The Bailey Times
September 5, 2017
Reading to Your Classes in September!
Sign up for Reading in the Classroom!
Let me know if you need any help!
Thanks,
Cindy
Homework - What are you asking your kids to do?
Homework as far as BSE is concerned is about taking time to read, be read to, or read to another person. It can also be about in the lower grades sight words that need to be memorized but only a few at a time and not pages of words to decipher or look at sounds because parents have no idea how to do that! It can also be about practicing math facts for those students that need to practice. Homework is never a one size fits all except in the area of reading and every child needs to read! Please be careful and look at what you are giving for homework and match it to what we are saying is appropriate for homework and if you are not sure let me take a look!
BSE Homework Policy - excerpt (taken from Teacher Handbook 2017-2018)
Bailey Station Elementary believes that the development of the whole child is our mission as a school. We believe that the elementary school years are crucial ones, and in addition to the purely academic skills that are so important at this age, children are also developing a multitude of social-emotional and critical thinking skills, both at home and school. We know that over the last couple of years there has been quite a bit of discussion about the importance of unstructured play and the need for ‘down time’ in a world that is increasingly structured and scheduled, even for our youngest learners. In addition we all know the value of reading together as a family each night. In fact, there is overwhelming agreement among researchers that the most important thing that parents can do to develop good reading skills in their children is to read together for at least thirty minutes each night, even after children become independent readers themselves.
So what does all of this have to do with developing homework guidelines? After digging through the research on homework, there aren’t very many studies that establish a clear link between homework in elementary school and improved student achievement. Instead, homework sometimes gets in the way of things that do clearly have an impact, such as dinner time, reading together as a family and play.
The purpose of homework should be to practice, reinforce, or apply acquired skills and knowledge. Research supports that moderate assignments completed and done well are more effective than lengthy or difficult ones poorly done. Homework serves to develop regular study skills and the ability to complete assignments independently. Homework is the responsibility of the student and as students get older they are more able to work independently. Parents play a supportive role through monitoring completion of assignments, encouraging student efforts, and reinforcing a love for reading.
Homework should:
· Place a strong emphasis on reading
· Apply writing skills
· Practice previously taught mathematics skills
· Consider individual student needs, learning styles, and abilities in order for students to complete at home independently
· Relate to grade level standards and objectives
· Include clear instructions and expectations
· Be assigned regularly and in reasonable amounts
· Provide feedback for the student
We believe that the guidelines below will best serve our children at BSE:
Elementary School Homework Should:
· Have a clear purpose in regard to student learning;
· Provide one or more of the following:
o practice of skills taught in the classroom to increase fluency;
o reinforcement of skills that were previously mastered;
o introduction of concepts that will be taught in future lessons (for example, gathering current newspaper articles on a specific topic that will be discussed in class);
o opportunities for students to explore topics of their own interest;
· Be monitored by teachers for the purpose of providing specific feedback;
· Focus heavily on reading and mathematics skills (in K-3 particularly)
· Be structured in a way that students can accomplish it (independently) with relatively high success rates
Elementary School Homework Should Not:
· Be used to ‘teach’ new material or to practice skills that have not been fully taught in the classroom;
· Require materials not provided by the classroom teacher or the school (beyond the basics, such as notebooks, pencils, calculators, etc);
· Require students to practice a skill that that is either not well understood or is misunderstood;
· Be assigned merely as a matter of routine;
· Be given as punishment;
· Be graded.
Transforming school culture by getting rid of rewards for good behavior and prioritizing character education. This is a great read for everyone! We will be using this article to discuss what we are doing at BSE....what is working and what does not!
easyCBM Testing Schedule/Powerschool Assessment Schedule
Powerschool Assessment Benchmark Schedule:
October 2 - October 20
January 4 - January 18
March 1 - March 22
I do not have the schedule as of yet for STAR Reading.
Growth Mindset Book Study
We met as a Leadership Team on Thursday, August 31st and a survey of options was given to all teachers. The option that had the most votes was "Book Study Through Schoology" so we will get that setup and let you know how it will work. The second option that received a lot of votes was the "Old Fashioned Book Study". I think that the book study through schoology will combine some of the parts of the old fashioned book study and will hopefully help all of us learn more about growth mindset.
_______________________
Growth Mindset Study: Did you know?
Have you started talking to your kids about their brain? Do they know that their brain can change, adapt, and "rewire" itself throughout their entire life? Do they know that the brain research negates the notion that intelligence is "fixed from birth, but that the brain can continue to develop with the proper challenge and stimuli?
Check out some of these articles I read this past week from Twitter. You may find something that interest you.
Don't forget ongoing checks for understanding!
Four Types of Rubrics
Please do not send papers home except in Tuesday Folder! Some parents receive early and we get calls from other parents about why they had not received a particular sheet! We just need your help!
Coffee Chats for September
Sept. 6th (Wednesday because of holiday): Seesaw at BSE Moore and Miller
Sept. 12th Eureka Math - How to make it work in the classroom? Pugh, Shaffer, Korthauer, Grace
Sept. 26th Skype in the Classroom - Boren
All coffee chats will start at 7:45/8:00! Be there by 7:50 if it starts at 8:00 in order to have time to learn!
If you have ideas for coffee chats in October, please submit them to me by email.
ECET2 Convening - Opportunity for Teachers
Sheryl Johnson - S1johnson@colliervilleschools.org
Audience: All Teachers
ECET2 stands for Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers. It was born out of a desire to provide a forum for exceptional teachers to learn from one another and to celebrate the teaching profession. You can learn more about ECET2 here: https://www.teacher2teacher.education/ecet2/.
The Southwest Regional ECET2 convening is taking place October 21 at the TLA on Union Avenue. ECET2 is seeking teacher presenters to guide teacher leaders in sessions about cultivating and promoting equity in our schools. Stipends will be provided by ECET2 for presenters. If you are interested in presenting, please complete the presenter form.
