Navigation Chart
Week of December 7-12, 2015
Campus Action Plan
Key Actions:
(1) Kiest Elementary will increase Scholar Achievement in Reading, Writing, Math and Science.
(2) Kiest Elementary will Improve the Quality of Instruction off all Scholars by Increasing Rigor and Engagement.
(3) Kiest Elementary will Maintain a Positive Culture and Climate for Scholars, Parents, and Staff.
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As this first half of the school year comes to an end, it is crucial to continue the excitement and expectations felt by the scholars and the staff when we first started just few months ago. For our scholars, a positive school climate means: to be engaged in every subject and every class, to have supportive relationships with peers and their teachers, to feel that they can go to any teacher or staff for help when needed, for both, academics and social emotional, and to feel that they come to a classroom environment that is fair, challenged, and positive.
For our teachers and staff, a positive school climate means: to have a positive rapport with all scholars, responsive to their individual needs, to create an environment with two-way communication with families and staff, to have the resources, tools, space and equipment necessary to do their job, to receive the training and support to follow protocols for recognizing difficulties, managing academics, teaching practices, and supporting each other with colleagues that are willing to walk the same path of high expectations.
For our entire school community, a positive school climate means: to have a school building that is in good physical conditions and work actively to maintain it, to feel safe at school, and have a school experience that remains positive when difficulties arise. It is to be respectful of each other and build constructive conversations aimed at resolving all conflicts.
It is important to continue what we eagerly started back in August... engaging in genuine conversations with our scholars and connect with all of the students in your grade level. Laugh with them, and allow time for them to laugh. If we can engage the scholars and continue supporting each other, we can create an environment of collaboration and the fulfillment of a great year.
Holiday Orchestra Performance was a Great Success!
Scholars anxiously waiting their turn to perform
Seven Bryan Adams Elementary campuses participated
2015-2016 Orchestra T-Shirts on sale now
UIL Participants at Skyline
Ms. Johnson's lesson on Achieve 3000
Reading is differentiated with Achieve 3000
Building a Curriculum of Great Classroom Talk
From the International Literacy Association- Written by Anna Gratz Cockerille
In many classrooms I visit, students do not raise their hands. They are taught early on how to participate in discussions where raising hands isn’t necessary. They respect the speaker’s turn, they listen carefully, and wait for an opportunity to respond. The teacher acts as a facilitator or a coach for the conversation, not as the sole channel though which information can pass. In these conversations, questions are valued as highly as answers. The goal is to create new ideas, ideas that perhaps even teacher had not considered, not to regurgitate old ones.
Although it is so easy to default to the standard way of running a discussion, hands raised, teacher calling on one at a time (often the same few), there is magic when you say to students, “Put your hands down. I’m not going to call on anyone. Just speak when you have something to say.” Doing this sends the message that your students’ voices are just as valuable the teacher’s.
So what happens in a truly great great whole class discussion? A few ideas might come to mind:
- Students listen carefully to one another and respond directly to others’ comments.
- One or a few topics are explored in depth.
- New conclusions, understandings, and ideas are grown.
- New questions are raised.
- All students’ voices are heard.
Please click on the link below to continue reading....
Itinerary ~ Week of December 7 - 12, 2015
Monday 12.7 Announcements this Week 3C
Attendance is due by 9:00 AM
Baylor Dental Clinic Grades 2-3
AF Campus Support Visit 8-11AM
ACP Pep Rally 1:45PM K-2 Parade
ACP Pep Rally 2:15PM 3-5 Assembly
Tuesday 12.8 Announcements this Week 3C
Attendance is due by 9:00AM
Baylor Dental Clinic Grades 2-3
PLC @ 3:15PM - ACP
Wednesday 12.9 Announcements this Week 3C
Attendance is due by 9:00AM
Administration Mid-Year Review 12-3PM
Tutoring 3:00-3:45PM
Science Club
Thursday 12.10 Announcements this Week 3C
Attendance is due by 9:00AM
ACP K-5 Math
Friday 12.11 Announcements this Week 3C
Attendance is due by 9:00AM
ACP K-5 Reading
Lesson Plans are due by 4:00PM
New Teacher/Mentor Social @ 5:00PM
Saturday 12.12
Mayor’s Race 1K/5K @ Reunion Park
Edwin J. Kiest Elementary
Email: yacruz@dallasisd.org
Location: 2611 Healey Drive, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 502-5600