Galloping Gazette
A newsletter for the Faculty and Staff - Week of 1/27
Put Students First • Seek Growth • Be Open to Change . Do Great Work Together • Value Differences
Principal's Message
Mother Nature or Old Man Winter made it very clear this past week what time of year it is. Just as I started to relish in the odd 60 degree days we have been having, Mother Nature said... "Hold up, let's remember that it is winter and this is what the weather is supposed to be. Suck it up, dress the part, and do what you need to do." I had to do some attitude adjusting and keep it moving. Yes I'm referring to what felt like a couple brutally cold days to me last weekend through Wednesday.
This got me to thinking... often times students are the ones who remind us of our purpose.
- When the assessment results come back lower than we anticipated
- When behaviors scream at us for support
- When we can't figure out why they aren't transferring what is learned at the small group table to independent practice
We often get frustrated as we at times think... "what is wrong with you?" As Mother Nature screamed this week... sometimes we need to remember that these very "issues" are why we are here. It's actually our job to figure these things out, meet students where they are, adjust our own attitudes, and move forward. Similar to how we responded to the weather reminder by layering up with clothing, scarves, gloves, hats, and boots, we need to consider how we must adjust to meet our students' needs. You see, simply remaining frustrated didn't make us any warmer. We analyzed the "data" and dressed accordingly.
I am fortunate to serve so many reflective educators in our school who readily reflect, analyze, and adjust to meet the needs of our students. Thank you for what you do each day. Thank you for keeping students at the core. Remember when you get frustrated... think of the reminder Mother Nature sent, adjust your "tude" and practices accordingly and keep moving forward to do what you are called to do... reach every colt, every day.
Looking forward to another great week of teaching and learning.
-Robyn
Shout Outs...
- Shout out to Marissa, Sharon, Lisa, and Amanda for being amazing teammates, EVERYDAY, but especially when I got sick unexpectedly, and you guys made the day run so smoothly! -Stacey
- Thank you, Marissa W, for helping with the kindergarten mid-year assessments! Patti C.
- Thank you, Wende, for making Battle of the Books t-shirts! Patti C.
- Shout out to Mrs. Kelly Zajac and Mrs. Cubillos-Greer for being so wonderful to collaborate with!
- Shout out to Marissa W for being the bestttttt workout buddy! -Kelly
- Shout out to Ally, Alainya and Kim for being flexible with their schedules when I had to be out this week! Lauren
- Ms Sandra Exhem for coming into a new school and fitting right in. You're a joy to work with! Mercy
- Thank you Ms. Backer for helping to pull groups for testing to accommodate all of my kiddos! Ally
- Thank you to my interior decorators for helping to decorate for the Chinese feast. My room looks awesome!! Ally
- Thank you Travis and Anne for being willing to help third grade with our performance task online materials! Ally
Schedule for upcoming weeks
** Great Kindness Challenge Week **
** SPIRIT WEEK **
** PLC Focus: How to bring fire to independent tasks without burning yourself out
Monday, January 27th
- Staff Day- no school for students
- All Staff Meeting- 8:00am in the cafeteria
- PBIS/Love & Logic- all TA's - 8:30 in the library
Tuesday, January 28th
- ** Hat Day **
- 1st Grade MOCA Program, Room 15
- 8:15-9:15- Frierson
- 9:20-10:20- Kernodle
- 11:20-12:20- Torres
- 4th Grade Fire Safety
- 8:30- Cucuzza
- 9:35- McNeely
- 11:20- Nicolosi
Wednesday, January 29th
- ** Twin Day **
- 1st Grade MOCA Program, Room 15
- 8:15-9:15- Cooley
- 9:20-10:20- Matney
- PLC/Collab:
- 2nd 11:00-11:45
- 1st 12:45-1:30
- 4th 1:35-2:20
- 4th Grade Fire Safety
- 8:30- Kesner
- 9:35 Dorbin
Thursday, January 30th
- ** Western Day **
- PLC/Collab: 5th 8:30-9:15 3rd 9:20-10:05
- Robotics 2:45-4:00
Knd 10:10-10:55
Friday, January 31st
- Team Kindness Day** Picture Schedule to come (weather dependent)
1st- Green
2nd- Blue
3rd- Yellow
4th- Orange
5th- Purple
** PLC Focus: Language Arts **
National School Counseling Week
Monday, February 3rd
- Report Cards Issued
- SCA Meeting 2:45-4:00
Tuesday, February 4th
- Math Tutoring Begins 4th/5th Grades 7:00 am Library
- PBIS Meeting
Wednesday, February 5th
- Colt's Store 7:55-8:20
- PLC/Collab:
- 2nd 11:00-11:45
- 1st 12:45-1:30
- 4th 1:35-2:20
- Newspaper Club 2:45-4:00
Thursday, February 6th
- Math Tutoring 4th/5th Grades 7:00 am Library
- Zach from Spanish Immersion @ CFES
- PLC/Collab: 5th 8:30-9:15
- 3rd 9:20-10:05
- Robotics 2:45-4:00
- Spanish Immersion Meeting 4:00-6:00 Library
Knd 10:10-10:55
Friday, February 7th
- Watch Dog Dad Saulo Ortiz
- ACCESS for Ells Testing Opens (Until 2/14)
News and Notes....
- ** Mandatory Training ** is due February 14! Don't let it sneak up on you....You can log onto it directly from the home page of VBCPS.
