Team Thomson News & Notes
Week of: November 3, 2019 #ThomsonRocks
Important Information for You!
October 25th Follow-up
I want to thank you all for your active participation at the PD on Friday, October 25th. I was impressed by the conversations that were taking place in the small groups around literacy practices and improving literacy practice. We began the day with the Jay Shetty video on 'Why We Should Never Stop Learning'. I encourage you all to remember the words from the end of the video "the capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill, the willingness to learn is a choice". Each time you go to a PD you have a choice to walk away with something or not. I have read through all of the responses and I am so please that staff have committed to next steps for improving practice based on the learning/conversations that took place. I have included the video below for you to watch again or to watch if you haven't seen it yet...it is worth a second or third look.
Family Math Game Night
As Megan shared, our Family Math Game Night will be held on Thursday, November 7th from 5-7 p.m. While this is such a fun evening for our staff and families, this is also one of the 'five evening meetings' that all certified staff must attend. Additionally, if anyone is available to help with set up or clean up, Megan and I would greatly appreciate it!
Cool to Care Campaign
The District's Annual Cool to Care Campaign kicks-off upon our return on Monday, November 4th and a flyer will be sent home. As in the past, I will be sending home a letter to all of our Thomson families. This year our building goal will be 1,200. While I fully expect to come items to come in, I am also cognizant that our building free and reduced percentage is around 55%. As in the past, if we make our goal, we will have a special 'surprise' on Friday, December 20th. Additionally, we will continue with the same incentives as in the past: Bring in 200 items=Story & Candy Cane party with me; Bring in 300 items=Extra Gym or Music; Bring in 400 items=Movie and Popcorn party with me. Each classroom will be responsible for counting their own items. Please keep all items in your classroom until the week prior to Thanksgiving when the tables will be set up.
Additionally for the Staff, there will be 'special' Cool to Care Days...watch your email and future newsletters for more information.
United Way Campaign
Tis' begins the season of giving, and as with Cool to Care, the United Way is an organization that District Employees has long supported. I found the presentation that was given at our staff meeting prior to intersession to be very helpful in knowing more about the United Way and the multitude of services they provide. Did you know that every dollar given to the United Way in Genesee County stays in Genesee County? And that the community impact last year was $15,150,956.
Mr. Brown announced a jeans day every Friday in January for the staff that by person participation donates the most....that's a $20 value. Additionally, I would like to add that if we can raise $2,500 or more as a staff, I will provide breakfast one morning in January for the staff.
So, I 'crunched' some numbers and if....
- 25 people donated $1/paycheck (26 pays), we would raise $650 total
- 25 people donated $5/paycheck, we would raise $3,250 total
- 10 people donated $10/paycheck, we would raise $2,600 total
- And if 25 people donated $10/paycheck, we would raise $6,500 total
There is a folder in the office for Pledge forms and I will put a green basket in the lounge for staff who didn't receive a pledge form this morning. Thank you for considering!
Thomson Trading Post
As shared in an email from Christine, our Thomson Trading Post will be starting the Friday we come back from intersession!! Yay! Michael has offered to teach the trading post lesson in music class, which I hope you will find will be a huge help. We will be starting with tier 1 prizes. This will include lunch/activity/helping out the different staff members that have volunteered time. As the year goes on, we will introduce the tier 2 prizes. (tier 1 prizes require 1 full sticker sheet, Tier 2 requires 2 full sticker sheets). If you have any questions, please see Christine, Michael, or me.
Finally, a Work on PBIS, Cardinal Code and the Cardinal Code Binder
As we return from intersession, it is time to review and RETEACH Cardinal Code. What does this mean for all teachers? Time to pull out those Cardinal Code binders and teach with fidelity the lessons included in “Cardinal Code Basics.” It is easy to say, “I have taught this for years and I know what it says and how to teach it.” This week it is a non-negotiable. I expect all staff to have their binders out and intentionally teaching/reading the scripts when it comes to Cardinal Code. This is critical in ensuring our time from now until Christmas runs as smoothly as possible.
Quotes Worth Reading
"When you are grateful,
an invisible blanket of
peace covers you,
it makes you glow,
it makes you happy, strong, warm.
Gratitude puts mind
at ease about everything around."
-Om Swami, Author & Spiritual Monk
Do ONE Thing and Make a Big Difference!
While it is important to live a grateful life year around, November and the Thanksgiving holiday are a time to be extra mindful and intentional about showing gratitude for all the good in our lives. This week, I would encourage each of you to write a note or letter to someone expressing your gratitude for the role they play in your life.
'Lucky One' for the Week: 27
Stop by the office for your sweet treat.
Celebrations & Announcements
Birthdays This Week: Michelle Buszek, celebrated her birthday over Intersession on November 2nd and Beverly Nichols celebrates her birthday on November 4th our first day back from Intersession. Happy Birthday Ladies!
Kudos and Thanks to: Christine Grech for getting our Thomson Trading Post up and running for the year! To Michael and Roy for doing our first Table of Honor, the expressions on the kid's faces were so proud!
Also, kudos to everyone for embracing the staff Halloween theme this year of favorite children's books...everyone looked awesome!
Important Upcoming Dates:
Week of November 4th-PLC Week
Monday, November 4th-Cool to Care begins; PTO Wojo's Fund Raiser begins
Wednesday, November 6th-Student Assistance Team (SAT) Meetings (formerly Child Study)
Thursday, November 7th-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie), Family Math Game Night 5-7 p.m.
Friday, November 8th-ALICE Drill, Eddie the Eagle Presentations, First Trading Post
Monday, November 11th-PTO Fundraiser Delivery (please share in your classroom newsletters), 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Thomson gym.
Tuesday, November 12th-DATA Day; District Article Study, 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: School Improvement MiCIP); Linking Walk @ Hill 7:30 a.m.-Noon (Natalie); DATA Day
Thursday, November 14th-General Admin. Meeting (Natalie); PTO Wojo's Fund Raiser orders are due.
Friday, November 15th-GISD Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie)
Week of November 18th-PLC Week
Monday, November 18th-PTO Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
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