RNNE School Leader Launcher
Goal-oriented and intentional.Intervention.Authentic Team.
Fierce Urgency of Now.
This time of year creates an adrenaline rush in me. We have ~12 weeks of core instruction remaining. Even less than that for our upper grades.
This is the time when we have to be obsessive about knowing where each of our Rocketeers academically, what's still holding them back and constantly re-calibrating to ensure that they are on track for progress.
The spring semester is often a time when mediocrity takes root. We cannot afford for this to happen. We have to zoom in our focus as coaches and teachers to ensure that our students making rapid academic movement over the course of these next few weeks.
We have to almost become manic about the data. Obsessed with what's happening (and not happening) in classrooms. Urgent about changes that need to happen.
We are here for our students and the growth that they need to make under our influence. If students are not growing, we are not doing our job. When students grow, our impact - as teachers and leaders - is illuminated.
We can make it happen this year. Our teachers feed off of our energy and our example. The more focused and urgent we are about our Rocketeers and their growth, our teachers will follow suit.
Something that I tell my 4th grade reading group at the end of class each day:
"Don't just be an example. Be THE example."
So with that, let's commit to being THE example this week.
Christa
Fierce Urgency of Now: The Data.
As a way for us to continue to sharpen our eyes with analyzing data and creating clear follow up plans for remediation, at least 48 hours before a DAM, please set up a 30 minute time for you and I to review the data together, thought-partner on root causes and next steps so that you are equipped with this knowledge before your meeting.
Caity - since your DAMs take place on the same day the assessment is given each week, we can set up time to meet from 2-2:30pm each Thursday to review the data together before you go into their DAM.
Below, is a chart that shows each of our student quartiles in each grade level and content area. It shows their on track growth for the year.
It is illuminating to see which groups of students are being taught to in class and which are not.
Trends;
- In both content areas, there are grade levels where our highest group of students are not being pushed or challenged.
- In both content areas, there are grade levels where the middle group of student are not being pushed/challenged.
- K Math and Reading have done a really great job in pushing each quartile of students.
- In both content areas, in most grades, we have become a singularly focused intervention school of instruction versus intervention and acceleration.
This is why observing lessons with data walls and lesson plans in hand are so crucial so that we can provide direct feedback to teachers about who they are calling on (from which quartile) as well as their level of rigor in tasks and questioning.
Work the Clock
Also, complete this status tracker so that we have a good pulse on the implementation of WtC in classrooms.
From our LT meeting on Friday, please gather evidence of urgency throughout the week in the form of video and pictures.
There is a place on the status tracker to link in any video of a teacher who has done an awesome job with one of the areas of WtC!
School Leader Influence this Week
- Reading during transitions + bathrooms
- Wearing "urgency" stickers they have earned from their teachers
The more hyped that we are, the most invested both Rocketeers and our teachers will be in the two focus areas.
LP Review: 4-5:00pm
Come with one teacher's lesson plans you'd like to have input from the team in giving feedback on.
We'll display the lesson plan on screen in my office.
During your time, share the lesson plan, the areas you'd like feedback on, your thoughts about the LP.
K-2 Humanities: Nicki (10 minutes)
3-4 Humanities: Caity (10 minutes)
K-4 Math: Danny (10 minutes)
Individual Lesson Plan Review time (completing the LP Status Form + LP Observation Google Form) (25 minutes)
Identifying School-Wide LP Trends and Next Steps (5 minutes)
TELL Survey
Lockdown Drill
Hello Team,
I wanted to prepare us for the lockdown drill happening Tuesday 2/23/16 @ 2:00 p.m.
Logistics:
1. On Monday I will share the Lockdown Drill sheet with all teachers.They will also receive a reminder in the school launcher fr what steps they need to take. I have already shared the sheet with you all.
2. For the Lockdown I will do the second floor sweep. I need one SL to volunteer to do the 1st floor & gym. Please let me know who will own this (Nicki has volunteered).
3. For the sweep:
a.) You will need to go to each classroom door to ensure that it is locked and check to see that the blindfold is down.
b.) Go to the bathrooms and make sure no one is in them and then back to SL office to monitor the lockdown doc.
c.) Materials to have: walkie and laptop to check live updates for the drill.
I think I've covered all the bases but let me know if I didn't :)