Pam's Pages
Week of September 5-9
Week 2 - We did it!
Another great week on the books. It seems that everyone has settled in very, very well! It has been a pleasure to see you guys in action!
Remember to fill out and turn in your Pin Drop. Please be sure to put your name on it. There is a place in the workroom to put them. We will display these outside the conference room.
And ... Kudos to Natalie Waggenspack - AWESOME display!!!
RETEACHING ROUTINES AND ROCEDURES
After the holiday on Monday, you will need to re-teach/remind students of your behavior expectations - not only in the classroom, but also in the cafeteria and the hallways.
As a reminder, in the hallways, voices should be on a one or zero. Teachers should monitor the entire line -- not just the front.
Please remind and possibly practice with students (especially the little ones) the end of the day procedures, which include practicing:
where to sit when the bus is has not arrived, and what the expectations are for behavior;
where to sit when you are waiting for your parents (Bateswood walkers) and the behavior expectations;
what to do when you hear your name called out at car rider line, and the behavior expectations while waiting in the car rider line, etc.
Also, please remember that some of our little ones may not be happy about having to come back after the 3 day weekend and may need some extra TLC to get re-adjusted.
Open House / Curriculum Night - September 13th
We will discuss the format of the event during team planning sessions next week. The Open House is at 5:00 p.m. and the PTA meeting will start at 6:00 p.m.
Please plan on attending the PTA meeting --- this is the only evening meeting they will have this year.
EdCamp - Saturday, October 1st
The mission of Edcamp Spring Branch is to break free from the idea that technology is a skill set that needs to be learned in isolation from other subject matter and teaching elements.
Professional development that is centered on a technology tool or idea feels lop-sided and leaves the learner wondering what to do next. Technology is an integral part of the pedagogy of teaching, and professional development should seek to strengthen that pedagogy.
When learners leave edcamp Spring Branch they should feel energized and ready to tackle their learning goals, whether those goals include technology or just best practices for teaching and learning. edcamps are described as "unconferences". There is no set agenda or speakers--the participants set the agenda and lead the discussion.
We can't wait to edcamp with you!
Technology Department
SBISD Crowdsource Funding Guidelines
SBISD does allow crowdsource funding for classroom teachers. Pledge Cents (money donations) and DonorsChoose.org (project fundraising) are the only two authorized venues. There are several important things to remember regarding these sites:
The use of these sites is intended solely for teachers to support their efforts to raise money for a classroom project.
The teacher must submit and receive approval from the building principal for the appropriate Crowdsourcing Request and Agreement prior to soliciting funding.
Supplies, technology, or other goods purchased with funds raised from Pledge Cents, received from DonorsChoose.org, or purchased with a gift card from either site are the property of Spring Branch ISD and must be entered into inventory per SBISD guidelines.
Requesting money for trips is not allowed.
Requesting technology items from DonorsChoose.org is not allowed. Pledge Cents is the only allowed crowdsourcing site for technology.
All purchases resulting from Pledge Cents donations must adhere to normal SBISD purchasing guidelines.
SBISD Recess and Health Fitness Guidelines
Recess and Health Fitness
The following guidelines are recommended for recess and health fitness related activities. Keep in mind, if the playground or area designated for Health Fitness or Recess is covered, there may be more flexibility in the temperature ranges. Likewise, if the area is not covered, equipment such as slides, bars and climbing apparatuses could burn the student’s skin.
HEAT INDEX
92-95 Degrees
Advise students to drink water before and after play.
Sunscreen is allowed. Encourage students to wear light colored clothing.
Practice/play up to 40 minutes between breaks. After 40 minutes a water break should be given and students should rest a minimum of 10 minutes.
96-100 Degrees
Advise students to drink water before and after play. Access to water should be available at all times.
Sunscreen is allowed. Encourage students to wear light colored clothing.
Elementary health fitness held indoors; secondary limited to 30 minutes.
100 Degrees and above
All Health Fitness classes held indoors
Recess held indoors
Advanced Movers Opportunity
Our health fitness department has an initiative that has been shared with us - an initiative they describe as a life changing opportunity for kids.
It involves high school student athletes coaching and mentoring elementary students through the avenue of movement and sports. Last year this initiative was piloted with the Future Coaches Academy and involved student athletes from Stratford and students from Thornwood and Sherwood, with a culminating event at the Stratford stadium.
