Holmes Weekly Update
Week Ending 10/5/18
What's Happening this Week?
Monday: 10/1/18
- Ed Council 4:00-5:30
Tuesday: 10/2/18
- Service Team MTG Day
Wednesday: 10/3/18
- Dr. Warke to visit - classroom visits 9:00-10:45
- Staff Meeting 3:00-4:00 (click here for draft agenda)
Thursday: 10/4/18
- Lisa Westman to visit 4th grade 9:45
- Christine out of the building Kagan Training
- Parisa out of the building PBIS conference
- BLT MTG 3:10-4:10 - Christine will return for the meeting
Friday: 10/5/18
- Parisa out of the building PBIS conference
This Week's Announcements: Information Item
This week's parent Update: Information Item
It was sent on Friday. Please feel free to copy/paste any portion to include in your weekly/monthly communication.
Coaching Corner: INFORMATION ITEM
Leader In Me Visit: INFORMATION ITEM
I wanted to share a few photos from the visit. Please see the following gallery.
Conferences: Information Item
I know there is some concern about whether to discuss text levels or not discuss text levels with parents. Rachel Dahl shared this short article about text levels that might be helpful.
https://lesleyuniversitycrrlc.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/text-levels-tool-or-trouble/I also shared a webinar previously that may be helpful. Here is the link in case you missed it and would like to watch.
When meeting with families, I think it's helpful to have an example of a text that is grade level appropriate so parents can see that. I think it's also helpful to have the child's book box/baggie out so parents can see what their child is reading and make that comparison themselves. Having some evidence/data (qualitative or quantitative) to share with parents in those broad categories (comprehension, word-solving, accuracy, fluency) is also helpful. If reading logs are in place this is also valuable for parents to look at.
Nov. 6 Institute Day - Call for Proposals - INFORMATION ITEM
The D97 Professional Learning Committee (PLC) is excited to extend this call for proposals for choice sessions for all teachers held the morning of our November 6, 2018 Institute Day. As we work towards our district vision of providing a positive learning environment for all D97 students that is equitable, inclusive, and focused on the whole child, the PLC strives to create personalized professional learning experiences that meet both student and teacher needs. In order to make this vision a reality, however, the PLC needs you! We are asking teachers in grades Pre-K to 8 to share their knowledge and expertise to build a useful day of learning for their colleagues.
To submit a session for consideration, please complete this Google Form by Thursday, October 11, 2018. You will be notified by Thursday, October 18, 2018 if your session has been selected. Teachers delivering sessions will receive compensation at the hourly rate for 2 hours of planning time.
Individual sessions will be 1 hour and 10 minutes long. You may opt to offer a proposal that would last 2 or 3 sessions in length, if you have a longer topic or practical experience you would like to implement with participants. You may submit a session individually, or you can team up with a colleague or small team to facilitate together. You may submit a session on any topic you are interested in sharing with your colleagues, but the Committee is especially looking for sessions on the following topics aligned to our district goals for this year:
Improving literacy instruction
Strengthening middle school instruction
Fostering a sense of belonging for all students
If special area departments (art, music, etc.) and middle school departments (math, humanities, etc.) are interested in department meeting time on this day, please complete the session submission Google Form to indicate what you are interested in doing together on this day and for how long. The PLC will also get back to you by Thursday, October 18th to let you know if your collaboration time has been approved.