@ Alta Vista
February 4, 2019
NEWS & INFO @ ALTA VISTA
PLANNING DAYS
A couple of grade level teams have approached me about the possibility of having some release time for some planning. Although I wish I could offer a full day to everyone, the budget doesn't quite allow for it. With a little creativity and compromise, we can do the following:
- 1/2 day of planning per grade level
- Focus on ELA implementation (small group instruction, scope and sequence, etc.)
- Coordinate day with Christy - I would like her to be a part of the conversation so that she can figure out how to best support you and the students.
PRELIMINARY STAFFING SHEETS
Everyone has received a preliminary staffing sheet for the upcoming school year. Please fill it out and return it to Cathy as soon as possible - no later than Wednesday. Thanks!
PERCEPTION SURVEYS
It is my priority, and a priority of the superintendent, that we are in-tuned with your needs, thoughts, and interests with regards to the day-to-day operations of our school and our district. In an effort to get feedback from you, we will be conducting a survey. This will be done at each of the school sites and at the district office.
The survey window opens on February 1st and closes on February 15th. All responses are confidential and will be tabulated by an outside agency. The results will be analyzed by site and district administrators. Our goals will be to celebrate our successes, support the great work that is being done at Alta Vista, and identify if there are areas for growth.
We would like all staff members, certificated and classified, to participate in the survey. It should take 5 to 10 minutes. The survey link for Alta Vista staff is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UnionSTF_AltaVistaElem.
To further gauge our students’ needs, we will be asking that all students in grades 4-8 take the survey. Again, the survey should take 5 to 10 minutes. Here is the survey link for students:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UnionSTU_AltaVistaElem.
Your opinion is important to us. Thank you for your support in keeping us informed. If you have any questions, please let me know.
MUSIC PROGRAM
Jane is wondering if we are interested in having Spring Sing/Concerts for our parent community. Please give some thought this week if this is something for us to include in our Spring activities. As in the past, concerts would be organized by grade level. Historically, these events have been in the evening, but we could also consider having them during the day. Give it some thought, discuss it with your grade level, and talk with Jane.
CHECK & CONNECT
Why am I telling you? Two key check in times for Aiden are at recess and lunch. When he goes out at these times, he will hand his C&C sheet (half page of paper) to an adult. At the end or recess/lunch, he will receive a 3 if there were no problems, a 2 if he needed some reminders or redirection, and a 1 if he did not achieve his goal. If you are on the primary side at recess, Aiden may be handing you his paper. Please pass it along to the next person and let her know if there have been any problems. At the end of recess, you'll need to circle the appropriate number. Aiden should come back and collect the paper before going to class, but he may need some support in developing this habit.
I've included a copy of Aiden's picture and have attached his C&C paper. This is simply for your reference. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks for your support of Aiden!
CAR BREAK IN
The Latest From George Couros' Blog
For some reason, I burst into tears.
To know someone has been in the profession for 37 years and is still pushing themselves to grow is a testament to so many great educators who do way more for kids and learning than they will ever be given credit.
I have challenged this myth that as teachers get older in their career, they are more likely to be adverse to change or try something new and once all the new teachers come into the profession, they will bring all these great ideas. I know many teachers like Tammy that are later into their career (shoutout to Marilyn Stork who has been a mentor for me since my first day of teaching!), and they have disproven that over and over again.
Kudos to Tammy and every teacher in their first, last, or any year in between, that continually strive to get better no matter where they are in their career.
~George Couros
GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE @ ALTA VISTA
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
2/5 - Author Assembly: Oliver Chin 1:00-2:00 (Grades 1-2 Only)
2/5 - Tech Committee Meeting @ 3:00
2/6 - Global Play Day
2/6 - AV STEAM Meeting in the MakerSpace @ 1:45
2/6 - IEP: William C @ 3:00 (Karla, Kari, Jeena, Caitlin)
2/7 - Second Grade Field Trip to Planetarium (10:30-1:30)
2/8 - AVHSC Family Dance
2/11 - IEP: Kailey A @ 3:30 (Cyndy, Jeena, Cathy)
2/11 - USD Board Meeting @ 6:00
2/12 - Staff Meeting @ 3:00
2/12 - AVHSC Meeting @ 6:30
2/18-2/22 - NO SCHOOL (PRESIDENTS WEEK)
YARD DUTY SCHEDULE - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 4
THANK YOU!
Thank you to Debbie, Liz, and Cyndy for inviting me to their Great Kindness Challenge activities.
Kudos to Mikayla for being the first teacher to turn in her preliminary staffing form. Don't forget to turn yours in!
Thanks to Sarah and Mary Fran for letting me join in fourth grade's Google Expeditions VR exploration of the ocean depths!