AD Connect
8-21-17
Let's Rock this Week
Announcement, Announcement, Announcement....Ssshhh!
Back to School for Parents
- What building-wide systems do you have in place to provide information about lines of communication and how parents can support learning from home? Here is example that could easily be modified to meet your campus needs (parent communication and digital resources). This is something that could be shared during Meet the Teacher night and parent-teacher conferences.
- Below are a few examples of videos that you could create to help out your parents to get to know your school and how to get involved as well as basic info that may be needed. The big need is to put yourself in the place of the parent for the first day and ensure that all questions are being anticipated and answered before they are asked if possible. PS..I made a bloopers version of the Curriculum Night video and shared with the staff that was hilarious...laughter does the heart good!
- If you do not have a calendar ready to publish and send to parents for the first semester events, you should get that ready. A separate calendar with those events as well as faculty meetings etc. is appreciated by your staff as well.
- Another suggestion to start off the school year is to involve your PTA in creating a "new to public school" group or "new to your school" group just to discuss how to navigate our systems. You can also schedule brown bag lunches with you as the principal to discuss specific topics to keep your parents well informed.
- Parents of elementary students will have access to student schedules in Skyward the afternoon of Friday, August 25. However, most campuses post class lists during porch party. Remember not to include student IDs or other confidential information.
T-TESS Tracking
Review 360
Lesson Plan Template
Back To School Video: Dr. Cron and Mr. Glick
Classroom Gallery Walks: Learning Environment
Intervention Support
Unit Assessment Calendar
Assessments are not optional. Teachers must use them as provided without modifications. *Please note: All results should be uploaded to the data warehouse (i.e., Schoolnet) by the end of the last day of the testing window.
Vendor Update
Upcoming Events
August 21-District Content Day
August 22-GISD School Board Meeting
August 25-Title 1 Budget and Technology Request Due
August 28-First Day of School
Where's Nester
Tuesday: Visiting various campuses: Introductions at Heather Glen and Rowett
Wednesday: CIA meeting in AM; Visiting campuses in afternoon
Thursday: Convocation video in AM; Visiting various campuses
Friday: Visiting various campuses all day; Introduction at Watson
PS: if I have not been introduced at your campus yet and you don't see your campus listed above...please contact me to schedule ASAP
This Little Light of Mine
This is an older blog post that I wrote with the accompanying video but it can serve as a good reminder as we start school.
I found myself deep in conversation with a great teacher just the other day. This was a lady who has spent many years being the one person who creates a positive learning environment and builds great relationships with her learners. She was happy spending her time with them. However, she was able to take a moment and reflect on her behavior for this school year. Noticeably, she hasn’t had much positive to say about individual learners. In fact, she had commented to several friends that she did even like her class this year. Even though she still greets her learners each morning, it is more of a routine rather than a positive interaction. She hasn’t really enjoyed teaching at all this year.
What happened to the once vibrant teacher? What possibly could have caused such a drastic change in her outlook on teaching and even her physical behavior? Admittedly, there have been outside forces affecting her attitude and behavior. At home there were personal financial concerns. At school, her administrators were not very supportive and had actually created a toxic environment in which to work.
But hey, this story is not all doom and gloom. About a week ago, while her learners were taking a test, she scanned the room. She realized that she genuinely loved and even like all of them. They are all great kids! Due to this realization and her reflection on her previous behavior, tears streamed down her face. From that point forward she decided to make changes. Despite a poor work environment and even personal problems, she would not be the teacher that a child remembers forever as the mean first grade teacher from long ago. She would make a conscious effort to have a positive influence on her learners daily. In order to facilitate this process, she set goals. She will have kinds words, a kind touch, and a smile for each learner daily. Additionally, she will make a concerted effort to praise each child daily.
I am so impressed, that she had the ability to reflect on her behavior and a passion strong enough for her learners that would urge her on to make a change. I can’t wait to check back in with her in a month or two to see the progress.