Principal Walder's Monday Memo
For the week of December 2nd
We have Titan-Sized Goals!
Whether conscious of it or not, goals drive much of what you and I do each day. Morning face wash routines to avoid wrinkles, following a treadmill training plan to run a 5k, and completing my "to-do" list before I leave the office so that when I can get home I can play Legos with Martin and Leah are all goals for me this week. As adults, we can set our goals and set steps to achieve them. As an adult, I am motivated by the avoidance of undesirables, finding time for family, and personal health goals.
In some cases, success is clear, I signed up for a 5k and the completion of 3.1 miles will have define success. For other goals, like finding family time, success is not as clear because for a 6-year-old, there is never enough time and there is no clear way for me to measure this goal.
Which brings me to my point, goal setting and subsequent attainment at any age is challenging. It is especially difficult when there is no clear way to define the challenge or determine success along the way. The research behind goal setting, specifically in an academic setting, indicates that it is worth it, though.
Hattie's (2013) research cites student self-goal setting with an effect size which has the potential to accelerate student achievement.
- Clear Goal Intentions (0.51)
- Goal Commitment (0.40)
- Appropriately challenging goals (0.59)
At the elementary level, goal setting is very powerful when teachers provide guidance and support. As we go into NWEA testing this week, each grade level has discussed how we will review our goal setting with our students after this assessment period. Keep in mind that we cannot improve what we cannot measure and NWEA gives us this clear measure. NWEA gives us quantitative feedback in a systemic manner that can be measured longitudinally. It is what we do with the preparation for the assessment as well as the data from the assessment that will define our success.
I hope that you look forward to the conversations that you will have with your students about our Titan-sized goals!
PLC Topic for the Week
- Please see the email and schedule from Dr. Warzecha.
PLC Goal: Provide clarity on our district’s process with school improvement and our designation at the High School as a Targeted Support Improvement school.
- You will need to bring your devices and you will be meeting in the Legacy Meeting Room.
Dr. Walder's Schedule
Monday: NWEA Testing Window Open
- 8:30 Meet with Mrs. Taylor
- 9:20 PLC 5th Grade
- 10:!5 PLC 4th Grade
- Noon Intervention PLC
- 1:00 Instructional Leaders at DEC
- 3:00 Meeting at DEC
- 3:30 Meeting at Legacy
Tuesday:
- 7:40 IEP
- Review TLR in Legacy Conference Room
- 3:30 IEP
Wednesday
- 7:40 Academic Leadership Team Meeting
- 8:30- 9:20 Observation
- 11:00 Specials Teacher Meeting
- 11:50 PLC 2nd Grade
- 12:45 PLC 1st Grade
- 1:00 Student Meeting
- 1:40 PLC 3rd Grade
Thursday
- 7:40 Teacher Meeting
- 8:30- 9:20 Observation
- 9:20 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 2:30 PLC Kinders
- 3:30 IEP
Friday
- 7:30 IEP
- 7:40 IEP
- 9:30 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 12:30 Interventionist PLC
Contact Dr. Walder
Email: Samantha.Walder@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.teaschools.k12.sd.us/
Location: Tea, SD, USA
Phone: 6058817381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaAreaLegacy/
Twitter: @swalder7