November 11, 2019
A Communication Tool for the Seven Hills Staff
Rituals, Routines, and Procedures of the Reading Workshop:
- Confront Reality
- Create Transparency
- Get Better
- Build Trust
Each of you has been working so hard to implement UoS, Reading and Writing, with fidelity this year...and...as a campus, everyone has been so in tune with our instructional focus and WIG to develop strong readers and writers! To this, I say thank you! I know it hasn't been easy. What I know is that it has been worth it! We have some impressive data sets to share on Tuesday!
In early October, we spent time in PLCs reflecting in routines and procedures of the reading workshop that have had significant impact on teaching and learning during the workshop. I wanted to share the key ideas from each grade level so that each team could have the opportunity to learn from each other. Additionally, it is so important for us to hold tightly to these routines and procedures during the next few weeks. The time leading into long breaks is critical. Routines and procedures support behavior management. Additionally, we must frontload students with skills to carry them through the breaks.
As you read these suggestions, be thinking about additional routines and procedures that you would like to share, and even what you might be struggling with currently. We will break into vertical teams in Tuesday's meeting for a structured conversation around reading UoS, with this as one of our topics.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13NtNEbhbsgiKMR4dRE9ZcyiikG5yaa_EjqR2BYH-BOU/edit?usp=sharing
"Everybody" Boards:
"What we value is reflected on our walls and in our halls."
TCRWP
While this quote comes from TCRWP, I believe it also aligns with LIM. Our ocean theme reflects our deeply rooted culture and positive learning environment. Our front display case, journey wall, and the Habit boards in the cafeteria are celebrations of greatness. Our scoreboards, language of leadership, 7 Habits, etc. reflect the context of empowering learners to be leaders. Our scoreboards also reflect a connection to high expectations for learning. What is missing is honoring the work students and teachers are pourning themselves into each day. This was the intended purpose of keeping the everybody boards...
As we begin the 12th week of school, it is beyond time for each grade level team to carefully consider what meaningful, relevant, and rigorous work will be displayed on these boards. As I look back at my notes from the Leadership Retreat where all of this was discussed, here are a few points to consider:
- If displaying student writing, consider displaying pre-assessment and post to show growth over the unit. Then, change each unit!
- If displaying writing it is important to remember that final draft does not mean perfect! the published piece often has taped on paper, different color pen, etc. This shows the thinking through the process.
- Do not show grades
- It is ok to display different content area work on the same board. If this is the choice the team makes, a description of the purpose of the board in this case should accompany the work.
- It is always a good idea to date the work.
- It is a good idea to provide a description of the work when posting, so the reader/viewer can see what he or she is looking at.
- Work should be updated regularly.
- Students should have some choice and voice in what work is displayed. Students should be able to speak to the work when asked. Can they describe the work that is posted?
- Work should be an authentic reflection of what is happening in the classroom - either leadership or core content
- The intent was that these boards and te work on them be a point of pride.
Please discuss this with your teams, if you have not already, and make a plan for having work displayed by Monday, November 11, 2019. If your team needs support in this, please talk with Kim Blackburn.
Data...Data...Data...
- Based on feedback from each grade level in Quarterly Data Reviews, there is a need for teachers to get to know more about what Edugence can do for you. We have scheduled Edugence training with Leslie Russell in PLCs on November 12th.
- For any CBA that you have not completed an Atlas Looking at Data protocol and See-Get-Do map for, please do so by the end of the week this week (11/15)and post in the PLC room on your grade level board. 21 minutes. Set a timer for each step. This takes 21 minutes.
Staff Potlocks Begin Tomorrow!
A friendly reminder, our 1st Staff Pot Luck on Monday, November 11. Remember to bring the snack you signed up for.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0849AAAA2AA4F85-potluck
UIL...Your Help is Needed!
Hey awesome teachers!! Linked below is the slide show about UIL. If you are not sure what the events are there is a link in the slide show what tells about them or you can ask me. I know some teachers are still thinking of signing up. I will be sending home google forms for kids to sign up next week. Thanks so much - Jen Gill!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CkP-lrVaSysXQpNGQIXZEhXGSekL22QbSvG1JGOUCXk/edit?usp=sharing
From the CIT:
The Seven Hills tryout for Spelling Bee will be held during Habit Huddle on Tuesday. I will choose the 20 words and deliver them to your classroom before the students arrive on Tuesday. Please grade the tests (if you want me to help, let me know!) and decide as a team which 8-10 students will represent your grade level. I will check with you at the end of the day to see if you have your list ready so that I can meet with the chosen participants. Thank you!
Assessments this Week
2nd Grade:
November 13-15 2Science.2.Matter
5th Grade
November 7 - 11 5Science.3.Force/Energy
Upcoming Assessments
3rd Grade:
November 18-22 3.ELA.2.CBA Thrill and Chills: Roller Coasters Are
Not All the Same
K-5:
December 2-17 MOY DRA2
From The Intervention Team:
Please join us in welcoming Mario. We are very excited to have him join our team! He will be assisting you with your EL students. Mario can can assist students with the lessons and assignments during your class. He can also work with students on activities that you feel will help your students.
