The Flight Recorder
Statesville Road Elementary's Weekly Newsletter
Principal's Point to Ponder
Consistency Over Time
Change is hard. Some might even think that change is impossible, but that is certainly not true! No matter what it is that we want to change in our lives or in our school, it can happen. But here is one element that must be incorporated in order for anything to change: we must employ consistency. Just think about it. It might seem impossible to change the shape of a rock. But if you take single drops of water applied to the same spot on that rock consistently over time, the rock will change, not overnight, but the rock will change. However, if you let up on the consistent single drops of water on that rock, or inconsistently apply the drops of water, the likelihood of the rock changing diminishes greatly and the time it will take to change increases exponentially. We are working on changing both concrete and abstract rocks at Statesville Road Elementary. No matter what those rocks are; silent hallways, lesson plans, our individual beliefs and attitudes, the self esteem of our students, the number of referrals and suspensions, instructional practices, or the level of student engagement...we can change anything! Just choose a strategy or action (ie; drops of water) and apply that strategy or action consistently over time and watch as our rocks change shape. As we begin to implement our Positive Action character ed curriculum on Tuesday of this week, remember that we must apply this strategy consistently over time in order to see the change in our students. I have seen how the consistent practices of our staff have made a significant difference in the start of this school year. Let's remain consistent over time and watch the effects. We will like what we see.
Change is hard. Some might even think that change is impossible, but that is certainly not true! No matter what it is that we want to change in our lives or in our school, it can happen. But here is one element that must be incorporated in order for anything to change: we must employ consistency. Just think about it. It might seem impossible to change the shape of a rock. But if you take single drops of water applied to the same spot on that rock consistently over time, the rock will change, not overnight, but the rock will change. However, if you let up on the consistent single drops of water on that rock, or inconsistently apply the drops of water, the likelihood of the rock changing diminishes greatly and the time it will take to change increases exponentially. We are working on changing both concrete and abstract rocks at Statesville Road Elementary. No matter what those rocks are; silent hallways, lesson plans, our individual beliefs and attitudes, the self esteem of our students, the number of referrals and suspensions, instructional practices, or the level of student engagement...we can change anything! Just choose a strategy or action (ie; drops of water) and apply that strategy or action consistently over time and watch as our rocks change shape. As we begin to implement our Positive Action character ed curriculum on Tuesday of this week, remember that we must apply this strategy consistently over time in order to see the change in our students. I have seen how the consistent practices of our staff have made a significant difference in the start of this school year. Let's remain consistent over time and watch the effects. We will like what we see.
Share Your Commitment to Consistency Over Time
Click the box below to share how you will commit to a consistent practice that will bring about a change in your personal and / or work life. I have initiated the posting by sharing my personal and work commitments. Just double click on any clear space on the page or click the pencil icon to add your post. It's that simple and everyone else will be able to see what you shared. This website is called Padlet and can be used in your classroom for students to post thoughts and / or reflections in class. Try it! (also a good way to use the XOs!) Check back later by clicking the box below to see who else on our staff has posted to the Padlet wall and encourage each other to keep our commitments to consistency!
New Feature Beginning Next Week....
Beginning in next week's Flight Recorder, I will share "The SRE Instructional Strategy of the Week". This will be a highlight of something that is happening consistently in one of your classrooms that has a high yield impact on student achievement, classroom culture, or instructional delivery. This feature of the Flight Recorder will be a way to showcase the great things happening in your classrooms and also a way to share your best practices with your colleagues. Stay tuned....
What's Happening This Week?
General Reminders / Expectations:
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 (Day 1)
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 (Day 2)
Thursday, September 19, 2013 (Day 3)
Friday, September 20, 2013 (Day 4)
- Discovery Ed Assessments are scheduled to begin this week. We are experiencing some technical difficulties with the website that may cause us to have to adjust the assessment schedule. Therefore, please plan to be flexible with your schedule on the days your grade level is scheduled for Discovery Ed testing and have a Plan B ready in case your class cannot test at the scheduled time.
- A class set of Tuesday Folders were put in each teacher's box last week. The Tuesday folder is to be sent home with students as a special school wide communication tool only on Tuesdays....they are not to be sent home with students every day. Grade level team leads, please make sure your team is compliant with the Tuesday folder expectations and that new team members know how to use them. Thank you.
- Any PTA fundraiser order forms and payments should be turned in to the PTA safe in the workroom. The fundraiser continues until October 7th.
- 3-5 Classroom Teachers: If you have not set up your Powerschool gradebook please do so by the end of the day on Monday. If you need assistance with this task, please see Walser or Allen.
- Believe it or not....progress reports are due Monday, September 23rd. Please submit your progress reports to the same admin team member that reviews your lesson plans. Progress reports will be returned to you the same day so revisions can be made if needed prior to distribution.
- Progress reports will be DISTRIBUTED to students on Tuesday, September 24th through the Tuesday folder.
Monday, September 16, 2013 (Day 5)
- 1st Grade DIBELS 3D / TRC Assessment
- 3rd Grade READING Discovery Ed Assessment
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 (Day 1)
- Williams @ General Principals Meeting (all day)
- Begin Positive Action Curriculum today (8:00 - 8:30)
- 3rd Grade DIBELS 3D / TRC Assessment
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 (Day 2)
- 3:30pm --STAFF MEETING (Flight School Session 1)
- 4th Grade DIBELS 3D / TRC Assessment
- 2nd Grade READING Discovery Ed Assessment
Thursday, September 19, 2013 (Day 3)
- 3rd Grade DIBELS 3D / TRC Assessment
- 4th Grade READING Discovery Ed Assessment
Friday, September 20, 2013 (Day 4)
- 4th Grade DIBELS 3D / TRC Assessment
- 5th Grade READING Discovery Ed Assessment