El Dorado Monday Memo
Week 6 September 23rd, 2019
#ToroFamily
Happy Fall everyone! It's probably not going to feel like it this week with temps in the 90s but I love the Fall Equinox. Check out this cool article with 9 Things to Know About the Fall Equinox. As someone who does not like the heat, I am always excited to welcome cooler weather. It also really makes it feel like school should be back in session (remember the days when we used to start in September). As we have settled into the year, it would be wise for all of us to keep "polishing the tracks" (as Grace taught us) of our routines and procedures. Check out a resurrected section of the MM with some Challenges for the week. Also, please be sure you click on the Monday Memo and open it up so that you can see the entire memo and are looking at the most updated version. If you just look at in the context of the email, you might miss something. Please check out the updates below and have a great week!
Challenges of the Week...
Sometime this week go back to the start of our First 21 Days slidedeck and review our 3 Be's with students. We have noticed some of them needing to be reminded. Perhaps this could be a starter or exit ticket for a couple of days this week. Also, check out the Counselor's Corner for some great conversation starters on Safety.
As we continue our journey/conversation on equity, I have been reading a couple books one by Cornelius Minor called We Got This and the other How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram Kendi. They have continually inspired and challenged me with some of what they have to say. If either of these books sparks your interest, let me know and we can order them. It would be great to have a book club around one or both of these. Take some time this week and dwell on the quote below from Minor.
"Working toward change almost always means that we must abandon ways of doing things and thinking things that are not working. One cannot change outcomes for a student, a classroom, a school or a district without changing one's own behavior and thinking. In this, sometimes we fail or undermine our own work. We can forgive ourselves for this and continue moving forward."
Some questions to think about:
1. In what areas have you changed in the past couple of years? What has changed about your classroom? Your teaching? What have been the outcomes?
2. What are some areas for you that will be a challenge to change? Where do you feel yourself resisting change?
3. What changes can you make today? This week? This month? This year?
Updates for the week...
Mon 9/23: AVID Walk We will be having a couple vistors come and walk classrooms with us to see all of the awesome work you all are doing with our students. They will be specifically looking for AVID strategies. Don't feel the need to stop anything or do anything special, we will just be popping in & out.
Tues 9/24: Dine and Donate Dairy Queen 2-8pm Come out and support El Dorado and get a chocolate-dipped cone. It's supposed to be hot on Tues a perfect day for a cold treat. Be sure to mention you're there for El Dorado!
Wednesday 9/25: Teacher Discretion Day: We will be announcing some PD opportunities available for you if you would like.
If you have yet to do so, please remember to complete your Mandated Training by Oct 31st. Information can be found here.
Counselor's Corner
According to the Webster's dictionary, roughhousing is to "act in an aggressive, violent manner. To engage in rough play"
It is popular among middle school students to engage in "roughhousing". Students think it's funny to neck, hit, or push other students. Then they excuse this behavior by saying they were "joking" or "playing".
Why is roughhousing not allowed at school:
1. Roughhousing may start out as play, but usually ends up with someone getting hurt and/or angry.
2. Not everyone has the same sense of humor. When you hit someone thinking it's a joke, that person may find it harmful or offensive.
3. It is important to keep your hands and feet to yourself at all times. This keeps everyone safe.
This Week in AVID
This Week in AVID September 23, 2019
Looking for a new pre-reading strategy? Before reading an informational text, this Reading Anticipation Guide is a great way to access prior knowledge and increase student buy-in. Teachers could also model this note-taking organization by using three-column notes and preparing statements for the first column.
Jeanne Johnson
Instructional Coach for AVID, Social Studies and Secondary Literacy
Toro Sports...
Events, Updates, Links, Principal Goals
Sept 24th: Dine and Donate Dairy Queen Clayton Rd
Sept 25th: Teacher Choice Meeting/PD
Sept 25th: School Site Council Meeting 2:30
Oct 5th: MDEF Run for Education
Oct 19th: EDMS Family Fun Walk
What we are working on...
Visiting Classrooms
iReady Data
Learning Walks/Progress Charts
What I'm Reading/Listening to
How to be an Antiracist
We Got This
Links to Resources
El Dorado Middle School
Chris Clausen
@chrisclausen
@edmsinfo
Email: clausenc@mdusd.org
Website: edms.mdusd.org
Location: 1750 West Street, Concord, CA, United States
Phone: 925.682.5700
Twitter: @edmstoros