyd, Ross, Harlow
Next meeting is Monday, November 25th - Agenda
AVID Schoolwide Team - Solly, Parsons, Jetton, Schuman, Gibson, Reece
Next meeting is Monday, November 25th - Agenda
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"If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve" -Dylan William
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District Leadership Blogs
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Weekly Parent Newsletter
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#BuildingaFutureSLMS updates
Week of November 3, 2019 – November 9, 2019
*Excavation, concrete work and the installation of underground utilities will continue all week. Some truck traffic will be associated with this work.
*Steel deliveries have begun and will continue through November. These deliveries will be coming from out of state and delivery times will be difficult to coordinate
*Steel erection will be on going through November
Monday November 4, 2019
· There will be a steel delivery today.
Tuesday November 5, 2019
· Scaffold will be picked up and there will be truck traffic associated with this work.
· A CMU grout pour is scheduled – there will be truck traffic associated with this work.
Wednesday November 6, 2019
· Scaffold will be picked up and there will be truck traffic associated with this work.
· There will be a steel delivery today
Thursday November 7, 2019
· OAC Meeting 9:00am – Cornerstone Job Shack.
· There will be a steel delivery today.
Friday November 8, 2019
· There will be a steel delivery today.