Transition Plus December 16th
Throw kindness around like confetti
Trouble Viewing your Memo?
If you are having trouble with a link - make sure you are using your MPS Google Account
Special Ed Update
Postcards
There are postcards we will send to students while they are on break with the intention they will get them on Monday December 30th.
I want ALL staff to get a card and write a message to this student. If you are a support staff please check in with the case manager to ensure someone isn't already sending a note to that student/ family.
If you want to write a note in another language - think of our staff resources in the building.
Let's make sure our students know they have someone who is thinking about them/ cares for them!
There will be two baskets in the front office on the counter where you walk in from the lobby- one with blank cards and one with completed cards.
Please return by Thursday 12/19 so we can get them stamped.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
I will be hosting my annual Holiday party for ALL STAFF this coming Friday, December 20th. We will start around 5pm right after school. We live at International Market Square and the address is 290 Market St. Unit #702. The Lofts entrance is on the North side of the building closest to the parking ramp. There will be a sign with the access code and parking is available in the lot in front of the building. The party will be BYOB and to help out, please consider bringing a dish or appetizer to share. Thanks everyone and I hope to see many of you on Friday!
Collin
Friday December 20th Minute-to-Win-It Games
1:30-3:30pm Cafeteria & Small Kitchen
Come join us for a CBI afternoon of games and activities to kick-off winter break!
Fun, snacks, art, cookie decorating, and more!
S.O.D.A. Strategy
Here S.O.D.A. is not a carbonated drink, but a strategy for gaining control of our emotions when we feel triggered or our buttons have been pushed. S.O.D.A. is an acronym for Stop. Observe. Detach. an Awaken. The strategy is based on neuroscience findings that tell us that if we are able to put as little as 10 seconds in-between the time we get triggered and our reaction, we can preempt an amygdala hijack and avoid responding negatively. Here is a visual overview for you.
New class offering 2nd semester: Garage Band (SEL through Music) Tues/Thurs 5th hr in the music room. Students who are looking for a project-based learning experience in music performance careers, group music-making, and developing ones music expressive skills would be perfect candidates for this class!
This is not just a “get the band together for rehearsal class”! This class will focus on using music to share a message, music used for self-expression, and explore the necessary steps one must do and consider for live music jobs in our Minneapolis community. Local musicians from our community will be invited to play with the band and share their story.
The Step Up on-line application is now open. Students must also apply for Step Up if they are interested in Minnesota Trades Academy.
The deadline is Feb 10. See a work coordinator with questions.
Staff Reminders
PAYROLL
- Due to winter break, I am asking that ESS time for Dec. 9-20 be entered by 4:10 on WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18. I want to be sure everyone gets paid without interruption and I need time to notify you if there are mistakes. Time will not be approved over winter break. You will need to ensure you meet this deadline and you have accurately recorded your time. ---------------------------Thank you, Traci
- ESP Staff - Be sure to check your transcript in Ecompass to see if your 4 hour CPI refresher is due on 6/30/2019. January 17th is the only opportunity for you to do the 4 hour refresher this year. Classes are filling up fast, so you should register as soon as possible. There will be no PD opportunities in June as your last duty day is the same as the student's.
If you don't do the 4 hour refresher on January 17th, you will need to take the 8 hour course in August.
Timeliness
- As the weather continues to change please keep in mind your start time - Plan accordingly.
AESOP for Licensed Staff
- If you enter an absence on AESOP, please remember your end time is 4:30 (1.0 FTE staff). This applies whether you need a sub or not.
Sub Plans
- If you are emailing your sub plans to another staff member, please be sure to include Traci. I get here at 8:00 and I can have them printed and ready for the sub when they check in. Also, the person you sent the email to, could be absent, so this is a good back-up to ensure the sub gets the plan.
Copier in Scan Lab
- If the copier is down, please report it to Traci and put a note on the copier that you did so, with the date. I don't monitor that machine, so I need to rely on people to let me know. I was told last Thursday, that it has been down for about a month.
Welcome Muna - new SEA in Collin's room
Here is a little bit about our newest staff member:
ALSO...
Kathy Foer-Aboud is our new Due Process Clerk. Please say hello to her!
Goodbye and good luck to Jessica Thao our previous Due Process Clerk who is now at South High School.
Counselor Corner
Course selection sheets for Semester 2 will be in your mailboxes by Monday, December 16th. Please look over each student's selections to ensure that they are a) the appropriate level class (you can access the Course Guide for descriptions here), b) IEP-goal driven, and c) not duplicate classes (unless approved by case manager). Course selection sheets will be due to Rachel Prince by Monday, January 13th, 2020.
Some changes and additions to note:
- EL classes will be offered daily Monday-Thursday.
- Accuplacer Math Prep: new class for students preparing for Post-Secondary. Must have received at least a 38 (Classic) or 210 (NextGen) on the Accuplacer Reading. Will be focusing on high school level math skills.
- Additional Trades Exploration offerings + new Trades Exploration 2, for students who have taken Trades Exploration 1.
- Habits, Community, & Culture: new class focusing on circles, social-emotional learning, engagement; intended for students who are independent.
- Street Law: now offered for Spring
- Additional sections of TABE Prep (5th hour MW & TR) & Consumer Math 2 (4th hour MW)
- Personal Mobility is now one section, for two hours. Intended for Project Search candidates + students who were in Personal Mobility first semester.
- Additional section of Art Exploration (3rd hour, MW & TR). 5th period Art will be reserved for Team 1 students only. Art will now be held in Room 204.
- Career Awareness 2: 2nd hour, TR; intended for Project Search candidates and students who have taken Career Awareness 1.
- SEL through Music: Garage Band: new course focusing on the creation and production of music through Garage Band, 5th hour TR.
- Reading for Life 2, Book Club: now offered for Spring, 1st and 2nd hour, TR.
- Library Literacy/Services: New course focusing on
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Final Call on 5E Survey
The 5E survey is a comprehensive diagnostic tool based on more than 20 years of research. The 5E assesses school’s strengths and weaknesses in 5 key areas: effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environment, and ambitious instruction. Schools use this information for planning, reflection, and continuous improvement, and MPS uses this information for accountability purposes and principal evaluation. The survey is electronically administered to students in grades 5-12 , and all school staff on teacher contracts must complete this assessment.
Below is the link for the students to submit their feedback.
Students will need to enter their student ID and birth date to take the survey. The survey window is open from November 20th-December 20th.
Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/minneapolis/survey/student/
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Accuplacer Testing: Tuesday, December 17th~ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hour in AE Testing Lab
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Ugly Sweater Day!
Let your students know they can wear their ugly sweater this Thursday.
Lunch is on Us
We want to thank you for all you do- Lunch will be set up between 10:30 - 2 for all!
Coming Up at TPlus
Tuesday--------------- PDP -------------------------- 8:30-9:00
----------------------------------------------------------------Team 1 - Jeremiah's Room
----------------------------------------------------------------Team 2/3- Small Kitchen
Wednesday----------
Thursday-------------- Ugly Sweater Day!
Friday------------------- PSWE ______________ 8:30-9:15
------------------------------ Lunch----------------------- 10:30-2
----------------------------- ESP Mtg ------------------- Cancelled
Third Friday of the Month-------Newsletter Submissions for Families