Trantwood Times
"For the Love of Learning!"
Our role is to empower students to see themselves as innovators who take responsibility for their own learning and leading. George Couros
September is...
National Library Card Sign-up Month
September 25 - 29, 2017
Monday, September 25
- LAM OTB
Tuesday, September 26
- Brief faculty meeting, library, 3 - 3:15
- Global Goals Committee Meeting, Library, 3 - 4
- Discipline Committee Meeting, Library, 3 - 4
- SCA Office Meeting, 2:50 - 3:30
Wednesday, September 27
- Recorder Club, 2:40 - 4:00
Thursday, September 28
- Mr. Softee - yea - we love Ice Cream!
- Spanish Immersion Collaboration, 4 - 6 pm
Friday, September 29
- Jan OTB pm
- SCA Pizza Party for United Way, Cafeteria, 2:50 - 3:30
Saturday, September 30
- Happy Birthday Srta. Dennis
October 2 - 6, 2017
Monday, Oct. 2
- Happy Birthday Julie Ruszala
- Citizen of the Month, cafeteria, 2 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 3
- Mrs. Lewis, OTB, am
- Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Lee OTB mid day
- SCA Officer and Homeroom meeting,
- PTA Board Meeting, Library, 6:30
Wednesday, Oct. 4
- Literacy Learning Walks with Mr. Walker and Teaching and Learning
- Recorder Club, 2:40 - 4:00
Thursday, Oct. 5
- Green Cardinals, 2:40 - 4:00
Friday, Oct. 6
- Mrs. Martinette, OTB am
Responsive Classrooms
Morning Meeting is off to a great start and a fantastic way to ease into the day. Thank you for welcoming students into your classroom and building safe learning environments at the beginning of every day. Here are some other awesome morning meeting ideas: https://mnliteracy.org/sites/default/files/gamesactivitiesbook_0.pdf
Click here for other Responsive Classrooms resources
Global Goals
How does our teaching contribute to making the world a better place?
30 minute Learning Plan for the World's Largest Global Lesson http://cdn.worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/2017/07/1_Introducing_30_Lesson_Plan-copy.pdf
A Starter Toolkit to inspire our students to make a difference: http://cdn.worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/2016/07/Roots-Shoots-Canada-Toolkit.pdf
Talent Ed Update
Due dates for Talent Ed:
Professional Goals: November 1, 2017
Mid Year Goals: February 9, 2018
Formative Option Reflection: Anytime before May 1, 2018
End of Year Goals: June 5, 2018
Note: If choosing the DRA as one of your professional growth goals, the DRA's will need to be administered and scored prior to June 5, 2018.
Virginia Beach Reading Council (VBRC)
Please join VBRC $30.00
Membership Link: https://www.vsra.org
On the home page click where it says It’s time to join VSRA! As an added bonus, the school will pay the registration fee for the VBRC conference in November for all Trantwood members of the VSRA.
Let Jan know after you have joined.
In our thoughts and prayers...
Ms. Haebler's mother
Mrs. Goffigan's mother
Progress Reports
Where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe we are already finishing up the 3rd week of school! For those of you who like to plan ahead (that’s me!) here’s the 1st timeline reminder regarding progress reports.
Progress reports must be issued to those in academic need to grades 1-5; however, if you wish them emailed to your entire class you may do that as well! Academic need is defined by the grade book guidelines as receiving an 'N" or a "DP"
Oct 5th – Specialists must have grades entered by 5pm
Oct 6th - Homeroom teachers must have grades entered by 5pm
Oct 7th – Email Ms. McCoy a list of which students of who should receive a Progress Report
Oct 10th –Progress Reports emailed home
Developing Positive Teacher-Student Relations
Over the past few weeks, I have seen several posts on social media that share the theme of this message: Students are wondering if their teacher will like them. Lets leave them no doubt.
To reflect on this, here are some great questions to consider: What intentional practice/structures have you implemented that help you ensure all students feel a positive connection with you? What special moment resonates with you from your first two weeks building relationships with your students?
You know, we all want to feel cared for and valued by the significant people in our world. Students are no different. This knowledge is a powerful tool in the arsenal available to you as you form your classroom discipline plan. As a classroom teacher, you wield a great deal of power over your students simply due to the fact that you control their destiny for up to six and a half hours each day, five days a week. When students feel that you value and care for them as individuals, they are more willing to comply with your wishes.
Think about it for just a minute. Aren't you more apt to go out of your way to please a someone who you feel values you as an individual and treats you with dignity and respect, rather than a person who communicates a lack of respect for you? When someone asks about your family, gives you “slack” when there is a personal emergency, or praises you for work well done, don't you develop feelings of regard for this person and want to do your best to please him or her? (The first five people who email me, letting me know they have read this statement will get a “Jeans Day.”) Students (and parents) have the same feelings. So it makes sense that developing positive teacher-student relations is one of the most effective steps you can take to establish a positive discipline climate in the classroom. It's critical to remember that when you treat students with respect, they tend to appreciate and like you. When they appreciate and like you, they are more willing to want to please you—which causes them to be more likely to behave appropriately.
This is why it is so important to remember that, when it comes to student behavior, it's far more often the relationship students have with you than it is the rules themselves that encourages students to follow those rules.
snippet from, Educator's Guide to Preventing and Solving Discipline Problems by Mark Boynton and Christine Boynton, included in this issue.
Eaters as Readers and Eaters as Coders are back!
An Attitude of Gratitude Rocks!
