EAGLE MOUNTAIN NEWS & NOTES #30
April 4, 2016
EAGLE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY
Email: bmclain@ems-isd.net
Twitter: @bmacEME
REAL QUICK:
THANK YOU all so very very much for a smooth week of testing last week! You did a terrific job of actively monitoring & are to be commended for the way you handled all testing. KUDOS to Kelli for the extra time & attention she put into organizing the testing – she went above & beyond as she always does - Thank you Kelli!
We had an unpleasant & unusual stomach bug hit about 14 of our teachers last week. Beth & Toni sanitized & disinfected the entire building over the weekend. We hope everyone is feeling much better now!
I wanted to let you know that the T-TESS training I attended week before last was very interesting & beneficial. The new teacher appraisal system is about growth for everyone. It’s based on a growth model with improving instruction & communication as the main goals. I am anxious to get to share more details with you, but here are a few of the major changes:
· Both a Pre-Conference & a Post Conference are required. (This is something you’re already used to, so will not be a big change for you!)
· Your observation & self-assessment will count for 80% of the evaluation while your student growth results will count for 20%.
· There are four domains: 1) Planning, 2) Instruction, 3) Learning Environment, &
4) Professional Practices & Responsibilities
· There are five Performance levels or Dimensions & those are: 1) Distinguished,
2) Accomplished, 3) Proficient, 4) Developing, & 5) Improvement Needed
· Principals will train their teachers in the fall.
I’ve included a little more Love & Logic information for you as I think it’s powerful stuff that truly works & helps us connect with kids.
We’re back in the news again for our work with the Liink project! I’ve included a link to an article that was in Education Week last week & one that was in the “District Administration” magazine where we were featured in their March issue…both features are well written, & I thought you would enjoy reading them:
http://www.districtadministration.com/article/texas-schools-test-brain-benefits-recess
Here is the link to the digital edition, where you can see it in the same layout as the print magazine:
http://www.nxtbook.com/pmg/DA/DA_0316/index.php
Finally, I hope you enjoyed hearing Rick Rigsby last week as much as I did. I personally think he’s one of the best speakers we’ve had all year! KEEP STANDING…MAKE AN IMPACT…not an IMPRESSION…powerful stuff! You’ll see that I included a few of his AMEN statements in our Bulletin. I really do appreciate the positive feedback regarding his visit.
RICK RIGSBY’s AMEN STATEMENTS:
· Make an IMPACT…not just an impression.
· Everybody communicates but only a few people connect.
· Some people think capacity is contingent upon how much you make. Capacity is based on your priorities.
· We live in a society where less & less is being demanded more & more.
· If you want to make an IMPACT, you’ve got to work for it.
· It’s better to aim high & miss, than to aim low & hit.
· VISION is the ability to see the invisible.
· Students will emulate your behavior whether you like it or not.
· How do you grow your influence? When you don’t judge.
· It’s better to be an hour early than a minute late.
· Leadership is influencing others, nothing more, nothing less.
· When common people do common things in uncommon ways, the world stops.
· Take young people where they will not go on their own.
· EGO is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.
· Everything you do needs a signature of excellence.
· Just KEEP STANDING!
· Make an IMPACT!
Important Information this week!
· Our last round of CLUBS resumes again on Friday. Many thanks to Angela Cathey for helping kids get signed up.
· Our Team leaders will meet this Wednesday. If you have anything you’d like added to the agenda I need it by tomorrow please.
· Second grade begins their “Wreaths across America” project. See Pam or Candice for details.
· Here are some important upcoming dates that you need to have:
· Thursday, April 14….Teacher Self Report Sections II and III due; End of Teacher Observation window
· Friday, April 29…Summative Annual Report to Teacher
· Friday, May 6…Begin Summative Conference window
· Friday, May 13…End of Summative Conference window (FINAL Date)
· I should have your April calendar to you this afternoon.
· Hang in there – there are only 42 more school days left!
WORDS OF THE WEEK
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VOCAB IS IN THIS SMORE
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE:
Monday – PTA Board meeting – 8:45, PLC’s meet, Bryan & Kelli to meet with PTA reps, Bryan teaches in 4th grade, Teacher of the Year Committee meets after school to finish reviewing nominations
Tuesday – UIL competition after school at Comanche Springs - 4:45, Interviews for open positions for next year will take place after school this afternoon
Wednesday – Brief Faculty meeting – First Financial needs to meet with us for about 20 minutes – the Team Leader meeting will follow – 3PM (First Financial) 3:30 – Team Leader meeting - I need everyone in the faculty meeting please.
Thursday – Fire Drill – Time TBA, Eagles of Character Celebration – 1:15
Friday – Beckett Willis serves as Principal for the day, Vocabulary Store Open, Clubs – Eagle Mountain University – 1:45, Watch-Dog Movie Night – 7PM,
FINAL QUOTES FROM LOVE & LOGIC:
The Importance of Relationship
· The closer we feel to another person, the more devastated we feel when we do something they disapprove of.
· When relationships are damaged, even the very best techniques fail.
· Loving relationships give consequences their power.
· At least once a day notice something special about your students.
· Remove any hint of sarcasm.
· Love them even when they’re behaving not so lovable.
· Neutralize arguing.
· Every time we tell a stubborn person what to do, they don’t comply, & we find ourselves at a loss for what to do, they learn that our words are meaningless.
· Never tell a stubborn child (or spouse) what to do. Describe what you’re willing to do or allow instead.
· Kids who never have the freedom to make poor choices never develop the skills to make good ones.
NOTEABLE QUOTABLES:
“When looking at school improvement, it is the change in adult behavior that is the leading indicator.”
-Sean Cain & Mike Laird
SHOUT OUTS!
· THANK YOU to the entire staff for their help with STAAR testing last week! Ya’ll did a magnificent job!
· I appreciate the Teacher of the Year Committee meeting for several HOURS to score Teacher of the Year nominations. Thanks for giving of your time!
· We appreciate the fifth grade team for hosting the Faculty luncheon on Thursday!
· Thumbs up to Beth Welch who does an incredible job of analyzing her benchmark data! Beth knows her data - & uses it to drive instruction!
· Beth Carpenter & Toni both deserve a standing ovation for going above & beyond again in sanitizing the building AGAIN over the weekend to ensure that it is squeaky clean.