Aurora Frontier P-8 Staff Bulletin
January 4, 2016
Aurora Frontier P-8
Email: caroberts@aps.k12.co.us
Website: http://frontier.aurorak12.org/
Location: 3200 Jericho Way, Centennial, CO, United States
Phone: 303-693-1995
What is happening at Frontier:
- 1/4-Staff Meeting, 2:45-3:45-Media Center Canceled- will be moved to Jan 25th
- 1/6 Weds. PD starts at 7:30 in the Media Center
- 1/7-EELT, 2:45-4:15-Conference Room
- 1/7-PBiS, 2:45-3:15
- 1/8-Christina Whitted's Birthday!
Weekly Student Announcements are available at http://frontier.aurorak12.org/school-info/weekly-school-announcements/
Next Week:
- 1/11-Building Council, 2:45-3:45
- 1/13-Amy Bradac's Birthday
- 1/14-Fourth Grade Field Trip to Young Ameritowne, 9:00-2:00
- 1/16-Jennifer Handy's Birthday
Cari's Corner
As I reflected on how the first half of the year went, I thought about all the great events, student success and what a wonderful group of people I have the privilege to work alongside.
In the spirit of New Years resolutions, I thought I would share mine with you.
Show those around me how special they are and give that positive feedback at every opportunity ,Smile remembering not to sweat the small stuff
and finally be grateful for all that I have been given!
Please know that you all are wonderful, talented people who make a difference in our students lives. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication.
Happy New year!
Cari
WOW we have some wonderful students
Building Council Notes
You will need to log into your google account to view the notes.
Athletics
** We are in need of one more worker for Volleyball games. Contact Ron or Tom**
Girls Volleyball Schedule:
1/5- Frontier vs. Quest
- 7th Grade at Frontier
- 8th Grade at Quest
1/9-A and B Teams Quarter/Semifinals
1/16-A, B, and C Team Championships
If you need CPR please let Thomas know.
If you are helping with supervision at a volleyball game, fill out a time card and give it to Lauren. Please make sure that you include a copy of your agreement for services with your time card.
- If you are interested in coaching boys basketball please let Ron or Thomas know ASAP
Professional Learning
11/6 Late Start Wednesday
We will start as a whole staff in the media center, and then we will break out into content groups.
K-3 lit
4-8 literacy
4-8 math
4-8 social studies
4-8 science
The beginning of the semester is a great time to recharge your passion for teaching.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/20266267051059948/
Great Teachers Don't Teach - What?
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/great-teachers-do-not-teach-ben-johnson
Interesting reading about teaching non-fiction
Nonfiction Reading Improved but Still Short of College Readiness Levels
Read news 12-3-15 edition
Staff Announcements
Congratulations to Gwynn and team, their application to present at ISTE was approved. Way to go!
https://www.facebook.com/FabSchoolLabs
Congratulations to our Fab lab committee as we have been chosen as one of the winners and will receive the $100,000 grant. Nice work, we did it! Over the next few months we will be working with Flinn Scientific to make our lab happen in 2016. Please congratulate the team who helped with this grant. ( Gywnn,Meagan, Amy Rogers, Linda, Amy and Cari)
During the month of January we will completing our midyear conferences, please be sure to come to your meeting with the following:
- SLO progress and growth data
- Midyear professional goals completed in RANDA
- Review any observations and check that you have seen them in RANDA
- We will also review your professional learning rubric as a progress check
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss your instructional practice and what a great job you are doing supporting our student's achievement.
Fire code - It's that time to check your spaces
We can only have 20% of a wall covered and all windows need to be free from any posters. If your walls have more than 20% please take down the extras as we want to stay in compliance with the fire code. This is a great time to put up new student work as it is important for them to see their progress.
In the hallways please use the brown strips and avoid stapling into the walls.
PBIS
Please email Celi the name of one student in you class that you believe is a true asset to Aurora Frontier. Students names are due by Thursday, January 7th.
As a reminder, our next PBiS Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 7th.
Dean's Box
- Duty this week- Megan, Candy, Celi, Sarah,Charmaine, Caleb, C. Whitted, Alice, Erin, DeDe, Natalie, Shelly, Peggy, Pam, and Julie.
- Electronic Think Times
Media/Technology
Infinite Campus Issues-If you are having issues with the drop down menus in IC, here is an easy work around. When you are in a dialog box(a window that has choices in it) use the tab key to select the dropdown box. The box will have a highlight color around it. then use the up or down keys to show the desired choice. Press the Enter key to select the choice. Click OK or use the Tab key to use another dropdown menu in the same window. If you need help please let me know.
Technology-Please have all the chromebooks, laptops, and netbooks in the carts by Thursday afternoon. It doesn't matter if they are in the correct carts or not. I am planning on going through and reorganizing them on Friday. Literacy teachers, please let me know if I need to visit your chromebook carts as well.
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
Student Council is supporting 2 ongoing events: GreenWorks and Say No to Bullying & Drugs Wear Red Days.
The GreenWorks Program is to encourage energy conversation. Our school can earn money by reducing our energy consumption school wide. Student Council has made some reminder notes for your classrooms that will be in your mailboxes. Ways to conserve energy in your classrooms: turn off projectors when not in use, turn lights off when the room is empty, remember to turn off your desktop and laptop computers at night. Student Council members will also be around occasionally doing "audits" as a way to monitor our energy conservation and build their awareness of conservation.
Wear Red to Support No Bullying/No to Drugs December 16, Student Council is sponsoring Wear Red Day. Students will be encouraged to wear red to say No to Bullying and No to Drugs. Kayden from Student Council has a segment in this week's student announcement's to announce this day with more information. Primary teachers I will be contacting you about a Student Council member visiting your classroom to talk with your students this week about December 16.
