The Lion's Den
Week of November 5, 2018
What's Going On at Christian Park?
November 5 (A) - Lesson Plans due in Google (9:00 am)
November 6 (B)- NO SCHOOL- ELECTION DAY
November 7 (C)- ELA PLC's
November 8 (A)- Math PLC's, Cub Scouts, Boys Basketball v. Francis Parker 56 (6:15 pm)
November 9 (B)- Christian Park Spirit/Jeans Day
(A,B,C next to date denotes the Related Arts schedule)
News and Notes
NEW INFORMATION
Lion Family.....I just want to share that today's instructional rounds visit went VERY WELL. The team was highly complimentary of the culture and climate that we have developed, which takes time and some mindset shifts. Additionally, the classrooms visited demonstrated the academic work we have been undertaking, which I know is happening in every classroom. While we have room to improve (that NEVER stops for me), we are moving in the right direction. THANK YOU for all you do!
The 2018 IPS Showcase of Schools is coming up on Saturday, November 10th from 10 am to 2 pm. It will be held at the Indiana State Museum. We will have a table/booth and I would love to have some company there to showcase and discuss the great things we are and will be doing at Christian Park. For every hour you serve, you will receive two hours of comp time.
If you would like to sign up, there will be a sheet posted outside my office beginning tomorrow. Thanks!!!!
The 2018 Boys Basketball season starts this coming week. The schedule can be found by clicking here. Come on out and support our Lions! The players on the team are on behavioral contracts with the coaches- it is a three strike policy. If you have disciplinary issues with any of the players, please refer this to Coach Webb, Coach Dancy, or Ms. McCrocklin. Major issues will be addressed by admin. Decisions about being on the team are made by the coaches and admin only....do not use this as a "threat" toward students. The only people with that authority are listed above.....
The 1st Grade Team is conducting a Canned Food Drive for the Linwood Christian Church Food Pantry as part of a social studies unit integration activity. This will be a great opportunity for our students to be involved in a service learning project. I will throw in a pizza party to the class that brings in the most cans. Flyers will be going home Monday.
SafeSchools training must be complete at this time. I will be reviewing reports and sending emails to those staff that have outstanding assignments.
REPEAT INFORMATION
Staffing Update- I am interviewing a candidate for the bilingual assistant position. Additionally, i am waiting for quality applicants for the K-2 Instructional Coach and Title I Instructional Assistant positions. If you are interested in being a part of the interviews, please let me know.
Lesson Plan link for the week is below. Click on it and drop in lesson plans. Reminder- you can use the lesson plan template that works for you. Components required include:
- Standard- Identifier is fine, don't need to write it out
- Skill being taught- explicit through the I CAN statement
- Gradual Release- how are you modeling, practicing, and releasing for collaborative/independent practice
- Checks for Understanding- how are you checking every step of the way to ensure students are "getting it"?
The Staff Handbook is still attached below. You are expected to know the information in the handbook. Please make sure you review it carefully. I cannot stress the importance of this, particularly the CPS Reporting Protocols. When in doubt, REPORT!!!
Heavy Lifting!
Continued updates on our BIG ROCKS below:
PBIS-
-The team met on Wednesday morning to discuss a few items. Here are some of the talking points/decisions:
- The PRIDE Store will open on Friday, November 9th
- The store will be open on a biweekly basis for grade levels (K-3 starting Nov. 9, 4-6 starting Nov. 16)
- The store will come to your rooms during your recess time, so recess will be inside that day
- Next PRIDE Bash on December 16th will cost students 30 PRIDE Cards
MTSS-
-We will continue our focus on solidifying Tier I core instruction through PLC's and walkthroughs. Refer to the Quarter 2 Snapshot to give you a preview of our focus as we progress to increasing the rigor and authenticity of our instruction.
-Tier 2 meetings are in process. Thank you for those that are identifying students and meeting to plan interventions. Data is required to determine if our students need additional academic or behavioral support. Questions on this process can be directed to Ms. McCrocklin.
Growth Mindset-
-Taking a little step away from the Growth Mindset book, I had an AH-HA moment during our instructional rounds and at our principal's meeting. We had some discussions about grading. Yes....grading. I am attaching a picture below in the Thought Leadership section for us to discuss. Two types of grading. Which one would you prefer to receive? Why?
-One thing that was noted during walkthroughs was student responses to getting things wrong. Some of our students became dejected and disengaged from the learning immediately. This also makes it more likely for them to continue this disengagement and get further behind. So...how can we look at our grading practices to make them more "growth-based"? What is the goal of grading student work...to show the student got something wrong? Or to show areas of growth in their path to mastery? How would you want to be graded?