Curriculum Courier
The Week of August 13, 2014
Words of Wisdom
No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.
Science- Linda Cook
I am happy to announce that K-12 Science now has an Instructional Specialist. David Noel will be assisting with science professional learning, providing support with learning design, and assisting educators through instructional coaching. I will be arranging meetings with each principal to determine how David and I can best support your science needs.
Elementary Science
Our elementary science instructional materials adoption included new FOSS materials as well as the digital Discovery Education Techbook. Training for the Discovery Education Techbook for all science educators will be on August 20th from 8:00 am – 11:00 am for grades K-2 and from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm for grades 3-5. The training will be held at Town Center Elementary. The new FOSS kits will have digital teacher and student books, but we are also purchasing a hard copy of each teacher guide for each campus library. After school trainings for the FOSS kits for each grade level will be held on Tuesday afternoons in September and October.
Secondary Science
Our science instructional materials adoption for middle school science as well as biology, chemistry, and physics included the digital Techbook from Discovery Education. Training will be held at CHS on August 21st from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm in room E208 (middle school) and room E207 (biology, chemistry, and physics). Also included in the adoption was a new Essential Physics digital book from Ergopedia for all AP Physics 1 and 2 classes. The AP Physics educators will meet in room B106 on August 21st. The Anatomy and Physiology adoption included an iBook by E. O. Wilson called Life on Earth. Anatomy educators will meet in room E206 on August 21st. Forensic Science teachers will also meet in room E206, but they did not select a new resource. Earth and Space Science educators will meet with AP Environmental Science teachers in room E205 on August 21st to preview their digital resources.
Intervention Services: Rhonda Carr
eduphoria! Wednesday Webinar - August 13, 2014
Upcoming Wednesday Webinar - 2:00 pm Central
Wed, Aug 13, 2014
Registration Web Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/323751080* Beginning of the year data analysis ideas for campus leaders and teachers
This webinar is intended to focus on data tasks for campus leaders and teachers that are relatively simple in nature but that can have positive impacts on goal setting and action planning for the beginning of the new school year. Among other things, we will discuss moving beyond accountability reports, identifying students, and analyzing performance/progress.
Please share this with appropriate district and campus personnel who may be planning beginning of the year activities related to data analysis.
We always record these webinars, and you can use the SAME link to register as to watch the video. Visit the online help that shows the past Wednesday Webinar video links and agendas in case you have missed them.
http://www.schoolobjects.com/sotrain/topicview.aspx?tid=b04c77a8-35c4-40d3-acc0-c0ffa52893f2
Professional Learning: Laurie O'Neill
Curriculum: Marilyn Denison
Social Studies and CTE: Jon-Eric Ziaer "Z"
I look forward to sharing all the great learning experiences from the campuses of CISD!
Social Studies:
Reminder: "Celebrate Freedom Week" will be the week of September 15th. Grades 3-12 will be expected to participate in this program. I will be helping to coordinate these activities with the elementary and secondary campuses during our Professional Learning Week (August 18-22)
Career and Technical Education (CTE):
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Lindsey Ayers to her new position of Director of Marketing and Business Partnerships. Ms. Ayers brings a wealth of experience from her years teaching at NTH@C and business background. Ms. Ayers will play a critical role in helping to foster new business partnerships and opportunities for our learners in the community.
Making TODAY someone's BEST day!
Weekly Smile
Assessment: Debbie Youngs
SYSTEM SAFEGUARDS
If your campus missed a state safeguard (less than 55%) or a federal safeguard (less than 79%), the missed areas for both state and federal must be addressed in your CIP. Please send Debbie a copy of your CIP with the areas highlighted that address the missed System Safeguards. Thank you!
CAMPUS DATA TEAM 2014-2015
To help campuses utilize the data from the various assessments, both district and state, there will be a Campus Data Team (CDT) for each campus during the 2014-2015 school year. It will consist of at least three people from each campus, except for CHS. Due to its size, the CDT from CHS will be comprised of at least four members. From each campus, the team will include the campus testing coordinator for state testing, the campus testing coordinator for district testing, and whomever else you feel will help disaggregate and share data with educators to impact instruction. Info to share with possible members:
· A book study on coaching with data will start the year for the Campus Data Team.
· We will meet approximately eight times during the year.
· Some meetings will be during the school day, and some will be after school from 4:00-6:00.
· For the meetings during the day, I will provide subs, if needed, for the three, required members (four for CHS).
Please indicate your CDT on the Committee Form sent out by the district. Thank you!
AWARE TRAINING
Two AWARE trainings will be provided. All new staff should attend, as well as those staff members who would like a refresher or more information about pulling data for instructional guidance. Please have staff members register in Eduphoria.
