Hilltop Voice September
September 25th - 29th
Our Core Values
- High Expectations
- Community
- Collaboration
- Self-Care
Our Mission
Our Vision
Thank you...
- All teachers and staff for leaning into a full week of teaching and learning, and creating opportunities for students to grow and dive deeper into grade-level standards. We appreciate your focus on implementing the Reveal Math program with fidelity!
- All teachers and staff for reflecting on their Quality Learning Environment and connecting it to the characteristics of a warm demander. We are excited to see you continue to "earn the right to demand engagement" and "balance care and push."
- Ms. Ogunnubi, Ms. Klosterman, and Ms. Wilson for launching our first week of "Girls on the Run!" We are grateful for your dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for our students and enriching their learning!
- Ms. Nancy and Ms. Bonnie for supporting our ongoing partnerships with Services from the Heart and Faith into Action. We are lucky to have your careful coordination efforts to ensure that needed resources get to our families.
- Nurse Ashley and Ms. Nicole for always making the right calls when it comes to our students' health and physical needs. We appreciate your judgment and dedication to following the Health Department's protocols.
- Ms. Briemann and Ms. Dayhaw for taking on many additional tasks to support the allocation of our Community School funds to meaningful opportunities and supports. We are grateful for your hard work- and willingness to support students, families, and staff!
- Ms. Bonnie for planning a "Grilled Cheese" station in the Teachers' Lounge this week. Our teachers and staff always grateful when you feed us!
- Mr. Doug for making sure our "Golden Plunger" award was ready to give out on Friday. We are lucky to have you join our evening crew team. (We hope to see improvement in students' use of our bathrooms!)
- Ms. Gallagher, Ms. Topi, Ms. Buppert, Ms. Schmidt, and Ms. Huard for continuing to support a student with his transition to Hilltop. We appreciate your hard work as we continue to provide a learning opportunity where he can be successful.
- Our Wellness Committee, Ms. Quinn, and Ms. Kim for planning and coordinating our 1st Title I/Community Schools braided event for October. We look forward to seeing families engage in activities that promote movement and wellness, while also giving input around our Title I Plan.
- Ms. Wilson and Ms. Ogunnubi for learning about our newest Equity PD module, which will uplift our Hilltop teachers and staff as we carry on our work as a CSI school. We are grateful for your teacher leadership!
- Mr. Panitz, Ms. Smith, Mr. Haushalter, Ms. Topi, and Ms. Huard for holding down the fort on Wednesday while I was out for a Principals' Meeting. I'm so grateful for your teamwork, collaboration, and speedy feet!
Weekly Look Fors:
- Teachers further developing their Quality Learning Environment using the "warm demander" lens.
Tweet of the Week
Self-Regulation Strategies for Transitions
To help young students learn to manage transitions between activities, consider these simple whole class exercises.
Continued Learning
Tips From Acclaimed Teachers: Building a Network of Supportive Peers
As educators prepare for a new school year, state teachers of the year share helpful insights on finding mentors and building a support system within the school building.
Top Priority Reminders
Share Your Voice with our Social Committee!
Register for "Keep Playing" Through Playworks!
Keep Playing is a digital service, powered by Playworks, to encourage teachers and staff to infuse play into their curriculum. These resources have been thoughtfully planned for both recess and in-class play support.
Here is what your staff can expect from the Keep Playing email subscription:
- An email straight to their inbox each week.
- Multiple new resources each week (a new game idea, brain break activities, and best practices to get students playing).
- A thoughtfully planned Scope and Sequence of games that practice Social and Emotional learning skills and allow students (and adults) to socialize at a distance.
- Emails continuing through June.
It is our hope that this service will act as an additional resource each week - support in the form of a new idea to have fun and continue building rapport with students.
To have your staff sign up for this service, please see the link below.
The unique code is: rvoegtlin@aacps.org
Reminder: Emergency Sub Plans and Split Lists
Due date for Emergency Sub Plans is Approaching
By the end of September (September 30th):
- Create 3 days worth of Emergency Sub Plans.
- Helpful hint: The OIT Site has what you need! Click here: OIT Emergency Sub Plans to Use
- When using pre-created plans, please personalize them to meet the needs of your current homeroom!