~#TeamTrantwood - you are amazing! Thank you so much for graciously giving your time at the end of the day to move Mrs. Phelps' class out and then back in. Please know that I brag about your willingness to help a colleague when in need. LAM
~Kudos to Sue Jerasa for always having materials ready before I even ask. Melissa Spivey
~Kudos to Piron and Gannon for being so flexible. Melissa Spvivey
~Kudos to first grade teachers for having their groups ready for the American Symbols project. Melissa Spivey
~Kudos to Brooke Martinette for helping me out this past week! Melissa Moore
~Kudos to Jan Roewer for meeting with me and helping me out as well! Melissa Moore
~Kudos to Melissa Spivey for her innovations with the morning news. The kids are enjoying the songs! Kathy Dungan
~Kudos to everyone at Trantwood for pulling together as a family and always remembering our main purpose for being here.... the good of all of our students. Kathy Dungan
~A big thank you to Brooke Martinette for helping me with my first Quizziz lesson! The kids loved it, thanks for your support! Lisa Lee
~I would like to say thank you to Brooke for all the technology help, support, and encouragement in using programs that were new to me. She has been very helpful to me as well as the students. We are glad that you are here full time! Kathy Dungan
~To Ashley Francisco for all she does juggling two schools, but is always here with a smile offering help and support to all of us while going over and beyond ensuring that we have everything we need in advance. Kathy Dungan
~I would also like to thank Carolyne for always being "Johnny on the spot" quietly scurrying around behind the scenes to ensure that all technology was up and running smoothly. Kathy Dungan
~I would like to thank Angela Haebler for having the insight and forethought to train reliable fourth grade students to serve as patrols for last Friday afternoon's dismissal, while the fifth graders were away on their field trip to the air show. Because of her advanced planning, all went smoothly, as all students were safely dismissed to their buses even though she had an emergency absence with her mother who had been taken to the hospital. Kathy Dungan
~All of our new office staff deserve kudos as they transition into assuming their new roles as they keep things running smoothly. Kathy Dungan
~Thanks to Jan as we are all enjoying sharing Wilbur's adventures with our children. She also coordinated Sandy Ballard's visit to help us with Achieve 3000. Kathy Dungan
~Kudos also to Courtney Goffigan & Bessie Titsis for having her four year olds set such a good example and show us how to behave and have a "3S" line in the hallway. Way to go! Kathy Dungan
~Kudos to Hannah for setting up the before school tutoring program and trying to get responses back from students so that she can get the program up and running all while being flexible and "running" herself and her students between two different classrooms and organizing "Girls on the Run"! Kathy Dungan
~Kudos to Brooke Martinette for helping my classes be able to (Google) hangout in Spain this week!!! Kristen Dennis
~ Hawley- for always having exactly what we need! - Catie
~Brooke- helping with technology and being there to answer our many many questions!- 5th Grade
~Congratulations to Mr. Riddick for his acceptance into the Leadership and Management Training program. LAM
~Kudos to Mrs. Metzger for joining me for the Virginia Beach Reading Council’s Tea! Dr. Spence thanked all of us for teaching reading and commended those who join the VBRC! Let’s get going on Trantwood’s VBRC membership! Jan
~Michelle Flynn- for all her hard work this year, we know it hasn't been easy! Catie
~Sending appreciation for the great work of our newest staff members, Aaron Woodard and Sean Cohen, for their willingness to jump in and get the job done. It is great to see them both reaching out to build great relationships with our Cardinals. KL
~A special thank you to Berkley Wheeler, Sarah Gannon, and Stephanie Piron for their willingness to advocate for their students and their individual needs. They gave special meaning to the word "educator" this week. KL
~And whatever would we do without Michele Flynn, Meredith Moore, and Amanda Feliciano. They are the trio who not only help us all through hectic days but know how to keep a keen eye on the safety of our students...superheroes without capes! KL
~To Krista Booth for being a true team player. Your enthusiasm is complimented by your hard work. Thank you! KL
~WIth gratitude for Gina Howes and Kim Odom for their support with cafeteria duty until we find a permanent cafeteria monitor. It truly takes a village! KL
~I'd like to thank Berkley Wheeler for turning around to come pick me up Monday morning when my car wouldn't start and Claire Johnson for getting me home. Kim Catt
~Senorita Dennis for having her students’ wonders answered by an expert in Spain via Google Hangouts. Brooke Martinette
~1st grade for braving student logins this early in the year with such limited devices. Brooke Martinette
~Hannah for inspiring her grade level to take on the World’s Largest Lesson. Brooke Martinette
~Lisa for trying Quizizz with 3rd grade. The kiddos loved it. Brooke Martinette
~Teri for tying Menitmeter into her 3rd grade Taba lesson. Brooke Martinette
~All of the wonderful teachers who let me come in for number talks! Ashley Francisco
~A huge thank you to Amanda, Meredith, Barbara Iman and Michele for continuously putting up with my many questions and favors. I am very grateful! Sarah Gannon
~Thank you to Berkley Wheeler and Krista Booth for your guidance in helping me navigate through my day! Sarah Gannon
~Stephanie Piron, you are a lifesaver and I would not be surviving this year without you! Sarah Gannon
The upcycled bus tire gardens continue to thrill and spill!
How to manage impulsivity? Give students choice.
Twinsies and Number Talks - life is good!
It's only the third week of school and we rock when it comes to turn and talk!
Delicious meals provided daily by these happy ladies!
So darn cute!
We love learning together!
Yes, we planned this!
Future Planning
Monday, Oct. 9 - No Students - Staff Professional Development Day
Saturday, Oct. 14 - PTA Breakfast with Dad
LouAnne Metzger, Principal
Email: louanne.metzger@vbschools.com
Website: http://www.trantwoodes.vbschools.com/
Location: 2344 Inlynnview Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-4000
Twitter: @LouAnneMetzger