Edison Rangers Newsletter
Week of February 22, 2024 - March 1, 2024
Saddle Up!
“It’s the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain, and they call the thing rodeo.” – Garth Brooks
Last Friday, we kicked off the Rodeo season in Houston. Education plays a pivotal role in every arena of life, much like the precision and skill demonstrated in a rodeo arena. Success often hinges on a deep understanding of fundamentals, continual learning, and adaptability. Just as a rodeo athlete hones their craft through practice and knowledge of their sport, you, as the educator, equip our students with the tools necessary to navigate life's challenges and opportunities. Whether mastering the techniques of bull riding or delving into academic subjects, the dedication to learning cultivates resilience, critical thinking, and the ability to excel in any arena. So, as we ride into the testing season, let us continue to give it our all by saddling up daily with our systems and routines, maintaining GRIT, preparing, and most of all, holding on till the end!
Make sure that you take time and complete our TOY nomination https://forms.gle/MRf41U8eYAVJJKur7.
Campus Testing
TELPAS Testing
- Make Up (all grades) Monday- see list to the right (if you see or have these students please send them to the library immediately)
- 8th Grade Wednesday and Thursday
- 7th Grade Friday (March 1st) and Monday (March 4th)
- 6th Grade Tuesday ( March 5th) and Wednesday (March 6th)
NAEP Testing
This Tuesday, February 27th, 50 of our 8th graders have been selected to test NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress), which is a part of the Nation’s Report Card (Federal Government). Use the link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MTZoBXYtGzbKHPh-tXEEzy1tbbQyE5aEqqvAQN57Uxo/edit?usp=sharing to see which 8th graders are being tested along with the times and location. Thanks in advance for your support.
Focus on Writing in Every Content and Every Grade Level
RACES at Edison Middle School
As we reflect on our journey of continuous improvement, it becomes clear that our collective effort is the key to unlocking the vast potential within each student. Our recent discussions and analysis have highlighted a critical area for growth: Writing. Last year's STAAR results in Reading Language Arts (RLA) specifically pointed to challenges in Extensive and Short Constructive Responses. This insight serves as a beacon, guiding our focus for the upcoming year.
To elevate our students' writing abilities and, consequently, our STAAR scores, we are embracing the RACEs strategy across every content area and grade level. This strategy is not just about improving writing; it's about enhancing our students' ability to think critically, analyze text, and express their understanding with clarity and depth. Here’s a brief overview of the RACEs components we will be integrating into our instruction:
- Restate the question - Encourage students to paraphrase the prompt as a statement to begin their response, ensuring they understand what is being asked.
- Answer the question - Guide students to provide a clear, concise answer based on their knowledge and understanding of the content.
- Cite the evidence - Teach students to support their answers with specific evidence from the text or lesson, fostering a habit of using evidence-based reasoning.
- Explain the answer - Help students elaborate on how their evidence supports their answer, enhancing their ability to make logical connections.
- Summarize the answer - Assist students in concluding their response with a summary that encapsulates their main points and evidence.
Implementing the RACEs strategy is a commitment to not only our students’ academic excellence but to their development as thinkers and communicators. This approach aligns with our core values and the HISD Ready Characteristics, emphasizing high expectations, academic rigor, and relevance.
On the Spot Coaching
DOL Updates
DOLs will now be on OnTrack for math and reading classes. Students are expected to complete DOLs in OnTrack moving forward.
Teachers are expected to still provide students with a paper copy of the DOL.
Mathia / Summit K12 Updates
For Mathia days, ensure students have scratch paper on their desks and monitor students to make sure they are showing their work and not simply using "hints" to complete problems.
Intent To Return Survey
Your Intent to Return survey is due by Friday, March 1, at 11:59 p.m. To access the required survey, log on to the Employee Self-Service portal in OneSource.
PLC FOCUS
PLC Tuesday -Data Wall Update Thursday-Planning
PLC and Planning Update:
Please note that in light of our comprehensive PD schedule, we will not be holding our regular weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings. However, the importance of collaborative planning cannot be understated, especially as we approach the critical assessment period.
Team Content Level Planning:
- Expectation: Each team is expected to coordinate within their content levels to ensure that planning still occurs. This is crucial for maintaining our instructional momentum and ensuring that our curricular goals are aligned and on track for the remainder of the school year.
Report Cards
Reminder this week report cards go out on Friday, March 1st.
Grades should be verified Wednesday, February 28th.
Special Education
Special Education Reminders
- In the event you have a special education student who is failing or is at risk of failing, you must email the student’s Case Manager, the Special Education Department Chair, Ms. Warren-Ramirez, and your grade level administrator. This must be done in a timely manner as there are federal, state, and local policies that must be adhered to when a Special Education student risks failure.
- In you are in need of stickers, IEPs or etc. please reach out to your student’s Case Manager, the Special Education Department Chair, Ms. Warren-Ramirez, and your grade level administrator.
