The Roar
January 11, 2016
"True self-confidence is "the courage to be open - to welcome change and new ideas regardless of their source." Real self-confidence is not reflected in a title, an expensive suit, a fancy car, or a series of acquisitions. It is reflected in your mindset: your readiness to grow." ~ Carol Dweck
Chatham's Chattering
EXTRA! EXTRA! IMPORTANT NEWS FOR YOU!
Sit back and put on your seat belt!
Please take this survey regarding our guest speaker, Rick Wormeli. The entire cluster is participating in this survey. Your feedback matters.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HARBINSAHS
BYOD eCLASS: Make sure you are encouraging students to bring their own devices for use in the classroom. We will be placing a video reminder to parents on our website. Remember that the use of technology is really about the students - students should be using technology to enhance their learning. We don't use technology for the sake of using technology; we use it as a way for students to demonstrate their learning and as a lovely means for differentiation.
Kishina Woolfolk will be back at Harbins to offer eClass and BOYD support Feb 1, 2, 3. More details to come. We are so lucky she will be here to support us in our efforts.
Spotlight on Staff: In an effort to let you know how much we appreciate your dedication to teaching and learning, we would like to spotlight your work. Stop by the atrium and check out our new bulletin board to see who is “Making It Happen” in the classroom. Each month we will spotlight effective teacher practice as it relates to our 10 standards and our school focus.
GMAS Scores: You will be receiving these electronically via email this week. You will be able to see the scores for students in your class this year as well as your students' scores from last year. Individual student reports are going home in report cards.
Custodial Concerns: Please make sure you email or talk to Johnny if you have any concerns or needs.
Placement forms were placed in your box last week. YES! We are planning for next year.
Staffing update: Hazel Choxom will be staying home with her sweet son beginning this week. We wish her the best, and we will miss her.
We have worked very hard to map out a plan for the remainder of the year and all the work we need to accomplish. From Innovation Fair to the Visitation Day, from GMAS testing to data talks, from RBES Mid Year to RBES EOY, we have much to do. The plan we have developed is subject to change, but hopefully, it will help you have an understanding of what is going to take place for the rest of the year. This "road map" will be sent to you in a subsequent email, but it is essential that you print it out, read it, and update your calendar. Some meetings have been switched and at least one has been eliminated.
To explain a few things regarding the meeting plan:
1. The next two weeks during professional learning time, you will have the opportunity to work with Chris (Technology!) and prepare for the visitation day. Don't forget Kishina will also be here to support us.
2. January 19, we will have professional learning regarding STEM from our district instructional office. Jonathon Wetherington and Bonnie Brush will be here during grade level planning to provide professional development. We invited them to help us focus on how we can incorporate STEM into all classrooms for the benefit of all children. There will also be a grade level debrief after school that day. Please note that this moves professional learning to Tuesday. Thursday will be for planning with tech support.
3. During the week of Visitation Day, we will not have a meeting after school. This is our gift to you.
4. February 15 Workday: You will have the majority of the day to work in your rooms. We will have grade level data talks incorporated into to the day. In addition, this is the date that your transcripts for FIP modules must be turned in. Instructions will be coming. We recognize there has been some confusion with completion dates. You will need to have completed all five modules by February 15 if you have not already done so.
5. The last three Action Team meetings of this year will be reserved for structured grade level collaborative planning.
6. Other questions about the plan can be directed to any Support Team or Admin Team member.
And finally. . . is your seat belt still on? Attached is an excellent video regarding growth mindset for children and adults. It is about 10 minutes, but the message is incredibly important. As we continue on our journey as professionals, let us remember that our mindset influences how we perceive ourselves, our students, and our practice.
It’s GREAT to be a Harbins Tiger!
Jennifer
Who Is Making IT Happen
- Action Teams and their work planning for Innovation Fair!
STEMCampATL - Spring 2016
GCPS is proud to host the 2nd STEMCampATL for metro-Atlanta STEM educators. STEMCampATL is designed to provide access to high quality, personalized professional learning for K-12 educators. Embracing the belief that fellow STEM educators can provde some of the most valuable professional development resources for their colleagues. This unconference learning will be driven by teachers for teachers. Come prepared to share and learn about innovative practices in STEM education.