The ECET2 convening is not affiliated with Collierville Schools; therefore, if you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lisa Hoelmer (HOELMERLL@scsk12.org). Any Collierville teacher that presents at the ECET2 convening may submit a PDP request form to Sheryl Johnson to earn PD credit.
PD an Popcorn - Sept. 7th
Sheryl Johnson - s1johnson@colliervilleschools.org
Audience: All Teachers
Please join us at Central Church on Thursday, September 7 (4:45-6:00) for our first PD and Popcorn of the school year!
We are pleased to announce that we will be offering quarterly PD & Popcorn sessions again this year! These sessions are designed to provide effective teaching strategies that are sure to impact your classroom instruction. Our first session will focus on all TEAM indicators. Participants will choose from a menu of options that best meet their needs when they arrive, please see the attached schedule to see what is being offered. All participants will receive PD points and have the opportunity to win a door prize! Please see the attached flyer and breakout session schedule for details. Participants must register in My Learning Plan.
See attached PDF
Tennessee Educational Technology Conference - Teacher opportunity
We are excited to share that one teacher from each our of schools will be able to attend the Tennessee Educational Technology Conference (TETC). TETC is Nov. 29- Dec. 1, 2017, in Murfreesboro, TN. If selected to attend, your registration, accommodations, travel expenses, and meals (not provided by the conference) will be paid for by the district. Your classes will be covered by a sub. You will carpool with other attendees and room with one other person. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 13, 2017. Applicants selected to attend will receive notification by Sept. 15, 2017.
If you would like to apply to attend the conference, please click here: TETC Application
Teacher Device Refresh - After you have your new equipment:
Congratulations! You have new equipment. Below are a few notes and reminders when setting up and using your new equipment.
- You may move your backed-up data to this machine. Please remember that this laptop has less storage (250GB) than the past teacher laptops. Follow the attached step sheet to do this.
- When connecting the USB-C to VGA adapter (dongle) for the first time, you will need to run the update that prompts you in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Whenever using a projector with your laptop, turn the projector on first, then plug in the adapter to your laptop. When wanting to disconnect from the projector, unplug the adapter first, then turn off the projector.
- Please run software updates through the App Store on both pieces of equipment regularly.
- Should you run into a problem with your equipment, please enter a work order through SchoolDude - https://www.myschoolbuilding.com/.
- MS/HS teachers- You will need further instructions and set up in order to use Examview software on your new laptop. Your STS/ITF will assist you with this process.
Please understand that the Technology team will be working on teacher equipment refresh and will be out of the building as a result. Please be patient with requests or needs during this time.
Bootcamp'ish Workouts at BSE
Dear BSE family,
I believe we have had some new additions since I sent out the information about bootcamp’ish. I am resending the information so that everyone will know about the opportunities here at BSE!
Walking Wednesdays - We will walk after school every Wednesday and would love to have you join us. If it is nice we will walk the neighborhood or around the outside of the school. If it’s not, we walk in the gym or the halls. Bring your sneakers and join us!
We will meet in the gym after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for bootcamp’ish workouts. Do not let the name scare you! It just means that we will incorporate some cardio and strength exercises into different routines. We can and do modify anything and everything to fit individual needs and levels. Mostly it is just a time to come together, work out, and encourage each other. No scales, no measurements, no whistles! We would love to have you join us. If you’re unsure, try it! All you need is a change of clothes, water bottle, and possibly a set of dumbbells that you are comfortable working with. If you don’t have dumbbells, do NOT let that be the reason you don’t try. I will loan you some!
So, all of this to say, there will be some form of exercise available to you FREE of charge Monday-Thursday after school if you want it! I truly hope to see you at one or all of these opportunities!
Have a happy healthy day!
— Heather Volner
NEW PTA Website
Greetings from the River!
Month at a Glance
September 6, 2017
- Seesaw 101 Coffee Chat @ 7:45 in the library (sign up in MLP)
- Principal's Meeting - out all day
- PLC Meetings 4th, 5th, and 3rd
September 7, 2017
- Faculty Meeting @7:30 - please bring your computer to this meeting
- PD & Popcorn
September 8, 2017
- Grandparent's Breakfast 8:00 (Please be in your rooms for grandparents to visit starting at 8:00 if possible with 8:15 being the latest)
September 12, 2017
- Eureka Math - How to make it work in the classroom? Coffee Chat 7:45 in the library
September 13, 2017
- PLC Meetings 2nd, K, 1st
September 14, 207
- Rezoning Meeting - Out of building 10:30 - 12:00
- Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00 - 7:00
September 15, 2017
- District Learning Day
September 19, 2017
- Fall Picture Day
September 20, 2017
- Run Club @ 7:30
- PLC 5th, 3rd, 4th
September 21, 2017
- Faculty Meeting @ 7:30
September 22, 2017
- Healthy School Team Meeting @7:45 Library
September 25, 2017
- PTA Board Meeting @ 9:30 in Cafeteria
September 26, 2017
- Skype In The Classroom Coffee Chat 7:45 in library (sign up in MLP)
September 27, 2017
- Run Club @ 7:30
- PLC K, 1st, 2nd
September 28, 2017
- The Bear Fair 5:00 - 7:00
- Public Rezoning Meeting @ 6:00 Town Hall
October 3, 2017
- Parent Coffee Chat on Mindsets for Parents 9:15 - 10:15 in room 200
October 4, 2017
- Run Club @7:30
- Principal's Meeting - Out all day
October 5, 2017
- Rezoning Parent Meeting #2 @ 6:00 Town Hall
October 6, 2017
- Student Council Induction Ceremony @ 9:30 Cafeteria