Thomas Jefferson Tribune
WEEK OF DECEMBER 18-21, 2017
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY PLAN
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES
MISSION:
The TJ Feeder schools embrace high quality learning opportunities which honor the unique strengths and diverse needs of all Scholars.
VISION:
The TJ feeder schools will be the premier feeder to attract and educate all Scholars to positively impact our community and world.
CORE VALUES:
Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Integrity
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..........
Patriot Leaders,
ACP's are here! It is time for our scholars to ‘show what they know.’ This time is extremely stressful for everyone but with your STRONG leadership team presence, it will assist in maintaining a calming environment.
As you begin to think of your upcoming ‘data meetings’ during Winter Break, review how your UNPACKING processes of the TEKS can positively impact Good First Instruction. Look at your teacher's data to determine what type of refresher they will need to upgrade their understanding of UNPACKING the TEKS. Teachers who have the highest passing percentages should assist the leadership team in training teachers who have lower results. This is a great way to build leadership density on your campuses. Thomas Jefferson High School already has this best practice happening. Have teachers review their lowest TEKS and ask them to UNPACK those TEKS. Review "what (measureable), with what (how), and why (conceptual)". Please do not permit rationales such as; "it was a trick question" or "I didn't teach it that way". Those excuses cannot be tolerated and will not yield the results that we are expecting of our scholars. Keep teachers focused on the TEKS... "What" is the action, "With what" is the object of the action verb, and "Why" is considered the big idea that is usually including a non-action verb.
All of you have been sent a calendar invite for ‘UNPACKING’ the TEKS with me and the AF’s on either Monday or Tuesday. You will have the opportunity to go through the process and SHARPEN Your SAW –Habit #7 of UNPACKING the TEKS. You will then have the opportunity to work with your AP’s, CIC’s and teachers to develop an action plan for redelivery of this process with your staff. All the planning, gathering of resources, RTI and tutoring in the world will NOT matter if the teachers do not understand what the TEKS are asking the students to do. The UNPACKING process has not been implemented with fidelity and clarity to address the depth of knowledge required by the TEKS for success. How many times have you said, “we do tutoring, we do RTI, we do small group instruction, we have a variety of resources?” “I do not know why they did not master the concept and did poorly on the Common Assessments and the STAAR?” It is simple. We missed the target because we did not understand the concept completely (what students are to do). Therefore, we have a plan to meet next week and work with you to strengthen our lens and move towards mastery of TEKS for all scholars in all campuses.
CHEERS to an awesome week of assessments and holiday events!
THE TJ FEEDER IS IN IT TO WIN IT!
Ms. Torres
Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, December 18, 2017
- Saldivar Teacher conference
- Teaching Trust Winter event w/Team's coaches-10:30-12:30-Ms. Torres
- Cary Campus visit w/AF's
- Medrano Campus visit W/ AF's
- Sudie Williams, Saldivar, Tom Field, Burnet, Cary and Walnut Hill-PD with TJ ED @ Haskell 2nd floor-213 H-2:30 p.m.
- ACP's administered beginning today
- Unscheduled Campus visits
- Joe May, Polk, Medrano, Cigarroa and Stephen Foster-PD with TJ ED @ Haskell 2nd floor-213 H-10:00 a.m.
- Leadership Team Meeting -1:30 p.m.-Ms. Torres- NCX 2nd floor
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
- Unscheduled Campus visits
- School Leadership Holiday Luncheon for ED, AF's and Administrative Assistants-11:45 a.m.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
- Unscheduled Campus visits
- ED/AF Planning session
- End of 3rd Six Weeks
- Demographic Appeals submitted by ED
- Grade Failure reports available
A-F Accountability System Refresher and Updates
The 85th Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 22, establishing three domains for measuring the academic performance of districts and campuses: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Districts will receive a rating of A, B, C, D, or F for overall performance, as well as for performance in each domain, beginning in August 2018. Campuses will receive A–F ratings beginning in August 2019.