What: STEMCampATL
When: Saturday March 12, 2016 8:00 - 12:00
Where: Peachtree Ridge HS
Registration will open on January 5th @ http://stemcampatl.weebly.com/
Archer Cluster Presents Parent Workshops
Click on the link below to view information regarding these workshops:
ACCESS Testing
ACCESS testing for ELL's begins January 19th. This year students will participate in online testing.
Amanda Acres will begin pulling ELL students to provide practice sessions with them Tuesday, January 12th.
Tuesday - All ESOL students will meet in my room for the Demo using the Mimio.
Wednesday and Thursday - All ESOL students will meet in a computer lab to do the practice tests (2nd grade will be in Lab B and the others will be in the Media Lab).
Friday - All ESOL students will meet in my room to go over how the writing test will work using the Mimio.
A complete ACCESS Testing schedule will be provided to all teachers with participating students.
1.10.16 Technology Updates
· DA Grade conversion charts can be found in S://Staff//Schoolnet, in eClass under Content--> Assessment, and in SchoolNet by searching in Instructional Materials
· KidTalk data is due on 1/22. Please attach your spreadsheet in an email to Chris Rogers and adhere to these guidelines when completing your data
· Technology professional learning is on Thursday, January 14th in the Professional Development room. We will be focusing on BYOD support and technology integration strategies for the BYOD visitation day and beyond
· New gradebooks have been created for Semester 2 classes. Please use these to input new grades - you can click the "X" to hide your other gradebooks and help clear up your workspace. Please update the Grading Weights for your new gradebooks if you made any changes to the default county template.
· SAFARI Montage is a great new content resource for all GCPS teachers and students. You will notice a new button on the portal under "Instructional Resources" and in eCLASS when building/editing content. We will provide training on this resource during the next round of common planning
Revised 2nd Quarter Report Card Timeline 2015-16.docx
Cold weather temperatures for outside participation
Temperatures are starting to drop near freezing for low temperatures with daytime temperatures in the 40 to 60 degree range. It is suggested that when wind chill temperatures drop below 40 degrees, the amount of time spent outside should be limited to 20 minutes of less during school hours. The amount of time should be adjusted down as the temperatures drop below freezing. Physical Education classes should be cautious since all students may not be dressed appropriately for these temperatures and instruction may be more difficult. Remember that you can always check the wind chill or heat index by using the following website. http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/USGA0082:1:US
Cyber Learning Days Option - Preparation
As we move into the time period for potential school closings due to inclement weather, we should prepare for the possibility that a 4th or subsequent day of school closure may be declared a Cyber Learning Day, with school and learning continuing that day through our digital resources.
Attached are guidelines to inform our preparations for a potential Cyber Learning Day. In addition, a "Cyber Learning Day Information" course page has been launched in eCLASS C&I and is now available for all teachers and administrators (anyone who currently has access to the C&I Communication Centers, such as the MOCC).
Link to Cyber Learning Day Information course page:
Dates That Lunch Monitors Are Not Available and Teachers Will Need to Eat in Cafe With Their Class
January 26th
February 5th & 22nd
March 4th & 21st
April 18th & 28th
May 12th, 23rd, 24th & 25th
Technology Reminders
- Don't forget to turn off your projectors and lock your doors when leaving your classroom!
- The 3rd 9 Weeks Lab Schedule is now open for editing - please remember to "Add to My Drive" and to delete any old lab schedules that may cause confusion - you will also get an email notification on Monday morning that it was shared with you
- The 4th 9 Weeks Lab Schedule is also open for editing, but the lab sheets are locked. You can still sign up for other rooms through the end of the year.
Classroom Spirit Award
ABCD Awards
Please send your nominations to Chatham by January 21, 2015, for recognition of staff members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that teaching and learning at Harbins are at the highest levels.
Roar Deadline
If you want to add something to the Roar, it must be sent to Montine by noon on Thursday of each week. If not turned in by Thursday at noon, it will have to be entered into the following week’s Roar. Thanks for your help!
Leaders in Learning
A Chrome file has been shared with each teacher, please go in to list your Leader in Learning each month when Montine sends out the notification email.