McCarther's Monday Message
Week of May 8- May 12
Greetings Bray Staff,
I hope you're enjoying your weekend! Happy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Our 3rd-5th grade scholars will take Math STAAR. We will encourage our scholars at the pep rally tomorrow. Also, we will follow the alternate schedule to accommodate the pep rally.
Everyone will receive information about the EOY soon. I've asked for clarity regarding these processes and will provide more information when I receive answers. Additionally, there is information below regarding summer school and retention. Please review this information closely.
There are two finale events to commemorate the retirement of Bray. The Block Party on May 20 and a more formal event the evening of May 22. I'm asking that there is representation from every grade level at both events. Currently, the only ask of Bray staff members is to be present and engage with our community, scholars, and parents. Additionally, our PTA is hosting the Block party, if you can assist in any way, please reach out to our PTA President, Mrs. Kim Clinton.
Over the remaining weeks, be consistent with your classroom management plan, provide structure, and be prepared. It is imperative that we continue to actively monitor scholars in all settings throughout the day, especially during transitions. Furthermore, ensure that scholars are not left unattended for any reason. If situations arise, please address them immediately and contact an administrator if warranted.
Continue to pray for one another, our scholars, families, and the district as we navigate these last few weeks. Remember to take care of yourselves.
Please read the information in this newsletter thoroughly to ensure you are abreast of what is going on in the coming weeks.
Together We Thrive! We Got This!
Let's go to W.O.R.C.
#80-53-27 Goals
#GreatThingsHappenHere
#OneVoiceOneSound
Upcoming Dates*New Dates are Bold
- May 8-12-Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
- May 8-Newsletter Sent this Week
- May 8-Math STAAR Pep Rally
- May 9-Math STAAR
- May 10-All Library Books are Due
- May 10-National Nurses' Appreciation Day
- May 11-Fine Arts Integration Day
- May 11-K & 1st Grade Field Trip
- May 12-Field Day
- May 14-Dance Recital at the CHHS PAC
- May 15-Retention Spreadsheet Due
- May 15-19-NWEA/MAP this Week
- May 15-Staff Lunch with Dr. Hudson on Campus
- May 16-Orchestra Concert
- May 17-All Star Meeting
- May 19-Summer School Names Due in Spreadsheet
- May 19-House Party
- May 19-5th Grade Field Trip
- May 20-Bray Block Party Finale
- May 22-25-2nd Grade DCCA #5
- May 22-Formal Bray Celebration w/ District and City Leaders
- May 22-Volunteer Appreciation Day (Morning Breakfast)
- May 23-Class Rosters Due for 23-24 School Year
- May 23 - 5th Grade EOY Award Ceremony, 9 am
- May 23 - 1st Grade EOY Award Ceremony, 2 pm
- May 24-Summer School letters Due
- May 24 - 2nd Grade EOY Award Ceremony, 9 am
- May 25 - PreK/Kinder EOY Party, 1 pm
- May 25 - 3rd Grade EOY Award Ceremony, 9 am
- May 25 - 4th Grade EOY Award Ceremony, 2 pm
- May 25 - PreK/Kinder EOY Party, 1 pm
- May 25 - 2nd Grade EOY Party, 2 pm
- May 26 - PreK/Kinder EOY Award Ceremony, 9 am
- May 26 - 1st Grade EOY Party, 1 pm
- May 26 - 3rd Grade EOY Party, 1 pm
- May 26 - 4th Grade EOY Party, 1 pm
- May 26 - 5th Grade EOY Party, 1 pm
- May 26-Last Day of School
May, June, & July Birthdays!
Kelecia Jackson-May 18
Tiffany Anderson-May 29Leslie Snow-June 10
Tiffanie Johnson-June 27
Rozener Parnell-July 8
Morning Announcements
Scholars will assist Mrs. Robinson and Dr. McCarther with the pledges each morning. We would like you to appoint 2 scholars from your class assist us throughout the week. Send scholars to the office at 8:00 a.m. to prepare. Please review the schedule below!
**Announcements will be in the afternoon due to interim assessments.
Week Of:
May 8-Clark
May 15-Kines
- Kindergarten and second grade scholars and teachers for encouraging our 5th graders as they prepared to take the Science STAAR!
- Ms. Robinson for coordinating the parade for 5th grade scholars during lunch!
- Ms. Amadi for taking care of the logistics for the Bolder Adventure outing!
- Ms. German and Ms. Jackson for supporting PreK-K teachers administer EOY assessments!
- Mrs. Davis for coordinating the Bray Bucks store!
- Mrs. Munson for working with Mrs. Sipriano's class to create a beautiful song for National Principal's Day!
Campus Spotlight
2022-2023 Goals
- Increase Student Achievement (DOMAIN 1) by focusing on Effective Instruction and a Positive School Culture.
- One Thing: Implement scaffolding strategies across all content areas with fidelity
- Everything we do will reflect these areas of focus.