We have a small amount of time before implementation of the A-F Accountability system. However, we should take the time to review what’s coming with the resources provided by TEA. Below, is the link to the resource page. TEA has released videos that provide an overview of the development of the A-F Accountability System established by HB 22.
A-F Accountability Resources: https://tea.texas.gov/A-F/
CLIMATE SURVEY PARTICIPATION RESULTS FOR OUR FEEDER
The table below shows the participation rates thus far for our feeder. Highly encourage your staff to take the climate survey so that we can get a great snapshot of what our campus culture is stating. The last day for the survey to be taken is December 13.
'UNITED TO LEARN' FULL NETWORK MEETINGS FOR TJ ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Professional Development, though not mandatory, will be offered to teachers on January 8th. The 2 different ½ day sessions will address STAAR Writing!
THOMAS JEFFESRON ACHIEVE 3000 UPDATES
Achieve3000 usage data is noted on the table below. The testing window for the Mid-Year Level Set Assessment opens on January 9th. This means that as soon as scholars come back to school and log on to Achieve3000 they will begin the assessment. If you would like the testing window to be changed, please let Josh know immediately. They are definitely looking forward to seeing the Lexile growth of your scholars.
We are excited about the support that Achieve3000 can provide to our scholars during the second semester. Your schools will be able to sign up for classroom modeling soon so that we can ensure that teachers have all of the support that they need to utilize the program to support student success.
DALLAS MAVERICKS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Black History Month Challenge: Essay Contest to Win a Trip to Atlanta
In honor of Black History Month, the Dallas Mavericks and BNSF Railway, in association with American Airlines, are excited to announce our 10th annualBlack History Month Challenge which offers DFW Metroplex students the chance to win the field trip of a lifetime! To commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts towards Civil Rights, eighth through twelfth grade students are asked to submit an essay around the topic “Advancing ‘The Dream’: Taking the Next Step to Improving My Community” for a chance to win a trip to Atlanta, GA to visit the birth home of Dr. King, the King Center and other historic sites. To learn more and download essay instructions, visithttps://www.mavs.com/black-history-month-challenge/. Essays DUE: Monday, January 15, 2018.
ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain
The Dallas Mavericks Honorary Co-Captain program recognizes students who enjoy and excel STEM/STEAM education programs. As an ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain, selected students will receive two (2) tickets to a Mavs home game, the opportunity to enjoy pre-game shoot around, sit on the bench during team introductions and meet the Mavericks team captain at half court. One (1) ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain will be selected for each Mavs home game! To nominate a student, fill out the online form and submit it now through Friday, February 28, 2018. Students must be nominated by a counselor, principal, or teacher or by nonprofit organizations/after-school programs. If you are with a nonprofit organization and not a school, please use the nonprofit’s information for “School” and select the “counselor” option on the nomination form. Learn more and nominate students here: https://www.mavs.com/exxonmobil-honorary-co-captain/. Nominations DUE: Friday, February 28, 2018
Classroom Champions: Recognizing Teachers & Excellence in the Classroom
The Dallas Mavericks and The UPS Store, in association with Teach For America DFW, are teaming up to present the 14th Annual Classroom Champions program, created to recognize North Texas educators for their work in the classroom. Each month from November until March, two DFW Metroplex teachers will be selected as Classroom Champion “Teachers of the Month” and recognized at Dallas Mavericks home games and online throughout the Mavs season. At the end of the season, from March 16th – March 30th, a community vote will be open to the public where MFFL’s have the opportunity to vote online for five Classroom Champion “Teachers of Year” out of the previously selected 10 “Teachers of the Month”. Each of the five winning teachers are awarded $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their school. To learn more and nominate a teacher, visit: https://www.mavs.com/classroomchampions/. Teachers are selected every month with the deadlines: January 1, February 1 and March 1, 2018.
