Wilson Ranger Post
March 21, 2016
STAAR Testing Information from Lisa
http://texasassessment.com/administrators/training/
For those of you who want to get ahead of the game and do this during your Spring Break: EVERYONE on staff is required to do MODULE 1 on Test Security. All STAAR test administrators are required to do all three security modules, print off your certificates and turn in to me. I have to keep them on file for 5 years.
All 4th and 5th grade teachers as well as Whitney, Jennifer, Alejandra, Renee, Lori, Debra, Lauren, Andi, Carol, Beth, Jana, Lisa, Mary, and Chris will be test administrators on March 29 and 30.
You don’t have to do this on Spring Break, of course, just if you want to. ;)
They will be due to me by March 24.
Face to Face Testing Training:
Monday, March 21 at 3:15 in the library—STAAR Security training for all staff. Everyone will have to sign an oath.
Tuesday, March 22 at 9:30 for 5th grade test administrators in C202.
Wednesday, March 23 at 10:20 for Lauren, Lori, Alejandra, Jennifer, Debra, Whitney, Andi, Carol, Beth, Jana, Renee, Lisa, Chris, Mary in B102.
Wednesday, March 23 at 11:10 for 4th grade test administrators in C107.
Numeracy Information from Mary Kemper
Since we are focusing on numeracy as part of our Systems Safeguard, we wanted to include the information below in this week's smore...please watch the progression videos as recommended.
The Progression of Addition & Subtraction, Multiplication and Division
By Mary Kemper on Mar 10, 2016 03:57 pm
I cannot emphasize enough the value of these amazing videos by Graham Fletcher (a district math specialist in the Greater Atlanta area). He can be found on Twitter: @gfletchy
I encourage you (educators, campus administrators) to watch each of these. Then watch them again. Then bookmark them and watch them again another day.
The Progression of Addition & Subtraction
The Progression of Multiplication
The developmental progression of mathematics is a beautiful thing. The vertical alignment of the concrete to the abstract representations is so very important in building our learners' true understanding of mathematics.
Let's Talk about Jeans...
Friendly Peanut-Allergy Reminder
If your classroom is peanut and/or tree nut free, please refrain from personally eating anything with these ingredients in your room regardless if the kids are in or out of the classroom. If your room is nut free it needs to be nut free at all times for the safety of our kiddos with allergies regardless of the severity of their allergy. If you have anything with peanuts at lunch in the breakroom, please wash your hands prior to returning to the class.
Also, as a reminder, if you have students with peanut/nut allergies we do have the peanut/nut free table at lunch time. Please utilize this as you see necessary after speaking with parents. We cannot MAKE kids sit at this table but it is there for kids who need to be separated due to possible allergen exposure.
Thank you,
Nurse Jill
DLI Info from Regina Owens
Dual Language
Information.
We are excited about the learners and families who are interested in the Dual Language Program. The application process has officially closed. The lottery will be conducted on Friday, March 31st at the administration building.
We will notify all campuses upon the completion of the lottery to assist with enrollment and to ensure families are registering learners on the DLI campus if they were selected.
Dual Language Middle School
Information.
We will continue our support of bilingual learners who participated in Dual Language during the 2016-2017 through sixth grade. Learners in 5th grade are supported by taking a World Cultures in Spanish, and learners in 6th grade will take Texas History in Spanish.
Science Updates from Linda Cook
Science Curriculum Updates
- Transfer Goals - Through our collaborative Schoology course, all secondary science teachers gave input into the writing of course transfer goals. These will be added to our curriculum Splash Screens in Forethought. Elementary science course transfer goals, written by the content specialists, were added to the Splash Screens earlier this year.
- Scope and Sequence Documents - These have been added to Forethought for our elementary science courses (we have a common scope, but rotating unit sequences).
- Vocabulary by Strand - These have been added to our curriculum Splash Screens.
Professional Learning from Laurie O'Neill
As a reminder, all Campus Exempt employees on a 187-day contract or a 197-day contract are required to have completed 18 hours of flex by April 30. These hours are to be documented in Eduphoria and verified by campus administrator by May 5th. Please referenced the 2015 PD Guidelines as attached.
Mathematics from Mary Kemper
Stop, Collaborate and Listen (Grades K & 1): Sign up in Eduphoria to attend the next session on March 24
Stop Collaborate and Listen (Kinder and First)
Stop, Collaborate and Listen (Grades 2 & 3): Sign up in Eduphoria to attend the next session on March 22
Math Vocabulary Requirement (and Flex Hour Opportunity)
Talk to your Math Vertical Team member if you have questions regarding this!!!
In response to the CISD State and Federal System Safeguards, the following action steps were developed through the TAIS Process:
- Identify and inform 3-12 educators of academic vocabulary aligned to math and science STAAR and TEKS.
- Train Special Education and General Education educators on the integration of academic vocabulary strategies in math and science lesson design.
A professional learning opportunity is available for all mathematics educators within the Schoology platform to meet these requirements. Educators should enroll in the Academic Vocabulary in Mathematics Lesson Design course in Eduphoria/Workshop. At that time, they will be given the Access Code to enroll in the course in Schoology. The deadline to complete all 6 steps in the Schoology course is May 9, to align with the conclusion of the spring STAAR testing.
If campus TAIS Process resulted in similar action steps, principals may speak with Mary Kemper to coordinate implementation plans.
STAAR Snack Sign Up from Sunshine
We always like to have snacks for special occasions, actually anytime. 4th & 5th grade will be taking STAAR March 29th & 30th so why not have snacks in the lounge?!?! Attached is a link to sign up for snacks. There are two tabs at the bottom, Kinder-2nd sign up for the first day 3/29 and 3rd, office, and specials 2nd day (3/30). 4th & 5th do not have to sign up, unless you want to. ;) Feel free to change up snacks to your liking.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-9swfE1aZw-KvdqxuwCQgtgHfjr0x0H_GSptjHAKtjU/edit?usp=sharing
Set your Clocks Ahead!
Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13.