Pow Wow Principals Press
Happy New Year 2018!!!
Welcome to 2018!!!!
The Admin team is utilizing the #oneword goal setting again this year.
We would love for you to join us in creating a word that you use to keep focused and driven for the year!
Ms. Emerson’s #oneword2018 is SYNERGY
Ms. Moree’s #oneword2018 is INSPIRE
Trauma informed care!!
January 3rd
Great News Tribe!
Don't forget- based on staff feedback- we are doing TRAUMA INFORMED CARE training on Wednesday from 8-11 a.m. for the entire staff in the media center.
Please use the rest of the day from 11am on to PLAN with your team! This is a great time to get caught up and be extra prepared for this month.
I would strongly encourage that you spend January 4th and 5th going back over the VIBE expectations, setting rules, and establishing your culture for second semester. It's a new year and set those expectations SUPER HIGH for academics and behavior.
Ms. Navarro and Mr. Lee will be scheduling a visit by your room to go over some school wide expectations to help!
Returning Back To School
Strategies for Returning to School after a Break
The transition from a break back to school can be difficult for children. Professionals and parents can make the return easier with a few simple strategies.
1. Review Classroom Rules and School Policies -One of the first things to do when children return to school is to review all of the classroom and school rules. Time spent focusing on classroom structure and schedules can reduce problems later. Remind children of expectations for how to treat classmates, complete work, and follow schedules. Remind children of any reward system and let them know where rules are posted and who to ask if there are questions about the rules.
2. Introduce Any Changes – Clearly explain any changes that have happened since the break. Examples are staff changes, schedule changes, or even room arrangements that may surprise children. Be sure to indicate how the change affects them. Introducing changes helps prepare children and reduce stress related to new situations.
3. Let Children Play a Role – Children can help review the rules by participating in activities. For example, they can help create a new rules poster by writing or drawing examples of how to follow the rules. Another activity is to assign a rule or school policy to small groups of students and have them write and perform a short play about it. By participating in the process children are reviewing and taking ownership in the rules.
4. Review and Reinforce Repeatedly – Children can be very excited to see friends and be back in school. Be sure to set time aside to review rules repeatedly the first few days back after a break. Children may need extra reminders in written or picture format if they have a hard time remembering specific rules. When children are doing a good job completing work, following a schedule, or acting appropriately, reinforce their behavior. Clearly indicate what they did correctly so they can continue the behavior. For example, “James, I like the way you remembered to raise your hand to get my attention.”
5. Keep Everyone Informed – Parents and professionals should make each other aware of changes in settings so children have consistent support and understanding across environments. Professionals should send a set of classroom and school rules home for parents to review with children and prepare them for returning from break. Parents also should be aware of any significant school policy changes or classroom changes. Parents should keep professionals informed of any significant changes at home such as health issues, sleeping changes, or family difficulties that may affect how the child performs in school. Information sharing can ensure children have the understanding and support they need between environments.
Entire Blog Can Be Found Here- https://www.sandbox-learning.com/Default.asp?Page=168
Blogs and articles that I thought might be of interest.
He Was an Angry Child, You Know (from Pernille Ripp)
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson,
writer
People Shape Culture (from George Couros)
A Mindset Shift to Continue Supporting the Most Frustrating Kids (from MindShift)
20 Inspirational Quotes to Start off 2018 (from George Couros)
My #OneWord2018 (from Mark French)
The Bat-Signal Was Batman's Calling, What Is Yours? (from Dennis Griffin)
LeAnn Training Next Week!!!
We have been speaking with Leann Nickelsen for the upcoming PD and have come up with a plan where she can support instruction AND planning.
Here is what we will have in place to make this work.
Each grade level, please send SVB your ELA lesson plan so that we can send them to Leann in advance for the following days. We will need the plans by January 4th so she has time to process them.
There is an optional, but awesome, 2 day long formative assessment training taking place for an hour each day after school. You will earn comp time if you attend. It will be SO worth it! Please try to get at least one member of your grade level to attend.
January 8th- 1st, 5th, Kindergarten
January 9th- 4th, 3rd, 2nd
With our team, we are going to do some learning walks with coaches, grade chairs, district personnel, and Ms. Nickelsen.
Followed up with an hour feedback cycle where Ms. Nickelsen will give specific feedback on how we can maximize our planning and execution for the entire grade level.
Grade chairs will be attending the walks on the day their team isn’t observed and then Leann will be doing a lunch and learn with grade chairs and coaches to show us some strategies for coaching our teams.
This is super exciting!!!
Leann Schedule
Day 1-January 8th
7:45-8:15- Growth Mindset training
9:00- 11:30 Walkthroughs
9:00-9:40- 5th Grade Walks
9:40-10:30- 1st Grade Walks
10:40-11:30- Kindergarten Walks
11:30-1:00 Lunch and Learn Coaching instruction and accountability for 4,3,2 grade chairs and coaches
1:00-2:00- 1st Grade team feedback
2:00-3:00- Kinder team feedback
3:00-4:00- 5th Grade team feedback
Subs cover- Patterson, Castillo, Norwood, Blidgen for walkthroughs 9:00-1:00 Then lunch duty
4:00-5:00- Formative Assessment PD
Day 2- January 9th
7:45-8:15 Growth Mindset training
9:00-9:40- 4th Grade Walks
9:40-10:30-2nd Grade Walks
10:40-11:30- 3rd Grade
11:30-1:00 Lunch and Learn- Coaching instruction and accountability PD for K, 1, 5 grade chairs and coaches
1:00-2:00- 4th Grade team feedback
2:00-3:00- 3rd Grade team feedback
3:00-4:00- 2nd Grade team feedback
Subs cover- Paulk, Barth, Rochon- Larkin, Wilson, and Wauters for walkthroughs 9:00-1:00
4:00-5:00 Continued Formative Assessment PD
Cold Weather update!!!
Over the next few days we will have some very cold weather. Thursday’s forecast is low 32, high 55 and Friday is low 39, high 56. Please exercise some flexibility with dress code requirements for your students during this time. Many families in Florida do not have “cold weather gear” in stock. So whatever jackets, sweaters, hats, or other garments kids may wear to school to try and stay warm, should be allowed. We are forecast to return to the 70 degree weather next week.