Burchfield's Bulletin
September 11-15, 2017 (School Days 15-19)
A Note from Joy
Good morning everyone! I hope your weekend was great! I put some of our data from last year into our Campus Needs Assessment this weekend. I will share it with you on Monday. I hope you'll take some time to discuss it in your PLC time this week. I think it puts some real "telling" information in a chart that is really easy to read. Most of us have had conversations about the data but I always look forward to hearing more plans for what we're going to do differently to better this year's data. Let me hear from you!
We got the M.A.P. assessments underway last week. I heard only good things from the practice/assessment sessions. Friends, change is hard BUT when the change will be efficient and give incredibly good information, it is best to go through the process of learning the process and then when the results are published, we will be more informed to make better decisions on what students need. MAP assessments will continue this week. SMILE!
Dave and I visited several classes this week. We were impressed by the many things that were happening. There were some trends of things that we felt were worth mentioning.
- Most classes have moved from "getting to know you" to learning time. Yea! We can not wait until later to get serious about student achievement.
- Students are getting into the routine of the schedule.
- Learning Targets were posted in most classrooms; however, several did not match instruction. Remember that these postings are there to keep instruction focused for teacher and students.
- Students are looking pretty compliant - quiet, books open, and teachers delivering information. Friends, if students are not given the opportunity to interact with each other about what they're learning, they're probably not learning as well as they could be. It also adds an element of fun - one of our core values. Learning should be fun. Every lesson should have an AFL or at least "Turn and Talk" element to it.
- There is a lot of whole group delivery of instruction. Students should receive instruction on their instructional level which means the challenge is just right. Differentiate!
- Only a few friends were really integrating reading instruction into other core classes. As a district and a campus, we have to commit to reading instruction with writing instruction in every class everyday. What might that look like:
Math: Teacher reads math word problem, then the class reads the word problem, then pairs read the word problem and then finally the teacher should be able to choose any reader to read the problem. Also, students can write their own problems. Social Studies: Read a variety of non-fiction publications about the current topic at different reading levels so that everyone can truly engaged in the learning and the conversation. Summarize and write the new learning. Science: Hook the audience with a need for a science finding. Write a hypothesis, sequence investigations, record findings in an Science notebook. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO READ! Arts: Obviously, read the Learning Targets with the students. Make sure students see your vocabulary words are in print for students to read. Use books and other reading sources for instruction.
Finally, thanks everyone for making the effort to encourage our students at the Summer Reading Awards Assembly. Your participation made the difference. I loved the enthusiasm for reading. If you don't have a Reading Program for students to track their reading throughout the year, it's time to start. This is one way to get students reading more than ever. Having incentives other than, "This is your homework" can make all the difference in the world. I'm sure our awesome Summer Reading Program Creator - Leslie Cech would help you get started.
If you are new and do not have the PowerPoint to introduce good care techniques, please see Leslie.
MASON'S MESSAGE
LIBRARIAN NEWS
Book Fair is in full swing! Please send students down if they have money to spend whenever is convenient for you. I will get them back to class just as soon as I can. Please send the ones that have money down on Friday as early as possible though so they do not get caught in the Grandparent traffic and lines.
Chromebooks have now been checked out to students in grades 3-5 and our Chromebook carts are out as well. Please go over expectations and care of Chromebooks with your students. I have already put in 21 work orders...and those are the ones that I was unable to fix myself. Please remember to do checks to make sure they are working and not in disrepair. Thanks so much~!
Leslie Cech
NURSE NEWS
TEACHERS DON'T FORGET...
- Sign up for your time to display your 3D artwork in the new hallway shelves. Leadership has access to the sign up sheet.
- Create a centerpiece for Grandparents' Day.
- Start making plans for Constitution Night.
- Create a fun and informative night for parents at Curriculum Night. Advertise for your grade level! The grade level with the highest percentage of participants will have lunch on me.
- Please follow our Twitter Page and Like our Facebook Page.
- Keep your webpage updated at all times.
- All Bulletin Boards should have student work displays. Written requirements for a display are shared here. If the display does not integrate the arts, just make sure the core T.E.K.S. are written out with the student work. Remember that we are an Academy of the Arts so do your best to integrate learning as often as possible. Arts faculty, if your displays integrate core Student Expectations, provide both sets of T.E.K.S.
- Kendra will begin setting up Goal Meetings on Wednesday.
CALENDAR UPDATES
Monday: Book Fair begins and continues throughout the week
Friday: Grandparents' Day
Upcoming Dates:
September 18: Constitution Day
September 19: Curriculum Night (5:30 and 6:15)
September 20: Big Kahuna Fundraiser ends
September 25: PE Stampede ($1000 for PE equipment to the school with most participation)
September 29: End of 1st 6-week grading period
October 5: Bobcat Pride
October 6: Student Holiday; Teacher Professional Development Day
October 9: Columbus Day; Student and Staff Holiday
Last week of October: Red Ribbon Week
DUTIES, BIRTHDAYS, WATCHDOGS
DUTIES
Gym: Moore & McDonald
D Hall: Guy
E Hall: Ward
BIRTHDAYS
None this week
WATCHDOGS
None this week
The Arts Make the Difference!
Website: http://bransom.burlesonisd.net/
Location: 820 S Hurst Rd, Burleson, TX, United States
Phone: 817-245-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BransomBobcats/notifications/
Twitter: @BransomBobcats