Mavs Reading Challenge
The Mavs Reading Challenge is a 15-week program designed to improve reading literacy throughout Dallas and encourage the love of reading for kids of all ages. Dallas parents, students and teachers can sign up online or at any of the 29 Dallas Public Library locations. Track your reading throughout the winter and spring, for the chance to win special prizes from the Dallas Mavericks and presenting sponsor Whataburger. Learn more and sign up now: www.mavs.com/readingchallenge/ Reading Challenge: December 1, 2017 – March 18, 2018.
Mavs Scholarship Program - $5,000 College Scholarships
The Dallas Mavericks, Harrison Barnes and Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. have teamed up to present the 8th annual Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program to DFW Metroplex high school seniors in financial need. Seniors will have the opportunity to apply for one of four $5,000 scholarships for college. To apply, high school seniors must attend a high school within 75-miles of the American Airlines Center, attend a two- or four-year college or university in the fall of their completed senior year, need financial assistance, be in good academic standing, and complete the application and essay. Learn more and apply at www.mavs.com/mavs-scholarship-program/. Scholarship applications are due Friday, February 23, 2018.
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTTERN KUDOS
'PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR' TOP FINALIST FOR THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER MAKES THE TOP 3 CATEGORY
CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO OF OUR VERY OWN MR. ROBERT MCLAURIN HIGHLIGHTENING HIS STAFF, SCHOLARS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY FOR HIS RECOGNITION!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU MR. MCLAURIN!
https://drive.google.com/a/dallasisd.org/file/d/1caBHR-R-e3W7AFqrGw-BzalYJnwVm3NY/view?usp=sharing
TJ FEEDER WALKS AWAY WITH MANY AWARDS AT THE THE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON-PROUD ED!
AND THE WINNER IS....
TOP SCHOOLS EFFECTIVENESS INDICES
JOE MAY MAKES TOP 10 IN CUSTOMER SERVICE-AT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION
Ms. Whitfield and her team at Tom Field ES.
Walnut Hill Elementary
Thomas Jefferson's Early College P-Tech Presentation
David G. Burnet
K B Polk Center TAG
David G. Burnet
Julian T. Saldivar ES
Edna Rowe Elementary School
TOM FIELD IS READY TO MODEL SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION
THANK YOU TOM FIELD FOR SHARING YOUR CAMPUS' ACP PROCTOR PLAN WITH THE FEEDER
December's Dine and Develop! AF & CIC PLC session was both informative and festive!
Coaches had time to read and discuss what effective feedback looks like. Additionally, we practiced giving feedback using this framework as we viewed videos featuring some of our feeder PLCs in action! Thanks to Achieve 3000 for sending our their experts to enlighten us on how to utilize the program in a way that will yield the highest gains! Finally, we engaged in activities that strengthened our social and emotional health- feast and festivities!
T.J. Feeder Academic Facilitators
Mrs. Maia- ELAR
Coaches Collaborating!
Coaching the Coaches- Providing Effective Feedback!
Working lunches can be delicious!
Social and Emotional Development!
Fun, food, and fellowship!
Thomas Jefferson P-TECH
THOMAS JEFFERSON ECHS P-TECH AT MEDRANO MIDDLE SCHOOL
THE DASH FOR THE BEADS GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOLS!
The Dash for the Beads is a non-profit organization that conducts an annual 5K, 10K, and 1mile fun run in Oak Cliff. The proceeds from the event are used to support youth in the areas of health and fitness and arts and music.
In 2018, the Dash for the Beads (DFB) organization will award grants to local organizations that support the above areas of interest. There will be three (2) categories of grants:
- Program: Organizations can apply for up to $5,000 for program grants supporting the above areas.
- Capital: Organizations can apply for up to $10,000 for capital grants (see explanation below) supporting the above areas.
Program Grants: A physical fitness, nutrition, art or music service or activity provided for youth. Ex: after school program, band camp, theater arts or music camp, provision of nutritious food, soccer team, art therapy program.
Capital Grants: A physical project that supports youth in physical fitness, nutrition, art, or music. Ex: playground, soccer field, kitchen appliances for food program, improvement of physical space.