-Ideas for Rupa when she is in you classroom:
-Assist students with current lesson
-Lexia skill builders
-Lexia direct teach lessons
-Engaging Mathematics (grades 2-5 books are in the intervention classrooms)
-Work one on one with a student in the classroom
-Work with a small group of students in the classroom reinforcing the current lesson
-Math facts
-Assisting students with their writing during writers workshop
-Have students read their bag of books to her
Please remember, Rupa and Mario do not progress monitor students and they are not trained on E-Star.
From the Librarian:
Book Fair continues through Wednesday at 2:15.
Please promote the book fair with you social media and other communications. Remember each staff member receives a $5 coupon. You can use it yourself or “gift” it to a student to use. We are also giving each student that participated in the Pumpkin Contest a $5 coupon.
The reason I have so many book fairs is because 1. I LOVE THEM! ;-) 2. I love the happiness students have when they get a book that belongs to them. We have a variety of ways to ensure every student gets a brand new book, of their choice, during the book fair. (thank you PTA, Scholastic and all of the change at the bottom of purses)
**If you read this, email me saying you would like to schedule a time to bring your class to check in/out this week. I’ll go in order of the emails I get. ;-)
3-5 grades, please keep talking up the UBC. Encourage kids to be reading those titles and choosing 1-2 of the books they want to be an expert on. If you are interested in helping and would be willing to meet with a group during lunch, please let me know. I have copies of the UBC titles to give away!
Habit Huddle Connection:
Habit 3 Connection:
My favorite habit...not always what I practice the most, but truly my favorite! Take time before the start of the week to reflect...are you focusing on the MOST important things?
Habit 3, Put First Things First, is at the heart of effective self-management. It is the ability to organize our time around the most important things. Are you spending time on the most urgent (common paradigm), or are you spending your time on what is most important (highly effective paradigm)?
When you practice Habit 3, you:
Focus your highest priorities (quadrant 2)
Eliminate the unimportant (quadrant 3 and 4)
Plan every week
Stay true in the moment of choice
Habit Family Challenges:
As reflection sheets are turned in, please turn those in to the front office. There is an Action team that had a plan for the certificates this year. When I get with that Action Team on Thursday about the plan, we will begin making the certificates and posting on the boards in the cafeteria! Please make sure you are encouraging families to participate! A new pack will come home this week!
Habits at Home Reflection Page Will Be Sent in This Year Instead of Full Packet...Turn in to Office.
Save the Date:
Save the Date: Change in staff meeting date due to Dr. Warren wanting to visit each campus staff meeting. All staff will meet on Tuesday, November 12 at 3:20 with Dr. Warren. Action Teams will meet on Thursday, November 14. This will impact Student Lighthouse. Plan accordingly.
Save the Date: Elementary Campus Support Meetings are new this year. During these meetings, district leadership will visit the campus, review our Instructional Focus, progress made to date, discuss data, visit classrooms, walk halls, look at work displayed, etc. Teachers may be pulled to visit with the team, and classrooms will be visited both scheduled and randomly. Please put the following date and time on your campus calendar: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 from 9:30 - 11:30. More details will be coming.
Monday, November 11:
- Staff Pot Luck
- ILT Meeting, 3:15
- Grade Level PLCs, Leslie Russell will be here for Edugence Training
- Thanksgiving Lunches
- Dr. Warren Visits for Staff Meeting (all staff at beginning)/Professional Learning Meeting
Wednesday, November 13:
- Accountability Team Meeting, 3:15 - 3:45
- 5th Grade Math Mega Lab all day
- Book Fair Closes
Thursday, November 14:
- Action Teams
Friday, November 15:
- Sharpen the Saw Clubs
Happy Birthday to You:
Crystal Kacala 11/17
Please Add This to Your Parent Communication:
Check Out the Latest Edition of the Campus Newsletter:
Star News Update:
11.7.19 https://www.smore.com/uep4x-seven-hills-elementary-news
Thanksgiving Lunch on Tuesday, November 12:
As a safety and security measure, all visitors and volunteers are required to sign-in using the Raptor system when visiting Seven Hills Elementary. This includes high volume events such as our Thanksgiving Lunch. We have a few processes and tips to help make this as efficient and pleasant as possible for everyone:
- If you have visited Seven Hills this year, and have already had your ID scanned, we can pre-print your visitor badge before the lunches begin. This will help expedite the sign-in process.
- If you have not visited Seven Hills this year AND had your ID scanned, then you will need to have your license scanned upon arrival at the campus. Please make sure you have your ID with you when you arrive. Once your ID has been scanned, your visitor badge will be printed.
- Please arrive early in order to have plenty of time to get signed in and/or pick up visitor badges before lunches. Lunch times are pictured below.
- NEW THIS YEAR! We need your help. We know you RSVP'd for the lunch. This was for the cafeteria to plan for food preparation. We need more specific information in the office in order to expedite the sign-in process. If you are planning on attending the Thanksgiving Lunch or THINK you might attend the Thanksgiving Lunch on Tuesday, November 12, please complete the form below by noon on Monday, November 11, so that we can organize an efficient sign-in process.
Thanksgiving Lunch Visitors: https://forms.gle/zPguVVAZuyxcqpoP6
Thank you for putting first things first to help us make this event positive and safe for our students, staff and families!