Monday Morning Message
Week of December 17, 2018
MVE
Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Grathwohl were honored by the ZCHS Girls Basketball Team Thursday night!
PLC Updates and Future Think Tank Opportunities
Math: The Math PLC is working to unpack the standards in order to create enduring understandings for each grade level. Once they finish, they will begin to create essential questions to go with each enduring understanding.
Wellness: The Wellness PLC has been discussing the idea of how actions speak louder than words. There are some cool things already going on with promoting positive actions. They want to positively promote Wellness and Second Step related actions seen in our building. This could look like making a list of all the great things we see our kids and staff doing. Maybe we create a board or use windows in a common/highly trafficked space for teachers and students to all add to. Could we do a “Kindness Couch” segment to share some of the observed actions on the announcements? Using hashtags? Wellness PLC will chat with grade level teams and see what they think. When we come back from break, they will talk about what this will look like.
Literacy: The Literacy PLC spent the last two sessions diving into performance tasks for the Scope and Sequence work (phase II email from Kris Devereaux). they looked at characteristics of strong performance tasks, brainstormed ideas for possible performance tasks, and generated questions. Additionally, they spent some time digesting the upcoming ILEARN blueprints and online tools. We explored the performance task component samples online.
Inquiry: Thank you Beth and Kandiss for working through your SEL Inquiry and to the Think Tank Team (T3...catchy name, huh?) for providing feedback back on December 4. We would like to expand this invaluble opportunity for us to learn with and from our colleagues.
I, Andrew, am jumping into the Inquiry PLC's space, using the lines below, to share out the plan moving forward through second semester.
- First, here is the link to the recorded Think Tank from last week. The sound is excellent!
- Second, I would like for every grade level/team/individual to have the opportunity to bring an idea/plan through this process. Our T3 members have made some dates available to allow everyone a chance to gain feedback on a lesson, unit, or project. Some ideas could be 3rd grade specialty animals, 4th grade famous Hoosiers, an upcoming persuasive writing unit, integrating more technology into math lessons, etc.
- Each of the following dates will have two 30 minute time slots. I am happy to help you gain that 30 minutes back by covering a recess/lunch duty for you the week that you sign up.
- Talk with your team and sign up here!!!
MTSS (Multi Tiered Systems of Support) for Behavior
Diane will be our point person and first layer of support. As we move through the process, teachers will have the opportunity to bring the students in need to our MTSS Team for further collaboration, support, and brainstorming.
More information will be provided at our January Staff Share.
Upcoming Dates
December 17 - Elem Principals Mtg Canceled
December 18 - LT Mtg @ ESC 9:30-11:30, 3rd Grade Field Trip; PTO @ 1:15; Staff Meeting Canceled!
December 19 - Kindy RtI Check-in
December 20 - Dr. Goodman-Auggie Talk with 3rd and 4th grade students 9:00-10:30 in the gym; Staff Holiday Party @ Deanna's
December 21- ZTEP Plus Peer Observations Completed and Uploaded; Last Student Day Before Winter Break-Holiday Parties
December 25 - Christmas
January 7 - First Day Back After Winter Break; Begin MOY Conferences
January 9 - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 11 - Last Day to Post Q2 Grades by 8:00 AM
January 22 - Staff Share @ 2:45
MOY Conferences
- All ZTEP Plus teachers will need to sign up for a Mid Year Conference. We will talk about your goal(s), peer observations, and all things Domain 5.
- I would also like to have Mid Year Conferences with all teacher's who are in their 1st or second year with ZCS. This is a nice opportunity for us to catch up half way through this year, take a look at the Teacher Effectiveness Rubric, and chat about anything else on your mind.
- Anyone else interest in signing up for a Mid Year Conference is more than welcome to although not required.
2019 Eagle Elementary Science and Engineering Fair
We will be sending information to families early this week about our Science and Engineering Fair. We are trying something new this year, essentially in place of Science Bowl.
The 2019 Eagle Elementary Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019! This year’s theme will be centered around the idea of improving human health. Students who are interested may pick up a permission slip in the front office. Permission slips are due back to the front office NO LATER THAN the Information and Brainstorming Sessions on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
If students compete in the EE Science and Engineering Fair, students in 1st-4th grade could possibly advance to the Central Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Marion University in February! Take on the challenge to participate in a school-wide science and engineering competition and possibly a regional title!
PLC Corner
Below is the remainder of our PLC schedule for 2018 and the beginning of 2019! Thank you for you preparation and attention to details during out academic RtI check-ins on Friday.
12/21 - No PLC meeting...grade level collab time
1/11 -2nd and 4th PLC; 1st and 3rd Grade Level Collab Time
1/18 -1st and 3rd PLC; 2nd and 4th Grade Level Collab Time
1/25 - 2nd and 4th PLC; 1st and 3rd Grade Level Collab Time
2/1 - 1st and 3rd PLC; 2nd and 4th Grade Level Collab Time
Kindy (Alternating Thursdays):
12/19 - Kindy MTSS/RtI Check-in @2:45
1/10
1/24