Click here for more information! https://dashforthebeads.org/grants/
DALLAS ISD DISTRICT-WIDE TESTING CALENDAR
UPCOMING DATES & REMINDERS
JANUARY
9-23-ACP retakes
11-TJ Principal Feeder Meeting @ Sudie Williams-9:00-1:30 p.m.
16-PEI Principal Checkpoint #3 Begins
17-New AP's to the feeder Meeting w/ED @ Haskell-2nd floor 8:30 a.m.
17-New Principals to the feeder Meeting w/ED@ Haskell -2nd floor 10:00 a.m.
23- Elementary ONLY Principals' Meeting
30-Math AF TOT for CIC Content Training
FEBRUARY
1-Reading AF TOT for CIC Content Training
2-PEI Principal Checkpoint #3 Ends
23-Title I Requisitions due today
MARCH
9-Drill log for the Spring Semester is due TODAY via email submission to the Office of Emergency Management
27-Math AF TOT for CIC Content Training
29-Reading AF TOT for CIC Content Training
MARSHALL MEMO #715
Which Students Have a Growth Mindset and Which Don’t?
In this Brookings research paper, Susana Claro and Susanna Loeb report on a study assessing growth mindsets in 125,000 California students in grades 4-7 in five school districts. The researchers measured students’ mindset based on their responses to these statements:
My intelligence is something that I can’t change very much.
Challenging myself won’t make me any smarter.
There are some things I’m not capable of learning.
If I am not naturally smart in a subject, I will never do well in it.
For each question, students answered Not at All True, A Little True, Somewhat True, Mostly True, or Completely True. The researchers came to three major conclusions:
• Students in all subgroups who had a growth mindset scored higher on standardized tests of reading and math and had bigger learning gains each year than otherwise similar students who didn’t have a growth mindset. Claro and Loeb estimate that the difference made by having a growth mindset (versus a neutral mindset) was the equivalent of 19 days of learning – almost a calendar month of school.
• Girls had more of a growth mindset than boys up to seventh grade, at which point the mindset gap began to close.
• Traditionally underserved students – those living in poverty, English learners, Hispanics, and African Americans – were less likely to have a growth mindset than students not in those subgroups.
“While this study is just a first step in assessing the effects of mindset on a large population of students and the role of schools in building mindset,” conclude Claro and Loeb, “the findings provide initial evidence that it may be beneficial to monitor the levels of growth mindset in the population and convey to students that the brain is malleable.”
“New Evidence That Students’ Beliefs About Their Brains Drive Learning” by Susana Claro and Susanna Loeb in Brookings Research, November 9, 2017, http://bit.ly/2BDvbwc
THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Thomas Jefferson High School: Principal, Sandi Massey
- Francisco Medrano Middle School : Principal, Theresa Sigurdson
- Edward Cary Middle School: Principal, Ben Dickerson
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Shondula Whitfield
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Misty Rathermund
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Chaundra Macklin
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase'McLaurin
- Sudie Williams Elementary: Principal, Michael Jackson
Thomas Jefferson High School
Franscisco Medrano Middle School
Edward Cary Middle School
David G. Burnet Elementary
Leonides Cigarroa Elementary
Tom W. Field Elementary
Stephen C. Foster Elementary
Joe May Elementary
K. B. Polk Elementary
Julian T. Saldivar Elementary
Walnut Hill Elementary
Sudie L. Williams Elementary
Marelenise Phillips-Roberts
Lisa Maia
Erica Rosas
Trustee Edwin Flores District 1
Trustee Marshall District 2
Trustee Miguel Solis District 8
DISD GOALS
- All students will exhibit Satisfactory or above performance on State assessments. Students below Satisfactory performance will demonstrate more than one year of academic growth
- Dallas ISD schools will be the primary choice for families in the district
- The achievement gap by race, ethnicity and social economic status will be no greater than 10 percentage points on all academic measures
- 95% of students will graduate. Of the graduates, 90% have qualifying scores for community college, college, military, or industry certification
- 95% of entering kindergarten students are school-ready on a multidimensional assessment
- All students will participate in at least one extracurricular or co-curricular activity each year.