Lopat's Lowdown
Office of the Principal - Faculty Newsletter September 20th
Last week Kerry and Melissa facilitated the Signs of Suicide presentation to our 5th and 6th Graders. Each year I watch this I am struck by the fact that we are talking to 10-12-year-olds about depression and suicide. We have a lot of kids at Canyon Rim who struggle in a lot of non-academic ways. I like to think that most of our kids really enjoy coming to school. I know that kids can be mean to each other and they can do and say bad things, but I think for the most part our kids like coming to school. I am certain it's because of what each of us do to make our school a place they like coming to. Being a kid is hard. I think it's a lot harder than when I was a kid. Thank you, Kerry and Melissa for talking about a difficult topic so well, and thank you, everyone, for doing what you do. It really does make a difference for our students.
We have been in school long enough now that some of you may have a student whom you are concerned for either academic or behavioral reasons. If you have a student who you think needs this type of support, please fill out a BIT referral form.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are happening SOON! Remember you are not limited to meeting with parents only during the early release days. For the most part, all our conferences will go just fine, but it is a nerve-wracking time. The half-day schedule next week makes it a bit crazy and then to spend hour upon hour talking with parents can be hard. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. Remember I am here to support you!
Remember from out last faculty meeting, parents want to know that you love their child. You absolutely must be sharing strengths and positives about each child. You should always start with the strengths. It will make sharing the areas of concern much easier for you if the parents believe you see strengths in their child as well. Conferences are a great opportunity to create raving fans and foster those relationships you’ve already established.
This is my reminder that you should never leave students unsupervised. Teachers should not leave their room to get food or use the bathroom, or whatever, without having someone supervise the students. If you happen to have a para in your room, they can supervise in an emergency, but that isn’t why they are in your room. Please don’t be that person who takes advantage of that situation. Emergencies happen, but not on a regular basis.
Most teachers, even when barely able to function, come in and get plans together and arrange the room so the sub knows what to do. There may be a time, however, when you aren't able to do that. This is why I mentioned in the summer to have emergency sub plans in your room that can be used in the event you are out without time to prepare. Overplan for the day, that gives the sub some options. Please make sure you have these plans ready.
- Talk to your team leads about information shared this morning at Leadership
- We were locked down and checked in 3 minutes 50 seconds (Fantastic job!)
- Make sure you are on time to get students in the cafeteria and checking their area, our custodial staff appreciates it!
- PTA will have food earlier on the 26th, we will make an announcement through email
- If you need something done in your classroom call/email Monica (work orders, clean-ups)
- GPS ID badges were delivered please make sure you wear the new ones
- Just a heads up, next week the early release days are full workdays for everyone. Support staff work their normal hours. If you plan to leave early, you need to use comp time. Please make sure you talk to Monica about your plans.
District purchased an electronic fingerprint scanner
- Classified IVP cards (future classified and current will need one) , the fingerprint clearance card will be paid over multiple pay periods
Have a great weekend!
-Joe
Next Week
Monday-
Tuesday-
- Cookie dough delivery after school
Wednesday- Data Teams
- BIT Team @ 7:30
- ICLE representative will be here, we will be walking through PLCs
Thursday- P/T Conferences
- BHT meeting during the school day
Friday- P/T Conferences (half day)
Birthdays
Happy birthday to
September 25th- Lee Ann Buckland
Reciprocal Teaching Strategy
"Removed"
It's a work in progress...