- Once complete, please load them into this folder on the Google Drive: Emergency Sub Plans Folder
When We Get to November (Before Thanksgiving Break):
- We will discuss the need for 2 days worth of asynchronous lesson plans. (Do not worry about this now.)
- Asynchronous lesson plans may be used in the event of an Inclement Weather Day/School Closure.
- Last year, we pulled from the OIT Google Site and they were great. Please feel free to use them again: OIT Asynchronous Sub Plans
Split Lists
When the Split List strategy is used, each colleague receives sub pay per the Unit I Negotiated Agreement.
Please create a Split List for your homeroom and upload it to our Google Drive: Split List Folder 23-24 SY
We ask that you have these uploaded by September 30th.
Sing the Hilltop Song in Your Classroom!
PBIS Corner
PBIS Key Points for a Strong Launch
- Ensure you have the STAR Matrix rules, and other expectations, built into your classroom point system
- 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade: Please add points from students bringing their Chromebooks regularly to School
- Frequently use Class DoJo to reinforce students meeting your expectations in the classroom, during transitions, in the hallways, and other spaces
- Draft your ClassDoJo Store to brainstorm incentives with students
- Be ready to set goals with your students!
Attendance Systems
- Begin using the Punctual Pete Daily Tracker during students' morning work!
- Post your "SuperStar" Attendance Flag when all of your students are at school.
- Fill in your popcorn poster to earn a class Attendance Activity!
- Use the Wish Well Ritual when students are absent to show empathy and care.
exceptional (good attitude, making good choices, good thinker). We will announce the students name during morning announcements.
Attendance Communication Flow Map/Procedures
Attendance Letters Going Out
- Sign
- Make a copy
- Give copy to Bonnie
- Send copy home with student
- Call (not text) home and make parent aware that the teacher letter is coming home in _______’s backpack today.
Complete Your Parent Contact Log for Attendance
Building a Warm Demander QLE
As we begin Quality Learning Environment Walk-Throughs next week, think about how you can regularly show evidence of being a "warm demander" with your students!
4 L's for Turn-and-Talks
Talk Moves
Active Engagement Strategy
Routines and STAR Matrix
Volume Levels Defined
Review and Reteach
Outcomes
Regulation Station
Shout Outs Uplift Our Colleagues!
- A huge shout out to Mrs. D who has gone above and beyond teaching STEM in classrooms these first 5 weeks! We know that teaching off the cart is challenging, and we appreciate your patience and willingness to teach a challenging build. You are amazing! Kristin Hoffensetz and Teacher McClung
- Thank you Michelle Lechowicz for working to organize Bright Space name sheets! So super helpful for uploading all names, couldn't have gotten it done without you. You're the best! Kristin Hoffensetz
- Shout out to Coach Haley for making our lives so much easier during car rider dismissal!! Andrea White
- Shout out to Ellen for making car rider dismissal fun. Andrea White
- Shout out to Ms. Pope for always making me feel welcome in your classroom. I love your energy and consistency! Andrea White
- Shout out to Ms. T. and Ms. Wilson for your guidance with my Fundations group and for being awesome team mates! Andrea White
- Shout out to the entire SPED team for always being a TEAM! I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful group of people that care so much about our friends. Andrea White
- Shout out to Ms. Merrill, Ms. Montgomery, Ms. Caruso and Ms. K for making sure that I have all of the materials I need for interventions. Andrea White
- A huge thank you to Teacher McClung and Mrs. Hoffensetz for making my time with STEM no stress but success! I appreciate all of the support! Ms. D
- Thank you Mr. Grassi for always having 2 students ready to support me with my cart! Portables can be challenging!! You are so thoughtful!! Ms. D
- Thank you to my co-workers, Ms. Simon and Ms. Crusse, who do an amazing job every day and keep me entertained! Ms. D
- Thank you to all the teachers who have had to wait for me and my STEM cart and had to leave your space! The wait is over. Ms. D
- Heather Lane- You are a rock star! You have built a room of furniture, made connections with your students and taught all at the same time!! I am so proud and impressed! So happy to be your teammate!! -Tricia Page
- Thank you to the Ms. Kivi, Ms. Klosterman and Ms. May. I appreciated your support when I had to sub this week. -Simon
