Monday Morning Motivation
Central Elementary Staff News----August 8-12
Now More Than Ever-Be a Champion
Dear Staff,
This weekend I received an email from a teacher who after reflecting on the conditions of several of her students came to the conclusion that our classroom dynamics have changed so much over the last several years and our children have such deep needs. After looking over her classlist, she was feeling like a large part of her role in teaching her students this year will be to love them.
As I continued to think about her email this weekend, I couldn't help but reflect on what a privilege and responsibility we have to our students. As teachers you will wear so many hats this year: a counselor, a nurse, a supervisor, a motivator, a role model, a coach, a goal setter, an instructor,a data analyst. While at school you will teach children the balance of working hard and playing hard. We will all ask ourselves, how can I do better and be better for them?
At times your heart will break because of their life circumstances. However, above all, you will feel called to be your students' champion because that is what we do.
"Every child deserves a champion-an adult who will never give up on them...who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be."--Rita Pierson
Have a great week!
Julie
A Week at a Glance
Central Calendar
MONDAY, August 8
- STAR 360 Math and Reading assessments begin--both labs closed
- Begin to push our dismissal time to start at 3:40 p.m. for car riders, walkers, YMCA, and daycare students and 3:45 for bus riders
- Parent Safety Meeting 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY, August 9
- 8:00 a.m. Team Leader meeting in conference room
- 9:00 a.m. Lockout and Lockdown Drills
WEDNESDAY, August 10
- 9:00 a.m. Fire Drill (make sure new teammates know where to go)
- 4:00 p.m. New Teacher meeting in conference room
THURSDAY, August 11
- 7:30 a.m. Faculty Meeting in Diana Cragen's room
- 7:00 p.m. School Board Meeting at PCMS cafe
FRIDAY, August 12
- Pay Day Friday-Jeans Day if you donated to Gift and Flower Fund
MONDAY, August 15
- 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Back to school night for K-1
- 7:00 p.m. PTO in the Central cafeteria
TUESDAY, August 16
- 7:30 a.m. WIDA meeting
- 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Back to school night for 2-3
WEDNESDAY, August 17
- September Field Trip Deadline
- 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Back to school night for 4-5
- Back to school party at the Plainfield Library
THURSDAY, August 18
- 7:45 a.m. Team Leader Meeting
- 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Community Forum Kindergarten/New Parents at PHS
FRIDAY, August 19
Announcements and Reminders
Lexy and Krista have asked me to share that the GIft and Flower Fund donations this year are $20.00 for certified staff and $15.00 for classified staff. Since the donation request was bumped up, we are designating every payday Friday as a jeans day for those who donate.
Parent Security meeting with Administration in our cafeteria August 8 from 6:00-7:00
Back to School Nights: Grades K-1 August 15th from 6:00 p.m.-7:00p.m., Grades 2-3 August 16th from 6:00p.m.-7:00 p.m. and Grades 4-5 from August 17th 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Below is a link to Clever. Clever is essentially a password portal. You (and students) will use your computer username and password to log into the Clever Portal. Inside of the portal you will have links that should (not tested) automatically log you into sites like Discovery Education Streaming, Khan Academy, Learning.com (elementary), etc. Right now Khan Academy is there. It is still a work in progress, but I want you to be aware of it.
Clever Login Link https://clever.com/in/plainfield
High School Spanish IV Class to visit on Friday, November 4. I The students will teach a 30 minute lesson to grades 1 – 5. I appreciate your help and willingness to host my students. The teacher is in the process of putting a schedule together.
Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship: Lilly Endowment is accepting applications to an annual fellowship program that provides support to K-12 educators in Indiana to pursue an imaginative project that infuses their busy lives with personal renewal and intellectual revitalization. Previous fellowship winners have traveled worldwide to understand the cultures reflected in their increasingly diverse student populations, traced their own ethnic identity and family tree, and pursued their interest in the arts, scientific exploration, and the natural world. The program is open to licensed K-12 educators working in public and private schools in Indiana. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in education. Deadline is September 1, 2016. http://www.teachercreativity.org/
Sub Caller Information
Elementary Sub Caller Guidelines
Sub Finder Information: Nicole Crum
Email: ncrum@plainfield.k12.in.us
Phone: 409-9251
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
- Reading Workbooks did not get ordered at the end of the year. I apologize. Karen and I did not know this was something we needed to do. Please know we are doing everything we can at this point to get them ordered in a timely manner.
- If you are missing any other materials, please let me know as soon as possible so I can get these things to you.
- High ability novels are in Karen's office. Please pick those up.
The “school” STAR 360 benchmark cut scores for the 16-17 school year in Renaissance Learning have been set. You will notice that the cut scores differ in reading (60 percent) and math (70 percent). This was determined by analyzing student performance on the 2016 ISTEP. We left the district cut scores as the national norms. You will notice that there is no longer a 2014 ISTEP correlation in the Ren. Learn settings. We are hoping that a 2016 correlation will be available soon. Please do not alter the school benchmark settings as we cannot lock them. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. The beginning of the year (BOY) screening is currently open and will close on September 2nd.
ISTEP ELA Support-Assessment Vocabulary by Grade Level
It is important to use this vocab in your instruction and on tests and quizzes so students are comfortable with usage and meaning.
The purpose of the Assessment Vocabulary list is to highlight grade level vocabulary used in assessment items that teachers can use to prepare students for ISTEP+ as well as to create classroom assessments. While this list is not inclusive of all vocabulary that may appear on the assessment, it is representative of words and phrases students may frequently encounter. Language from the academic standards (e.g., structure, theme, claim) is also used in assessment items. See grade level Assessment Vocabulary attachments below.
Assessment Vocabulary Grade 4.pdf
Assessment Vocabulary Grade 5.pdf
Assessment Vocabulary Grade 6.pdf
Assessment Vocabulary Grade 7.pdf
Assessment Vocabulary Grade 3.pdf
Assessment Vocabulary Grade 8.pdf
Rocket Math Available
We will discuss this at the faculty meeting on Thursday!
Teachers click on the link below and go to subscription login, use their school email address and set up password:
https://www.rocketmath.com/subscription/public/plan-preview.php
Privacy Policy. This privacy policy discloses the privacy practices for the Rocket Math Subscription Service. This privacy policy applies solely to information ...
Teachers' Toolbox from DOE
Teachers’ Toolbox from the DOE is a content focused resource for classroom instruction.
The Toolbox is separated by contents and levels; each content specialist has the opportunity to provide classroom resources, strategies, and updates.
- July 2016
- http://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/ccr/teachers-toolbox-june-july-2016.pdf
2016-17 Back to School Writing Tools/Support
https://www.tes.com/lessons/UnOAOxosDgjxZg/2016-17-back-to-school-writing-tools-support
September 2016 Instructional Practices FOCUS
https://www.tes.com/lessons/hf3ZY7IpReMVaA/instructional-practices-focus
August 2016 Phonological Awareness-Phonemic Awareness FOCUS
https://www.tes.com/lessons/FKzWe32kSn2-9A/phonological-awareness-phonemic-awareness
Staff Celebrations!
- First Day of School pictures
- Please send photos of great things happening in your rooms