Team Thomson News & Notes
February 26, 2018
Important Information for You!
Literacy Essential #3 Continued...
Small group and individual instruction, using a variety of grouping strategies, most often with flexible groups formed and instruction targeted to children’s observed and assessed needs in specific aspects of literacy development.
This week, I'd like you to watch the video in which explicit small group instruction is explored. In the video, the teacher provides direct, planned instruction based on the needs of the students. The small groups in the video below focus on the bullet of Literacy Essential #3 bullet four which states that the teacher: includes explicit instruction, as needed, in word recognition strategies, including multi-syllabic word decoding, text structure, comprehension strategies, and writing strategies. Please take time to watch the video in the link below.
5D+
I am so looking forward to returning from Intersession and (fingers crossed) finishing up Growth Plan meetings and getting into classrooms. You can expect that I will be in classrooms right away this week and while some might say 'we are just returning', given the number of breaks we have during the year due to intersessions and holidays, we always need to hit the ground running. I also understand that in the first days back, we are refocusing on routines and structures however all of this fits into the 5D+ rubric. Here's to a great week back!
March is Reading Month
As you all know, we will hold our Annual Family Reading Night to kick-off March is Reading Month this Wednesday evening. Thank you so much to our planning committee for their hard work and dedication to getting everything ready and to everyone else who has/will chip in to help! While there will be things to set up prior the the 5 p.m. opening and I know additional help would be appreciated, the official certified staff 'hours' are 4:45-7:15 p.m. If you have not already, please be sure to visit the Google Doc Megan C. sent out to sign up for a job. You are responsible to knowing what that job entails and being ready for families by 4:55 p.m. Again, thank you to everyone for helping to make this one of the best nights for our families!
Cardinal Code Focus of the Week & Cardinal Code Relaunch:
This week the Cardinal Code focus is CC BASICS. In keeping with the theme of the CC Basics, this week will also be our Cardinal Code Relaunch. You may have noticed that the tree is up in the gym and ready for Cardinal Code birds. Please see a member of our Behavior Committee or myself if you have any questions.
PLC Day Follow-up
I want to thank those of you who participated in the PLC Day before intersession for your thoughtfulness and hard work! From where I sat, it seemed that the day was very worthwhile and that lots was accomplished. If there is anything you would like to share with me, please do as we look to plan for the future.
In the News...
I know that all of you are very much aware of what happened in Parkland, Florida almost two weeks ago. This is a very tragic event and emotions on all fronts are running very high. If you have watched the news, opened a newspaper, or turned on a computer, you know that there are lots of conversations and opinions on how to solve the issue of violence in our schools. This is such a multi-faceted issue that people are looking at through very different lens and often just through the lens that is closest to them. While there are conversations that need to be had, and I will tell you I have had them with family and friends, I also caution each and everyone of you to be thoughtful in your words. Tell your stories, share your experiences, but don't let yourself get drawn into an argument or backed into a corner. This is an important issue for all of us and we must remain respectful while trying to help resolve a very complicated problem.
Quotes Worth Reading
"Practice the pause. When in doubt, pause. When angry, pause. When tired, pause. When stressed, pause. And when you pause, think/pray."
-Unknown
"A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset. When you wake up, take a second to think about what a privilege it is to simply be alive and healthy. The moment you start acting like life is a blessing, I assure you it will start to feel like one. Time spent appreciating is time worth living."
-Unknown
Thomson Elementary
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911
Celebrations & Announcements
Best Wishes to two of our GSRP Staff: I would like to extend wishes for the very best to two of our GSRP staff. Joy Howard, child care provider, has resigned her position. Additionally, over intersession I received a letter of resignation from April Bowen, GSRP lead teacher, who has accepted a kindergarten teaching position at International Academy of Flint. I would like to thank these two ladies for their care and dedication to our youngest students. You will both be missed!
Birthdays...No Birthdays in March!
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Week of February 25th-PLC Week
- Monday, February 26th-Cardinal Code Relaunch Week; PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 28th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: Family Reading Night/March is Reading Month, School Improvement); Family Reading Night, 4:45-7:15 p.m. for certified staff, 5-7 p.m. for families
- Thursday, March 1st-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie)
- Monday, March 5th-Internal Review Training, 4:15-5:15 p.m. Cardinal Center; Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m. HS AMR
- Tuesday, March 6th-Tornado Drill
- Wednesday, March 7th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: SI-Building Visits & Planning); Early Release Day (Agenda: Literacy & Math)
- Thursday, March 8th-General Admin Meeting (Natalie); ELA Curriculum Meeting, 4:15-6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 13th-PTO Pals; Science Curriculum Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Thursday, March 15th-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie); CMC 4-7 p.m.
- Friday, March 16th-Leadership Team Meeting, 7:15-8:15 a.m.; Fire Drill