Colt Round Up
Friday, October 20, 2017
"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning." - Ivy Baker Priest
With Appreciation:
- Thanks to Annie for coordinating a delicious October potluck!
- Bravo to grades 4, 5, Mrs. Brothers, and Mrs. Adams for implementing a well organized, fun and engaging Friday enrichment block. Talk to them for details - students are working on musical theater, art, origami, STEM activities, and circuit training - students will experience something new with each rotation every 3 weeks!
- Kudos to our whole team - can you believe we made it through the first quarter??? 1 down, 3 to go - we've got this!
New Information/Things to Do:
- Monday - Sock it to Drugs - wear crazy socks
- Tuesday - Give Drugs the Boot - country western day
- Wednesday - Too Bright for Drugs - neon & sunglasses
- Thursday - Peace Out to Drugs - tie dye and peace signs
- Friday - Get Red of Drugs - wear red
- Please be sure your students put any tickets they've earned into a bucket
- We'll ask every staff member to pull 2 tickets on Friday, 10/27 in the morning
- Winning ticket holders will be invited to the red tables at 2:30 on Friday to enjoy a special treat!
Halloween Dress Up:
If you get questions...students must:
- be mindful of our school dress code
- no masks
- no toy or real weapons/props
- no inappropriate clothing or messages (which includes things that may be frightening to our younger students)
- students must be able to use the restroom independently
- a prize for a lucky reader is next to the fax machine in the office
Extra Early Release Week:
- Click here for prep and lunch schedules
- Remember that prep teachers time is extra tight, please be on time to pick up your children.
- Morning recess times will stay the same. Jen will be adjusting the bells for that week (wish me luck!).
Focus on Best First Instruction - October is about beginning with the end in mind
Keep in mind, we are looking for PROGRESS, not perfection...so give it ago and aim to be adding targets for ELA and Math daily by the end of October and take a minute to ensure alignment to the standards.
Older Stuff/Reminders
- STUDENT TEACHER?: Are you interested in hosting a student teacher? Being a master teacher is a wonderful way to explore your own teaching philosophies and to help mentor and inspire a teacher looking to enter the field. Email Jen if you are up for the challenge!
PBIS Corner
GAMES to PLAY!
Each month, we'll ask you to incorporate a new game into your PE routine so we can use that game at recess. This month, it's HULA HOOP TIC TAC TOE! Check out this fun relay game! Here is a website with the rules and a video showing the kids playing. Here's a video with way fun music! We heard this week that 1st grade modified this game a little to make it work for them...email 1st grade for more info!Free Play - Playground: https://peacefulplaygrounds.com/unstructured-recess/
DOCUMENTATION - WHEN?????
If you provide a tangible consequence (i.e. a time out or loss of privilege), then you SHOULD fill out a form AND you SHOULD make a contact home (in person, phone or email).
If it feels silly to call home about something, that might be a red flag to consider. Is it really a major discipline issue or if perhaps it's something you can handle using your classroom management system.
PBIS UPDATE:
Since our 10/3 staff meeting, there have been 56 total referrals written; 33/56 have been on the playground and 34/56 were written for 7 children.
The Tier II PBIS team attended training this week and met today - we'll be looking to implement some additional check in/check out interventions for children and aiming to set up a playground play intervention group in the next two weeks. Stay Tuned!
What do teachers need to do? This week, provide explicit instruction and reminders about appropriate playground play. Most playground referrals are for minor contact and disrespect and students are seeking peer attention. Teach your children how to ask if they can play and consider introducing some of your PE games at recess! Remember to use our powerpoint and videos as a teaching tool.
Upcoming Meetings/Activities:
Where are Jen & Will the week of 10/23?
- Will is at LCE in the mornings this week, and all day on Thursday
- Jen will be off campus on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
- Laura Sliepen is our TIC on Wednesday
- Skip Langdon will be on site Tuesday morning for walk throughs
To Consider:
80-85% of students respond to "tier 1" supports - the class/school wide supports we provide that allow children to refocus and increases instructional time. Here are a list of tier 1 ideas - can you find a new one to try?
If you are experiencing a challenging behavior, consider starting here - select the behavior and look through the strategies presented to get some fresh ideas and perspectives.
ART DOCENT PROGRAM TAKES CENTER STAGE
Art is an important part of our student's education - thank you to all of our staff who carve out time to provide this important "right brained" activity!