Falcon Focus
June 1, 2015
Class of 2015
The Valdictorian was Jenna White who was a precious young girl with a powerful message. She gave a wonderful speech that included a top ten list of what it was like to be a Keller High School Graduate in honor of Dave Letterman's retirement. She gently and humerously provided feedback on scheduling, grading policies, state testing, the architect of the school (beware of all the doors that open out into the halls because you could get your face smashed if you are not careful), bathrooms with limited toilet paper (which is why girls have to travel in groups because there is a risk you could be stranded). But most of all she shared the lessons in resiliency, relationships, education, and the opportunities to be prepared for life. The crowd gave her a standing ovation! It was such an emotional moment - I was so proud of her accomplishments and her bright future!
Each year I also struggle to keep it together as the top ten students' parents are introduced when their children - with grade point averages I could only dream of - stand and are honored. I cry when those students that I knew long ago from Hidden Lakes or friends of Mallory's cross the stage, and I cry when I see that face that made it across the stage that I knew from long ago struggled desperately with school and a high school diploma was a far off dream. It tells me that through the years the teachers he or she had continued to believe in them and did not give up.
During the entire ceremony I sit in emotional awe of how important our work is. I know it can be tough at times as we manage the 100's of variables and responsibilities that is education (different student and parent needs, high expectations, changes, accountability - the list goes on and on). But the rewards far out weigh any of the pain.
I am honored to be at Florence with educators that have the courage and the drive to show up everyday to do this important work! You all touch the future with your daily interactions, you ability to inspire hope, and your commitment to preparing our children academically, emotionally, and socially for the world. You all are super stars!
Thank you!
Laura
Next Few Meetings at a Glance - working agendas:
- 6/2: Mini Session 6: Using Features of Information Text to Guide Reading
Agenda:
* Highlights and Celebrations
* PBIS update from the PBIS team
* Mini Session 6
Bring your PLC journal and your lap top
- 6/5: Teacher Luncheon 12:30 and EOY celebration
Thank you to.....
Updates and FYI's
- May Character Quality - Positive Attitude
- Thanks for keeping the halls clean and clear for spring tours and Florence pride!
- Math CFA Data Analysis due on May 27th. Click here for the protocol.
- An item to add to your EOY checklist: Download your portfolio from My Learning Plan, so that you will have the documentation as the district migrates back to Eduphoria Workshop.
- Our new head custodian starts Monday. Her name is Delia Ortega and is coming to us from Park Glen.
End Of Year RtI Schedule
- Be sure that the blue Literacy Folders have all Benchmark writing and for K-2 the DRA levels are updated by the end of the school year.
- June 5th - Sixth six weeks Intervention Documentation Sheets due to Angelina.
Literacy Update
New ELA curriculum
Kelly Leach on campus more to support with new ELA curriculum, the literacy workshop model, reading and writing notebooks, and guided reading.
Running Records implemented in third and fourth - training on this will be at the beginning of the school year during PD week.
Additional FYI Items
- Please send pictures of your teams for the end of year slide show!
- Please have your cafeteria charges taken care of this week.
- We will have Principal and AP for the day on Tuesday.
- As soon as possible, please schedule a time to scan in your textbooks. Casey’s calendar is filling up very quickly!
- 12:00 on Friday is the deadline for teachers to submit their classroom restock order forms to Georgia Altom’s PTA mailbox. Thank you to PTA and Georiga!
- Towards the very end of the 4th grade graduation, we will ding the intercom for everyone to line the halls for our 4th grade clap out. Thank you for showing your support to these students and their families as many of them leave Florence for the very last time!
Keller University
Be sure to check out the sessions presented by Math Solutions. Reasoning and Discourse. There are K-2 sessions and 3-5 sessions. Special attention will be given to how the new math TEKS have a high priority for students to build a deep understanding of mathematics and use that understanding to reason about problems.
Summer Learning Conference
July 20-23, 2015
Registration opens
on May 4.
You may browse the over 130 different sessions in the following ways:
1. Click here to view the Conference Catalog. (PDF)
2. Click here to view an interactive version of the Conference Catalog. (Requires Flash)
3. Click the tile on K-Cloud for Keller University. (Requires Flash)
4. Visit the Keller University category in Eduphoria Workshop.
Click here to access a Conference Planner!
E-mail Maria.Collins@kellerisd.net or Ashley.Hankins@kellerisd.net with questions.
Calendar
- IMPORTANT LINK: Click here to access the collaboration calendar. School events, due dates, and important information are found on this calendar. We work hard to keep it updated. Thanks!
Florence Info.
Email: laura.lockhart@kellerisd.net
Website: www.kellerisd.net
Location: 3095 Johnson Road, Southlake, TX, United States
Phone: 817-744-4700
Facebook: facebook.com/FlorenceElementary.com
Twitter: @FESfalcons