Bear Tracks
September 15, 2017
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Bear Tavern Staff,
#BearTavernPride. What really is it? What does it mean? Is it something we put on Twitter to identify our pictures and posts?
I think that it goes way beyond that. I think it signifies the transformation that I have seen over the past two years. Please see the graph below that shows our PARCC score comparison for the last three years. For today, pay close attention to the right two categories; "Met Expectations," and "Exceeded Expectations." The three bars represent each of the following three years (blue = 2014-15, green = 2015-16, and orange = 2016-17). The growth is astounding. It is truly incredible.
I am proud beyond words to work with each of you. As we look at these graphs, I want three things to happen. I want each of you to feel incredibly proud of what our students, and you have accomplished. Plain and simple. Take a moment to feel great and to smile and take a breath. I also want it to act as a beacon and a lighthouse. Each time we feel exhausted, frustrated or tired, let this motivate us and push us to rise above the minutia and trivial stuff. Let it remind us that our teamwork and positivity ARE working. It is making a difference. And third, I want it to motivate to us to find ways to make ALL of our students successful. They are all OUR students and we are in it together.
Thanks for all that you do! Let's keep it going and continue to innovate and engage our kids!
Happy Friday.
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
- Video - Tomorrow I'll be recording another short video to include in my Back to School Night presentation. Last Year I used all fifth graders. I will likely do the same this year. Here is the script. I'll be pulling individuals and small groups to record. Each statement will be said by a different student or group, so it should be very quick and painless.
- Back to School Night - Back to School Night is Tuesday. I'll be talking about new initiatives (i.e. Mindfulness, GoMath, Cultural Competency, Standards Based Grading, etc.). CLICK HERE for a Standards Based presentation that Jane-Ellen Made. Please do not share this word for word; just take a look so that you are informed. Given the short amount of time you have, I want you to focus on being engaging and keeping the night upbeat and moving! I'll share the slideshow with families. Just be aware that I'll be talking about it and feel free to make reference to it. The 'meat and potatoes' will be sent out by me. Please be very conscious of setting a positive and enthusiastic tone for the year! Yes, there are a lot of new initiatives, but I want everyone to speak confidently and assuredly. If you are nervous about any of the initiatives - don't say it out loud. Try to make the most of the time in order to give parents a feel for what your class is like and how much you care about the kids. We can find other ways to push through the information before or after Tuesday.
- Fire Safety - We'll be having our Fire Safety presentations in early October. Look for an email tomorrow. We will do it like we did last year; fourth and fifth grade will meet and see a movie and talk with the fire fighters (each on their own day) during Morning Meeting. K-3 will rotate through a story and seeing the fire engines like last year. Details to follow.
- Copy Machines - I know that the transition to print to the cannon copiers has been frustrating. Please work to exercise patience when there are issues. We have had the copy machine man out three times since school started. On some occasions, pieces were broken or off of the machine. If there is a jam or something is not working, please do not force or bang the machine.
- PLCs - I'm going to work to visit PLCs and share individual PARCC breakdowns for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. I'll work to pop by and talk about data, norms and routines either next week or the week after depending upon the grade level.
- Den Groups - We will have our first Den Group Meetings on an AM schedule on Friday 10/6. The full year schedule will be out tomorrow. What makes Den Groups work is the collaboration of all staff to support and bring ideas/experiences to the table. Once you receive the dates, it is imperative that you make every effort to attend. Please do not schedule meetings, etc. on Den Group days during Den Group meetings. If you are a new staff member, you will be assigned a Den Group by next week.
Upcoming Events:
Let Me Run (Every Tuesday and Thursday)
Girls on the Run (Every Tuesday and Friday)
Art Enrichment (Every Tuesday and Thursday)
Friday 9/14 - PTO Welcome Back Picnic
Week of 9/18:
Monday 9/18 - Faculty Meeting
Tuesday 9/19 - Back to School Night
Wednesday 9/20 - 403B Rep in Faculty Room
Thursday 9/21 - NO SCHOOL Rosh Hashana
Friday 9/22 - Superintendent Visit
Week of 9/25:
Thursday 9/28 - General Meeting PTO 7:30 pm
Friday 9/29 - Reader's Breakfast