Week at a Glance
November 17-25
Just got off the phone with my mother. We spent quite a bit of time talking "school". She currently teaches a medical terminology course at Ivy Tech, and it's always interesting to hear her perspective on teaching, the issues she faces, and the joy teaching brings her.
Mom has been in the medical field for a very long time. She first began her career as an LPN and then eventually got her BSN. She has worked as a nurse in the hospital in various units other than the OR and was a school nurse for a period of time which she absolutely loved. For several years prior to her retirement, she was a nurse and patient educator for a local hospital. And, I believe that's where her two passions met--medicine and teaching.
Mom has taught some other college courses before, but then always "retired" because technically she retired from her nursing career some time ago. She claimed she wanted the flexibility of doing what she wants when she wants and not being tied down to a schedule. But, the teaching bug cannot escape her. She is teaching what I believe would be one of the driest courses to take ever--medical terminology! The kids in her class literally have to memorize and get tested on hundreds of medical terms each week. How boring! Mom, however, enjoys the challenge of taking something that is very dry, and very difficult to learn to boot, and making it fun and relevant for her students. I love hearing the excitement in her voice when she speaks about working on her lesson plans for class or how her students are improving over the course of the semester, especially those who were failing at the start. She is so excited, too, for the class she is taking now on how to become an online instructor. A month ago she said to tie her down and not let her teach another course because she was really ready to retire, but now she's all excited about teaching an online course next semester. LOL How can I tie her down? Can't lasso passion; you just have to let it go!
I admire my mother for living the motto "lifelong learner" and instilling that belief in others. She has a passion for people and a passion for teaching that doesn't quaver. I see that same passion in our staff. Each of you work so hard in whatever capacity you can to help our students. We each play a significant role in the success of our students, and I admire each of you for your dedication. Thank you for all that you do!
Monday
- 7:30 a.m.--PD session in MP room--close reading
- 7:30 a.m.--K. Mettert meets with special ed staff
- 8:30 a.m.--case conference--Jessica, Stephanie, & Karen
- 6:30 p.m.--6th grade band concert
- 7:15-9:00 p.m.--boys basketball
Tuesday
- 7:30 a.m.--case conference--Katy, Jessica & Josh
- 8:00 a.m.--fire inspection
- 12:30-1:05 p.m.--Philharmonic concert for K-3 in gym
- 1:15-1:50 p.m.--Philharmonic concert for gr. 4-6 in gym
- 2:30 p.m.--case conference--Deb, Brittany, & Karen
- 2:40-3:30 p.m.--NEHS meeting
- fire drill today
Wednesday
- 8:00 a.m.--case conference--Tracey, Deb & Karen
- 9:00 a.m.--case conference--Brittany, Deb, & Karen
- 12:30-4:00 p.m.--law conference in FW--Karen
- 3:30-4:30 p.m.--new teacher meeting
- 6:00 p.m.--school board meeting at ENCO
- 6:00-9:00 p.m.--basketball practice
Thursday
- 8:30 a.m.--Student of the Week nominations due
- 2:40-3:30 p.m.--student council meeting
- 2:45 p.m.--case conference--Amber, Deb, & Karen
- 5:00 p.m.--Spell Bowl meet at West Noble--Good luck, Stephanie & Jessica!
- lockdown drill
Friday
- 7:30 a.m.--staff meeting
- 12:45 p.m.--case conference--Tracey, Deb, & Karen
- 1:15 p.m.--case conference--Tracey, Deb, & Karen
- 2:15 p.m.--case conference--Jackie, Deb, & Karen
- 3:00 p.m.--meeting--Karen
Monday, November 24
- 7:30 a.m.--grade level collaboration
- 8:00 a.m.--Section 125 meeting for all staff
- 2:50-3:30 p.m.--PD session--DOK & math instruction
Tuesday
- Jeans Day--Happy Thanksgiving!
- 8:00 a.m.--case conference--Faith, Deb, Jessica, & Karen
- 9:30 a.m.--Abbee's Thanksgiving play
- 10:30 a.m.--case conference--Jessica, Janelle, & Karen
- Gr. 1 Pioneer Day
- 2:00 p.m.--TURKEY BOWL!!!!!!!!!!
QUICK NOTES
- MONDAY'S PD: Please make sure you have read over the PowerPoint that was sent out regarding close reading and bring your laptops so that you can access the text that was also sent to you. I will have some hard copies of the article for those who do not have a device to use.
- TUESDAY'S CONVO: A harp and percussion ensemble from the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic will be performing for us Tuesday afternoon in the gym. I have created an alternate specials schedule and that information is below.
- NEXT TUESDAY'S PD: Next Tuesday, Caitlin and Faith will be sharing information they learned through the math workshops they went to over the last few weeks. Stay tuned for the information/items you will need to bring to the training.
- FIRE INSPECTION: Tuesday morning we will have our annual fire inspection. Please take time on Monday to ensure that your classrooms and workspaces are in compliance. Things to look for include: making sure no exit is blocked, items are not stored within 24 inches of the ceiling unless it is in a closed cabinet, no house grade extension cords are being used, extension cords are not plugged into extension cords, no curtains, no candles, etc. Our last couple of inspections have been good. Let's see if we can get a violation free inspection this year!
- ENERGY CONSERVATION: Just a reminder that all computers, monitors, and charging stations need to be turned off each evening. If you know that students will need their iPads first thing in the morning, try to charge them up the afternoon before. If that is not possible, it is permissible to leave them charging overnight every once in a great while, but certainly not on a Friday night. Keeping doors shut to classrooms/work areas will keep the rooms warm during heating months and cool during the months that the air conditioning is on. Always be sure to turn off lights when a room is unoccupied. Every little thing we do to conserve energy adds up to a lot in savings. Thank you for doing your part to help conserve energy!
- TURKEY BOWL: It's back! The Turkey Bowl will be held at 2:00 p.m. the Tuesday before break. Please be sure to have students seated in the gym no later than 2:00 p.m. so that all of our contestants are able to bowl and a the grand prize winner is determined. Who will it be this year???!!!!!