Mark's Monday Morning Memo
January 21, 2019
Data Meetings
Two days of data meetings + six grade level teams = a lot of good information to make decisions about Tier I instruction and Tier II and Tier III interventions. Thank you to grade level teachers, interventionists, and specialists for your good work and collaboration during the data meetings.
Orchestra and Band Festivals
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the West-Side District Orchestra Festival and the Sixth/Ninth/Senior High Band Festival. Thank you to David Conrad and Lisa Rickman for working hard to prepare our students. Both festivals were impressive events. The first photo is the combined 5th and 6th grade orchestras from Eisenhower/XinXing, Gatewood and Glen Lake and the second photo is the combined sixth grade bands from all six elementary schools.
Story Reading
This month I am reading "Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast." Here's a link to the schedule if you want to sign up for a slot. If none of the remaining dates or times work for you, send me some other options and we'll make something work.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YlvNXuKtfrkonVNq4meklVsdiKhtRF95P3NEeMHn9TE/edit?usp=sharing
Visiting Harley Hopkins
I will be visiting Harley Hopkins meeting and greeting families, answering questions and promoting enrollment in Hopkins kindergarten. I'll be visiting Monday, February 4, 2019, from 8:30-9:45.
Elementary Principal Meeting on January 28, 2019
I will be hosting the January elementary principals meeting next Monday, January 28, 2019, from 9:00-12:00. One thing that has been implemented this year during these meetings are learning walks in each building we have been meeting. That morning the elementary principals will be conducting learning walks while they are here at Gatewood. You do not need to do anything specifically except be aware that guests may be visiting your classrooms. Company is coming, let's tidy things up...thank you!
G & T Survey
Here is a link to a survey seeking teacher feedback about reimagining district Gifted & Talented services. It would be appreciated if you could find 10-15 minutes on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, to provide your input. Thank you!
Playground Conditions
We know, and so does the district, about the icy conditions on our playgrounds. I have talked with Safety Director Jeff Goldy who is aware and has seen the conditions himself. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to remove the ice. Jeff also told me that icy conditions are present at all schools and some schools are in a worse situation than we are. If you have any questions or ideas on how we can manage these conditions more effectively, please let me know. Thank you.
Welcome!
Please welcome the following new Gatewood Gators: Debbie Fairbanks is joining the food service team as cashier; Makayla Johnson, from Mankato State Univeristy, will be student teaching with Lisa Schmid; and Kaltun Abdikarani, from UW-River Falls, will be a counseling intern with Chris King. Be sure to welcome them to Gatewood.
Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society
Thank you to Trudy Wagner for arranging a visit from members of the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society. I got to observe our students with these rabbits and it was heartwarming. Thank you, Trudy, for making this experience happen.
Restorative Practices
All staff are welcome to our January restorative practices session with Marius Massie on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 8:15 in the media center.