September 16 – Basic AWARE Training
September 23 – Advanced AWARE Training
MAP TRAINING
All staff who are new and will be the Campus Testing Coordinator for MAP need to attend the training this Friday, August 15, at Denton Creek from 12:30-3:30. Please have staff members register in Eduphoria.
MAP ASSESSMENTS
For MAP testing this year, it has been decided that all K-9 in reading and math and 3-8 in science will be assessed through MAP at the beginning, middle, and end of year (unless the new Superintendent decides differently). The window will be lengthened to four weeks, and I anticipate a broader use of iPads in testing due to the success we have had this spring. The only learners who cannot use iPads are K-1, since they must use headphones for sound.
DISTRICT TESTING CALENDAR
Please share this link with staff and note that changes may be made due to legislative/district mandates.
Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgLqjh3-9fXpdHlfUGl0LXUzQ3ZJZWl6d3RWTE5SVmc&usp=sharing
EDUPHORIA WEBINAR
· What: Data Analysis: Beginning of the Year Data Analysis Ideas for Campus Leaders and Teachers
This webinar is intended to focus on data tasks for campus leaders and teachers that are relatively simple in nature but that can have positive impacts on goal setting and action planning for the beginning of the new school year. Among other things, we will discuss moving beyond accountability reports, identifying students, and analyzing performance/progress.
· When: Wed, Aug 13, 2014
· How: Registration Web Link https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/323751080
Please share this with appropriate district and campus personnel who may be planning beginning of the year activities related to data analysis. The webinars are recorded, and you can use the same link to register as to watch the video. Visit the online help that shows the past Wednesday Webinar video links and agendas in case you have missed them. http://www.schoolobjects.com/sotrain/topicview.aspx?tid=b04c77a8-35c4-40d3-acc0-c0ffa52893f2
UPCOMING ASSESSMENT DATES FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
BOY MAP: 9/10-10/8
BOY Literacy Assessments: 8/26-9/19
Deadline for Parent Nomination for G/T Assessment (Learners new to CISD in grades 1, 2, 4, 6-12 AND Learners not tested with the CogAT in the last calendar/school year): 9/3
CBE Grade Level Acceleration for Newly Enrolled Learners: 9/4-9/5
CBE Math Acceleration for Newly Enrolled Learners: 9/5
G/T Assessment: 9/13
Deadline to Upload All BOY Data: 9/24
Extra Duty Pay: Marilyn Denison
Mathematics: Mary Kemper
@MrsKemper
BYOD to PL: Please encourage all educators to bring their own device to professional learning opportunities. As we model integration of technology within professional learning, we would like all educators to participate, if possible.
Elementary Mathematics Instructional Coaches: Please join me in welcoming Ashley Minton as our new Elementary Mathematics Instructional Coach. Ashley joins Diana Saylak in this role. Please note the following campuses that Ashley and Diana will serve primarily (though they will collaborate regularly):
Ashley Minton (housed at Denton Creek Elementary)
- Cottonwood Creek Elementary
- Denton Creek Elementary
- Pinkerton Elementary
- Town Center Elementary
- Wilson Elementary
Diana Saylak (housed at Lee Elementary)
- Austin Elementary
- Lakeside Elementary
- Lee Elementary
- Mockingbird Elementary
- Valley Ranch Elementary
CISD Mathematics Web Site: Please visit tinyurl.com/cisdmathematics for information related to math in our district. May I draw your attention to something awesome? Navigate to Instructional Leadership —> Building Capacity – Learning Framework to see evidence of understanding from a Professional Learning Opportunity this summer that included some 6th grade and Algebra I educators.
Language & Literacy: Heather Cato
@HeatherCato
Write from the Beginning and Beyond – New Hires
· All new hires were asked to attend training this summer for Setting the Stage and Expository Writing. Training Information I will send you a campus list of who completed the training and who did not.
· Further information in the near future will be provided about how we will support those who did not attend the summer training.
Write from the Beginning and Beyond – Narrative
· Middle school educators will have training on WFBB Narrative during the district professional learning day August 21st.
· Elementary campuses will host their own training for Narrative writing, utilizing their newly trained trainer. The trainers have met to go over their presentation and are ready to go! PRINCIPALS – please make sure to touch base with your trainer to go over your initial training and implementation plan.
· Please remember, WFBB is the K-8 district supported writing program. In order for implementation to be effective, conversation and professional learning opportunities should be on going for educators throughout the year.
Splash Screens
· Splash Screens for K-12 can be found in Eduphoria.
· PRINCIPALS – please share with educators that the 4th and 5th grade splash screens have been updated/changed. All other splash screens K-3 and 6-12 are the same as last year.