Falcon News: Staff Edition
Week of March 4, 2024
Week at a Glance
- Tuesday, March 5: New Teachers Session during Clusters. Focus - Classroom Strategies (all are welcome).
- Thursday, March 7: Middle School Field trip.
Falcons Flying High
A HUGE Fuller Shout Out to Ms. Sinnen for pulling off a tremendous feat of a whole school presentation, celebrating Black History. Families, students, and staff enjoyed hearing from scholars about their research of prominent African Americans, as well as songs depicting the struggle and pride of Black history. Kudos Ms. Sinnen.
Ms. McElmurry is doing the work!
She is ensuring our Falcons are exposed and aware of the opportunities that await them when they leave our building. Thank you Ms. McElmurry.
Enjoy a few highlights from our scholars visit to the CPS Trades Fair Conference below.
Last but certainly not least...a HUGE round of applause to
Ms. C. Foster. Ms. Foster sprung into action, figuring out how we could pull off Falcon Friday despite several absences and working to ensure ESPs received their well-deserved breaks. She continuously steps up to the plate to support our Falcons. Much appreciation Ms. Foster!
New Falcon in the Flock
Fuller welcomes Ebony Andrews-Hill as our new MTSS Interventionist. Ms. Hill comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She has worked as a Reading Interventionist, Gifted Coordinator, Citywide Literacy Specialist, Curriculum Developer for the University of Chicago, and Consultant to Chicago Public Schools. We are thrilled to have such talent supporting the academic growth of our scholars.
Instructional Updates
Passwords for Students in 4th - 8th Expiring March 22nd
School-wide Positive Behavior Intervention System
We are preparing to finalize and implement our School-wide PBIS initiative, Falcon Funds. Toward that end, we would like to hear from our students. Please either share this link (a one question survey) with scholars you feel can type in their responses or survey your class (PreK to 1st) on what incentives they would be interested in purchasing with the Funds they earn.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional Development: Early Career Teacher PLC
Are you an early career teacher? We invite you to join us on the first Tuesday of the month. For more information, please see here.
Professional Development: High Leverage Practices
We welcome diverse learning educators to join us on Tuesday, April 23. Register on Learning Hub with code IEPApr23.
Check out the full professional learning calendar - designed and facilitated by CPS educators.
New Teacher Cohort: Monthly PD for New Teachers
The New Teacher Induction & Mentoring Team provides monthly professional development for new to CPS teachers via the New Teacher Cohort. This month’s upcoming session is focused on Planning Part 3: Assessment. Please encourage new teachers to register and attend this series!
Upcoming | Q4 March Skyline Summit
The focus for the March ELA Skyline Summit is Instructional Planning & Unit Planning. A subtopic that will be discussed is Key Practice 2: Extensive Discussion. The March Skyline Summit dates are March 5th - 7th. Please share this with your ELA teachers, coaches, and/or interventionists. They can register here. This is their opportunity to dive deep into Skyline's wealth of resources, strategies, and discussion protocols, empowering them to enrich our students' learning experiences. During these sessions, teachers, coaches, and/or interventionists will:
Internalize instructional shifts and pedagogical practices within the Skyline Digital Learning Environment.
Engage in guided collaborative planning with content experts and peers.
Build capacity to ensure all learners access Skyline grade-level content.
The Social Science Department is excited to announce a virtual Black History Month event with the Southside Home Movie Project on Monday, February 26th from 4:30-5:30 PM.
Annual 24-25 PT Review - Now Recruiting
SY25 PT Reviewer Application - Please encourage outstanding teachers interested in rating and editing the 2024-25 BOY/EOY REACH Performance Tasks to submit the application by 2/20. Teachers will attend (2) Planning and Reviewing Sessions (1-1.5hrs), complete 4-6 hours of independent review work on the PTs, and earn a $350 stipend.
Professional Development on English Language Development Available
The Office of Language and Cultural Education (OLCE) has developed professional learning modules around English Language. The purpose of the ELD modules is to increase teacher understanding around the academic needs of English Learners. The goal of the modules is to equip teachers with knowledge and tools so that ELs across the District can access the content and develop the academic language needed to achieve academic success at the same rate as their native-English speaking peers. The first two modules are now available to all schools online.
Illinois State Board of Education, Special Education has serval professional development opportunites that will benefit boty Diverse Learner Teachers and General Education Teachers. Find out about upcoming professional development opportunities.
Benefit Days and Coverage
A few key updates and important reminders are shared below:
Sick Days - When using a benefit day, please email Foster, Kendricks, Reid and Reynolds, and request a sub in Aesop.
Personal Business Days - Please submit requests five days in advance to Principal Reid.
Late to Work - If you happen to running late, please notify the main office staff as soon as you know.
Thank you for doing your part to make sure we have strong processes and practices in place to ensure we can keep our nest operating smoothly in your absence!
Falcons Nest
Looking for a resource, policy or document? Just head over to the Falcons' Nest to find what your need. Don't forget to STAR this document to easily locate it in the future. We are still building the nest so please link documents you think should be added or share them with admin.