the RAH
December 3-7, 2018
from J-
My rounding visits this week included a learning visit at Fremont. During a dialogue with James, he was sharing how an idea from the book Switch impacted his leadership with his team. "Information doesn't change culture; stories change culture." While the scorecards provide important data for our awareness to influence our practices, it is the bright spot stories behind the data that James challenged his staff to seek after. There is wisdom in challenge. There doesn't have to be a choice between improving achievement or making learning Engaging, Relevant and Personal (ERP). Rather, the goal is to increase student competencies and the quality of learning experiences through the creation of ERP opportunities.
I'm looking forward to seeing the the progress of our intentionality as measured by the MOY iReady assessments. Be looking for the bright spots to celebrate with your team so they know their efforts are working. Thank you for being a bright spot for your staff.
Make it a great week!
Be Insistent
from the Records Office
Here is the December 2018 For the Record. It has important updates about key deadlines for Transitional Transfers for 2019-2020.
edcampSGF
from Mike-
Classroom management and the holiday season
We all know that the combination of holiday festivities and the upcoming winter break adds a considerable measure of energy to our buildings. Finding the balance between keeping the needed structure for learning to continue while acknowledging the season and creating positive experiences for our students is a yearly challenge.
It’s important to dialogue with your staff about the unique impact this this can have on your students who are not as fortunate as others and how this can manifest itself in negative behaviors. The more we can keep our routines in place and maintain consistency in our expectations the better we can support our students during this time. If you’re looking for a quick article on the topic to drop in teacher mailboxes here is a link to a short blog article with some practical tips for teachers.
KickBoard Blog: 3 Ways to Motivate Positive Student Behavior as Winter Break Nears
Thanks for all you do to lead your teams and create the positive culture necessary for students to have success every single day.
Need for coats
The PTA Clothing bank has been busy handing out coats to families from our community during this frigid time of year. With over 500 coats already passed out to date they have already nearly eclipsed last year’s total. There is a definite need for more coat donations of all sizes ranging from 4T to 4XL. If any of your student organizations are looking for a way to contribute to a charitable cause, this would be an outstanding option to consider.
SCPTA
Wednesday, Dec 5, 2018, 09:15 AM
Pleasant View Middle School, East State Highway Aa, Springfield, MO, USA
Hour of Code
Let’s make this year the biggest one yet for students participating in Hour of Code. Check out this video and sign up your classroom using this form.
Several lucky teachers will win an iPad or Hour of Code swag!
What is the Hour of Code?
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. Check out the tutorials and activities. This grassroots campaign is supported by over 400 partners and 200,000 educators worldwide.
When is the Hour of Code?
The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week. The 2018 Computer Science Education Week will be December 3-9, but you can host an Hour of Code all year round. Computer Science Education Week is held annually in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).
Why computer science?
Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. It helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path. See more stats here.
How do I participate in the Hour of Code?
· Sign up your classroom using this form to get exclusive SPS Hour of Code swag for you and your students and a chance to win other prizes including an iPad.
· Have students log in and work on coding during the week of December 3rd for at least an hour.
Many coding sites are linked in Canvas via Virtual Library -> Online Locker such as Code.org and Tynker. You can also use several apps on the iPad such as Code.org, Daisy the Dino, and Lightbot.