- Thank you to Ms. K and Ms. Crusse for supporting me last week in 5th grade in such short notice. -Simon
- Thank you, Ms. Hoffnagle for supporting me in Kindergarten last week- Simon
- Thank you to Ms. Page for always being so supportive and looking out for me when I had to stay late last week- Simon
- Thank you to Ms. K for always coming to check to see if I need anything, whenever you can get a quick second in - Simon
- Thanks to Ms. Bonnie for supplying us with the grilled cheese materials and teaching me how to make one in the toaster oven. I never making one on the stove again lol - Simon
- Thanks Ms. Huard for my slice of apple pie. I really needed it for my SACC snack lol - Simon
- Thank you, Ms. Blaylock for the super cool sensory bottle. - Simon
- Thank you, Ms. McDuffie for having easy and well-organized sub plans for me on Thursday afternoon. - Simon
- Shout Out to Ms. Odumade for all of your support and always having a smile! You are appreciated. - Mrs. Pope
- Shout Out to Ms. Gardner for always thinking outside of the box! Your hard work does not go unnoticed! Thank you! - Mrs. Pope
- Shout out to Ms. Page and Mrs. Pardoe! You ladies are magic and I am in awe when I see the engagement of all friends. ~Lynn
- Shout out to the k team. Your flexibility and reliability go above and beyond! ~Lynn
- Thank you to the SPED team! I couldn't do this without your support - you always know what I need! ~Lynn
- Shout out to the 1st grade team. I appreciate how welcoming you all are whenever I join your class. ~Lynn
- Shout out to Ms. Kivi for your magical pivot during the math block so your class could witness the life cycle of a butterfly in real time and witness metamorphosis! It was the wonder and awe in those little eyes that brought much needed light to my day! ~Lynn
- Thank you, Ms. Huard for helping with morning structures while there is a vacancy that can make mornings tricky for one of my friends. I appreciate you! ~Lynn
- Thank you, Ms. Southard for supporting me in 5th grade - Simon
- Thank you, Ms. Page for my pumpkin muffin to help get my day started. Love ya - Simon
- Thank you to Mr. Grassi for checking in on me in 5th grade today and offering to help in any way possible - Simon
- Allison - Thanks for jumping in headfirst to lead Faculty Council solo while I was out at training! You are a rock star leader! ❤️ Katy
- Fegan - You are doing amazing things for your kiddos. So happy to be co-teaching and co-planning with you this year! ❤️ Merrill
- Emily - Thanks for answering all my OG questions and helping to hold down the fort while I have been out! I'm lucky to have you as a teammate! ❤️ Merrill
- Thank you to Ms. Ashley, Ms. Lynch and Mr. H for helping out with 1st grade lunch today! It was appreciated! ~Lynn
- Shout out to Ms. Nancy Sambrano-Luna. Thank you so much for your support! - Mr. Grassi
- Huge shout out to Ms. Gagnon and Mr Panitz for being so supportive in every aspect of life, not just within the school building!! You have no idea how much it is seen and appreciated! - K. Funk
- Strait- I think we are killin the co-teaching game already and could not be happier to be working with these students together! - K. Funk
- Dearborn- thank you for leading the beginning of Wellness while I had an ill -timed important phone call to take. I truly appreciate you! -K.Funk
- Grassi- thank you for being such an uplifting part of my day!! You bring light to wherever you go! - K.Funk
- Gardner - I’m excited to see what we can do co-teaching! Thank you for being flexible with my doctor appointments this week and can’t wait to hit the ground running next week! - K. Funk
- Taylor & Yoon - best teammates ever! I can’t ever thank you enough for being there as co-workers, and as friends! I am so incredibly grateful and lucky to have y’all to share! - K. Funk
- Teacher McClung- thank you so much for being willing to share some resources from when you co-taught ELL at your other school! It was a huge help! Happy to have you here at Hilltop! - K. Funk
- Wellness Committee- so excited for all of the great things we are going to do this year!! - K. Funk
- Shoutout to Ms. Lechowicz for bringing me chicken soup to help me feel better! -Southard
- Thank you to Ms. Maltese and Ms. Jenei for taking the time to make an amazing Hilltop Song! -Southard
- Ms. Strait: Thank you for being an amazing team player and helping us with writing and with math! And for letting my students come visit you with DOJO points! You are a wonderful teammate, teacher, and friend!
