Weekly Warrior
November 27th, 2017
1 to 1 Roll Out
Current computers will be collected and redistributed so each teacher has a few extras in their
Parents are encouraged to buy a combination lock to secure computers in the locker room during PE/Encore classes.
Monday, December 4th at 7pm
Tuesday, December 5th at 6pm
Thursday, December 7th at 6pm
Staff Evaluations-
Non-Tenured Staff- You have two formal observations scheduled for this year, 1 with Shirley and 1 with JB. By now each of you should have been observed, if someone has been overlooked please bring it to our attention. If possible Shirley and I would like to schedule our second observations in December or week 1 or 2 in January. We will begin to schedule observations if we do not hear from you by Friday, December 1st.
Tenured Staff- If you have not been observed yet please schedule by December 1st, if not Shirley and I will select a date. Tenured teachers should schedule summative evaluation conferences before January 31st.
Advisory Corner- Goal Setting
Wednesday, Nov 29- 7th Red Pod Talk- Goal Setting
Thursday, Nov 30- 8th-grade Goal Setting- 2:00 (7th grade POD)
Friday, Dec 1- Advisory Representative meeting LRC
During Advisory this week please do the following:
- Monday Review Behavior Matrix- CORE Values Behavior Matrix and Core Values. Hallway behavior is important to review: walk on the right side, not too loud, walk and talk during passing periods not stand and block. Get to lockers, organize and use the opportunity to go to the restroom.
- 8th grade -remind about Washington DC- the list will be provided this week for teachers to review and examine. Roommate selection begins the first week of December.
- Research has shown that adults and students that develop mindfulness practices are better able to adapt, overcome and be successful. OQMS will begin examining mindfulness practices to help us improve the continual development of the four Core Values in our lives: Community, Kindness, Growth, and Justice. Personally, it can help you focus on tasks at hand, stress reduction, self-reflection and to consider difficult questions. Here is a practice video. Teachers feel free to use this but provide a focus for relaxation/stress reduction.
- Wednesday or Thursday Have the students think about a difficult question such as: why do some students do well in school while others struggle? If you could say a sentence which the whole world could hear, what would you say? You can google more.... or use a difficult question from your subject area: Should the United States limit immigration? How can this math concept be applied to your life? what are the most import aspects of a written argument? How will this knowledge be applied outside of the classroom?then have a circle talk discussion. It is important for them to gather their thoughts without speaking for this to work. Ask students the difference between waiting for a minute as compared to responding right away to difficult questions.
- Try to close a lesson in a core subject/Encore class or PE class with mindfulness on Thursday or Friday. I found one teacher used it as an exit slip: At the end of class, she takes 3-5 minutes to have kids close their eyes and focus on their breath. She has them think of what they have learned and what they accomplished. She gives them quiet time to settle their nervous systems before their next class and then ends with a positive statement about how hard they’ve worked, how proud she is of them, or how much she cares about them.
She said it’s had such a positive impact on her class, and the kids always remind her when it’s mindfulness time — if she forgets, they make sure to let her know she “owes” them mindfulness!
#PLC
Please use the Unit Status Document to Track Progress
1. Discuss the Meaning of Standards- Be able to explain in kid-friendly terms or to parents and provide an example of what it should look like.(ongoing but must be first)
2. Identify Essential/Power standards- Every kid must have/know these because they are so important and connect to next years learning or endures over time and across subject areas.
3. Write Rigorous Common Summative Assessments: Use a variety of question types, DOK levels, Performance Tasks
4. Write Rigorous Common Summative Assessments: that help the students prepare for the summative and helps the teacher adjust instruction and provide extra time and support or extension.
5. Discuss and Select High-Quality Resources: These help with assessments and daily lessons
6. Lesson plan (always takes place but may change after steps 1-4 completed)
7. Complete Template- Placing 1-5 in the template
School Leadership Team
- From Fall to Spring, increase the percentage of students by 12% that score at the percentile strongly correlated on the NWEA Math Map assessment to result in a 4 or 5 on the state PARCC Math exam. Reduce by 12% the number of students in the low and low average range on the NWEA math assessment.
- From Fall to Spring, Increase the percentage of students by 12% that score at the percentile strongly correlated on the NWEA Reading Map assessment to result in a 4 or 5 on the state PARCC ELA exam. Reduce by 12% the number of students in the low and low average range on the NWEA reading assessment.
- Improve the percentage of teachers by 15% who report that they have an influence on setting standards for student behavior by collaboratively developing a consistent progressive discipline plan. Additionally, increase the percentage of teachers by 12% that identifies the principal as an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.