Paxton Faculty Newsletter
March 2017
Mission:
In the Spotlight
Sheryl Evans takes flight in WWII plane
Paxton fourth grade teacher Sheryl Evans had the exciting opportunity to take a flight in a WWII search and rescue plane with Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter member General George McCutchan. The flight was part of the AFA chapter #398 spring teacher STEM workshop held Feb. 25 at George T. McCutchan Airport. The training featured sessions on robotics, piloting unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets and more.
Student Service Project - Adopt a Sailor Project
Read Across America
Thank you Ms. Jones for organizing Read Across America Week!!!
Differentiated Accountability Updates
- 12th - Class of 2017 – 52
- 11th - Class of 2018 – 55
- 10th - Class of 2019 – 50
- 9th - Class of 2020 – 59
- 8th - Class of 2021 – 59
- 7th - Class of 2022 – 66
- 6th – Class of 2023 – 83
- 5th – Class of 2024 – 58
- 4th – Class of 2025 – 49
- 3rd – Class of 2026 – 63
- 2nd – Class of 2027 – 53
- 1st – Class of 2028 – 56
- K – Class of 2029 - 45
- PK– Class of 2030 – 22
Instructional Focus
1.1 Create long-range plans based on a review of state content standards, student needs, and district/school instructional priorities. 1.2 Define learning goals with objectives for the unit and daily plans. 1.3 Lesson plans demonstrate knowledge of the content, relationships between important concepts, instructional strategies, and organizes activities in an appropriate sequence. 1.4 Lesson plans are revised and/or differentiated based on student needs. 1.5 Plan and prepare lessons that require students to engage in rigorous activities and content aligned with state standards. 1.6 Uses data prior to planning instruction.
Domain 3.0 - Direct Instruction
3.1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of curriculum content.
3.2 The teacher develops learning goals with expected outcomes accompanied by scales, exemplars or rubrics that describe levels of performance relative to the learning goal and communicates high expectations for learning for all students.
3.3 Monitor learning activities, including the use of formative assessment, provide feedback, and adjust instruction to meet student needs.
3.4 Use a variety of instructional strategies and/or modifications/accommodations for all students.
3.5 Organize the class and use appropriate strategies to enhance critical and creative thinking or problem solving and complex tasks for all students.
3.6 Engage students in activities that link prior knowledge to new content, other subject areas, life experiences and/or careers for relevant learning experiences.
The sign-up sheet for your formal evaluation is in the front office. Please sign up as soon as possible.
Please review Collaboration: Domain 4.4 of the Teacher Evaluation Rubric below.
Positive Behavior Support – PBS Updates
The Behavior Tracking Forms are for minor infractions. If a major infraction occurs, please fill out a disciplinary referral and do not mark through any of the steps (1st offense, 2nd offense, etc.) on the Behavior Tracking Form.
Let's work together and take every opportunity or use each teachable moment to encourage positive behavior.
Professional Development Updates
12:45-1:45
Topic: Edivate & Baseline Edge (Review how to upload agendas, data, etc.)
Where: Media Center
Materials: Laptop, paper, pencil/pen
1:45-3:10
Topic: PLC meeting for March
Where: TBD by PLC Facilitator
Assignment: Upload agenda and artifacts on Edivate
- ESOL Requirements: (Elementary) A teacher out of field in only ESOL shall complete at least three (3) semester hours of college credit or the equivalent inservice toward the ESOL requirements within the first two (2) calendar years from date of initial assignment to a class with limited English proficient (LEP) students and three (3) semester hours or the equivalent inservice during each calendar year thereafter until all requirements for certification in ESOL are completed. (Secondary) Any teachers teaching math, science, social studies or computer literacy assigned to instruct limited English proficient students shall complete at least sixty points of inservice training or 3 semester hours of college credit by September 15th the following year. Please Note: It is recommended to work toward your ESOL requirements due to an increase in our Hispanic student population.
- Please make sure you have all continuing education points required for the renewal of your teaching certificate if your teaching certificate is up for renewal this school year.
- There will be a school visit this year for the district level to check PD notebooks.
Important Information
- Cell Phone Usage in the Classroom: It is imperative ALL teachers adhere to the following classroom procedures regarding cell phone usage in the classroom. All cell phones are to be off and out of sight in the classroom unless they are being used for educational purposes and this should be reflected in written lesson plans. This includes listening to music with earphones. Classroom Disciplinary Procedures regarding cell phones: Record the infraction on the Behavior Tracking Form in the Student Planner and take the phone up. The phone should be sent to the office and parents will be contacted. It is imperative we all have the same expectations regarding cell phone usage in the classroom.
- BRAG Parent Meetings: Fill out a TDE Form and attach a copy of the Outlook Calendar
- Need: Please write a letter if you are willing to volunteer to teach a 6th period in the event there is a student scheduling need for the 2017-2018 school year. Please place your voluntary statements in my box by April 14, 2017.
- Permission for students to visit another classroom: Students are NOT allowed to leave your classroom unless you have received a note or some form of communication from the teacher you are giving your student permission to visit.
- Passes: If you give verbal permission for students to go to the bathroom before the tardy bell, please ask them to take a pass.
- Substitutes: Please use only the CURRENT and APPROVED Substitute List if you choose to obtain your own substitutes.
- Passwords: Please do NOT give out your passwords to anyone.
- Absences: Any time you are going to be out, please contact Ms. Cain, Ms. Neale, or Mr. Jackson.
Calendar Additions:
March 7: SIT Meeting in the Media Center
March 9: 2nd Pd. - Prom Meeting for 11th & 12th Grade Students, End of 3rd Nine Weeks, Early Release Day (Even periods - 2nd, 4th, 6th, & 7th), Professional Development (See PD Schedule)
March 10: Teacher Work Day
March 13-17: Spring Break!!! ENJOY!!!
March 15-25: Senior Trip
March 22: 3-5 Awards Day @ 1:30 in Auditorium
March 24: Report Cards go home, BRAG - 3rd Period
March 27: PTO Meeting in Media Center @ 6:00
March 28: Faculty Meeting
ASSESSMENTS: Please review the assessment calendar
NOTE: If there are any changes or additions, please contact the front office.