The Echo Memo: Feb. 8, 2016
A weekly memo to the Smith staff from your leadership team.
Bright Spots from the Week....
WEEK # 22
VIEW PHOTOS - of last week's Bright Spots! PLEASE add more from what you see! :)
- Pledgers, Greeters, Artists, Writers!
- Words on the WALLS - ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
- Ceremony Celebration
- Counselor Appreciation
EVERYONE NEEDS TO ADD Your Photos and if you like them - please click the heart to "Like" them or add comments if you wish! :) Let's communicate! Takes 2 minutes.
Download the app: Cluster and use this link to join the Smith Group: https://cluster.co/i/R2PFA4
Vocabulary words are the building blocks of the internal learning structure. Vocabulary is also the tool to better define a problem, seek more accurate solutions, etc. Ruby K. Payne, Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities
Chapter 6: Recognize and Reinforce
CHECK OUT THE RESPONSES - Smith has such intelligent teachers with important insights.
This Week's Highlights - View Calendar for full detail
SMITH CALENDAR - Click to view the calendar
OR - the HOME page of the Intranet
CHECK IN at the Calendar for updates.
Professional Development -
This week - Flipped Learning Session
Music Program featuring the 4th grade students, Tuesday, Feb. 9th, 2pm / 7pm
Smith Supporters - Sweetheart Dance, Thursday, Feb. 11th, 6:30pm
Valentine's Day Parties - plan ahead for Feb. 12th
- Be on the LOOK OUT for Bulletin Board Vocabulary Focus
- Student Grade Level Data Notebook Learning Walks
- Report Card Failure Follow ups
- Data Accountability Conferences
- Writing Portfolio Collection
Morning Announcements
Morning Announcements Schedule:
This week is the FAST class of Ms. Cooper!
Select students for the week by MONDAY and have ready to roll.
Post their names in your room as a reminder.
Students will need to be in the office at 8:00am, ready to lead.
Growing Great Readers - Let's Nurture the Leaves! Update those K-2 trees!
Click on the Link to Read More...
*A reminder from the Smith Handbook: more »
The CTE Career Expo is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 5:00PM- 8:00PM at Duncanville High School. The Expo is focused on supporting students of all grades - and especially those who are in or headed to grade 5-8 to view all options available to them and then make the best decision when choosing an Endorsement pathway for their high school years. more »
Test Anxiety - What it Looks Like and Ways to Minimize It
*By Suzanne Gardner District Coordinator of Assessment and Counseling, Duncanville ISD* The spring semester brings increased opportunities for testing. For many students the anticipation of tests, especially high-stakes tests, can create test anxiety. What are signs that suggest your students may be experiencing harmful levels of test anxiety? more »
Student DATA Notebook - Learning Walks and Celebrations
Student DATA Notebook - Learning Walks and Celebrations!! Starting Feb. 10th We will recognize and reinforce learning this week! Teachers will walk through classrooms to review data notebooks.
*A PEDAGOGY OF QUESTIONING* How can I improve questioning in the classroom? How can I help my students ask better questions and ensure the learning sticks?" At a minimum, teachers need to learn the following idea in order to become more proficient at questioning...more
Update from Smith Supporter Group: Partnerships Make the Difference
A Quick Note from Smith Supporters and our friends at Trinity Methodist Church Greetings Smith Staff: Smith Supporters, in partnership with Trinity Methodist Church, are working hard to support the faculty and students grow into great leaders. more »
Audit Scheduled for Feb. 10th of Smith Elem Cafeteria
Duncanville ISD Child Nutrition is scheduled for an Administrative Review on February 10, 2016. This audit is conducted by Texas Department of Agriculture and USDA. Smith Elementary campus has been selected, therefore auditors will be in our building starting Feb. 10th during breakfast and lunch. This audit should have minimum impact on the day to day operations at your campus.
Love and Logic Parenting Class - Please Share with Parents
Parents are invited to attend a series of six FREE classes to learn about parenting with love and logic.... more »
Primary Classroom Lesson Frames
A Reader Writes Primary Classroom Lesson Frames For Kinder and 1st Grade...
Coming Soon -- One School One Book: A Shared Reading Adventure!
Smith Elementary will embark on a special project, an all school book club called One School, One Book. Every family will receive a copy of the same book...
Bulletin Boards are Teaching Tools
You may have noticed that we have new boards and cork strips to display student work.
Academic Vocabulary: Empowering Our Students
- SMITH ELEM - could increase understanding...
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Smith Elementary
Email: vechols@duncanvilleisd.org
Website: http://www.duncanvilleisd.org/Domain/16
Location: 1010 Big Stone Gap Road, Duncanville, TX, United States
Phone: 972-708-3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Smith-Elementary-School-372050902994012/timeline/
Twitter: @DuncanvilleISD