May 14, 2018
A Communication Tool for the Seven Hills Staff
STAAR TESTING THIS WEEK:
A separate checklist document and campus schedule will be sent in a separate email to ALL staff.
Testing Week Attire:
- Monday: jeans and "World Changer" shirt
- Tuesday: jeans and black polo
- Wednesday: jeans and 7 Hills shirt or red/blue (school colors)
Breakfast treats will be available to all staff supporting testing in the teacher workroom.
Don't forget to encourage our Star Leaders taking STAAR Tests this week.
Please make sure ALL parents are aware that the campus is CLOSED from 7:15 - 3:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday for ALL visitors and volunteers.
Seven Hills is Managing the Whirlwind and Focusing on the Wildly Important!
Commitments That Count:
We have been focused on making commitments over the last 3 weeks to help us persevere through "the zone" in pursuit of the summit. I have been so impressed by your commitments, and the work I have seen students and teachers engaged in over the last three weeks. We are closing in on the summit, and this week begins a very important part of the final climb...the high stakes testing part... It is very important that we maintain focus on the wildly important as we persevere to reach the summit. What will you be intentional about this week to help you keep the focus?
Please take time to check your progress on the mountain from last week. A new commitment card will be in your mailboxes on Monday morning. Once these are filled out, wither post them or place them on the table in my office.
As you prepare for the week ahead, remember the proactive statements that were shared last week to help you choose weather that could make a BIG difference as you you brave the elements at the top of the mountain...remember, focus on what you have influence over...maintain a high functioning whirlwind...chase the wildly important!
- I can help someone in need.
- I can listen to my students.
- I can make someone smile.
- I can celebrate a public victory for/with a student.
- I can celebrate my own private victory.
- I can advocate for my students and my school.
- I can make someone laugh.
- I can help someone else move a big rock.
- I can BELIEVE in my students...and make sure they KNOW that I BELIEVE in them!
- I can...
Habit Focus for the Rest of the Year: Habit Review
4 Weeks to Review the 7 Habits with Students:
NISD Professional Learning Expectations and Opportunities:
NISD offers teachers comprehensive and highly regarded professional learning opportunities. I have tried to capture the key components here, but if you would like to peruse a little on your own, the following links might be of interest:
- NISD Professional Learning Website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pHjJQTJSTVIW9mAVNJu0fpm7ApbfroRshrP4-heeBg0/edit
- NISD Professional Learning Framework: https://www.nisdtx.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=232201&pageId=7912537
Staff Development Flex Days:
Each professional must accumulate a minimum of three flex days (18 learning hours) between July 1, 2018 and March 10, 2019 to be used for the November 21, 2018, December 21, 2018, and April 19, 2019 staff development days. Classes offered in June may be used with principal approval.
All professional development applicable to flex days must be taken during off-contract time.
Prior approval from the principal is required for all sessions and must be documented on the Flex Days for Staff Development form.
Any changes to the form must be approved by the campus principal.
Core content teachers are required to attend a 3 hour content institute as part of their 18 hours.
ALL Instructional Staff (Everyone except Paraprofessionals) will complete 6 hours of FLEX on August 10 during our Leader in Me Empowering Instruction learning.
9 of your required 18 hours will come from Leader in Me required PD in August and the Required Content Institutes offered this summer.
FLEX Approval Form: http://www.nisdtx.org/departments/professional_learning/flex_days
Required Annual Training Updates:
NISD has developed a series of annual updates that meet district, state, or federal guidelines for employees. Each campus shall provide expectations regarding timelines for completion and verify staff compliance. A complete list will be available in August 2018. You may begin completing these courses through Eduphoria on July 1st.
General Summer Dates:
August 1-3, 2018 ENGAGE Professional Learning Conference
August 13-15, 2018 New Teacher Professional Learning
August 16-24, 2018 All Staff Professional Learning
The chart pictured below outlines the All Staff Professional Learning Schedule. This schedule is subject to change based on campus needs or scheduling. Report to your home campus on August 16, 2018.