**END OF THE YEAR GOAL FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ON STARR-DOMAIN I (80-53-27)
80%-Approaches
53%-Meets
27%-Masters
**TEA recently shared the revised performance levels for the 22-23 ratings. The percent for meets and masters were increased for a "B" accountability rating.
1 Instructional Day Before Math STAAR
Instructional Focus- Week of May 8- May 12
Focus: Math STAAR & Scaffolding Strategies
Achieve 3000: Two Lessons per Week (SS & Sci.)
Score at least 75% on the first try.
IXL Math-Answer 30 Questions per Week on Personalized Plan
This is a district expectation and our campus' performance measure. Achieve 3000 and IXL are non-negotiable.
SOMETHING NEW!
Professional Learning Community
No PLCs this week
RTI Meeting Schedule
4th & 5th Grade Final RTIs will be scheduled for the following week
Summer School 22-23
Retention-Assistant Superintendent of Academics
In an effort to ensure consistency in decision making regarding scholar retention across the district, please complete the potential retention spreadsheet attached to this communication for all students who are candidates for retention by Wednesday, May 15, 2023.
All potential retentions require Executive Director approval. Candidates for retention include students who:
did not pass ¾ core courses this year
have remained consistently in tier 3 on campus and district assessment measures
had absences exceeding the 10% of the instructional year ( 16+ days)
Be prepared to share supporting data that led to your recommendation.
*Attendance in the summer school program does not guarantee reconsideration of promotion, placement, or retention status. Because instruction during summer school involves a very low pupil/teacher ratio, is concentrated in math and reading only, involves less independent work, and is very intense in nature, levels of success must be higher than during the regular school term.
District Information
NEW
Resignations
REOCCURRING
Benefits Highlights
Employer Paid Benefits
District Openings
District Partnerships
Gifted and Talented Summer Offerings June 21-22
Summer Professional Development June 6-7
District Event Calendar
REOCCURRING NEWS
Volunteers are Welcome!
Effective May 1, 2023
Leadership Definition-Expect Excellence
When you see your fellow staff members expecting excellence, please let them know! You can also give shout-outs on your personal social media pages, please tag @CedarHillISD and use #LeadingCHISD. Also, fill out the nomination sheet and give it to staff members to post in their classroom.
HOOPLA Nomination Window is OPEN!
If you would like to nominate some for this prestigious award, click the link below!
SEL Lessons
SEL is important to children and adults, increasing self-awareness, academic achievement, and positive behaviors in and out of the classroom. Additionally, research shows that SEL improves achievement by an average of 11 percentile points. Be sure to implement SEL lessons during each grade level's scheduled time.
This time is valuable and will impact a positive school culture and student achievement.
Classroom Door Monitors-District Expectation
All Campuses-Every Classroom, Every Period will have at least two Student Classroom Door Monitors.
The duty of the Student Classroom Door monitor is to ensure the Classroom Door is closed and locked at all times. If either condition is not met they are to inform the Teacher to rectify the situation immediately.
If you do not have door monitors, please assign this duty to at least two of your students Tuesday, January 17. You can rotate monitors as you choose.
Digital Citizenship Lessons
As part of our e-rate compliance, CHISD is required to teach digital citizenship to all students. Digital Citizenship should also be an everyday conversation in every classroom. There is an expectation that teachers will present a monthly digital citizenship lesson using the platform Neptune Navigate. View the link below for the expectations for presenting Digital Citizenship on campuses.
Digital Citizenship Update-January 12, 2023
Heal.Play.Learn
The Heal Play Learn Program will begin after we return from the winter break. This is a program that provides activities to support Social Emotional Learning. Students have been selected according to data from Panorama survey and counselors' referrals.
Note:
- Activities will last 1 hour each Friday (non-testing days)
- Dates: Jan 13-May 12
- Time: 2:20-3:20pm
Dismissal Adjustment-Effective January 4, 2023
As is often the case this time of year, we will embrace something new and transition to a new dismissal process that will take us to the end of the school year. This is a process that we have used before, and the change mostly affects car riders. All staff members will retain their regular duty positions, and teachers will escort their students to the locations listed below.
All RAS - Cafeteria
All Daycare - PK Room
All Bus - Library
All Walkers - PK Hallway
All Car-Riders
PreK-Stay in classroom
Kinder - Ms. Sisk's Room
1st - Ms. Persley's Room
2nd - Computer Lab
3rd - Gym
4th - PLC Room
5th - Gym
**Be sure to take your grade-level radio to your dismissal location. If you do not have a working radio, please see Mrs. Robinson prior to dismissal January 4. Be sure students are quiet while they wait and exit the building quickly when their name is called.
Failure Prevention Plan
Beginning the second grading cycle, if you have scholars failing at progress report time for any marking period, you will have to meet with your appraiser and start the Failure Prevention Plan documentation (See below). If scholars fail the six weeks, the Failure Prevention Plan documentation must be submitted to your appraiser when grades are due.
