Park Place Post
Weekly Update October 8
From the Principal
Do you wonder what we work on when students aren't at school? I want to inform you about our focus areas for professional development and continuous improvement at Park Meadows. As you know, students leave at 2:00 on most Fridays. We also have one full day workday for professional development with no students in January. It's important that you know how we're spending our time to continually improve teaching and learning at Park.
Professional Learning Communities
On most early release Fridays, we are engaged in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The purpose of a PLC is for colleagues to work together to increase shared efficacy and improve student outcomes. In other words, we collaborate to look at student data, share our expertise, and discuss instructional strategies and resources that get the best results. PLCs create an opportunity for everyone to learn, students and teachers alike! I linked a video below that explains our PLC process. This year at Park, we are collaborating with a multi-school PLC and a site-based PLC on early release Fridays.
- Multi-School PLC: Once a month, our teachers meet with teachers from Highland Lakes and Greenbrier schools who teach the same grade level and content. K-3 teachers focus on reading. 4-6 teachers focus on their content (math, ELA, social studies, or science).
- Site-Based PLC: When we're not meeting with our multi-school PLCs, we meet at Park with our teams. K-3 teachers meet with grade-level teams and focus on math. 4-6 teachers either collaborate with their grade-level teams to analyze student data and plan for instruction or they meet with the teachers at the other two grade levels to share strategies for teaching their content.
Professional Development
We have six early release Fridays and a full day on January 3rd designated for professional development. On early release Friday PDs, we are focused on Standards-Based Grading (SBG). DVUSD is in the process of transforming our grading practices from traditional to standards-based. At Park Meadows, we are reading the book Grading From the Inside Out and discussing it on PD Fridays as we prepare to implement SBG next school year. I will share more information about standards-based grading in future newsletters.
Another focus area for Park Meadows is teacher clarity. We have six after-school PD sessions this semester when teachers are reading the Teacher Clarity Playbook. In these sessions, we are analyzing our state standards to understand exactly what students need to learn and be able to do. This process is called "unwrapping" the standards. It is a rigorous process that results in focused, effective instruction. We will spend our January 3rd PD collaborating in teams to unwrap as many of our essential standards as we can, then will continue the work through the spring semester.
Thank you for your interest in our work to continuously improve at Park Meadows! We believe collaboration makes us all highly effective. We are enthusiastic about learning and growing together.
I wish you all a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable four-day weekend!
With gratitude for your partnership in education,
Kim Lanese
Parent Liaison Updates
By the looks of how busy it was, our In-N-Out fundraiser on October 6th was a success as well! It was great to see so many smiling faces! More information on that coming soon!
Our student teachers having fun!
Mr. & Mrs. Pruitt grabbing a bite to eat
Mrs. Joralmon enjoying some down time
Staff Spotlight
Meet Mr. Ashraf, School Counselor!
Mr. Saad Ashraf is the new school counselor at Park! We are very happy that he has joined us for his first year as a school counselor. Mr. Ashraf was raised in Gilbert Arizona, went to ASU, and finished graduate school at Alfred University. When he is not counseling children, he loves to watch movies, eat spicy foods, and play with his cat. Mr. Ashraf believes that legacy is the single most important mark any individual can make in their lifetimes, which is why he is dedicated to the students at Park Meadows Elementary.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Mr. Ashraf or give him a wave and say "hello" at parent pick up!
Grade Level and Teacher Newsletters
Life in the Lunchroom
WANTED! LUNCH HEROS- Next week is National School Lunch Week and the Deer Valley School District is looking for Lunch Heros to join our team. There are current openings for full-time, part-time, and substitute positions in our school cafeterias and the food service warehouse.
Does this job sound interesting? Keep reading for the job perks-
- Work Monday –Friday with time off when school is not in session
- Guaranteed hours with no nights or weekends
- Variety of work schedules (2.5-6.0 hours/day)
- Complimentary meal every day that you work
- School and Community involvement
- Great employee benefits
- Opportunity to MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE!
