Team Thomson News & Notes
#ThomsonRocks Week of: September 25, 2018
Important Information for You!
It is Homecoming Week and a busy one at that! I hope that you enjoy the festivities of Homecoming, Watch DOGS Kick-off, and the professional learning that will all take place this week. As we become even more familiar with the MAP Reports, please reflect on their connection to the Literacy Essentials and Math Best Practices and how they will impact your teaching in the classroom.
Davison Homecoming Information
It’s time to celebrate Homecoming at Davison Community Schools and the theme this year is Pixar. Two flyers will go home this week, highlighting Spirit Week and participation in the Homecoming Parade. As always, I highly encourage certified staff to participate in the Homecoming Parade, but all staff are welcome. If you will be walking in the parade with us, please let me know.
Students and staff are invited to participate in Spirit Week in the following ways:
Monday, September 24-Inside Out Day
Celebrate the Pixar film Inside Out by wearing your clothes inside out.
Tuesday, September 25-Be Incredible
Celebrate the Pixar film The Incredibles by participating in Super Hero Day.
Wednesday, September 26-Show Up & Be Kind!
Celebrate the Pixar film Up by honoring boy scout Russell for his service to Mr. Fredricksen on Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Thursday, September 27-Disney Day
Celebrate Disney’s Partnership with Pixar on Disney Day.
Friday, September 28-School Spirit Day
Celebrate our schools by wearing your Central or Davison shirts. Go CARDS!
Watch DOGS Kick-off
As you may be aware, Thomson will hold it's annual Watch DOGS kick-off on Tuesday. We have two scheduled presentations, one at 4:30 p.m. and one at 6:00 p.m. Each time slot lasts about one hour. Thank you to all of you who have already volunteered to help with Kick-off. We can use more volunteers, so if you are available or your schedule has changed, please let me know. Pizza dinner and a 'special thank you' will be given to any staff member that volunteers for both sessions. Thanks for considering, we can do it without you!
Early Release Day
As you know, you are able to review MAP reports at any time. I shared the agenda for Early Release with all of you last week and hard copies will be placed in your mailboxes on Monday as well. Please let me know if you have any questions about who, what, when, or where you are supposed to be or doing.
Cardinal Code Focus of the Week: Playground
As you review/reteach Cardinal Code in the Playground this week, please be sure to review the following points:
- Review various pieces of equipment and how they should/should not be used.
- Ensuring that we play in a kind way.
- Listening and following directions the first time an adult asks.
- Lining up right away when the whistle is blown.
- Entering the building quietly so that you don't disrupt others that are learning.
Thank you for taking the time to formally review these points and the Cardinal Code Cafeteria lesson.
Literacy Essentials
Although we should be focused on Literacy Essential all year long, fall is a perfect time to 'set the stage' for literacy in your classroom and create a positive and exciting environment for reading and writing that lasts all year long. Literacy Essential 1 focuses on: Deliberate, research-informed efforts to foster literacy motivation and engagement within and across lessons. During which the teacher:
• creates opportunities for children to see themselves as successful readers and writers
• provides daily opportunities for children to make choices in their reading and writing (choices may be a limited set of options or from extensive options but within a specified topic or genre)
• offers regular opportunities for children to collaborate with peers in reading and writing, such as through small-group discussion of texts of interest and opportunities to write within group projects
• helps establish purposes for children to read and write beyond being assigned or expected to do so, such as for their enjoyment/interest, to answer their questions about the natural and social world, to address community needs, or to communicate with a specific audience
• uses additional strategies to generate excitement about reading and writing, such as book talks and updates about book series. The teacher avoids attempting to incentivize reading through non-reading-related prizes such as stickers, coupons, or toys, and avoids using reading and writing as “punishment” (e.g., “If you can’t listen, I’m going to send you to sit and read in the library”).
In the video below, the teacher and students share examples of goal setting. This is a great way to connect the NWEA/MAP testing with the literacy practices that are taking place in your classroom. Goal setting is something that even very young students can do. I look forward to hearing how this may be going for you.
Quotes Worth Reading
"Reading is not waling on the words; it's grasping the soul of them."
-Paulo Freire, Educator and Philosopher
Here's to an AMAZING week building the vocabulary of our students!
Thomson Elementary
#ThomsonRocks
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911
Celebrations & Announcements
Birthdays: None this week...
Don't forget the Homecoming Luncheon on Friday! $5 will get you pizza, salad, and a drink.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Week of September 23rd-PLC Week
- Monday, September 24th-Inside Out Day; Motor Moms and Days begins; ACC 4:15-6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 25th-Be Incredible/Super Hero Day; Watch DOGS Kick-off, Volunteers Needed.
Wednesday, September 26-Show Up & Be Kind Day; Early Release Day (See schedule above)
Thursday, Sepember 27th-Disney Day
Friday, September 28th-School Spirit Day; Homecoming Parade, line up by 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 2nd-Fire Drill; Child Study Day
Wednesday, October 3rd - Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: DEF Presentation; Jason will share information from the Counseling department); Count Day; Kindergarten ELA ACC Day
Thursday, October 4th - Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie)
Week of October 7th - PLC Week
Thursday, October 11th - General Admin. Meeting (Natalie); Kindergarten Math ACC Day
Monday, October 15th - DK-Kind. Curriculum Meeting, 4:15-6:15 p.m.; PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.