Friday Focus
Nov. 15, 2019
Excellent Teaching and Learning at Every Moment of Every day for Everyone
Principal's message
We are just one week away from a well deserved break. I am so proud of all the amazing teaching and learning that we are observing on a regular basis. Next week, we will be doing an instructional rounds on our problem of practice. I have sent the form to ILT for review and more information will be forthcoming.
Each class will have the opportunity to observe and provide feedback to another grade-level. It is always valuable to get a new perspective. I look forward to the discussions, and progress that will be made as a result of these observations.
Always True Blue,
S. Conklin
Quote for the Week
“Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.”
~Gail Goldwin
House Information
Earlier this week, our House Council met to discuss how we can improve the House experience for our students. Here are a couple of thoughts came from our meeting:
1. We have to reestablish the why - Kids have to know Why we are doing the House System.
2. They have to have more buy-in for their House - we will teach them specifically what their House means and all that the crest and symbols represent
3. Increase the number of opportunities for students to compete with each other in between House Rallies.
4. Provide more cross-grade level house meetings
5. Have more Grade-level House meetings (possibly 1 morning meeting a week, Houses get together for an activity so that it doesn't take additional time from instruction)
6. Most importantly, If teachers don't have House pride and spirit, students won't.
Over the next several weeks each grade-level is expected to designate time during morning meetings to increase student understating of the why and what each crest represents. Follow this link for this information. Pay close attention to page 5 as it explains the why, and pages. 16-39 which describe each House meaning and traditions. These are also the new crest designs we will be using. Please plan activities that get students familiar with the why and meaning. I know some grade levels have already begun doing this. You can reach out among your colleagues to get you started if you're not sure where to start!
We need to see teachers full of pride and spirit in regards to their house. Students will feed off of teachers energy and excitement.
Bulldog Blitz Ends Next Week!
Last week of Bulldog Blitz! We are well short of our goal, so we need a big push this week! Make sure to remind them of the prizes and incentives that they are working towards. Thanks for all you do!
Shout Out
Have any Staff Shout Outs? You can share them by filling out this form.
Need to Know
One of the suggestions made during our firs SEL Task force meeting was to create an opportunity for staff to share things that entire staff that they wanted them to know. This could be a need for thoughts, or prayers, a celebration, etc. Below is the Link if you would like to share something. Please make sure that you completed it by Thursday, 3:00 of each week to make it in that week of the Friday Focus.
Attendance Need to Know
One important note about any attendance mistakes:
If you receive an email from Lynda Dahlstrom confirming a student is present or absent, please respond with a simple, "Yes, they are present." or "No, they are not here." Your email is used for confirmation and is printed and filed with the attendance data. At any point, Beck could be chosen to be audited for attendance and all documents will be reviewed. Just keep that in mind when responding to any emails you receive regarding attendance.
Beck Brilliance Hashtag Award
This week's hashtag award goes to Mrs. Dixon! Make sure to tag @BeckElem on your tweets so that she can pick the next Hashtag Winner.
All of the things you are sharing are amazing! It is incredible to see Beck's narrative being told by so many wonderful educators!
Campus/District Goals
Campus Goal:
Mastery and Meets performance for each grade-level cohort as measured by STAAR will increase by 10% in grades 3-5; Sped performance on STAAR will increase 5%. K-2 mastery performance will be measured by the EOY goal in DRA2 for ELA . Mastery performance for campus developed EOY math inventory will be at 50% in grades K-2.
Problem of Practice:
In order to improve and maximize student achievement and raise the level of mastery and Meets performance levels, teachers must routinely design and implement differentiated experiences for all students, so that we can provide equitable access to content at appropriate levels of student readiness (cognitive demand) while meeting the unique needs of our learners.
Superintendent's Priority Goals:
1. PK-12 Grade Literacy: NISD will place increase emphasis on literacy across all grade levels and content areas to help ensure that all students are reading on or above grade level.
2. Masters and Meets Level Performance: NISD will develop specific target goals for each STAAR/SOC assessment that places an emphasis on students reaching the "Masters" level distinction.
3. College, Career, and Life Readiness: NISD will ensure that every student is progressing toward achieving CCR status, experiencing personalized learning opportunities, and developing social-emotional skills in order to attain their definition of personal success.
4. PBMAS Emphasis: NISD will increase academic success of students within Performance Based Monitoring Analysis System subgroups.
Important Dates
- Nov. 12-19 - Fall Book Fair
- Nov. 19 - Instructional Rounds
- Nov. 21 - Bulldog Blitz! (Specials Time)/Staff Thanksgiving lunch!
- Nov. 21 - Staff and Volunteer Thanksgiving Luncheon
- Nov. 21 - Staff Mtg. (Dr. Warren will be presenting)
- Nov. 25-29 - No School
- Dec. 2 - Progress Reports
- Dec. 5 - School-wide Spelling Bee
- Staff Mtg.
- Dec. 6 - Medlin Choir performance, 3-5 (9:30)
- Dec. 12 - Staff Mtg.
- Dec. 13 - Beck Staff Holiday Party