If you have scholars who receive 504 or SpEd services who are in danger of failing the 1st grading period, please reach out to Ms. Johnson (SpEd) and Dr. McCarther (504) to discuss a plan to support these scholars.
Failure Prevention Plan (Make a copy of this document first)
If you have questions, please see your appraiser.
Schoology Expectations and Blended Learning
What does Blended Learning in Cedar Hill ISD mean? Leveraging the technology and tools we already have to streamline learning in the classroom with voice and choice to increase student engagement in every content area.
Why it Matters?
Testing is Online - Our scholars need daily practice taking tests, reading, and writing on their Chromebooks. As well as exposure to the new STAAR 2.0 question types.
For the Scholars - It empowers scholars to own their learning, allows scholars to know and navigate technology beyond the test, and provides individualized instruction and frees the teacher for small group instruction. Additionally, the expectation of daily use of district Chromebooks in the classroom will help ensure that scholars have their devices charged and at school everyday especially on testing days.
Schoology Expectations
Teachers are expected to post daily/weekly learning resources for scholars and use the platform to access district resources.
Set up Skyward Courses in Schoology with District Expected Course Organization Folders. (Consider updated/custom course image)
Ensure that students can log in to your course and access resources (First Week of School)
Maintain current information in Schoology.(Consider an unpublished sub-folder.)
Set up and configure Gradebook to match Skyward Gradebook (optional)
Chromebooks in the Classroom
Students using devices for everyday instruction.
Teachers have set expectations for using technology in the classroom.
Scholars should bring devices daily fully charged.
Personal devices should be secured in scholar backpacks.
Teachers utilize GoGuardian to monitor student usage in class .
Technology Integration Expectations
Teachers will plan for the use of technology in everyday instruction at least once a week. (Technology integration does not include the use of IXL, Maps, Achieve 3000)
Utilize district resources - Pear Deck, Lumio, Google Workspace, and more. for formative assessment, writing, feedback and communication, and creating with technology.
Student Engagement & Learning
Teachers will present monthly digital citizenship lessons.
Ensure that scholars can successfully login to their Chromebook, My CHISD, Schoology, and access any other curriculum resources used in class. Teach it early and often.
Expectations and Procedures for technology use in the classroom posted.
Discretionary Leave-Personal Absences
In an effort to help us plan for coverage when we have absences there are a few steps you will have to take.
If you take off for discretionary reasons (personal reasons), you must submit a request to take off to me at least 5 days in advance as outlined in the CHISD Staff Handbook (pg. 26). Submit the request using the attached form and return all requests to my box for approval. Your request will be returned to you as approved or not approved (see CHISD Staff Handbook below for more information). If your request is approved, you may move forward with inputting your absence(s) into Skyward.
If you plan to type your request in the form below, be sure to make a copy of the form first before you fill it out. There will also be copies in the teacher workroom for you to fill out.
CHISD Discretionary Absence Policy
Request for Discretionary Absence
Lastly, if you have submitted discretionary absence requests, complete the form above and place a copy in my box for approval. If you have any questions about this process, please see me.
Chromebook FAQs
Video Usage
Carefully read the information below from our Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
In an effort to ensure the maximization of instructional time, video usage during the instructional day should be limited. Short video clips (under 10-15 minutes) for engagement or conceptualization are acceptable. If you intend to show a video for longer than 15 minutes, or to utilize an entire movie during a single or consecutive instructional period you will have to submit the attached video approval form to your appraiser for approval.
Teachers will complete the Google Form below. Once submitted, your appraiser will receive a copy of your responses via Google Docs. Teachers, be sure to share the document with your appraiser via the Approval feature in Google Docs (File → Approvals). Campus administrators will receive an email with a copy of the form and will need to Approve or Deny the request. Teachers will be notified by email whether their request has been approved or denied.
Lastly, if you turn off your classroom lights during the video clip, be sure to turn the lights on when the clip has concluded.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Helpful Links
Increase Reading Fluency and Comprehension-Book It!
Scholars will receive a reading log to monitor their progress and earn a certificate for a free pan pizza from Pizza Hut through the Book It program. Reading teachers, use the link below to enroll your scholars in the Book It program and you will receive reading logs for your scholars to use to monitor their reading daily. Let's plan to implement reading logs the week of October 3.
Positive Office Referrals
Positive Office Referrals will be located in the teacher workroom starting Monday, October 3rd. The goal is to catch scholars, especially Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavior scholars doing good things. Anyone can be nominated, but the count towards 50 Positive Office Referrals and the Campus Reward only includes those scholars on the RTI behavior list. Scholars will receive a Positive Phone Call Home, Snack and Picture on the Be the "I" in Kind Bulletin Board. Let's support this effort in helping to reteach and reward positive behavior in all scholars!
CHISD News and Updates!
District Information
Below is information from our district department leaders. Please review this information to stay abreast of our district's processes, procedures and events.
NEW
District Assessment Calendar 22-23