Maury Weekly Updates
September 15th, 2023
A note from Principal Hassler
Another amazing week at Maury! We are out of the honeymoon period of the first few weeks of school with our students. Now more than ever, it's important to establish strong systems, routines, and expectations that will carry you through to June 17th.
As you move into next week, think about how you can continue to elevate and strengthen your instructional routines to maximize student learning time. As our beginning of the year data is finalized, you will begin to have a baseline for each student's strengths and areas of growth. This is an opportunity to plan for intentional small group instruction and to begin to make connections with your co-teachers on how to support all of the learners in your classroom space.
In terms of schoolwide updates, Dr. Plenty will be moving on to support other schools next week. Math LEAP teams, please see below on guidance for next week. I'm here to support you, so please don't hesitate to reach out with whatever you may need.
In partnership,
LH
A Message from Mr. Lardell
Weekly Schedule & Events
Monday, September 18th
Events:
- Beginning of Year iReady Testing:
- Math: 1st Grade (Adem-Frazier), Kindergarten (Campbell), 4th Grade
- ELA: 2nd Grade (Linn/Mazenko), 3rd Grade
- Girls on the Run
Tuesday, September 19th
Events:
- Ms. Jacinta's birthday!
- Beginning of Year iReady Testing:
- Math: 1st Grade (Adem-Frazier), Kindergarten (Brasure), 4th Grade
- ELA: 2nd Grade (Linn/Mazenko), 3rd Grade
Wednesday, September 20th
Events:
- Beginning of Year iReady Testing:
- Math: 1st Grade (Mooney), Kindergarten (Brasure)
- ELA: 2nd Grade (Lilja/Zucconi), 5th Grade
- RESCHEDULED: IS Bethel Math Walkthroughs (3rd-5th), 9:15-10:45
- Girls on the Run
Thursday, September 21st
Events:
- Lockdown drill @ 9:30am
- Beginning of Year iReady Testing:
- Math: 1st Grade (Mooney), Kindergarten (Brasure)
- ELA: 2nd Grade (Lilja/Zucconi), 5th Grade
- PTA Meeting @ 6pm
Friday, September 22nd
Events:
- Staff Morning Meeting, 8:10-8:40
- Beginning of Year iReady Testing:
- Math: Kindergarten (Battle)
Field Trips- One Day to Pay
Teachers, please advertise field trips with this verbiage/process: Teachers will advertise one day for parents to pay cash for field trips. Pick one day for all teachers involved in the field trip to collect money from parents.
The process:
Teacher collects cash only from parents and turns the cash in to Patrick for the school safe on the same day. No cash should stay in classrooms. We will oblige any parent that forgets to deliver the cash on the specified day and make it work, but we want to encourage most parents to pay on the designated day.
Lockdown Drill
Our September lockdown drill will take place this Thursday, 9/21/23 at 9:30 am.
It will be announced over the PA system. The drill will end 2-3 minutes later with a second announcement. Those not able to hear the PA clearly should set a personal alarm so you are doing it the exact same time. We will be timely and GroupMe will have a reminder too. It should be a calm and well-articulated task.
Please discuss and prepare with your students in the morning meeting. It was also advertised to parents.
PreK homeroom teachers, will you please return to your classroom to lead the exercise?
DCPS VERBIAGE
1. Halls should be cleared.
2. Teachers and staff should close and lock windows and doors, and all instruction or movement in the building should stop.
3. If unable to lock a door, barricade it with chairs and desks.
4. Pull down window shades and cover any room or door windows.
5. Stay away from doors and windows. Move students to blind spots or interior walls and sit on the floor out of view. When possible hide behind desks, cabinets or closets.
6. Shut off lights.
7. Students in the halls should immediately report to the nearest classroom or find a hiding place.
8. Students in bathrooms should, when possible, lock the door and remain in the bathroom perched on a commode.
9. Adults should assist those needing special assistance.
10. Be quiet! And wait for the announcement ending the drill.
Staff Committee Sign Ups
For those of you who may have missed the opportunity at our staff meeting, please make sure you sign up for a committee here. As a reminder, our CSP goal is to have 90% of staff serve on a committee or lead an initiative.
Behavior Support Protocol
Team, please ensure you are following these steps when a behavioral incident occurs:
- Contact Ashley Chester, behavior tech (240-355-5216)
- If Ms. Chester cannot be reached, contact Principal Hassler
*Please do not bring students directly to the office*
After contacting Ms. Chester or Ms. Hassler, please complete the following:
Fill out behavior referral (QR code)
Contact parent prior to dismissal (admin can support if necessary, but 95% of the time, teachers should make the call)
Best practices:
Describe the situation neutrally
Describe the consequence
Describe any next steps
If a student expresses any suicidal ideation or self-harm or harm to others, please contact Ms. Delaney immediately.
Nominations Open for Teacher Selection Ambassadors
Teacher Selection Ambassadors are high-performing teachers who interview prospective teaching candidates. This professional development opportunity allows current staff to shape the incoming teaching force while earning additional money. Teachers must be at the Established level or higher on the LIFT ladder and have earned an Effective or Highly Effective IMPACT rating in SY 2022-2023. DCPS is especially interested in referrals for Social Studies, ELA, Special Education, World Languages, ESL, and Career & Technical Education. Teachers may apply directly using this link.
Academic Leadership Team Updates
To support our work with inclusion this year, we really want to lean in to the idea that we are ALL responsible for the progress and success of every student in the building. In support of that, we will be highlighting several focus students from each homeroom and grade level every week to make sure we are honoring our students as people and learners, and not just as data points.
Next week, we look forward to highlighting students from Ms. Haider's homeroom!
Picture Day
Picture day is October 4th! Students are not required to wear uniforms that day. A schedule is forthcoming!
Math LEAP Updates
This week for math LEAP, please prioritize the following:
- Analyze BOY iReady data (most of this should be finalized by your LEAP meeting), and begin the process of planning for needs-based small groups
- (IF APPLICABLE) review student PARCC data from 22-23 to supplement your understanding of student performance on iReady. Links to each grade level's data and content can be found here:
Detailed PARCC Data
We have gotten back our 22-23 PARCC scores, and we are so proud of our Maury Cougars. You can find detailed PARCC data, including subgroup and historic data in this slide deck.
Staff Dress Expectations
To help create an environment conducive to learning and to underscore the notion that educating children is an important endeavor, it is expected for every employee to maintain clothing appropriate for their job performance.
We are professionals, so please make sure your attire is appropriate for school. Please refrain from wearing clothing that is short, excessively tight, or revealing.
Upcoming Deadlines & Events
Deadlines
- September 15th: Emergency Sub Plans (Submit in SharePoint folder) & Field Trip Proposals (Quickbase) DUE TODAY!!!
- September 29th: All BOY testing must be completed (100% of students tested)
Events
September 21st: PTA meeting, 6pm
September 28th: Family Fitness Night, 6-7:30 pm
September 30th: Yard Sale
October 3rd: Maury Staff Meeting, 3:30-4:30
October 4th: Walk & Bike to School at Lincoln Park, Picture Day
October 5th: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, 6-7:30pm
October 6th: Whole School Morning Meeting, PTA No Uniform Pass Day