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February 2016
Hello February!
So it turns out, from our staff relations diagram, families choose Gideon as their home campus because we have awesome, caring teachers. Celebrate that root driver for parents choosing Gideon, and believe in the consensus- I do! You all are "awesome, caring teachers," and if you don't believe that about yourself then make that your vision and live in it.
Anyhow, the National Title 1 Conference was good (just good), but the keynote speakers each day were great! Now don't get me wrong, I did hear some affirming speeches and learn a few things as well. LaVar Burton spoke on the power of literacy and said that teachers are the MOST important figures in young people's lives. He says that our job is to show kids the endless possibilities and to help flourish their imaginations. Mr. Reading Rainbow believes that we should live by the POWER Model Motto: "Never question ability, always improve strategy." Let's just marinate on the for a little bit.
After my first day of workshops, I went back to my room and wrote in my journal over the phrases that were flying inside of my head. I thought, you know, he's right. 'What if' we shifted our focus some from limitations in our students' academics (intervention), and rather gave majority of our energy to improving student grade-level skills with the tools our teachers already have (TIER 1)- we could significantly increase on- level achievement. So what's the point? We have a job to do people, and it has everything to do with kids and their success.
That night I realized that Gideon's purpose is not only to create an environment that is both welcoming and easy (to the community), but also, to show students (and sometimes parents) that there are no limits to the success they can accomplish in life, with the exception of those limits they self inflict. "Never question ability, always improve strategy." Therefore, we will provide all kids with a plan for completing Elementary (and later Intermediate), and build a community of LITERATE students. And before I closed my journal, three words stood boldly in my mind, so I wrote: Develop, Nurture, Inspire.
I closed my eyes, and I smiled. We have have amazing days ahead of us team.
Congratulation
Upcoming Lane Closures
SH 360 South Project
Upcoming Lane Closures
Feb 11-12, 2016 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Left lane SH 360 southbound and northbound from Broad to Heritage, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Feb 15, 2016 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Left lane SH 360 southbound and northbound from New York to Holland, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Longterm Closure
Feb. 15, 2016 thru Nov 22, 2016
Ragland Road/Debbie Lane cross over of SH 360 will be closed for construction. Detours will be provided just South of Debbie Lane for the Northbound traffic and just North of Ragland Road for the Southbound Traffic. Roadway to remain closed for bridge construction.
Feb 16-17, 2016 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Left lane SH 360 southbound and northbound from Broad to Heritage, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Longterm Closure
Jan. 31, 2016 thru Feb 19, 2016 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Detour from southbound SH 360 to Lynn Creek Parkway/Northbound SH 360 will be shutdown between 7p.m and 6a.m. New York Avenue will be the alternate detour. Construction crews will be working from 7 p.m to 6 a.m. each night between Feb. 1 and Friday, Feb 19, with the exception of Saturday Feb. 6, and Saturday. Feb. 13. Read more here.
Longterm Closure
Jan. 24, 2016 thru Oct 22, 2016
Lynn Creek/ Webb Lynn cross over of SH 360 will be closed for construction. Detours will be provided just North of Lynn Creek for the Northbound traffic and just South of Webb Lynn for the Southbound Traffic.
For more information, visit our website at drive360south.com.
Parent Involvement Newsletter
The February newsletter, The Parental Involvement CONNECTION, is available in English and Spanish. http://www.esc16.net/preview.aspx?name=title1swi.3_newsletter This edition of the newsletter includes articles about child nutrition, prevention of teen suicide, and a secret to stop bullying.
This would be great to share with your parents.
Animal Essay Contest Winners Video Link
The Arlington Animal Shelter has an annual essay contest for 3rd- 5th graders. There were 1,478 essay entries, and 531 were 3rd graders. Of the 531 entries, only 3 students won. Gideon has a winner!!! Lubyana Faizi, in Mrs. Grace’s class, placed! Way to go Lubyana!
MISD had four schools with a winner this year, we look forward to doubling that number next year. See the video here: https://youtu.be/Fw3NVkDBxEE
National Wear Red Day!
Want to support Go Red For Women? You can, just by participating in National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 5, 2016.
Why Go Red? Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. Fortunately, we can change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action. That’s why this year we are asking that you wear red on National Wear Red Day®. By doing we you help support educational programs to increase women’s awareness and critical research to discover scientific knowledge about cardiovascular health.
Let's Go Red!
Please leave a message!
Reading Rainbow is Back!
*More info to come.
National School Counselors' Week- Feb.1-5
February 9th
No RTI on February, 5th!
Great resources for Black History Month!
The district wants to know what we are doing, so if your class does something great, please share pictures with me so I can share your greatness with the district.
Love Peanut Butter!
Black History in your TV
The World- Famous Super Soaker
ATTN Teachers:
Be sure team websites are current!
Make sure major exams, projects, team events (concerts, field trips, etc. ) are listed. Our families rely on them.
We passed our secret security test!
Lunch With Mrs. Gideon!
February 26th, 1:00- 3:45 p.m.
Read Across America is March 2nd!
Feel free to do some fun reading activities during your Reading time. Here is the website, in case you want to learn more:
MISD News...
- Dual Credit- the opportunity to ear both a college and high school credit while in high school. Students can earn up to 24 hours of college credit with textbooks free, and up to 2/3 tuition paid
- TREC- the Health Science Academy guaranteed 42 college hours; with the idea of graduating with a medical certification
- iStart- requires a commitment to a minimum of 30 hours and a maximum of 48 hours; it allows earlier access to dual credit
- we have partnerships with UTA, UNT, and Prairie View A&M that allow an array of opportunities for students to earn a degree at a much cheaper rate than the regular college route
Also, coming soon to Mansfield:
The LOT Downtown (Live Outdoor Theatre)
Goal: Make historic Mansfield a gathering place
Grand Opening: April 30, 2016
City of Mansfield is negotiating with Dallas Stars for a Skating Rink
Across 287, near the field house
Finally, Mansfield is growing. The city anticipates nearly 6,000 new homes; most of which will be east of 360. Clearly this means, more families, mores kids, and later more schools (all of which will be on the Executive Board's agenda in future planning). I'll keep you posted.
Let's share this exciting news with our families, so they know what is available to their children in our district. These opportunities are not happening in all school districts, so it is up to us to spread the exciting news!
February Staff Birthdays!
- Feb. 8: Mrs. Lynette Moore (receptionist)
- Feb. 26: Ms. Pely (cafeteria)
Great Book Alert!
(It's in my office if you want to see it.)
February events...
2/9: Open House
2/10: Spirit Night, 4-9, Trios Pizza
2/11: StuCo Valentines Day Photo Booth
2/12: District Spelling Bee
2/15: Lunch from Mrs. Gideon
2/16: 3rd Grade Concert/ Parent Info Night
2/16: 1/2 Day Planning (K,1)
2/17: 1/2 Day Planning (2, SPED)
2/18: 1/2 Day Planning (3,4)
2/19: Dental Program, 9:30 (PreK- 2)
WE ARE NOT OFF PRESIDENT'S DAY THIS YEAR- REMIND YOUR FAMILIES!
Free Valentine fun the family can enjoy!
February Parent Newsletter.
Stay in the Loop
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Enter this number: 81010
Enter this message: @gatorr
Email: shaneecharles@misdmail.org
Website: http://www.classjump.com/m/mrscharles
Phone: (817)299-7800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GideonGators/
Twitter: @fabmrscharles