Hoot Hoot Herald
February 8-12, 2016
February = Busy
There's lots going on this month! You have TELPAS and GT and parent conferences. Not to mention Chinese New Year,Black History month,Random Acts of Kindness week and Valetine's Day! Take care of yourself during this busy, busy time.
Benchmarks will be happening on Tuesday and Wednesday. This will not impact non-testing grades. Recess, lunch, and specials will remain the same.
Please be sure to contact Ms. Hill in order to sign up for the TELPAS calibration.
Welcome Monique Wright as partime clerk in the main office!
Thanks for updating the bulletin boards and for decorating our hallways with student work. It's fun to see the many learning projects!
Do your students want to come on stage during the assembly this month to talk about Random Acts of Kindess, Chinese New Year, and / or Black History Month? Let me know!
Have a great weekend!
Benchmarks
Next Tuesday and Wednesday (February 9th and 10th) will be benchmark testing days.
Tues. 2/9
4th Writing
5th Math
Wed. 2/10
5th Reading
Based on the feedback from team leaders, we will follow our regular specials, lunch, and recess schedules, with the exception of 4th grade recess on Tuesday (we will try to find a time in the afternoon for 4th grade to have recess since they will be testing in the morning). Please refrain from using the blacktop during testing time on these two days. PE will need to double-up inside the gym while students are testing. Please take note of the following additional information:
- Teachers can pick-up benchmark tests in my office on Monday.
- Please count your test booklets to ensure you have enough for your class.
- Students will have up to three hours to complete all benchmark tests with the EXCEPTION OF 4th Grade Writing.
- 4th grade students will have up to four hours to complete the multiple choice questions AND complete the expository essay.
- If your students have supplemental aids (math aids, graphic organizers, manipulatives) as one of their accommodations, please make sure they have those with them if they are testing in a small group.
- Remember that we will have small groups of students testing all around campus. As you know, the district recommends no specials on these days but we realize how important it is for you and your students to have this time. Please help us by reminding your students to be very quiet while in the halls.
Any questions, please see Alicia or Vickie.
Teacher Treats for Spring Party
Suggestions for teacher treat auction items would be a treat for a child with possibly one or two friends for a special event or time with you. Historically, the prizes that offer a party for the entire class do not go as well. If two teachers want to join together for a treat, that works too!
The deadline for submitting a teacher treat is Friday, February 26. The PTA contact for submissions is Emily Malek. Please contact her with your submissions (or fill out form and submit to office- extra forms are on the tables in the teacher lounge) or any questions at eberchmalek@yahoo.com or at 512-699-0023 (cell).
Counselor's corner- Random Acts of Kindness Week is coming!
"Doss Blooms with Kindness"
RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) Week is Feb. 16-19
- Various activities during that week (more details to come):
- Kindness Tree in atrium
- Various Kindness lessons will be available for teachers to do with students
Valentine's Parties
All Parties will be on Friday, February 12 and are located in your classrooms.
Kinder: 2-2:45pm
First: 2-2:45pm
Second: 1:30-2:15pm
Third: 2:15-3pm
Fourth: 1:15-2pm, all classes EXCEPT Jones/Gustafson, which will be 2-2:50pm.
Fifth: 1:45-2:45
3-5th ORAL READING FLUENCY DATA ENTRY DEADLINE IS FEB. 12th- Last Call
All data must be entered into ATVS.
Directions for entering data into ATVS for ORF: To find ATVS log onto the cloud and type ATVS into the search window. Click on the ATVS icon and then click on the tab on the top that says PRA/ORF. Once you click on PRA/ORF you will see a smaller tab underneath that says ORF. Click on this tab and your class and data entry screen should show up. For Comprehension enter 0 for incorrect and 1 for correct.
Please contact Ms. Thomas with any questions. Thanks!
