Points of Pride
January 27, 2019
Amazing Resources:
Here are some resources that can make the process easier (I strongly recommend placing a bookmark and/or adding them to your Drive):
Vertical Articulation of ELA Standards
Unpacked ELA Standards All of the work of "unpacking" the standards has been done for you. Simply click on "Grade Level Resources" and then your grade. This is the easiest place to find your priority standards, as well as, your Unpacked Documents.
Student Surveys....
It is 13 multiple choice questions and should not take too much class time. I would like all classes to take this survey this week during computer lab time.
Here is a generic copy of the survey that can be used for students that need it read to them:
Students will be able to view the survey when they view their student links after signing in.
Social Skills Assembly...
This will allow Sandra to do a dress rehearsal for Family Night without interrupting PE classes for the week.
SETI for 2019
This year it is scheduled for May 29 and 30 at Highland High.
The primary focus will be on technology, best teaching practice, and Ready GEN.
A call for proposals will be coming out soon. This year we won't have to sign up for classes ahead of time and classes are not limited to an hour.
Upcoming Events:
- 1/28: 1st grade data dig @ 10:05; 2nd grade data dig @ 1:50
- 1/29: Talent Show Tryouts @ 3:30
- 1/30: 2:15 Release-PLC (Data Team Form due); 4th grade data dig @ 2:30
- 2/1: 5th grade blanket ALP screener (5th and 6th switch specials time); "Soup"er Bowl Staff Lunch-11:00-1:00
- 2/4: Start of National School Counseling Week; ALP Math Competition @ 1:30 @ GCA
- 2/5: Spring Pictures @ 9:00-11:00
- 2/6: 2:15 Release-PLC; PTSO will be in to help people set up for Family Night in the afternoon
- 2/7: Family Night-Trip Around the World @ 5:00-7:30
- 2/8: Leadership Team @ 7:30; Fun Run @ 8:23; Primary (K-2) Social Skills Assembly @ 1:30; Intermediate (3-6) Social Skills Assembly@ 2:15
Standards Based Grading...
Grades 4-6 will have several schools piloting a standards based report card next year. I opted to not volunteer for this pilot, as we have Data Teams and Ready GEN already to learn and implement.
GoFundMe for the Taylor family....
Odds and Ends:
- GPS is hoping to get contracts out to teaching staff during March.
- Ducey's new budget did include money for a 5% raise; however, the way the state defines "teacher" is very narrow, and GPS is trying to utilize that money to give a raise to all teaching staff. After that is figured out, they will try to get a raise to support and administrative staff. This would most likely come as an addendum to your contract at the end of the year (like last year).
- This year I will not be sending out an "Are you Planning on Returning" sheet for next year. If you are interested in changing to a different grade level, thinking about transferring or not coming back for the 19/20 school year, please email or talk to me. I don't yet have my staff allocation, but I learned last year that once I get it (I'm guessing in March) things move VERY quickly.
- Schools have been given permission to allocate sub funds to teaching teams when we have to "split a class" when there is not substitute. For instance, if there is no sub for fifth grade one day, and I need to "split" the students into the other two classes, those teachers will split the $90 in sub pay. There are some restrictions for this change, but we will go over that on a "case by case" basis.