Crazy Ones...
...because we be believe we really can change the world.
SHOUTOUTS 🎉
🎉A huge shout out to Riley Iverson, Kaia Beil, and Noah Schock on creating such a thoughtful PBL for our 7th grade students. They have inspired our students to be critical thinkers, have curiosity, and empathy for those that share the world with us.
With this project I would also like to thank Mrs. Bosse, Mrs. Stansbery, and Mrs. Faleide for letting us take over their space for two days.
~Justine
NDSA - Are your students prepared?
The North Dakota State Assessment is coming up April 9 - 11.
A great question came up regarding the practice tests and are they necessary. Kids are on computers all the time, so do we really need to have them practice? I thought others might have the same question, as I know I have in the past, too.
Short answer: YES.
Some things I've been thinking about:
- This is an important test for our district and your content area (some more directly than others). While you may not glean data that transfers directly to your daily instruction with a once a year test, this assessment is a direct reflection of what we do the other 170 days of the school year in ALL classes from a big picture standpoint.
- Families read student proficiency levels differently than we do. While we know kids are so much more than a few high-stakes tests in only a few specific content areas, parents read those levels much differently. Novice and Not Proficient on your own child's report hit differently when you don't know what happens each day and understand there are a million contributing factors to student performance each day.
- Let's chase 100. Are we okay with 65% of our students being proficient in anything we teach? While we are above the state average with proficient students at grade level and 100% might be a pipe dream, I don't think we ever settle for a D average (if we are talking percentages). Let's chase 100, not 65.
- The platform might be new to some students if they moved from out of state. Familiarizing students with the test is imperative to their success and confidence. A student who has seen the platform will be more confident, regardless of content, if they know at minimum how to navigate it. They don't have to focus on learning how to go from one question to the next, pull up a calculator, put the text to speech in place, select an answer, etc. and instead can focus on answering the questions correctly.
- Students do not have the same troubleshooting abilities we do as adults. They might just click if they don't know...as we sometimes do, too.
- We want them to study for our classroom tests, and this is a great way to show them tips and tricks on how to use online study tools and select the best answer.
LINKS TO TEST SITE INFO AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
Upcoming Tests & Quizzes
5TH GRADE
Sci Test Next Friday April 5
6TH GRADE
7TH GRADE
SS Quiz Wed & Test Fri
8TH GRADE
Team Time
TO DO/DISCUSS THIS WEEK:
During team this week...
- Update
- Add/Consider
- Take Out
Squirrel Time
Locker Checks
- No loose papers
- Books on top, everything else on the bottom
- No instruments, shoes, etc. in the hallways. Safety first.
Grade Checks
- Students should log into PowerSchool weekly to check their grades.
- Students should click on each class to look for missing work. Remember, kids/parents can't see it's missing if it isn't in PowerSchool.
Planner Checks
- Student should have all class periods filled in for the week.
- Checks = Done.
- Circles = Homework. Check the circle when it's finished
Character Strong
Click on the Squirrel to access the Character Strong Advisory materials.
One Book, One School
Click on the button for the weekly read aloud videos and discussion questions. If you want a VIP gig as a celebrity reader, please let me know.
Thursday PD or MS Team Meeting
APRIL 4 - 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- ALL Staff in Theater @ 8:10 a.m.
- Run 2 Hr. Late Schedule
Field Trip Portal Closing for 2023-2024
Spring schedules are tight and vehicles and drivers are limited.
The field trip portal will close for the 2023-2024 school year on Friday, April 5th. All field trips and student transportation needs must be submitted prior to this date or approval will not be granted.
Get your plans confirmed and your requests submitted for approval before your date is taken.
NOTE: Professional travel requests will still be available for staff through the portal if two week's notice is provided.
Spring Coaches Submit Your Professional Leave Requests
Spring coaches please get your professional leave requests submitted into the system asap. Spring is tight for leave and substitutes and we have many coaches to cover. It is easier to make adjustments than to have unplanned leave on an already busy week.
A couple notes:
1) Remember if you are gone more than three periods of the day, request a substitute. Less than that wrote your specific needs in the administration detail box. If you have a question about if you should request a sub, ask Jo for direction.
2) If something changes in the schedule that affects your leave, see Jo for further direction. Don't just cancel or change your the leave request.
Thank you for taking care of this as soon as possible and remind your coaching friends to do the same.
"Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile."