Lakewood Stallion Staff Weekly News
Individually unique, and together complete
Message from your Principal (08/21/20)
Stallions,
Thank you to those amazing staff members and volunteers for Technology pick-up. We distributed 850 devices and it was huge success! Thank you for coming out to support!
Yesterday the big announcement was made and will will be teaching students virtually for the first four weeks of instruction. While I know the decision may not be popular in some circles, I am proud of our district for following the health guidance and advice of our experts! As we dive into our campus virtual learning plan, we know this will be very different from the emergency learning from the spring. We are pivoting to true virtual education with rigor, differentiation, new content and plenty of training and support. Our roll out will be an incremental process to get comfortable with the schedule and platforms. Grace and flexibility will be inherent during this unprecedented period.
This newsletter is packed! In this newsletter be on the lookout for updates about:
- District information about returning to work and virtual learning
- Virtual schedules and parent communication
- Staff meeting time/date
- Racial Equity Committee
- Instructional planning (IPCs and Lesson Plans)
As always, I am thinking of you and very excited to start to begin the school year with you all!
Stallion Strong,
Brittany
Reporting In-Person
All campus-based staff members (non teachers) need to return to campus physically on their specific report date. Any campus staff members (non-teachers) who cannot report physically will need to apply for and AWA, ADA Accommodation or Leave. This will be approved by Benefits.
We would love all teachers to return to campus, but you will be able to request to work from home without ADA approval up until September 17th. ALL Teachers need to fill out this survey by August 25th to let me know if you will be returning to campus on August 27th in person. You will be able to ask me directly for approval to work from home until the 17th. Use this survey to declare your intent. After September 17th, if you are not able to return in person, you will need to apply for and AWA, ADA Accommodation or Leave. This will be approved by Benefits.
Students return in a DISTANCE learning model beginning September 8th:
By August 25th teachers will notify their campus principals of intentions to return on campus or work remotely.
During this time period of district-wide distance learning, principals may require teachers to set up classrooms, complete on-campus student assessments, and attend on-campus sessions to become acclimated to new school/campus processes, and like activities as needed on a schedule.
Teachers may submit an ADA accommodation or leave paperwork, if cannot return in person on September 17th, but must return if unapproved.
IF students return in a FACE-to-FACE model on October 6th:
September 17th ALL teachers, unless they have an approved ADA accommodation, leave or approved AWA (which may be rescinded at any time) return to get acclimated to procedures and prepare for student return and continue with Distance Learning
September 21st –September 24th Parent Survey for instructional model selection.
October 6th- On campus model implemented; student first day.
IF students return in a FACE-to-FACE model on November 4th
October 26th ALL teachers return, unless they have an approved ADA accommodation, leave or approved AWA (which may be rescinded at any time) return to get acclimated to procedures and prepare for student return and continue with Distance Learning (if have not previously returned)
Virtual Information shared with Parents: Please read
Homerooms will be finalized on Friday August 28th and we ask all teachers call their homeroom rosters on Thursday the 27th when you return :) We will have a class roster with a list of contact information for you, as well as a script. We are also providing this FAQ and sample parent schedules to respond to feedback and add clarity for families. Please look over these documents so you are familiar.
Staff Meeting update
Racial Equity Committee
I am excited to announce our Racial Equity committee members who will be leading us through this very important work on campus! Thank you to Brittany Nowakowski (Committee chair), Emily Conner, Gloria Prieto, Lisa Harris, Yun Tansil, Christine Duffy, and Anna Barrett! If you are interested in joining our committee of leaders, please reach out to Brittany at: BRMCKINNEY@dallasisd.org
Instructional Planning Clarifications
Deliverables:
9 Week Instructional Calendar per subject:
RLA ( Reading, Language Arts, Phonics for K-1), Math, Science, Social Studies
Each day includes Standard/Student Expectation and Daily Lesson Objective
Finalized IPC due August 31st
Lesson Plan Week 1 due Thursday, September 3rd
Process:
Begin with the end in mind by reviewing the curriculum: Year at a Glance (YAG), DISD’s Instructional Calendar (IPC) found on PowerSchool Learning (by subject and grade-level).
Consider any new content from previous year that was not taught and allocate time in your IPC accordingly
Input 3 Week, 6 Week, and 9 Week mini-assessment and assessment dates
K-2 Include Fountas and Pinnell small group testing for 1 week
Input re-teach dates following mini assessments and assessments
Identify high priority TEKS: Assessed, Readiness, Historically Low
Unpack standards and ask "how long will it take for students to master the components of each TEKS?"
Input unpacked standards by day along with the lesson objective (see exemplar below).
Reminders:
Mini assessments should be limited to no more than 30 minutes
The IPC is a working document that will change as we get updated student data
Lesson Planning Questions?
See rationale and expectations in this video
A little joy for your weekend...
Deadline
Meet the Teacher
Update on clubs!!
Meet Our New Teachers!!
