Abbett All-Star Article
1-29-16
From My Heart
As the year goes on, I reflect on my leadership style as I journey through this new role! This is one of those weeks that I want to share some of my thoughts with you. Some of your team members may have mentioned to you that we discussed communication at Tuesday's Campus Improvement Team meeting. We use several different types of communication to make improvements and changes as a school. This takes the form of surveys, informal, and formal communication. I want to remind all of you that I truly have an open door policy, I am passionate about trying to serve and help in any way that I can. I will listen, talk, and collaborate with you as often as you would like. You can confide in me or just come ask me a few questions.
Many of you know that I taught at the same school for 12 years, and for 11 of the 12 years, I had the same principal. She was an amazing mentor, friend, and leader to me. I vividly remember peeking in her office numerous times a year and asking the million dollar question, "Do you have a minute?" If it fit with her meeting schedule, she put down her pen and was ready to listen and help. She served as a role model to me, and I hope I can be that person to each of you. If you don't find me sitting at my desk, shoot me an email or text and we will find a time to chat. It is essential that all of us to feel this way with each other. Let's be open and honest about what needs to be done to help our staff, students, and community be successful.
The Thoughtshare survey was another form of communication and feedback that was lead by the district. The first round was in December when it asked several short answer questions. These thoughts were compiled and sent out to everyone at Abbett. You are were given a certain number of stars to assign to thoughts that you agree with. You still have a few hours to go in and add your stars. As noted earlier in the week, the email came to each of you on or around January 15. The survey closes tonight at 11:00 p.m. In order for the data to be accurate, we need as many staff members as possible to assign the stars. This will serve as one piece of data for our campus needs assessment for the 2016-2017 school year.
Speaking of the 16-17 school year, it is getting to the time of year when teacher contracts will be delivered to the campus. If you are looking for or thinking about a change of plans for next year, please come talk to me. This could be a change in grade level, job, moving, etc. I promise to keep these conversations confidential.
Thanks for listening to what was on my heart today...
Thankful to be serving here alongside each of you,
Betsy
Abbett Teachers Took Over the Twitter Feed on Wednesday!
Thanks to the following teachers who have participated in our #workstationwednesday Challenge!
Mallory Cox, Amanda Wade, Stephanie Clark, Elida Buchanan, LaShai Sticher, Kelly Curry, Honey Womble, Kim Howard, Jennifer Jay, Nicole Meyer, Brittany McKay, Brittnee Edmonds, Sarah LeFan
STEAM Challenge!
Building Numbers
Collaborative Partnerships Make Everything More Fun!
WOW!! 1st graders using self-assessment with writing!
Kids teaching Kids is the best!
Teacher Table is Perfect for Meaningful Small Group!
5th grade loves working together!
1st grade fun!
Watch Dogs Help Out in the Library!
We will spend a little time in our staff meeting on Tuesday giving teachers an opportunity to share how they are incorporating small groups into daily instruction. The images captured on Twitter are perfect examples that can be used!
How Do I Use the Comprehension Toolkit?
Go Noodle Plus!
Professional Development Opportunities
SchoolNet Assessments
As we have discussed throughout the year, the district assessments are optional, but the semester assessments should be completed when available. Although it is past the scan deadline, you can still have your students complete the assessments. This data is essential for differentiating instruction. Please have Ross scan in the scantrons so that we can look at the disaggregated data.
Earlier in the year, we met in the computer lab with several members from the professional learning department about using SchoolNet to create tests based on specific grade level and standard. As we dig through data, we find that it is necessary to differentiate with specific questions. Here are the steps to create the tests:
Click Assessment Admin
Create
Create an Express Test
Follow prompts to choose
Barbara Springs also shared this additional information earlier in the week for creating reading tests:
Assessment Admin
Find an item, passage, or rubric
Use the menus to select the appropriate grade and passage
For further help, there is a QR code on the landing page of SchoolNet that is very helpful. Feel free to reach out to Barbara Springs through email if you have a specific question. She is a great resource.
Cafeteria Cups
February Fun!
You can wear jeans all week for a $5 donation to GEPA!
Tuesday, February 2
Betsy Out 8:00-11:00
Ralph Out 10:00-1:00
Staff Meeting 3:30-4:30
Amy Clark will be here to discuss dyslexia
Wednesday, February 3
Betsy Out AM
Friday, February 5
Betsy Out AM
Tuesday, February 9
Perot Museum Family Science Night---we will need at least 2 volunteers per grade level! Please send me the names of the volunteers from your grade level.