CONTENT INSTITUTES
Content Institutes are required for all Pre-K-5 teachers, Dual Language Teachers, Secondary ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers, World Languages teachers and Special Education teachers. If you have questions, please verify with Kim Blackburn which Institute you should attend. DON'T WAIT TO SIGN UP! COURSES FILL UP FAST!! You can find the dates that these required courses are offered here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pHjJQTJSTVIW9mAVNJu0fpm7ApbfroRshrP4-heeBg0/edit#
ENGAGE
- Need a babysitter? Alphabest will be open for school-age children. If you are attending ENGAGE, Alphabest is FREE to you!!
- You will not want to miss the great sessions at ENGAGE this summer. We have fantastic featured presenters as well as over 150 other amazing sessions to choose from. The following sessions will be offered at ENGAGE as well as others.
- A final ENGAGE Schedule will be posted in June.
- Opportunities listed under all contents are geared to support teachers that teach all subjects. Courses are listed under one Domain, but most crossover and support many of the T-TESS Domains.
DO NOT WAIT TO REGISTER FOR COURSES YOU ARE INTERESTED IN!
COURSES FILL UP FAST!
Campus and District Announcements and Updates:
We will be printing the T-TESS End of Year Conference forms for appraisers and teachers to sign to turn in to HR. You will receive a folder with three copies in it. One copy is for your records. One copy is for campus records. Once copy is for the HR department. Once signed, please return to your appraiser.
Field Day Communication will be sent out this week. Please make sure you and your parents are informed.
Speeding to Read Championship Assembly: Please make sure all permission slips are collected this week. Shirts will be redistributed late this week or on Monday of next week.
Morning Arrival and Duty Reminders: A gentle reminder that we receive students at 7:20 am. Teachers should be in their classrooms ready to monitor students and prepare students for the day at 7:20. This is an important part of the day, and has the potential to set students up for success for the rest of the day. What are students engaged in/with from 7:20 - 7:40 am? Staff who do not have homeroom class assignments do have morning duty assignments. It is very important that staff are on duty promptly at 7:20 am in order to support a safe arrival for everyone.
Message from the Math Department: We wanted to send out a reminder that it is a district expectation that all students upload two mathematical writing samples to their e-portfolios each year. Kinder through 2nd grade should upload explanations while 3rd through 5th grade should upload justifications. If you are in need of any assistance with this process, please reach out to your wonderful campus Instructional Technology Coach.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Have a wonderful afternoon.
Shaunda, Jaime, and Meredith
- Be informed...The Latest Edition of the C&I Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/nkpt1
- Save the Date for Campus Based PD in August: Seven Hills staff will complete The Leader in Me Empowering Instruction professional learning on August 10, 2018. All instructional staff are required to attend, and because this is a non-contract day, this will count toward FLEX credit. The location is TBD, as we may opt to have this off site for a more engaging PD.
Attendance Snapshot Time: Staff, it is imperative that attendance be completed DAILY at the 9:30 reporting time. Funding is connected to this reporting, and should the district/campus be audited, failure to report attendance at the snapshot time could result in loss of funding for all of the students in your classroom on each day that attendance was not completed at the reporting time. Please be advised that reporting attendance is connected to T-TESS discipline 4.
Save the Date:
Habit Focus: Review All Habits
Step 2 in Class Placement Protocol Begins This Week...Look for More Details on This Step on Monday.
May 14:
- STAAR Testing, Closed Campus, All staff wear jeans and "World Changer" shirt in support of our 3-5 grade testers and teachers
May 15:
- STAAR Testing, Closed Campus, All staff wear jeans and black polo in support of our 3-5 grade testers and teachers
May 18:
- STAAR Testing, Closed Campus, All staff wear jeans and a 7 Hills shirt or red/blue (school colors) in support of our 5th grade testers and teachers
May 17:
- Laura Fletcher retirement party, 3:30 pm in the cafeteria
May 19:
- Thanks for a great testing week, wear jeans, flip flops, and a shirt or your choice
Save the Date:
Volunteer Appreciation Celebration: May 21 at 3:30 invitations and signups for what to bring will be sent out this week.
Lecia Green's Retirement Party: May 22, 3:30 in the cafeteria
Happy Birthday to You:
Jennifer Morales 5/19