The PTA needs YOU
If you haven't already joined the PTA, please consider doing so. You can now sign up online at www.dosspta.org, using the all in one form- it no longer requires you to enter in your children registered at Doss, so it is easier to sign up now for teachers and staff.
Computer Lab News
Computer Lab News
The lab will closed for Benchmarks on Feb. 9-10. Sometimes the lab opens after lunch on Benchmark days so afternoon classes should check to see if the lab is open.
The President just announced a new education program call “Computer Science for All”. He is proposing $4 billion in funding and additional support for training teachers to bring computer science to K-12 students. You can see the short video at: https://twitter.com/usedgov/status/693419335298224128.
The new tablets and Chromebooks will use Google Docs instead of Microsoft Word for word processing. This week I would like you to see if you can get to Google Docs.
- Log into the AISD Cloud with your user account.
- Click on the search triangle in the top left corner of your cloud page.
- Type in google and click on “Google Apps”. This should take you to the Google Docs home page.
You should now see be able to explore and learn more about Google Docs! The menu button is the 3 horizontal lines in the top left corner. If you search for the word Doss, you should be able to see some documents I have posted to share. Call me if you have problems -James
End of the Year Parties
June 1st:
1:45 - Kinder on the blacktop
1:45 - 2nd grade in the library and at the amphitheater
2:00 - 3rd grade outside near the 3rd grade portables
June 2nd:
1:30 - 4th grade iin the library, amphitheater, and outside around 3rd grade portables
1:45 - 1st Grade on the black top
5th to westover
Library Schedule
Feb. 8-12
(K & 1 check out only)
Monday, February 8
8:15 Sprague (K)
8:30 Plaisance
9:00 Francis
10:00 Sheridan
10:05 Evans
10:20 Elbrecht
10:30 Warner
11:00 Hodges
11:45 Sprague (1)
1:45 Stover
Tuesday, February 9
(Library Closed in the morning for testing)
1:15 Bones
2:30 Hughes
Wednesday, February 10
8:30 G
9:00 Means
10:00 Singerman
10:15 Mowry
11:30 Carroll
12:00 Truesdale
1:00 Hayes
1:30 Baehr
2:30 Hawkins
Thursday, February 11
8:10 Folts
8:25 Raup
9:00 Smith
10:00 Stone
10:15 Hall
12:30 Wiley
1:00 Eddleton
1:30 Lauck
2:15 Daly
2:35 Keys
Friday, February 12
10:00 Collins
10:15 Vrba
1:00 Hello
2:30 Cardwell
Calendar
Monday, February 8
Team Leads Meeting, library, 3:15
Tuesday, February 9
Benchmark testing (see note above)
Wednesday, February 10
Benchmark testing (see note above)
CIZE workout with Vangie Gardner 3:30, her music room
4-6pm-Staff Happy Hour at Jack Allen on 360
4th grade- Chemistry with Dr. B- cafeteria- 8-9am
Thursday, February 11
Kinder field trip, Blanton museum 9:15- 12:30
Friday, February 12
Valentines Day Parties, all grades, see list above
Monday, February 15
Conference Day, No school for students
Tuesday, February 16
Wednesday, February 17
CIZE workout with Vangie Gardner, 3:30, her music room
Family Fun Fitness Night, 5-6
Thursday, February 18
1st grade field trip, Dr. Buckman, 10am-11:30am
Friday, February 19
Bluebonnet breakfast, Library
Computer Lab
Computer Lab Schedule
February 8-12
Monday
8:15 Soong (1)
9:45 Hodges
11:15 Sheridan
12:00 Mowry
12:45 Wiley
1:30 Hello
2:15 Evans
Tuesday
Closed for Benchmarks
Wednesday
Closed for Benchmarks
Thursday
Closed for Benchmarks
Friday
8:15 Gustafson
9:45 Folts
10:30 Elbrecht
11:15 Stone
12:00 Truesdale
12:45 Lauck
1:30 Hayes
2:15 Hawkins