Bear Tracks
September 23, 2016
A Note From the Principal:
Congratulations on another great week. We have a lot going on already, but we are doing really good things and doing a lot to engage our students with authentic activities and tasks. Please read the information below. You'll notice a trend of items that we have discussed or that worked well last year, being enhanced or streamlined. Your hard work over the last year has paid off and is continuing to make a huge difference for our students.
We are in an exciting time, with new resources to help us reach all of our students, the ones who struggle the most as well as the ones who excel. The sky is truly the limit for this year and we are off and running. It is critical that we lean on each other and motivate one another when things get tough and we get tired. This can look different at different times, but can be as simple as giving a compliment, sharing an idea or simply listening to a friend.
I had a great conversation today about how there is no one blueprint for one "great" teacher at BT or anywhere. We all bring different skills and talents to the table and we all have our unique skills and interests. Everyone has things to improve upon, but more importantly, things to offer the group. Celebrate what makes you unique and don't be afraid to be passionate about building upon your strengths. Let's continue to build something really special.
Happy Friday!
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
School Beliefs and Expectations - Today is the day! The beliefs and expectations will be ratified and unveiled. Class reps will be called down to Britt's room after announcements to finalize. I'll share during the day today.
PARCC scores - I'll be emailing current year's students and last year's students scores by grade level today. I don't have breakdowns by class, just whole grade, but I'll distribute electronically today. Let me know if you have any questions or need anything specific.
Community Service / Spirit Day Plan (important) - Please CLICK HERE to see an important memo regarding the fall and winter plans to participate in structured and streamlined service opportunities designed by grade level. We'll have school-wide Spirit Days in many cases to support the efforts of individual grade levels We'll culminate on Jan. 13 with a Day of Service, kicked off by Reverend Caldwell and facilitated with the help of Christine's Hope, a local organization that supports a large number of local organizations and charities. It will be pretty powerful. Let me know if you have any questions.
PROJECT DEMOCRACY - It is really happening - We are going to have a name for our mascot! We had 14 great submissions, and narrowed them down to 4. Please see the 'ballot' by CLICKING HERE. We will know after the referendum vote on 9/27 the name of our furry friend.
SLOW CHAT Starts Monday - Last chance to submit ideas for our new, weekly 'slow chat.' We'll use the hashtag "#BTSlowChat" and pose a question surrounding a different topic each week starting Monday. The intent is to gain all of the positive benefits of a Twitter chat, but have the option of responding whenever you want and of collecting thoughts and resources before responding. It will be a fun and safe way to learn and share. We'll start with just our building and decide if we want to eventually expand to the rest of the district and maybe beyond. Let's start small, though. Submit ideas/requests for topics HERE.
Positive Student Referrals & BEARing Witness Nominations - Both located in office. Please recognize kids and colleagues - for the big things and the little successes and random kindnesses!
Upcoming Dates:
9/27 - Girls on the Run & Let Me Run 3:45 pm
9/27 - AXA in lunchroom
9/28 - Valic in lunchroom
9/28 - Garden/ Outdoor Classroom Mtg 6-7 pm
9/28 - PTO Mtg 7 pm
9/29 - Girls on the Run & Let Me Run
9/29 - POSTPONED!!!! - NO Comprehensive TIP Mtg (grades K-2) 8:30 am - 12 pm
9/30 - Reader's Breakfast
9/30 - Pajama Day
9/30 - Movie Night ("Lego Brickumentary" being shown w/ Lego Lounge in Loby)
9/30 - Comprehensive TIP Mtg (grades 3-5) 12 - 3:30 pm
WEEK of RESPECT 10/4 - 10/7 (see page on Google Site for Schedule & Resources)
10/3 - No School
10/4 - Kindergarten - Windsor Farms (9:45 am - 1 pm)
10/4 - Girls on the Run/Let Me Run
10/5 - School Pictures!
10/6 - Pictures / Girls on the Run / Let Me Run / Soccer Shots / TGA Tennis
10/7 - Den Groups! (Wear BT shirts) Culmination of Week of Respect. More info to come.