Founders Weekly
November 13th to 16th
Shout out!
So many great things happened this week! I want to recognize a few:
- Mr. Mahmud for cleaning the microwave in the staff lounge!
- Cassidy for helping with report cards, bus duty, and crisis management!
Center for Leadership for Educational Equity Survey
Please take 5-10 minutes to take this anonymous survey by Friday. We are working with CLEE to strengthen our learning community to impact student learning and are seeking to collect perspectives of all employees to guide this work.
Staff Town Meeting-Tuesday 11/13 at 7:15am 4009
Join us for a special town meeting to address our current needs and offer tools to staff.
Welcome to Karen Fine!
In response to our growing need, Karen will be joining our team as a building sub and lunch supervisor. Karen has years of experience as a special educator and has recently retired. She and Stacey worked together in the past. She is going to be with us daily to assist with lunch supervision, support disregulated students, and cover classes when needed. We are so lucky to have her!
Interviews
We will be interviewing social workers tomorrow from 10 to 12. If you would like to join we can get you coverage.
Town Meeting
The weather will not hold forever. I need some volunteers to present grade level town-meetings when we are separate. We also may add some advisory time. Mike found a space but the walk makes it inappropriate for a weekly visit so we would probably go monthly.
Also, I am going to ask that we pre-teach the rules for our outdoor games. I will get you the game a day in advance. We can take a few minutes to teach small groups before we go out.
IEPs, 504s, and Other Needs
It's important to know and follow each child's IEP or 504 plan. These plans are important to both the child's success and in helping adults be successful working with them. We also have a number of students with no plans that have great needs. There is no one size fits all plan on how to manage all of this. It is a collaborative effort that often requires trial an error. It's important to remember, there is so much underneath the surface that we don't know that is playing a factor in their behavior. It is delicate and challenging work.
8th Grade Breakthroughs
We had some breakthroughs with 8th graders on Friday. This is a tumultuous and emotional process. We are developing relationships and exposing challenges with peers, outside issues, and more. This may be messy work but it will pay great dividends in the end when we have created an inclusive, supportive culture for all.
PSAT 8/9
Robin offered an opportunity for our 8th graders to take the PSAT 8/9 at Beacon on January 23rd. This is a great opportunity for our students to practice testing and to feel they are a part of the Beacon community.
Pineapple Chart
The Pineapple Chart is here! Please note anything your colleagues might like to see! This is a great way to observe, grow, and build our professional community!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences are Thursday!
IDEA Block Revision
I would really like to create a balance where all students receive intervention and enrichment. I am interested in gathering staff and students together to look at a restructuring that will meet the requirements of MTSS but also not leave those constantly in intervention feeling frustrated and jealous.
NEW Founders Hub & Team Notes
All department and grade level meetings notes should be posted on our new Founders Hub Please join with the classroom code: c6dokb. This will be a home for any information to be shared with Founders Staff.
Town Meeting and Flash Announcements
Click this button to put in your announcements for TM & Flash next week. We are looking for teachers to shout out some student success! This could be academic, social or anything you noticed that we would like to see more of in our community!
Upcoming dates:
Parent Teacher Conferences Thursday 11/15 1:30 to 2:45 and 5 to 7
Hunger Banquet at Millspace hosted by Mr. Mahmud Monday 11/19 4pm to 6pm
Thanksgiving Break Thursday and Friday 11/22 and 11/23
Culinary Arts Night Tuesday 11/27 Time TBD
NPIN Team out for Seminar Wednesday and Thursday 11/28 and 11/29