Michelle Smitham
Favorite Past Time: reading a book by the pool
Favorite Snack Food: Jalapeno or salt & vinegar chips
Favorite Subject to Teach: Reading!
This fall I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to becoming part of Lakewood and walking alongside students/families as we go through the unknowns of what this school year brings.
Fun Fact about me: I love the outdoors so you will probably find that my classroom always has the window shades up and open!
Julianne Elson
Favorite Past Time: I love to create and make things. I’ve sewn 100+ masks in quarantine!
Favorite Snack Food: Trail mix!
Favorite Subject to Teach: Reading is my favorite!
This fall I am looking forward to: Meeting the Lakewood family and getting to watch my first graders grow!
Fun Fact about me: I’m a surgery resident’s wife and I am a dog mom to Brinkley the golden retriever.
Anna-Katherine Barrett
Favorite Past Time: Spending time with friends.
Favorite Snack Food: I LOVE popcorn!
Favorite Subject to Teach:Science!
This fall I am looking forward to: Meeting all my new students! And, getting to know the area better, since I’m new to Texas!
Kevin Rayo
Favorite Past Time: Traveling
Favorite Snack Food: Doritos
Favorite Subject to Teach: Social Studies
This fall I am looking forward to: Meeting everyone and starting a new job
Rebekah Mosley
Favorite Past Time: Rock climbing
Favorite Snack Food: chips & salsa
Favorite Subject to Teach: ELAR
This fall I am looking forward to: Growing my relationships with the students and staff!
Fun Fact about me: I love being outdoors!
Jennifer Ollendike
Favorite Past Time: Traveling
Favorite Snack Food: mixed nuts
Favorite Subject to Teach: Reading Comprehension
This fall I am looking forward to: Meeting my new students and watching them learn, grow, and laugh!
Fun Fact about me: My family is from Louisiana and I enjoy eating Gumbo and watching LSU Football!
Laura Ann Hughes
Favorite Past Time: Reading, getting my nails done
Favorite Snack Food: Popcorn & gummy candy
Favorite Subject to Teach: Reading
This fall I am looking forward to: Cooler weather & decorating!
Fun Fact about me: I'm pregnant and excited about becoming a new mom!
Alanna Pedicini
Favorite Past Time: I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors and participating in events at our church!
Favorite Snack Food: Nutella!
Favorite Subject to Teach: Math & Science-I can’t choose between the two!
This fall I am looking forward to: I’m looking forward to getting to know the Lakewood community and experience what it means to be a stallion!
Fun Facts about me: I have a two year old son Luke, Husband Matthew, and a dog named Brady (big patriots fans)! I love all things Texas Tech and enjoy meeting new people!
Kate Anderson
Favorite Past Time: reading and playing with my family
Favorite Snack Food: almonds
Favorite Subject to Teach: reading
This fall I am looking forward to: meeting the kids and teachers!
Megan Ward
Favorite Past Time: Hanging out with my puppy Blu!!
Favorite Snack Food: Apples and peanut butter
Favorite Subject to Teach: All subjects:)
This fall I am looking forward to: Fall candles, cozy clothes, and cool weather
Fun Fact: I love talking to people and making new friendships!
Courtney Dexter
Favorite Past Time: Spending time with my family and pets, traveling (hopefully again soon)
Favorite Snack Food: Green pea chips
Favorite Subject to Teach: I started teaching high school history, so I adore social studies. But as a special educator, we get to do it all:)
This fall I am looking forward to: Being back in an elementary building with the children (safely), working with and learning from my colleagues
Fun Fact about me: We just moved back to Texas after being in Pennsylvania for 13 years!
More Amazing Videos!
Staff Communication
Lakewood Elementary Mission & Vision
Vision: We are a community of leaders, valued individuals and problem solvers, who advocate for all.
Mission: As a Lakewood Leader, I: embrace effort and rise when I fall, exhibit empathy, and celebrate diversity.
Important Campus Contacts
Main Office -972) 749-7300
Nurse, Jessica Sundin, (new to district)
K-2 Counselor, Princeton Cobb, Pcobb@dallasisd.org
3-5 Counselor, Shonnia Spears, Sspears@dallasisd.org
K,1,5 Asst. Principal, Nicola Thorn, Nthorn@dallasisd.org
2,3,4 Asst. Principal, LeAnna Bentley, Leamiller@dallasisd.org
Principal, Brittany Thompson, Britthompson@dallasisd.org
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/lakewood
Location: 3000 Hillbrook Street, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 749-7300
Virtual Learning Schedules
Have been adjusted based on feedback See draft schedules here!
Instructional Calendar/Lesson Planning Templates: provided linked here.
Instructional Planning: This year at Lakewood, we need all staff to commit to:
- Consistency and equity in the planning and delivery of high-quality grade level instruction!
- We will align and deliver the same direct teach, lessons and independent assignments for each grade level and content.
- We need to collaborate, compromise and commit as teams as we dive into our planning together.
The Instructional planning calendar and lesson plan template will be Make sure you make a copy and title it "Gradelevel_Subject_Instructional date"