- Mrs. Funk: Thank you for being everywhere, all the time! We appreciate all the help you've given 2nd grade with students learning DRI transitioning! You rock!
- Ms. Hendricks: You are doing an amazing job this year and so happy to have you on our 2nd grade team! Keep it up!
- 2nd Grade Team: I love working with all of you! Thank you for being a wonderful team.
- Ms. Page: For being the most popular teacher visitor request! And for always saying yes to students who buy a visit with you! Thank you!
- Mrs. Buppert: I am so happy we will get to co-teach together! You are an amazing teacher! And thank you for my amazingly organized IEP binder that I will bring to every meeting with me! You rock!
- Mrs. Crusse & Ms. Montgomery: Thank you SO much for covering my class and helping my students while I had an unexpected personal event happen. I was so glad they were in great hands! 🙂
Shout out my team for checking in on me while I was sick. - Ms. Jefferies
- Shout out to Mrs. Quinn for all your help in finding a routine for coteaching together. - Ms. Jefferies
- Shout out to Ms. Gagnon for taking the time to keep me updated on things during my time out. I greatly appreciate it. - Ms. Jefferies
- Shout out to Mrs. Russel for taking the time to check in on me while I was out sick. - Ms. Jefferies
- Shout out to my team for all you guys do daily to make our team so great and cohesive. - Ms. Jefferies
- Shout out to staff, we made it through week five! - Ms. Jefferies
- Shout out to Mrs. Klosterman for all the hard work that she puts into her classroom. I see you girl! I'm so proud! - Ms. Jefferies
- Shoutout to classroom teachers for always taking the time to chat with me about your friends when I have questions, I can really tell you care about them:) -Ms. Guy
- Shoutout to Ms. Simon for watching my classes last Friday and for just being awesome! -Ms. Guy
- Thank you Ms. Quinn for always being helpful and visible to the 2nd grade team. I appreciate you! -Strait
- Shout out to Ms. Funk for being an awesome co-teacher. Days are easier having you to collaborate with! -Strait
- Shout out to Ms. Merrill for always checking in and taking work off of my plate when possible. You're the best! -Strait
What is Coming (Calendar Updates):
Week One
- Monday, September 25th: No School - Observance of Yom Kippur
- Tuesday, September 26th: K, 2, 4 Collaborative Planning in Math
- Tuesday, September 26th: 1, 3, 5 Collaborative Planning in Reading
- Tuesday, September 26th: CHANGE: Title I Staff Overview in Media 3:05 - 3:55 pm
- Wednesday, September 27th: CDM Leads Training in Conference Room 3:10 - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday, September 27th: Mandatory: Annual Health Room Training (30 min) in Media Center 3:10 - 3:40 pm
- Wednesday, September 27th: Optional Support: Revisit Continuum of Response and Choice Board 3:40 - 4:00 pm
- Thursday, September 28th: Leadership Team in Media 7:10 am - 7:40 am
- Friday, September 29th: Surprise Treat in the Teachers' Lounge!
Week Two:
- Monday, October 2nd: Monthly Faculty Meeting in Media 7:10 am - 7:40 am
- Tuesday, October 3rd: K, 2, 4 Collaborative Planning in Math
- Tuesday, October 3rd: 1, 3, 5 Collaborative Planning in Reading
- Tuesday, October 3rd: New Teacher Committee in Media 3:05 - 3:55 pm
- Wednesday, October 4th: Attendance Team Meets 9:00 - 11:00 am
- Wednesday, October 4th: Overview of Decodable Text 3:10 pm - 4:00 pm
- Thursday, October 5th: Teacher duty ends at 2:50 pm
- Friday, October 6th: Have a great weekend! Teacher duty ends at 2:50 pm
Ms. Eileen Gagnon
Email: ejgagnon@aacps.org
Website: hilltopstars.org
Phone: 315-857-7589
Twitter: @HilltopESAACPS