DES Saturday Update
September 14, 2019
Recap of the Week/General Announcements for the Coming Week
* While you are still working on creating those learning communities, I saw some incredible instruction as I walked through this week. I have seen scientific investigations, use of novels and the ELA 'notebooks', stations in all content areas, circles, and meaningful pairings. Great job!
* Committee meetings are this week. Please share with the staff which committees are meeting this Wednesday. I know some will meet at other times (SIT, Equity, Crisis and other optional committees). I hope that all committees meet monthly since these replace the second staff meeting of the month. Leaders, please have a sign in sheet and agenda that you share a copy with me. The admin team will attend as many of these as possible.
• I hope to formally begin observations this week (okay--stop laughing! I can dream, can't I?). Matt and Brianna may come with me on some of these visits so that we can get in sync on our process; however, only one of us with be writing the report. It is critical to me that we are all looking through the same lenses.
• Interventions begin on Monday. There are a few students left to place so understand that there may be additions or deletions.
• Committee meetings on Wednesday. Watch for info on locations from the committee leaders. If for some reason you are not on a list, let me know.
• Susan to IEP chair meeting on Monday afternoon.
• Matt to 504 Meeeting mid-day on Tuesday.
• Back to School Night on Tuesday at 6:00 PM. I will have pizza delivered for those of us who are staying after.
• SST meetings this Wednesday.
• Matt, Laura and Beth will be at Unify training on this Thursday all day.
• Matt will continue Leadership Training at SU this Friday; Briana and Susan on duty!
#DESTreasures
• DES math teachers and Mrs. Ponsini: Great job with Mrs. Mulligan's Math Walkthrough on Friday. I have gotten positive feedback and we will be following up with you.
• The PreK team did an awesome job with our youngest students on Thursday and Friday. The transition for many was so smooth while there are a few who need a little more love and care to get acclimated. Excellent job with completing the DES family!
• Kudos to everyone who has jumped in to help with dismissal on Thursday and Friday. I really appreciate the extra eyes!
• The DES PTA for a great Ice Cream Social on Friday night. We had so many families and students who came for all the toppings and yummy ice cream. It was a great opportunity to meet the parents of so many different families.
• Thanks to the recess monitors for helping with a student who needed additional supervision this week. I hope to have a full team of monitors here this week!
• Welcome back, Joan Powell, Victoria Austin, and Donna Carson! These skilled Interventionists will be returning this week! You are a #DESTreasure!
Don't Forget...!
• If you have not viewed the CCPS Acceptable Use Policy, please do so and sign the sheet in my office to verify that you have watched it. This is for every employee. Here is the link: AUP
• Back to School Night Schedule on Tuesday, September 17:
- 6:00 PM: Intro for Parents in the Cafeteria
- 6:20ish PM: Parents to classrooms for Rotation 1
- 6:50 PM: Parents to classrooms for Rotation 2
- 7:20 PM: Closing and Good Night
• Don't forget to pay PTA dues--only $10! The budget has supports for classroom materials as well as field trip support. Please support them with your membership.
• If you are out for a scheduled appointment, please be sure to put a copy of the appointment invite or documentation in my blue folder. Thank you!
• This is for me as much as you: Please be sure to complete your mandatory training by September 29. If you need the link, just let me know.
Briana's Corner
Testing begins on Monday. Heinsohn, Williamson, Lane, McClellan, and Swann, it's showtime! Please ensure you continue to take attendance everyday. I will put a make up testing document in your mailboxes Monday morning. Write down the names of any students that were absent on your designated testing day. If you have any students that are not able to log on or get into the system, add their names to the make up list. Those students will make up the test at a later date.
Please make sure your SPED and 504 students are seated at your small group tables or another location in your classroom while testing. All students should get extended time and chunking.
Please review the UPDATED SCHEDULE, I-READY DIAGNOSTIC BASICS, and I-READY DIAGNOSTIC DIRECTIONS in the email sent by Mrs. Walker. All log in information can be found in those resources. Don't forget you all have access to the hard copy resources you received on Friday. Feel free to share the slides for your grade level to get your students pumped up for i-Ready. Reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!