MoB (Matters of Business)
Edgewood's Weekly Staff Update for the week of 1/7-1/11
We are committed to the journey of developing EACH child to be an inspired learner and a caring, contributing citizen.
Learning Notes
I enjoy the reflection and re-focusing that comes with the new year. How can I be better in 2019? One of the things on my work list is to make sure that I keep the main thing--student learning--the main thing. I want to make sure we measure what matters, and don't get sidelined by things that aren't as important.
We can teach a lot of things, but what do we want to be certain that kids LEARN? This clarity makes for better teaching. We've been working on clarifying what's important in each unit by identifying boulders, rocks, and butterflies. Our teams are doing great work! 2nd grade is developing a single-point rubric for writing. Third and fourth grades are doing the same for reading. Keep up the good work!
Once we're clear on what's most important to learn, we need to see whether or not kids are actually learning it. How is each kid doing, "by name, by standard?" (Or, "by name, by boulder?") What evidence can we look to to tell us that Student X is ready to move on, or needs more instruction?
Focusing on student learning, by name, by standard, is one of my goals this year, and one that I've recommitted to for the new year. When we bring measurement of learning to the forefront of our consciousness and conversation, I think we'll see more students meeting the goals we set for them.
Here's to 2019!
TCB (Taking Care of Business)
- Here is the link to the "Respect Bingo" card that your class must fill out to gain entry to the special assemblies. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bpQARSUrqMgeJrjWxxxb30IlgqoSC5QEeP_ZGctLKqw/edit?usp=sharing. Please create a copy, and you can type right into it!.
- The STAR window is open for grades 2-5 the month of January. I'm excited to see the progress our students have made! Please make plans to give it sometime during the month. We'll review data at our next data meetings (Scheduled Jan 29, 30, 31). Make sure you communicate testing dates with the Sped team so that accommodations can be provided per IEP.
- Jodi works in the aides room Tues, Wed, and Thursday mornings. Please keep this in mind as you give her work to do.
- If the copier runs out of paper, please refill it! It only takes a few seconds, and it makes it nicer for the next person =).
- If you find an item on the printer that's not yours, there's a bin next to the laminating bin for missing/unclaimed papers. Thanks!
- Susan Nolan will be out for hip surgery starting 1/7. She'll be out for at least 4 weeks as she has restricted movement after. Emma Anderson will be her longterm sub. Susan is working to pull together substantive plans. Please welcome Emma when she gets here, and pass on any critical information re: supports/approaches to kids in your class. There are a lot of students she needs to get to know, and we want the transition to go smoothly.
- Would you be interested in having your grade attend GHS's performance of Beauty and the Beast on Tuesday, 4/9 during the day? If so, talk with me.
Reading Tips
Can't get some kids to move into the next phase of reading? (Stuck on semi-reading graphic novels, perhaps?) Check out this blog for ideas on switching up your library: https://choiceliteracy.com/article/reaction-and-intention-rethinking-the-library-in-early-december/
Academic Language (EL) Corner
Staff Shout Outs to...
- To 3rd grade, who responded to a student deficit in monitoring for vocabulary knowledge, and added a bend on it to a unit!
- To Angie, who showed patience yet high expectations to a student struggling to get back into the swing of things in the cafeteria.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered to help with the FBA for a struggling student!
Shout out to Jackie for her K4 lesson on accepting "feedback" from staff by saying "ok" vs a temper tantrum.
Thank you for Jackie for her problem solving abilities and kind heart.
Upcoming Dates
1/7: 2nd Grade Brainstorming, 7:40
1/8: 1st Grade Brainstorming, 7:40
1/8: EHSA Meeting, 6:30-7:30
1/9: All Staff Meeting (Character), 7:40
1/11: Core Character Team Meeting, 7:40
1/11: Recess Supervisor Meeting, 10:40-11:20
1/11: K-2 Character Celebration Assemblies @ 2pm
(3rd-5th assembly is on 1/25 @ 1pm)
Next Week:
1/15: 5K Brainstorming Meeting, 7:40
1/16: Staff Collaborative Team Meetings, 7:40
1/18: SLAIT Meeting, 7:40
1/18: Assembly, 2:30pm
Other Upcoming Dates
2/13: Early Release--Parent Teacher Conferences
By 2/14: Complete a mid-year update of your PPG and SLO with a colleague (the mid-year reflection is part of the form you turn in in May). If you need to make an adjustment, it must be submitted to Meg by 2/8.
2/15: Mid-winter break (no school)
2/18: Professional Learning