This year they want to add Nottingham and Meadow Wood along with the other schools that are currently participating. The coaching would involve multiple sports, and would take place right outside of Thornwood. The Health Fitness department would provide transportation, with students loading buses at the end of the day, and heading back to campus at 4:30, where they would be picked up by their parents. This would be on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon
We need at least one person from MWE to participate. If we have more than one, you could rotate the weeks that you would attend with students. Right now the plan is:
Mid September & October
Soccer
November & December
Softball
March & April
Volleyball and Football
April & May
Basketball
If you are interested, please let me know right away!!
Campus Improvement Plan Goals
Our Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) focuses on the goals and performance objectives below. The CIP is a working document, and we are open to additional strategies for each of the goals and objectives, as needed. Please submit any ideas you have to one of our Campus Improvement Team representatives.
Sara Moffett
Becky Maddox
Erika Wheeler
Cynthia Brown
Natalie Waggenspack
1. By May of 2018, at least 90% of our students will be on or above level in reading, as measured by the DRA, by the end of second grade.
By May of 2017, at least 80% of our K/1/2 students will be on or above level in reading, as measured by the DRA.
By May of 2017, at least 76% of our Economically Disadvantaged and English Language Learners in grades K/1/2 will be on or above level in reading, as measured by the DRA.
2. By May of 2017, all staff will operate in Professional Learning Communities at the Developing level.
All teams will move from Pre-Initiation or Initiation levels to the Developing level.
3. By May of 2020, all MWE staff will provide blended/personalized learning opportunities to all students.
By May of 2017, all staff will be proficient in Google Apps (docs, sheets, slides, classroom)
By ay of 2020, all staff will be proficient in all features of Its Learning; courses, community, calendar, library and apps/tools.
By May of 2017, all MWE staff will utilize Twitter as a source for professional development opportunities, sharing ideas and keeping parents informed.
4. By May of 2018, we will increase the Composite score on the TRIPOD to 320.
By May of 2017, we will increase the Composite score on the TRIPOD from 306 to at least 315.
5. To remain in compliance with Federal and State law (common goal for all schools).
T-TESS
- Remember to do your self assessment and submit it to your appraiser (me or Lynne).
You will need to select your goals, but will also need to WAIT before submitting the goals. We will discuss and possibly make changes to your goals at the conference.
You will select 1 - 3 goals and provide the Dimension for the goal you have selected. Be sure to add at least 2 to 3 supporting Dimensions for each goal you select.
Although we will come into your classrooms pretty often and spend time, T-TESS does not allow "observations" until September 26th. So, even if we are in there and you see us working on a laptop or ipad, there will be no observations/walkthroughs until on or after the 26th.
Once we start the observation cycle, we will begin to give you specific feedback as you work toward your goals.
In addition, after each walkthrough, we will have a post conference where we will give you specific feedback in the form of Reinforcement and Refinement.
We have started the process of setting goals conferences and will complete them by Friday, September 23rd.
A special Thank You to Becky Maddox for being the first one to go through the goal setting process! This is truly a learning journey for teachers and appraisers!
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Click on the links below for information on the following topics:
SAMR model of technology integration explained (this is a way of assessing how you and the students are using technology). This year, we are focusing on S-Substitution and A-Augmentation.
Webinar information about using mobile devices in the classroom
Curing blurts in the classroom
CALENDAR UPDATES
September 8
Dr. Muri will be here for his annual Staying Connected visit. The September 7th faculty meeting is rescheduled to September 14th.
September 14
Faculty meeting rescheduled from September 7th.
September 21
Team Leader meeting is moved to this date.
Special ed meeting with teachers serving AIM students (with district personnel).
Friday Focus - Parent Newsletter
ALL SBISD FACILITIES CLOSED.
NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF OR STUDENTS.
The 12 Stages of a Back to School Teacher Meltdown
All of us have been through most, if not all of these stages. Enjoy this article as you relax over the 3 day weekend!
Meadow Wood Elementary
Email: pamela.redd@springbranchisd.com
Website: mwe.springbranchisd.com
Location: 14230 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 713-251-6200
Facebook: facebook.com/MeadowWoodElementarySBISD
Twitter: @reddprincipal