Nuts & Bolts
April 22, 2019
Happy Easter, Happy Spring
Thank you for a great week last week. I think overall, everything went well - especially as we started testing. Thank you, Megan, for handling all of the testing logistics. This is why testing has gone so well.
Friday my family came in for C's Celebration of Life. (Thank you, Ms. Jen and Ms. Jess for specifically inviting students in with summer birthdays.) C was so excited and proud and happy. This experience reminded me how different and special we are at MMA. The first time I was in the building was when I interviewed and toured almost two years ago. During that time, I had the honor of observing a celebration of life. It was at that moment that I knew that my children needed to attend MMA, regardless of how that interview thing worked out.
Thank you all for making MMA a beautiful, calm, supportive place for children to learn and work toward achieving their fullest potential.
I look forward to our professional learning session Monday. Please be in the commons area no later than 1:30pm so we can begin and end on time. The vertical PLC for restorative practices will be presenting and their agenda is posted below. Please bring:
- cuddle toy
- meter stick
- dark color sharpie
Have a wonderful week,
René
Staff Update
G&C Challenge - Waiting for Help
I frequently hear that there is a lack of grace and courtesy in our building. Most recently, this was discussed at our advisory meeting. There were several reasons brought up that could be causing this phenomena. I would like us to try to address this by recognizing grace and courtesy when we see it happening.
Thank you for practicing and recognizing G&C when students speak in a low voice.
Coach's Corner
A reminder that there are no Instructional Coach meetings for the months of April and May - unless you submit a request via email to Ms. Nicoletta, letting her know you still want to meet. If Ms. Nicoletta is your mentor she will STILL be meeting with you during your coaching time.
Technology Reminders
Please explicitly instruct students to log into the chrome books using their MMA lions account. If students are found to be logged in under their personal accounts, after you provided specific instruction not to - please write this up in Aspire and click alert admin. A natural consequence that might be assigned to a student found willfully not following these guidelines is to not be allowed to get onto MMA technology.
This summer we are planning on making changes to all of our computers and settings to properly filter inappropriate content and hopefully without needing to use the white list process.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate our technology and keep students safe on it.
Summer Curriculum Writing
This was posted in last week's N&B; however, it was inadvertently positioned at the way bottom of the newsletter. It is posted here again in case you missed it last week. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Math Professional Learning Opportunities
We are excited to announce three mathematics summer professional learning courses for 2019! Sign up in MIDAS today using the course codes next to each course!
Elementary Mathematics For All Students (Course #50652):
Re-invigorate your math instruction by coming together to collaborate with teachers, engage with rich mathematics tasks, and apply key practices to your own math classroom. Leave with concrete strategies you can use to enhance your planning, instruction, and assessment to create an equitable learning environment that enables all of your students to succeed in mathematics.
Secondary Mathematics for All Students (Course #52312):
Participants will learn to apply the Utah Multi-Tiered System of Support (UMTSS) framework to increase student learning of mathematics and promote high expectations for each and every student. The sessions will focus on practical strategies to implement high quality math tasks in an accessible way, elicit student thinking, and support productive struggle. Discussions and activities will integrate and encompass the critical components of the UMTSS framework: High-quality Instruction, Team-based Problem Solving, and Data-based Decision Making.
What the Tech? Improving the Efficacy of Your Mathematics Classroom (Course #52275):
What the heck is “What the Tech”? In this course, mathematics plays the lead role with technology as the supporting actor. Come learn about what makes a mathematics classroom effective, how to incorporate technology into a mathematics classroom strategically and how to evaluate what’s working and what is not. Novice to expert tech users from grades K-12 will be engaged in the use of digital tools to provide opportunities for students to reason critically, communicate effectively, and model mathematical concepts using multiple representations. (Click on the link in the course title for an advertisement video.)
Each two-day course will cost $25 and will get participants lunch on both days, resources, and MIDAS credit.
Note that all locations will offer participants the chance to engage in either the elementary or secondary Mathematics for All Students course on Monday and Tuesday AND THEN the What the Tech? course on Wednesday and Thursday for a fluid four day run of fantastic mathematics-centric professional learning! See below for course details, dates, and locations.
Each course participant will have the opportunity to do an extension after the conclusion of the course that will earn them a $150 stipend (thanks to the STEM Action Center’s generous donation).
Courses will run during the following dates and locations from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each day:
- Mathematics for All Students: Monday and Tuesday (or Tuesday and Wednesday)
- What the Tech?: Wednesday and Thursday (or Thursday and Friday)
- May 28-31, 2019 (Tuesday-Friday) Nebo School District
- June 3-6, 2019 (Monday – Thursday) Iron County
- June 3-6, 2019 (Monday – Thursday) Davis School District
- June 10-13, 2019 (Monday – Thursday) Washington County
- June 17-20, 2019 (Monday – Thursday) Cache County
- June 17-19, 2019 (Monday – Thursday) San Juan County
- June 24-27, 2019 (Monday – Thursday) Alpine School District
If you have any questions about these courses, please reach out to
- Shannon Ference for Elementary Mathematics (Shannon.Ference@schools.utah.gov),
- Joleigh Honey for Secondary Mathematics (Joleigh.Honey@schools.utah.gov) and,
- Nathan Auck for What the Tech? (nathan.auck@schools.utah.gov)
Upcoming Events
4/22/19 - Early release, Professional Learning
4/22/19 - JH Musical Performance, 6pm at Southwest Library Branch
4/23/19 - PLC Meetings, 3:30-5pm
4/23/19 - JH Musical Performance, 6pm at Southwest Library Branch
4/30/19 - Evacuation Drill
4/30/19 - PLC Meetings, 3:30-5pm
5/1/19 - Original Works reimbursement forms and receipts due
5/3/19 - MAPA Meeting, 8:45am in Conference Rm
5/5-11/19 - 6th and 9th Grade Field Trips
5/6/19 - Staff Meeting, 3:30-5pm
5/7/19 - PLC Meetings, 3:30-5pm
5/13/19 - Montessori Monday
5/13/19 - SIT Meeting
5/14/19 - Fire Drill
5/14/19 - PLC Meetings
5/14/19 - Board Meeting, 5:30pm
5/15/19 - Box Top Store
5/17/19 - 9th Grade Graduation
5/18/19 - Staff End of Year Party, René's house, 4pm
5/20/10 - EC Bridging Ceremony
5/20/19 - Advisory Meeting, 3:30pm
5/21/19 - LE Bridging Ceremony
5/21/19 - PLC Meetings, 3:30-5pm
5/21-24/19 - Early Release, PTCs
5/22/19 - UE Bridging Ceremony
5/24/19 - Last Day of School for Students
5/27/19 - School Closed
5/28-31/19 - Teacher Professional Learning
Maria Montessori Academy
Email: info@mariamontessoriacademy.org
Website: www.mariamontessoriacademy.org
Location: 2505 N 200 E, North Ogden, UT, United States
Phone: 801.827.0150
Facebook: facebook.com/MMAofUT
Twitter: @MMAofUT