- Our "Good Phone Call of the Day" Wall is very empty. Please send more students our way. We want to fill it up.
- Teachers with Assistants- When/if you get a sub, or have to enter it in Aesop, please make sure you enter it as "no sub needed " for yourself so your assistant can bump up to a teacher. You need to notify the assistant so they can then enter their position (subbing for teacher). This clears up a lot of confusion when the sub comes in. The only time the assistant does not bump up is for Professional leave.
- The Girls on the Run Program is looking for another coach or 2 for the spring session. The current coaches have a few obligations, and might not be able to make the practices each week. This is such a great program for the girls, and we would love to be able to continue it, but may not be possible without some help. Please consider helping the girls, and as an added plus.... get ready for bathing suit season :) If you have any questions or interest, please see Jennifer.
- Please don't forget to turn in your 2020 Intent Form in to Ms. Backer's Mailbox.
Updated Report Card Timeline and Comment Expectations
· The timeline for report cards is as follows:
· Friday, Jan. 24th - Art/Music/PE grades/comments finalized by 5:00 p.m. Send Robin an email when complete.
· Monday, Jan 27th - Homeroom teachers finalize grades by 5:00 p.m. Send Robin email when complete.
Tuesday, Jan. 28th - Homeroom teachers finalize comments by 5:00 p.m. Send Robin email when complete.
· Wednesday, Jan. 29th - Robin will print and give printed report cards to homeroom teachers to proofread their grades/comments. Homeroom teachers will give their proofread report cards back to Robin.
· Thursday, Jan. 30th – Robin will give printed report cards to admin to review report card grades/comments: Report cards to admin (Ms. Backer K-2 & Ms. Porter 3-5)
· Monday, Feb. 3rd- Issue report cards and IEPs updates.
Report card comments should not be the same for your entire class. They should reflect that you know the student, and they should address any concerns especially any DP's or N's. Please make sure comments are tactful. Put yourself in the parents' shoes. How would you feel reading the comment if it was your child?
· Ensure your comments include the following: At least one academic strength and one way parents can support their child at home
Sample:
Kim comes to school ready to learn each day. She strives to do her best work and often contributes to class discussions. Kim’s reading fluency is right on target. We will continue to work on her ability to add and subtract with regrouping. Please continue to read for at least twenty minutes each night. I appreciate your support.
Sample:
Jasmine has settled into the routine of our classroom. She enjoys working with her classmates. Jasmine has done well with our geometry unit. We will continue to work on determining the main idea. One way you can help at home is to ask Jasmine to tell you what the story was mostly about after reading. Thank you for your support.
Talent Ed Reminders
When you are completing your formative focus mid-year update the following questions should be answered:
*Reflecting on what you have learned about PBIS and Love and Logic; consider your current classroom management system, is it aligned with the principles of both systems? Explain the aspects that are and if there are aspects that are not aligned how are you considering changing them?
*What is one area of strength that you are proud about in regards to classroom management?
*What is one area of your classroom management that you would like to improve upon and what type of support would you need to do so?
When you are completing the data review, please include all updated mid-year data by copying and pasting or by attaching it. In addition, please be sure to consider and address the following questions when completing the section of New Strategies/Professional Learning: Based on the data review, list any new strategies or professional learning needed.
*Is the data painting the picture that you want?
*What are the strategies that you are seeing the results that you are proud of?
*What strategies are not working, why do you think they are not working, and how will you adjust for the rest of the year.
Lastly, just as we are asking you to reflect and adjust, we have done the same with the remaining PLCs for the year. We will be going to a three week rotation for the most part so that there is less time between Math and LA. Next week, please do not worry about an agenda as we will be doing a LA/Math combo as we dig into how to bring fire to independent tasks without burning yourself out https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ikFch7PZcN5USW39lC6gGpaE6KXeji_2_0irek25Jo/edit?usp=sharing
Transfer Procedures for 2020-2021
We have not received our allocations for next school year. Once we do, we will speak with staff members/grade levels that will be affected (if any). If you are planning to resign, retire, or put in for a transfer, please speak with Ms. Backer as soon as possible.
- February 5-24: Registration opens for the Transfer Meet and Greet event using Frontline Professional Growth, and vacancies begin to be posted on Intranet for all transfers.
- February 13: Principals must notify individuals if they are a priority transfer
- February 27: Transfer Meet and Greet event at Green Run HS from 4:30-5:45 p.m.
- May 1: Target date by which priority transfers are notified of placements
- June 30: Last date by which principals can make hiring recommendations from other area school divisions
- July 15: Last date teachers may voluntarily transfer
Meet & Greet Info:
Teachers who have been designated as priority transfers and those who are eligible for consideration for voluntary transfers may attend.
Classified employees who have been designated as priority transfers and those who are eligible for consideration for voluntary transfers or promotions may also attend the Meet and Greet.
Only teachers who will be on continuing contract during 2020-2021 (currently P3, PC, or C) and who are not on Performance Improvement Plans are eligible for voluntary teacher transfers.
A teacher who receives a voluntary transfer must spend three years in that assignment before being eligible for another voluntary transfer. (A teacher accepting a voluntary transfer for the 2020-2021 school year will be eligible for a transfer in fall 2023.)
Morning Meeting Moment - Kindness
Great Kindness Week is here! Use this week to have fun with morning meeting and celebrate kindness each day!