For more information and/or to apply, please visit the employment job listings at dvusd.org for a list of current openings and application information or you can call the Food & Nutrition department at 623-445-5161.
Updates from The Special Areas
Art Zone with Ms.Lorimer
In the art room, we are continuing to work on the elements of art through amazing projects! Kinder is working on Van Gogh sunflowers. First Grade is working on lines with fall leaves. Second Grade is familiarizing with impressionist painting and creating a “Starry Night” pumpkin patch. Third Grade is working on a warm and cool color bird. Fourth Grade is using lines and patterns to make a zentangle leaf. Fifth Grade is creating overlapping pumpkins. Sixth Grade is creating James Rizzi portraits.
Coach's Corner with Mrs. Strow.
We’re having a great time in PE this month! After just wrapping up our hopscotch unit, we’re leaping into soccer skills and drill, but first, let’s announce our hopscotch champions!
3rd Grade
Ryder C - Ms. Horn's Class
Tie - Mia E and Jayla M - Mrs. Comeau's Class
Karley G - Ms.Bett's Class
4th Grade
Colton W -Ms. Edward's Class
Tristan T - Mrs. Joralmon's Class
Jayce B - Mrs. Tang's Class
5th Grade
Tie - Zaden S and Savvy S - Ms.Simpson's Class
Envy J - Mrs. Ozuna's Class
Kai R - Ms. Baldwin's Class
6th Grade
Marius M -Ms. Leonard's Class
Max B - Mr. Roger's Class
Dilan H - Mrs.Neal's Class
Congratulations to our hopscotch champions! Coach Strow can’t wait to announce all of her soccer all stars.
Technology Time with Ms. Hernandez
Last month in Technology we explored many topics involving digital citizenship and sharpened our tying skills. Now we are leveling up our tech skills and earning skill points in computer programs with Code.org.
Music to Your Ears with Mrs. Bollman
In music class this month, we are having a blast exploring music through instruments, singing, and dancing. Kinder is learning the difference between fast and slow by demonstrating understanding through movement, as well as the difference between loud and soft by singing lullabies and game songs. First Grade is being introduced to the 5 line music staff and identifying lines and spaces. Second Grade, Third Grade, and Fifth Grade are reading “Freddie the Frog and the Secret of Crater Island” to help them learn to identify the notes on the treble staff. Fourth grade is finishing up their flute unit by learning to play “Hot Cross Buns” and “Baby Shark.” Next, they will be introduced to Squidward’s instrument of choice: the clarinet! Sixth Grade is starting their ukulele unit. They are working on learning to play “Lost Boy” by Ruth B, but have already mastered “La Cucaracha!” As you can see we are having a swell time!
The Band Stand with Mr. A
5th and 6th grade band are both going strong!
5th grade has already completed their first 10 beginning skills like how to sit with good band posture, breathe, make good sounds (on their instrument of course!), and assemble and care for their instruments properly. We are currently working on mastering our first 5 note scale and playing songs like Hot Crossed Buns, Au Claire De La Lune, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Lightly Row.
6th Grade has many, many beginners in their bands as well! They are progressing just as well as the 5th graders are and catching up to the more experienced 6th graders nicely! 6th Grade band members that played last year are working on more advanced music like solos, popular music, and tunes from their Red Band book, Tradition of Excellence. They are also working on an arrangement of Jingle Bells for the concert in December.
The date for the December concert is Tuesday, Dec. 14th at 6pm!
Many band members are thoroughly enjoying the after school band club! Please remind your students that they need to sign up AND arrange a ride home at 4:15 BEFORE the day that they want to stay after school.
Teacher Newsletters
Important Dates To Remember
- October 8 & 29- Early release days. Students dismissed 90 min early.
- October 11 & 12- Fall Break days, No School
- October 15- Regular release day. School ends at 3:30 PM.
- October 21 & 22 - Half Day release days. 12:05 PM dismissal