Daily Expectations
Reminders Edison MS Non-negotiables
In our continuous pursuit of excellence in education, it's crucial to reflect on the valuable feedback provided by our Executive Director during their last campus visit. This feedback is not just a guideline but a roadmap to elevating our instructional practices and ensuring the best possible learning environment for our students.
- Students should never be seated in the Red Zone - if there are empty seats in the front of your room after attendance is taken, all students should be moved into the empty seats
- MRS should be indicated on student-facing slides during instruction - this shows increased lesson internalization
- Teachers must aggressively monitor student progress via the use of DOL and other assessment tracking systems.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our students and to the continuous improvement of our teaching practices.
Updated Restroom Break Policies
We want to emphasize an important update regarding our restroom break policies. This update aligns with our ongoing commitment to maximizing learning time and minimizing disruptions in our classrooms.
Updated Restroom Break Policy:
- Restricted Times: Students are not allowed to use the restroom (or get water) during transitions and the first 45 minutes of each class period.
- Exceptions: Exceptions to this policy will be made only for students with medical documentation or in cases of absolute emergency.
- Purpose: This policy is designed to ensure that students receive uninterrupted Tier 1 instruction, which is critical for their academic success.
Why This Policy is Important:
- Maximizing Learning: Restricting restroom breaks to specific times helps to ensure that students are present for vital instruction and classroom activities.
- Minimizing Disruptions: Unnecessary breaks can disrupt the flow of teaching and learning, not just for the individual student but for the entire class.
- Encouraging Responsibility: This policy also aims to foster a sense of responsibility and time management among our students.
Your Role in Enforcing This Policy: As educators, your support and enforcement of this policy are crucial. We understand this may require a shift in routine for some students, and we ask for your help in guiding them through this transition. Please communicate these changes clearly and empathetically to your students, ensuring they understand the reasons behind this policy.
Multiple Response Strategies (MRS) to Remember - LOOK FORS DAILY!!
Response Cards: On many occasions, students were asked to write on their response cards but without clear expectations or a sentence stem. Please provide students with an expectation and a sentence stem before releasing them to complete the activity. For example, Students I want you to respond using your response cards, I expect you to write 2-3 sentences on... using the following sentence stem.
Think-Pair-Share or Table Talk: On many occasions, students were asked to share with their shoulder partner, teacher prompted students by stating "Go ahead and talk". I want you to structure your conversations by doing the following: 1. Pair students up, students should not be sitting alone without a partner. 2. Students on your right are partner A and students on your left are partner B. 3. State which partner will go first. Partner A will share for 30 seconds and Partner B will share for 30 seconds. Use a conversation starter, for example, according to text___ I agree with you because____, I understand what you are saying, but I think ____.
Threshold: When you are transitioning to another period, not all teachers are standing by their door, ready to receive students. Please ensure you are standing by your door, assisting us with moving students to their next class by verbally telling them to walk on the right of the hallway and on level voice 0.
Maximizing Instructional Time: Ensure you are effectively moving through your lesson every class period. Place time stamps next to each activity in your lesson and faithfully use digital timers. Be sure that you are teaching bell to bell.
Teacher's action
Model structured peer conversation.
- Present a sample question or sentence stem for students to practice.
- Model exemplar responses using the prompt.
- Model how to clarify, paraphrase, and acknowledge different viewpoints.
- So you’re saying that…
- Let me see if I understand you correctly…
- I agree with you because…
- I see where you’re coming from but I do not agree that…
- Model how students can revise their thinking based on new learning.
- After listening to you, I now see it differently…
- After hearing what you have to say, I now think…
- Establish time limits.
UPDATES (Learning Coaches)
- Remind teachers of 10-minute DOL start time (add alarms to your phone)
- Check teacher supplies (response cards, white boards, dry erase markers, sharpened pencils, highlighters etc) EVERY Monday morning
- Keep a bucket in your teams center with additional supplies for the teacher you support
- Work with teachers (during planning time) to know how to work [math] problems or how to annotate [reading] texts. This should be done the day BEFORE the assignment is given.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY
Student Assistance Forms (SAF)
Do you know students that are in need of assistance for the holidays (or any other day)? Complete a SAF using the form linked to let our wraparound specialist know what the student needs. SAFs can be submitted anonymously.
Food Distribution
Monday, Feb 26, 2024, 04:30 PM
Edison Middle School, Avenue I, Houston, TX, USA
A message from Mrs. Dickson-White (DW)
DO NOT hold students past the dismissal time. This is especially important for bus riders. There is only one lane for buses and when bus riders are held back during dismissal, it holds up the line. If discipline is the reason you're holding students, please get with your grade level administrator to discuss alternate options.
FOCUS ON DYAD
UPDATES
- Photography has been moved to room 2170
- Sewing has moved to 2310
- Intervention students that show up to DYAD must be immediately redirected to their intervention teacher (Garcia, Randle, Vasquez, or Williams).
