Thomson Staff Newsletter
February 15, 2016
Important News & Notes
As I have shared, I will not be in the building this coming week. Mr. Brown has hired Mr. Ron Adam, retired Davison Principal, to be here while I am gone. While Mr. Adam will be here to answer questions and handle anything that arises, I will monitor my email and have my phone with me.
Have a wonderful week!
Cardinal Code Focus for the Week: Arrival & Dismissal!
Teachers please be sure that you are intentionally teaching the Arrival & Dismissal Cardinal Code lesson. Please be sure to include the lesson in your teacher lesson plans and intentional teach the lessons as they are written.
Thank you all for your support with behavior and the Cardinal Code!
So How's It Going...Monthly Behavior Data Report
Each month at our District Administration Meetings, we review the monthly behavior reports for the building and district. As a district, we were down 124 referrals for the month of January. At Thomson, we were up 4 referrals for the month of January, with a total of 6 referrals and a total of 18 so far this year. While it is disappointing to be up for a second month in a row, I also recognize that we have very low numbers to begin with and the tremendous amount of work that is being done to help our students that exhibit crisis type behaviors and the work being done to support the students who have everyday kindergarten behavior. Holly also shared the following website with the group: www.pbisworld.com. This website is a great resource with sample behavior plans and strategies for helping support and correct both behavior and academic problems. I encourage you to visit the site and look around. We will also utilize this site during our Child Study meetings.
PPSC Survey
As part of the requirements of our participation in the Promoting Positive School Climate Grant, we must survey students, staff, and parents. On Friday, February 5th a link to the survey was sent out to all staff and parents by Michelle Edwards. A follow-up email was also sent as email was also sent as the survey was not allowing non-teaching staff to complete the survey unless you checked 'prefer not to answer' in some categories that did not apply (like the grade you teach). With the clarification of directions in the last email from Michelle Edwards, I encourage everyone to complete the survey. Also, please know the survey is set up differently with the 'strongly disagree' listed first. I know that when I was going through it, I was clicking away and didn't realize it until I was three pages in. As with everything we do there are areas where we shine and areas which we would like to grow and improve. The input of a wide range of staff will help us pinpoint priority areas. Your particular experiences and perceptions can help us. Thank you in advance for your efforts and time in helping us gather the feedback we need for focused continuous improvement.
Child Studies
Child Study Meetings will be held on Wednesday, February 24th. Maida will be working on a schedule, however, if there are students that you would like to bring to the Child Study Team please let Maida and me know right away.
Kiwanis Car Races
On March 12th, the Kiwanis Club will hold it's 9th Annual Kiwanis Car Races. The event will be held in the St. John's Hall at 6:00 p.m. A picnic style dinner will be served. The cost is $20 per person. However, the school with the most employees in attendance will receive $500 from the Kiwanis Club. If you are interested in attending, please see myself or Melissa Barraco for more information.
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, February 15th-No School for Students or Staff-President's Day!
Tuesday, February 16th-District School Improvement Meeting 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Week of February 22nd-PLC Week
Monday, February 22nd-PTO, 6:30 p.m. in the Thomson Lounge: Sarah D & Megan are the teacher reps.
Wednesday, February 24th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: SIP Self Assessment & Behavior Planning for 2016-17); Child Study Day
Thursday, February 25th-Family Reading Night-5-7 p.m. All Certified Staff this is one of your 5 evening meetings and you should plan to be here from 4:30 p.m. for set up until 7:15 p.m. for clean-up. If there is a problem, please see me right away.
Friday, February 26th-Lock Down
Monday, February 29th-ACC Meeting 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Quotes Worth Reading...
He said, "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
-The Velveteen Rabbit
Birthdays and Celebrations
Here are our upcoming birthdays: February 19th, Julie VanEvery; February 20th, Kay Tessner; ...Happy, happy birthday to you!