GATE Staff Newsletter
January 2, 2020
Welcome Back!
I hope that you all had a chance to rest and recharge over this long break! Personally, I put my computer away until today if you can believe it! It has been wonderful. I wanted to send this out early so that when you are ready to start thinking about school again - you can!
To start the new year...
As you are starting to think about school again after your long break, consider this for you and your classroom:
-What do you want to STOP doing?
-What do you want to KEEP doing?
-What do you want to START doing?
Coming Up Next Week...
Monday:
Welcome back! :)
Tuesday:
Whole-school (2-6) assembly: Brainstormers in the media center @1pm (see separate email)
Wednesday:
Kate meeting at AHS 10am
Thursday:
School-wide spelling bee in media center at 8:05am. Just send your classroom winners. Parents of those competing may come watch.
Friday:
Tours @ 9am
Kate meeting @1pm
Hive Huddles @ 2:30pm
Looking Ahead....
MAP testing next week
Staff meeting January 14th at 3:05pm
Early dismissal Thursday - PD @ GATE after
Dentist visit for students that register (see flyer by mailboxes and in Gazette)
PTO blanket making event - please come if you can. Immediately following school.
Other School Dates
- Jan. 6: First day back!
- Jan. 7: Brainstormers Assembly @ 1pm
- Jan. 9: School-wide spelling bee @ 8:05 in the Media Center. Parents of finalists may come.
- Jan. 9: PTO Meeting 7pm @ Media Center
- Week of Jan.13-24: MAP math and reading test in your classroom
- Jan. 16: Early Dismissal @ 1:05pm
- Jan. 17: SMILE Makers Dental visit - see separate flyer coming home next week.
- Jan. 17: Blanket Making event sponsored by PTO
- Jan. 31: F&P: All students suspected of performing below grade level in reading tested by today.
- Feb. 3-Mar. 3: School of Choice Application window
- April 21: 4-5pm: SAVE THE DATE/TIME! Board listening visit. Avondale's Board members will be at Meadows from 4-5pm in the media center on this day. This is the GATE staff's opportunity to share successes and also pose questions and concerns. It's your chance to have a voice with the board.
Reminder of New Entrance Times if Parents Ask...
Academic/Behavior Concerns
-Discipline Form: When sending to office/Kate
-Referral Process & Referral Form: For chronic concerns regarding academic, speech or behavior evaluation
NWEA MAP Testing
Communicate with parents so they know.
Remind students of their goals - they should reach 1/2 their spring goal - do they want to set personal goals as well?
Create a low-stress environment - it's just to see what they know right now so we can make adjustments in class.
Other useful resources:
Teacher Lab Menu & Recording Sheet
Mid-Year Inquiry Meeting Sign Up - Required for all 5D+ Evaluated Staff
Staff Reminders:
- Now that our "Jeans til January" is done...back to "professional dress" days and jeans on Friday.
- Take attendance by 9am and 12pm everyday! Edith will be calling you to remind you if it hasn't been done.
- Make sure you send your lunch choices by 8:30 every day.
- Try to use Chromebooks for 50% of your day or less.
- Review "Take Care" Expectations in all areas of the school with your students the first week back. The time you spend doing this will be paid back to you in instructional time!
- Don't forget about field trips! Try to take at least two this year!
Book Study for remaining PD sessions this year!
I will be putting it in your mailboxes early this week so we can start our study of this topic/book. A more detailed study guide will be coming. We will be discussing this book during future early release days/staff meetings.
Please read the introduction, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 by the early release day of January 16th.
Healthy 2020 Challenge!
For all Future Parent/Teacher Conferences During Conference Time....
If you still have a copy of your sign-in sheets from the fall conferences, please make a copy for me and place it in my mailbox. If you don't have the sign-in sheets, please email me with the % of parents you had a conference with (phone or in person).
Thank you!
FREE Gifted SEL Professional Development....
Raptor and Volunteers
Weekly Dose of Encouragement
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
Positivity Project
Professional Development Slides - For Your Reference
FOSS Kits
Please let me know if you have any questions about the FOSS kits you received.
2nd-Solids and Liquids (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
3rd- Motion and Matter (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
4th- Energy (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU
5th- Mixtures and Solutions (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
2nd/3rd: Amanda Merrill - 2nd grade kit
2nd/3rd: Kimberly McDermid - 3rd grade kit
3rd/4th: Rachel Breeden - 3rd grade kits
4th/5th: Michelle Gierman - 4th grade kits
4th/5th: Erica Burmann - 5th grade kits
Staff Meeting Dates
1/14 3:05pm-4:05pm
2/11 3:05-4:05pm
3/10 3:05pm-4:05pm
4/14 6:45am-7:45am
5/12 3:05pm-4:05pm
6/9 6:45am-7:45am