West Bay Staff Weekly Update
January 6, 2023
Notes from Me
Thank you for a great first week of 2023! I know it was hard to come back, I felt like my mind had been on "pause" for a week, and now it was trying to process how to get back to being on "play". My body also revolted as I forced it to move this week as opposed to sitting on my couch and watching reruns of "The Hills" (gosh I love that show, so many infinity scarf and thin eyebrow memories from the early 2000s).
One of the many things I love about the staff at West Bay is that you are like second parents to your students. You help to shape their minds and help them to realize their talents and goals. When they shine you are overwhelmed with joy and celebrate with them! When they are having a hard time, you rally around them and feel the same empathy that a parent would feel for their own child. The best IEP meeting I have ever attended was for a student who was HARD, very low academically, and had a lot of very significant behaviors. When the parents came in, they brought a picture of the student and set it on the table to remind us that he is a child, their child and that we are all here to support him and do what's best for him even though it was hard. This really had an impact on me. How would I want my own child to be talked about? What kind of encouragement, support, and empathy would I want my own child to receive? This hasn't been the case at every school I have worked at, and at times it's easier to just put the blame back on the child "they're just being lazy", "they don't care", "I have done everything for them and they still aren't getting it".
West Bay is different, you DO treat these students as if they're your own, and if you don't have kids yet, you still think of them as family. You also work hard to intervene if students are not making progress. You give them love, support, boundaries, and grace. Thank you so much for being student-centered and loving them the way you do!
Have a great weekend!
Amber
West Bay Happenings
- Wolfgram, Giller, and Beberniss please schedule your observations with me for the week of 1/9
- Burrow, Burney, and Schott, please schedule your observations with me for the week of 1/23.
- Report cards go home today 1/6!
- Math Masters begins on Monday, please make sure that your groups are up to date, and that you have sent out and received the Winter Parent Permission forms. I heard a lot of great discussions on Tuesday about using this time to work on FB/MAP skill deficits as well as Into Math!
- Valentine's parties will be on 2/10 at 2:15 pm. I would like everyone to have 2-3 (maximum) parent volunteers for these parties. You can decide what the party will look like, or you can leave it up to the parents. You will communicate this to your classroom parent representative.
- PTO will be presenting Monday, 1/9 at our Monthly Staff Meeting
- If the weather feels like 10 degrees or above we WILL be outside for recess (the exception is rain, snow, ice). All students need to go outside unless they are making up work or taking a quiz/test that they missed.
School Improvement/PLC Info
- Team Needs
- Complete Feedback Form
Data Dig on January 18th
Where I'll Be
- 7:40 MDT
- 11:30 Team Meeting
- 2:30 Covering the Front Desk
- 3:15 Staff Meeting
Tuesday, January 10th
- 7:45 SAT/2nd Grade PLC
- 9:00 Admin Meeting
- 1:50 Burney
- 3:15 IEP
Wednesday, January 11th
- 1:40 Barmettler
- 3:15 SIP Meeting
Thursday, January 12th
- 3:15 IEP
Friday, January 13th
- 9:00 Early Childhood Study Team Meeting
From the PTO
Teacher Resources Page - https://www.westbaypto.com/teacherresources
Discretionary Guidelines & Frequently Asked Questions –
- PTO purchase requests over or outside discretionary funds should be sent to Mrs. Scott and she will send requests to the PTO.
- Your discretionary funds must be used in the same school year and not roll over.
- All receipts must be received by June 15th to receive reimbursement for the current school year.
- If you have remaining money in May and would like to purchase items for the following school year you may just submit it by June 15th. We need to close the books and file our taxes.