Scarlet News and Notes
November 3, 2019
Assuring Learning Excellence and Readiness for a Changing World
“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer
It's November!
Thank you to those of you who have already scheduled a meeting with me to talk about equity goals. I am looking forward to having a little time to visit with each of you!
Let's Get to Know...
Matt Moore from the Social Studies department. Matt started his career in education at Sleepy Eye Public Schools before moving to West in 2011. He currently teaches AP US History, Sociology, and Debate. He attended a history teacher workshop at Harvard at the end of September.
Over the summer, Matt researched World War II and his grandfather’s role in the 50th Signal Battalion. He also graded AP US History essays for the College Board.
Matt grew up in Redfield, South Dakota, the self-proclaimed "pheasant capital of the world.” He completed his undergraduate degree at NDSU and his graduate degree in Social Studies Education at the University of Minnesota. His wife, Jennifer Berg, is a counselor at Franklin Elementary. They met at NDSU and celebrated their 10th anniversary last summer. They have a four-year old daughter, Eloise, who is currently obsessed with knock-knock jokes, "Baby Shark," and the Hamilton musical.
In his free time, Matt likes to listen to podcasts and eat donuts. Sometimes he gets carried away and listens to podcasts while eating donuts.
He’s looking forward to year two of Coffee Creations.
Ethan Dado, Ag Teacher. Ethan teaches Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. It is his first year at West, his first year of teaching, and it is West’s first year offering an ag-related course. Ethan’s excited “to see what [his] students can accomplish.”
Over the summer, Ethan finished his graduate degree at the University of Minnesota. He also attended a "Curriculum for Agriscience Institute" (CASE) to learn more about implementing science standards into an agricultural context
Ethan grew up near Amery, WI where his family tends to 500 dairy cows and 1300 tillable acres. His three siblings are also involved in agriculture. Ethan enjoys playing/watching sports, water skiing, hiking, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
Mignon Disney from the English Learner’s department. Over the summer, Mignon collaborated with co-teaching colleagues and developed EL UbDs. Mignon has been an educator for 28 years; this is her second at West. She’s excited to work with Anna, Andrea, and Kim again, teaching English 10, English 11, Communications, Communications Support, and English 10 Support.
Mignon says, “I love what I do. I've been in and out of the classroom over time, but there is nothing like working with students and watching their world expand right in front of you every day!”
Mignon is originally from Kansas City. “I still love it there,” she says. She went to college at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She discovered EL during her masters program in California and has been working with English Learners ever since.
In her free time, Mignon loves to cook, read, travel, and be outside. She also loves to squeeze in time with her teenagers ”Whenever I can get it,” she says. Connor, 19, is busy with work while Will, 17, and Ellie, 15, are busy with their studies at West. Mignon recently moved to a home closer to West making it quicker to walk than drive.
Inflatable Lung Event
Reminders
Calendars and Tiered Busing
Share your feedback on Calendars and Tiered Busing by November 4
Shining Scarlets
November 11 - Department Reps give names to Jodi
November 14 - Letters sent to families
November 18 - Essays due to Jodi
November 22 - Breakfast begins at 7:00am, program begins at 7:15am in the cafeteria
Registration Guide Updates
Please review course descriptions and revise as needed. All updates need to be submitted (via email) to Tracy Corcoran by November 26. Our current Registration Guide can also be found on the High School Curriculum homepage (and on our staff website).
News to Share
We have a new grandma on our staff! Stacy Mortensen's daughter had a baby boy last week. Congratulations, Stacy!
Staff Meetings
We will have a staff meeting on Friday at 10:00am in the cafeteria. This will be a longer meeting, going until about 11:30. Lunch will be provided if you would like to hang around after the meeting. No need to bring anything to the meeting. We will have students speaking to us about their experiences and we will begin creating a vision for what our teaching/learning spaces need to look like to support college/career readiness.
Staff Get Together
PD Opportunity
We are looking to offer this PD module to any staff who is interested. The link provided gives some information and asks you to submit dates which would work for you. This would be a "Dinner and a Strategy" PD event. I hope you will consider joining us!
The Week at a Glance
Wednesday
Link Crew Academic Follow Up - Schedule
Thursday
Last Day of the Quarter
Friday
Teacher Work Day
Staff Meeting 10:00am Cafeteria
Things I have been reading...
Birthdays This Week
Happy Birthday!
Stephanie Ottmar November 8
Coming Soon
November 7 - End of Quarter
November 7 - Inflatable Lung Event
November 7 - Learning Academy
November 8 - Teacher Work Day, Staff Meeting 10:00 - 11:30
November 22 - Shining Scarlets
November 22 - Stuff-A-Truck ends
November 26 - Deadline for Course Revisions for Registration Guide
November 27-29 - No School