Equity in Learning Leadership Team
News from the District Leadership
APS Staff:
In October, APS convened a calendar committee to develop options for the 2016-17 Conventional School Calendar. The committee is recommending a draft calendar that is very similar to the one we are currently using, with the following school start and end dates and breaks:
· July 29 – New teachers report to buildings (exchange day)
· Aug. 3 – All teachers report to buildings
· Aug. 8 – First day of school, Grades 6-12
· Aug. 10 – First day of school, Grades 1-5
· Aug. 15 – First day of school, Preschool and Kindergarten
· Oct. 10-14 – Fall recess
· Dec. 19 – Jan. 2 – Winter recess
· March 27 - 31 – Spring recess
· May 25 – Last day of school
The committee is recommending this approach because the calendar worked well for APS staff and families this year and a similar calendar would provide a smooth transition into the next school year. Furthermore, due to enrollment and capacity challenges at several of our schools, the recommendation would allow APS to focus on developing calendar options for 2017-18. This will include a four-track, year-round calendar possibility for some overcrowded schools.
The APS Board of Education will consider the calendar recommendations at its Jan. 5 meeting and likely will make a decision on Jan. 19. A sample of the draft calendar is attached. "Note that many schools in Community L develop their own calendars and will communicate with their communities independently.”
2017-18 Calendar
As a reminder, we will convene a 2017-18 Calendar Committee in January 2016 to develop both conventional and four-track, year-round calendar options and evaluate the logistical aspects of implementing a year-round calendar. The Board has directed staff to develop the year-round calendar option as part of a possible solution to enrollment and capacity challenges at P-8/K-8 schools east of Buckley Road. The year-round calendar would potentially begin in July 2017 at the following schools: Aurora Frontier P-8, Aurora Quest K-8, Clyde Miller P-8, Mosley P-8, Murphy Creek P-8 and Vista PEAK P-8
The 2017-18 Calendar Committee will be comprised of staff and parents from potential candidate schools for the year-round calendar (listed above), key department/division staff and community members. We will be recruiting committee members in January.
Next Steps
I will provide you with an update on the 2016-17 calendar after the Board votes on the recommendation.
Thank you for your support.
Rico Munn
Superintendent
Aurora Public Schools
“My job is to accelerate learning for every APS student, every day. I do my job by making sure we have the right people, doing the right work, with the right resources in the right way. My community needs me to do my job.”
DIVISION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Proposed 2016-17 Conventional Calendar Update
In October, APS convened a calendar committee to develop options for the 2016-17 Conventional School Calendar. The committee is recommending a draft calendar that is very similar to the one we are currently using, with the following school start and end dates and breaks:
July 29 – New teachers report to buildings (exchange day)
Aug. 3 – All teachers report to buildings
Aug. 8 – First day of school, Grades 6-12
Aug. 10 – First day of school, Grades 1-5
Aug. 15 – First day of school, Preschool and Kindergarten
Oct. 10-14 – Fall recess
Dec. 19 – Jan. 2 – Winter recess
March 27 - 31 – Spring recess
May 25 – Last day of school
The committee is recommending this approach because the calendar worked well for APS staff and families this year and a similar calendar would provide a smooth transition into the next school year. Furthermore, due to enrollment and capacity challenges at several of our schools, the recommendation would allow APS to focus on developing calendar options for 2017-18. This will include a four-track, year-round calendar possibility for some overcrowded schools.
The APS Board of Education will consider the calendar recommendations at its Jan. 5 meeting and likely will make a decision on Jan. 19. You may view the draft calendar at http://aurorak12.org/calendar-draft/ . Please note that many schools in Community L develop their own calendars and will communicate with their communities independently.
2017-18 Calendar
As a reminder, we will convene a 2017-18 Calendar Committee in January 2016 to develop both conventional and four-track, year-round calendar options and evaluate the logistical aspects of implementing a year-round calendar. The Board has directed staff to develop the year-round calendar option as part of a possible solution to enrollment and capacity challenges at P-8/K-8 schools east of Buckley Road. The year-round calendar would potentially begin in July 2017 at the following schools: Aurora Frontier P-8, Aurora Quest K-8, Clyde Miller P-8, Mosley P-8, Murphy Creek P-8 and Vista PEAK P-8
The 2017-18 Calendar Committee will be comprised of staff and parents from potential candidate schools for the year-round calendar (listed above), key department/division staff and community members. We will be recruiting committee members in January.
Communication Department
New APSNet Intranet Coming Jan. 4!
As part of our new strategic plan APS 2020: Shaping the Future, we have developed a new APSNet Intranet site built using Google Sites. With the new APSNet, you will be able to easily access the APS Intranet from anywhere using your APS Google login.
To view a draft of the new APSNet Intranet, please visit http://bit.ly/apsnet-preview and log in using your APS Google username and password. If you have questions about using your APS Google login, view this help sheet or contact the IT Service Desk at x28203 or HELPDESK@aps.k12.co.us.
You may also share your feedback about the new APSNet Intranet site at comm@aps.k12.co.us. We look forward to your thoughts as we work together to accelerate learning for every APS student, every day!
APS Website Redesign Coming Jan. 4 ...Take a Look!
As part of our new strategic plan APS 2020: Shaping the Future, we are currently developing a new design for our public website and division and department sites, with an anticipated launch on Jan. 4 after Winter Break..
We’d like you to review our current design work and share your feedback! To view a draft of the new aurorak12.org public website design, please visit http://bit.ly/aps-preview and type in the following login information:
Username: aurorak12
Password: preview
Share your feedback at comm@aps.k12.co.us. We look forward to your thoughts as we work together to accelerate learning for every APS student, every day!