Dutch Fork Elementary
Faculty/Staff Newsletter Week of November 25th
Superintendent Priorities.
- Focus our work decisions on/around our district strategic plan.
- Identify areas of achievement to improve.
- Provide Chick-Fil-A and Moe's like customer service for internal and external community.
- Strengthen the structure and quality of communication both internally and externally.
- Promote a work and learning environment where students and staff feel safe physically, emotionally and socially.
DFES Beliefs
- We believe all people deserve to feel safe, valued, and loved.
- We believe all children are naturally curious about the world around them.
- We believe learning is a social process.
- We believe inquiry fosters an environment of noticing and questioning.
- We believe in learning from multiple perspectives.
- We believe in learning from authentic primary and secondary sources.
- We believe in encouraging learners to be risk takers.
- We believe reflection should lead to change and growth.
- We believe learning should lead to social action.
- We believe our actions should be aligned to our beliefs.
Shout Outs
- Our 2019 book fair was a tremendous success We are grateful that our students love to read and that our parents help to ensure Foxcubs have book access at home. A sincere thanks to K. Kirkindoll, A. Beverly, and the host of parent volunteers and any others that I may not be aware of that may have assisted.
- Speaking of book fair a huge shout to the older adult brother of three DFES Foxcubs in K,1, and 3. The older brother purchased more than $500 worth books for his siblings and their classmates. A gracious and kind deed that has been greatly appreciated.
- S.Beckman led a rich community building workshop this past Monday for those interested. Practical and useful tips for shared and recommended. Her presentation is included below for those looking for resources.
- Ms. Gehm's small teachers for leading today's learning celebration. This class inquired into pumpkins and taught the audience based on their wondering's and questions in relation to pumpkins.
Notes from November 12 Curriculum Conversation
During our Tuesday November 12th we observed two teachers be helpful to small groups of readers.
These teachers detected patterns in the readers, named a specific need, and demonstrated something that readers would find helpful. We took notes about what the teachers said and did, including the set up of the structure. There were definite patterns in the two videos.
The teachers told the readers why she pulled the group together and how the teacher can be helpful ("I'm going to show you.."). In each video, the teacher demonstrates what she wants readers to do, and then watches and notices how readers take this on independently. In each of the groups, the teacher wraps up the small group with a reminder of what they just tried out.
Jennifer Seravallo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azi2iASKv3I
Gravity Goldberg: http://players.brightcove.net/268012963001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5264863354001
We then thought of a small group of readers with a specific need, and met in small groups to share what it is that we notice about these readers, and the language that might be helpful to them feeling stronger.
The small groups were organized around these topics:
Believing reading is a meaning-making process and Having something to say
Believing in their own ability to make sense of the text
Reading for a personal purpose
Spontaneously monitoring their own reading
Fluency
Problem-solving: Word-solving using visual information with meaning
Problem-solving: Determining meaning of new words
More sophisticated texts: New genres and text demands in them
We made plans to try-out these conversations or series of conversations with small groups this week. Several people offered to take their "thinking in motion" public. Since teaching is a meaning-making process and a problem-solving process, teachers also named personal inquiries to think together about in the upcoming weeks.
We will continue with this PD on Tuesday, December 10. Homeroom teachers be prepared to showcase the one thing you've tried as a result of this PD. This is a great opportunity to access our literacy coach to help you think aloud, plan, or even conduct a demonstration and reflection with you.
DFES Leadership Team FYI
We will suspend until further noticed morning clubs for our 4th and 5th grade students effectively beginning December 2 (once we return from the break). This move will allow our related areas teachers to supervise in designated areas where supervision could be compromised.
Mr. Gantt will notify families of students that participate in morning clubs next week. Thanks for your understanding we strive to maintain student safety. Please let us know if you have any questions.
We are sharing the schedule so that you are aware and can prepare accordingly. Let us know if you have any questions.
We develop students who care about the world we live in and express critical thinking through natural curiosity and wonder.
Email: jscott@lexrich5.org
Website: www.lexrich5.org/dutchfork/cfm/
Location: 7900 Broad River Road, Irmo, SC, USA
Phone: 803-476-3901
Twitter: @dfes_principal