Thomson Staff Newsletter
September 28, 2015
Important News & Notes
Balanced Calendar
As you all are aware, beginning with the 2016-17 school year the entire district will be on a balanced calendar. There is much work to be done in order to ensure that this transition takes place as smoothly as possible. While I am not serving on this committee, a committee has been formed to work on this transition and it is a topic at each month's General Administration Meeting. The committee really needs input from everyone from within our organization as we each view things through different lenses. This week you will notice that I will be putting up chart paper with ideas/considerations that have already been thought of. I encourage each of you to review these and add things that you are thinking about to them. I will then share these with the committee that is meeting twice a month to work on this topic.
Motor Moms & Dads
Motor Moms and Dads will begin this week. Ty Woznek has worked very hard with a great core group of volunteers and I look forward to another great year of this program. Please find the schedule in your mailbox. As you know, we will adjust the schedule as needed.
Last week was a busy one...
As you all know between PTO, Watch DOGS Kick-off, and Homecoming...wow! We had over 25 parents at PTO, welcomed almost 100 dads to our school, and walked with over 125 families in the Homecoming parade. I want to thank each and everyone of you who gave of your time to ensure that each of these was successful. You may or may not be aware of what a positive impact your presence has on the families of our students. Again, thank you!
DIBELS Data & Goal Meetings
I am really enjoying meeting with each of the certified staff and hearing about how your year has started and going over goals for the year. Now that all of our DIBELS data is in, I can share that our school is at 61% Core (Benchmark), 17% Strategic, and 22% Intensive on the DIBELS assessments. This is comparable to where we have started in years past. Please remember to that each certified staff member should schedule a meeting with Anna to review the goals set last spring and to set your student growth goal. Also, at this time I will be reviewing the State Teacher Evaluation laws with each of you as they stand now.
Child Studies/SIDR
This week Eric Chorley is going over the new online SIDR during PLCs. This online version will allow you to work on this form from home and more easily track parent communication, interventions, and student achievement. Our first Child Study day will be October 14th. If you have students that you would like to bring to the Child Study Team, remember you should have first discussed him/her at your PLC and documented it, then please let myself and Maida know so that he/she can be added to the schedule.
Social Committee
Just a quick reminder to be sure to pay your social committee dues. Cheryl will be collecting these. Thank you!
DEF Pumpkin Run
Don't forget the DEF Pumpkin Run will be held October 10th. This is a great community event and great fundraiser for the DEF which supports teachers and schools. Please consider participating!
Homecoming!
Watch DOGS Kick-off
Balanced Calendar Discussions
Important Upcoming Dates
Week of September 28th-PLC Week-Validation Meetings & Eric Chorley Illuminate Training.
Monday, September 28th-Anti-Bully Community Task Force Meeting-6 p.m.
Tuesday, September 29th-ELA Meeting-4:15-6:15pm at Central Media Center
Wednesday, September 30th-Staff Meeting-7:35. Agenda: Dena Downing- introduction and Holly Halabicky-Discussing Significant Disp.
Friday, October 2nd-Fire Drill
Monday, October 5th-Board of Education Meeting-7 pm HS AMR
Wednesday, October 7th-Count Day; Picture Day; & Early Release! Busy Day!
Friday, October 9th- Leadership Team Meeting-7:30 am; Pink-Out $5 District Jean Day; PTO Fundraiser Kick-off