Points of Pride
September 2, 2019
Instructional Focus:
I get that having a new certified evaluation tool is somewhat scary/intimidating. With that in mind, I have decided to dedicate this portion of my weekly newsletter to a different component every week (in domains 2 and 3). I feel that this aligns perfectly, as it allows you to hear how I interpret each of the sections, and the rubrics correlate to good instruction. Please know that these are just my thoughts, and not a comprehensive overview on the subject. If you would like more information, I have attached the rubric and a detailed summary immediately below.
2C: Managing Classroom Procedures
This section can really be a "work of art" when you go into a classroom with well-defined routines and procedures. This section maintains that the classroom is well run and minimal instructional time is wasted between transitions, supplies are carefully managed, and instructional groupings are intentionally thought out. If done right, an outsider could view the class as "running itself." The key to this type of classroom is practice, practice, practice with a heavy dose of feedback.
Food for thought:
- What procedures do you have for asking for the bathroom, tissue, pencil sharpening, nurse, paper passing/collecting and lining up?
- What procedures do you have when a visitor enters the room?
- How do you set up your seating chart?
- How quickly can your students safely move from one thing to another?
- What are you currently doing that a student could do for you as a classroom job?
(Full Text Here: pages 47-50)
Robert
Professional Development Opportunities....
This was a very well received PD opportunity that was started last year. It will have three sessions, and you will get to choose your sessions. Wendy Peterson and crew will be putting on this event.
Kim Sutton will be coming back to GPS on September 10. This is a nationally renowned math expert that is coming to Gilbert because of Settler's Point. This session will focus on K-5 math strategies.
Sign up for both of these are available in Frontline (formerly MLP).
Grandparents Breakfast...
- Please plan accordingly, as parking will be limited.
- I would love to have as many teachers as possible in their rooms by 7:30. Last year SO many students wanted to give their grandparents a tour of the school and meet their teacher. Being available to do this really turns this into a community building event.
- With having so many guests on campus, we will not be able to ask for ID. In order to maintain the safety of our campus, I am asking that EVERY certified staff member report to duty at 7:50. This ensures that we have many watchful eyes around campus.
Progress Reports...
It is absolutely essential that we ensure every parent receives an update on their student's current progress.
While usually I am all for going paperless, this could be one of those times that sending a paper copy and requiring parents to sign could be beneficial. This ensures that they viewed it, and could make conferences a bit easier :)
Upcoming Events:
- 9/2-9/6: B Week
- 9/2: Labor Day-No School
- 9/3: 3rd and 4th GLC @ Playa @ 3:45
- 9/4: Vision Screenings in the AM for K, 1, 3, 5, and COPE-schedule coming soon; 1:55 Release-PLC
- 9/5: Data Team Committee @ 7:15; PTSO Meeting @ 3:15; 5th and 6th GLC @ Playa @ 3:45
- 9/6: Grandparents Day Breakfast @ 7:15; Progress Reports home
- 9/9-9/13: A Week; Suicide Prevention Week
- 9/9: Cookie Dough Orders Due; Conference Sign Up Due
- 9/10: Leadership Team @ 7:15; Dad's' Club @ 7:00 @ SoCal Taco
- 9/11: Early Release @ 1:55-Campus PD-Goal Setting and Student Engagement
- 9/13: All 45 Day Screeners Due; Substitute Accommodations Due
Cookie Dough Fundraiser...
PLEASE ensure that you are sending out reminders to your parents. This is critical as we look to help raise revenue for our PTSO. The more we "sell it" in class, the more successful it tends to be.
These ladies give so much of themselves, let's help them help us.
SPED Procedure Reminders...
Confidentiality: Please see the following district reminder of confidentiality. In addition, refrain from talking about students using personal devices, as records can be requested. As a rule of thumb, email stands for "evidence mail."
CPI: Only members of the staff that have been trained in CPI should be restraining students. There are a couple exceptions, but for the most part it is myself and the COPE staff.
Conference Sign Ups
In the past we have used Bloomz, Sign Up Genius or Shutterfly in order for parents to electronically sign up for conferences. I need the link for whatever medium you are using by 9/9. Once I receive your list, I compile an electronic list to send out to all parents. This makes it much easier for parents to sign up for all their children at once.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND OUT A SIGN UP UNTIL I SEND OUT THE WHOLE SCHOOL ONE.
Conference Times are as follows (these are the mandatory, you can do more or provide additional AM conferences):
- Slots should be at least 15 minutes in length
- Thursday, September 26-conferences should begin at 12:30
- Thursday, September 26-schedule yourself a dinner break between 5:00 and 6:00 (PTSO will be providing)
- Thursday, September 26- last slot for conferences should be 7:15
- Friday, September 27-Conferences should begin at 12:30 and run until at least 3:00
The students you REALLY want to see for conferences, I recommend you reach out to schedule them BEFORE everyone else. You don't need to send out the link for this, rather ask if you can get them scheduled in advance.