FOCUS ON SAFETY
Badges
Everyone should be wearing a badge. There are no exceptions!
This includes students, teachers, faculty and staff. If you do not have badge please get with Ms. Moore or your appraiser to get a campus badge until you are able to secure a district badge (new or replacement).
Classroom Doors Remain Unlocked
In alignment with recent guidance from the Risk Management department, we are implementing a crucial update to our campus safety protocols regarding classroom doors.
Effective immediately, all classroom doors will remain unlocked during school hours. However, it's important to note that in the event of a lockdown drill or actual lockdown situation, it's imperative that you are able to quickly lock your classroom door from the outside.
To facilitate this, please ensure that you have your class key readily available at all times. This practice is crucial in maintaining a secure environment and allows for immediate action if needed. We understand that this may be a shift from previous procedures, but it is a necessary step in ensuring the swiftest and most effective response in critical situations.
FOCUS ON HR
Edison Employee Attendance Policy
Effective immediately, all leave requests will require you to have a face-to-face meeting with your assigned appraiser. Your appraiser will decide if your leave will be approved or denied. If your leave is approved by your administrator, then your final step is to submit it on Onesource for my approval.
Ms.Aldrett is responsible for tracking absences and tardies, it is crucial that she receives timely information from each of you in the event you are going to be late or absent from work. This procedure is essential for accurate record-keeping and ensures that we have up-to-date information to our Central Division Attendance Department as they requested.
- Send an email to maldrett@houstonisd.org with "Absence" or "Tardiness" in the subject line and CC your appraiser. In the email, include your full name, the reason for your absence or tardiness, and an estimated time of arrival (if applicable).
- Phone Call: If you prefer to call, you can reach me Ms. Aldrett at (832) 613-3458. Please ensure you call between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM.
- Text: You can text Ms. Aldrett and you appraiser at any time.
Don't forget to please post your absence/tardiness in OneSource as soon as you come back. Do not hesitate to see Ms. Aldrett if you need some assistance.
Please be reminded that Mr. Guzman will continue to meet with employees who have 5 or more absences to date.
FOCUS ON ATHLETICS
Gear up for Soccer/Futbol!!
Soccer starts in just 1 week! Let's be ready to support our Rangers
Follow Ranger Sports at @EdisonMS_Sports on X
You can stay in the know by following all ranger sports on social media.
FOCUS ON POLICY
No Cell Phone Policy
Team, please remember that we are still a NO CELL PHONE POLICY school. Students that are found using a cellphone will be asked to give up there cellphone. If a student refuses, please reach out to your grade level administrator. DO NOT argue or go back and forth with the student.
No hoodies on inside the Buidling
I want to address a growing concern within our school environment - the wearing of hoodies inside the building. We've noticed an increase in students wearing hoodies, often concealing airpods or headphones, leading to distractions and a disengagement from the learning environment. This trend not only hampers the focus necessary for academic success but also poses a challenge to maintaining a disciplined and respectful school culture.
To tackle this issue effectively, we need the collective effort of our entire school community. I am calling upon all staff members, office personnel, custodians, teachers, and everyone involved with Edison Middle School to help reinforce our policy regarding hoodies. It is crucial that we maintain a consistent approach in reminding our students about the importance of staying engaged and present in their learning journey.
Staff Dress Code Policy
Reminder that all staff including DYAD must adhere to the Campus Dress Code.
Slacks, chinos, dress pants, and dressy cropped pants are acceptable. Inappropriate pants include sweatpants, exercise pants, shorts, leggings and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for biking/exercising.
Casual dresses and skirts to the knee are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride up the thigh are inappropriate for work.
Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, golf-type shirts, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work. Inappropriate attire for work includes tank tops; midriff tops; low-cut tops in the front/back; and shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans. T-Shirts are only to be worn on Fridays except on commemorative days approved by the school administration/ HISD.
Shoes must be worn at all times. Flip-flops and slippers are not acceptable. Keep in mind that open-toe shoes are a safety hazard, use your best judgment.
Hats are not appropriate indoors. Head covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural traditions are allowed.
Friday: Every Friday will be designated as College/University Spirit Day/Edison Spirit Day or Sports Day. Staff is encouraged to wear a college shirt representing their alma mater, a Edison t-shirt/polo, or Sports attire. No torn jeans.
Ranger Reflection Room
Please note, that ONLY ADMINISTRATION has the authority to place students with Mr. Washington in the Ranger Reflection Room. Teachers, please reach out to your grade level administrator with any questions or concerns regarding the Ranger Refection Room.
FOCUS ON CELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday Edison Rangers Staff!
- Feb. 8th - Elvira Ramirez
- Feb. 19th - Quirsta Linsey
FOCUS ON THE CALENDAR
This week at Edison (HISD)
- 02/12 T-TESS 60-minute observation window opens
- MOY conferences continue