Tiger Beat
Acton Weekly Update 10/5/18
FTCSC Hedgehog Focus
The Hedgehog Concept is based on an ancient Greek parable that states, "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ... Hedgehogs, however, simplify the world and focus on a single, overarching vision, which they then achieve.
Curriculum and Instruction
- 3-5 CFA's were completed this week. Quarterly Benchmarks will be next week. It will be very important that each cycle we stick very closely to the timelines identified in the pacing guides. This will ensure our data has integrity when comparing with all other schools and to look for trends.
- October 9th- Dr. Stevenson and I will walk around to observe Daily 5, Mini-lessons and Literacy Blocks.Check out the Kindergarten Letter ID data below. We have been focusing in on students who came to us with very low letter ID skills. Due to the focused and intentional support of our K teachers, IA's and RA teachers, these kids are making great growth. We will be continuing to support them with letter ID and moving on to letter sounds very soon!
- **We've introduced the Conscious Discipline expectations for our revised morning meetings. This new format is faster and still allows our students to make meaningful connections. When we come back from break, I'll be walking around during the morning time to check in on how these are going and to provide support to any class if needed. I also want to reinforce the importance that MM is wrapped up by 9:10. Literacy Block is to begin at 9:10. Every minute counts and we don't have a moment to lose. Please set a timer on your ipad or phone and when it goes off, transition. Once you get into the habit and routine it will become natural.
Coach's Corner
Grading Questions
Additional Thoughts
Mini-Lesson
Counseling Corner
Thank you for all of your hard work implementing Brain Smart Start.
Be sure to check out the updated conscious discipline resources here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HX1U2pCXSutUdQGVwbzd8UTQcH5HrHf7?usp=sharing
1. Unite
2. Calm
3. Connect
4. Commit
Here is a Brain Smart template that I will continue to update: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T_fTRP5T-K-glLYpmWyAWG0q-lsDD0OTVWNq2JAVSC8
I will be visiting Bunker Hill next week and will share a video from a teacher there. If you are feeling like you would like to have a video taken of your Brain Smart Start, please let Brook or I know.
Thanks and I wish you well,
Kevin Adams
PBIS
Weekly PBIS Focus Expectations:
Oct. 8th Week 11 Guest Teachers/Classroom Procedures
Please Review the Assembly Expectations Video before coming to the gym on Monday afternoon.
Housekeeping
The Q1 Nine Week grading window is now open, scheduled to close on Wednesday, 10/10/18, at 5:00pm.
Please share a copy of your schedule with the front office. Parents often call to confirm or ask about their appointments.
I will have each grade level winner be the principal for an hour during their RA time on Monday, October 8th. We will have some overlap but I think it will work out well.
Lauren, please let me know if your class wants to do a dance party for being the highest fundraisers for the last turn in date, or would they rather do something else?
Here are the final results for the Team-a-Thon:
Final $ amount: $6913.67 (I am sure that more will come in this next week, so this amount may increase.)
Highest class for 9/21: Neifert
Overall winners per grade:
K-Aaylah Pelham (Froning)
1-Grace Brodhacker (Elliott)
2-Angelos Tran (Parsons)
3-Nikolas Van Roekel (Jewell)
4-Nadia Tornatta (Beecher)
5-Madeline Thompson (Neifert)
I will have each grade level winner be the principal for an hour during their RA time on Monday, October 8th. We will have some overlap but I think it will work out well.
Lauren, please let me know if your class wants to do a dance party for being the highest fundraisers for the last turn in date, or would they rather do something else?
Laminating: We are going through lamination at an incredible rate. We can’t keep it up. Please remember that we only want to laminate essential items for our classroom environment. We cannot laminate consumables. Please use your professional judgement before submitting anything for lamination.
Poster Paper: This is also being used quite a bit and costs about $100 per roll. Please only use the poster maker for essential items for your learning environment.
Front Office Sign In/Out: Don’t forget that ALL staff members need to sign in and out through the front office if you leave for lunch or an appointment at another school building. Staff are not permitted to leave during a prep time without permission ahead of time.
Front Office Sign In/Out: Don’t forget that ALL staff members need to sign in and out through the front office if you leave for lunch or an appointment at another school building. Staff are not permitted to leave during a prep time without permission ahead of time.
Don't the newly painted walls look so nice? It is important that we keep these in perfect condition. PLEASE DO NOT TAPE SIGNS TO THE WALLS! The tape will peel the paint off.
FTCSC 18/19 Technology Goals
1. By October 12, 2018, all elementary teachers will create a Google Classroom. Teachers will send their classroom code to their administrator.
2. By February 1, 2019, general education teachers will use Google Classroom in any subject 1x/week. By February 1, 2019, related arts teachers, resource teachers, and EL teachers will use Google Classroom 1x/month.
Thank you to Nadine to coming in and meeting with all grade level teams this week. She shared some excellent resources for you to be using during Daily 5! Please remember that it is important for EVERY student to get access and regular usage of technology so that they are progressing their knowledge and applications. We need students to be proficient on Chromebooks, apps, and websites so that they can safely and efficiently navigate. This is now part of our State-wide assessments.
Ohana Calandar
Parent Teacher Conferences!
No morning collaboration meetings
Monday 10/8/18
Emergency Drills 10:00 AM
2:50 PBIS Assembly
9:30 Dr.Stevenson Walk-Through with BWB- D5 and Mini-lessons
- PTO Chick Fil A fundraiser
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday 10/11/18
Conscious Discipline Training-BWB/KA
Kdg- Tuttles Orchard Field Trip
Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday 10/12/18
Coming Up Before You Know It:
10/15/18 Fall Break
During Fall Break the Terrazzo floors will be under construction- maintained and cleaned by a contractor. Some areas of the building may have to be off limits.
10/26/18 Fall Celebrations
10/29/18 COGAT Testing Begins