MP Principal's Post
ONE...Team. Vision. Goal.
Manchester Park Elementary
Home of the Timberwolves
8/24/2018
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Back-to-School Night is a great time to talk with parents and let them in on what you are doing this year...and can also be a stressful time for those of us that don't like talking in front of that many adults. Somehow, it is so much easier to talk in front of little ones (even though they can be more judgmental at times :)).
With that said, you all did a fabulous job on Tuesday night. I appreciate the time and effort that you took to prepare and present your information to the parents. Enjoy the weekend with your friends and family!
On a totally different note: I know that changes are hard. This year, it was the surface pro and iPad setup (and the fact that you don't have the t drive, among other things). Last year, it was panorama and a new science curriculum. The year before...new Kansas Assessments, MAP and iPads. Next year, a new math curriculum (and we will see what else). I know I am missing things. :)
The reason I am pointing this out is that there is always going to be "something new" and it is not always presented to us at the greatest time, which makes us scramble to learn it...and then teach it effectively. If we complain about it and don't look for positive solutions to the problem...we become the problem. If you have ever taught in a different school district or talked with others in different parts of the country...you have seen or heard how good we have it.
You all are ROCKSTARS at what you do. You care about the students and are a wonderful support to each other. Keep living by the ONE...Team.Vision.Goal motto and we will be just fine.
Kansas City Slugger Assembly and Royals Spirit Day
Wolf Pack Social Groups
This is just a reminder that our first wolf pack for the school year will be on August 31 at 2:55. Please see Casi's previous email with your wolf pack groups.
Please make sure that you are at the door until all of the students make it to you. I will see if some PTO parents can help monitor the hallways as well. The "We Succeed" committee will send out instructions.
The other wolf pack dates are as follows:
September 27 (We Read plans)
December 13 (We Learn plans)
Feb 21 (We Lead plans)
Apr 24 (We Succeed plans)
Beginning of the Year MAP Assessments
As you saw in an email from our assessment department, we will postpone our MAP assessments until the week of September 10th. I understand that this won't give you the BOY data that you desire early in the year, but you can always use the Spring assessment results in the meantime. I will send out an updated schedule when we get closer. Thanks for your flexibility!
Let's talk about "Teams"!
I have heard from a few of you about a possibility of some training with the Teams app that we will use for PLC and SIP committee communication. I will share any tricks of the trade that I know and we can get training in the future as needed. If you are a DIY type of person, please feel free to go onto the tech department page's "Microsoft Teams" webpage. It has a plethora of information at your fingertips. https://olatheschoolsorg-my.sharepoint.com/:o:/r/personal/janderson_olatheschools_org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B2d71ee49-aeee-486a-a659-585de8c45b74%7D&action=default
The reason for the use of "Teams" is because we needed a platform to place documents in since our T drive is gone.
I am learning along with you, but I want you to know that we are starting out slowly. Thanks for your help, patience, and flexibility in transitioning to this!
SIP Committees
PLC's use Teams!
Tornado/Fire Drills
We will be conducting our first tornado and fire drill immediately following our announcements on Wednesday, 8/29. Please take some time in the next week to go over procedures with your students. I will get on the intercom and do the tornado drill first. We will confirm that everyone is in their locations and then we will make an announcement that we will conduct at fire drill. The fire alarm will sound shortly after this.
Wolf Pack Dads
Planning Days for Teachers
I have reserved the following days to have subs for you to meet with your grade level:
2nd in AM
5th in PM
September 12th
1st in AM
4th in PM
September 13th
K in AM
3rd in PM
Supervision and Staff Conversations
Just a 2 reminders:
- Please continue to spread out and monitor the whole playground when you have recess duty.
- Please be mindful of your conversations in the hallway and in the staff lounge. We should model positive behavior that we expect from our students. Please also note that there are times that parents and/or students are in the back with an adult in the workroom. Voices carry from the lounge!
Thank you!
Grandparents/Special Guests Day
Lunches will begin at the following times:
September 5th
Grade K - 10:50-11:15
Grade 3 - 12:10-12:40
September 6th
Grade 1 11:40-12:10
Grade 4 12:55-1:25
September 7th
Grade 2 - 11:15-11:45
Grade 5 - 12:30-1:00
We will release the visitors to your classrooms about 20 minutes prior to this time. This will give them about 15 minutes in your classroom. I appreciate you thinking of something for them to look at or do…even though it is packed. Thanks for your flexibility and patience on this day. The kids and grandparents love it!
Calendar for the Upcoming Week
Monday, August 27th - C Day
*SIT Day
Tuesday, August 28th - D Day
*PTO Meeting
*Site Council Meeting
Wednesday, August 29th - E Day
*Tornado/Fire Drill (weather permitting)
Thursday, August 30th - A Day
*Sean at district adopt-a-school partner meeting in AM
Friday, August 31st - B Day
4th grade has AM gym duty